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As a soon to be college graduate I have been thinking about the cost of graduation. Not just for college but for high school. A student's senior year of high school is very expensive for most families. There are senior pictures, which can cost a couple hundred dollars depending on the package, cap and gown which cost around $80 on average, plus the cost of a graduation party. So by time you add food and decorations to graduation you're looking at a hefty total.
The cost of living and the cost you have to pay in order to put yourself in the position to make a living just keeps going up. This isn't all about cost and watching your money fly out the window though; there are great things about graduations too.
You can take the money made from graduation cards and put it towards college, your child is graduating and may be out of your hair for a while, and you can help out local businesses. When planning graduation parties or your child's senior year I suggest staying local. You may be able to save money and you will be helping out your community.
Find local printers for your invites or make you own by using a photo printing kiosk, use a local photographer for senior pictures, and source local catering and bakeries for the party; or feel free to come to me as I am a baker as well.
I guess what I'm trying to get at is that costs are increasing for everything and some costs you can't get around. I think it is best for people to do as much of the work as they can on their own and for the rest try to stay local so the community can reap the benefits.