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If you are planning your quinceañera on a budget, cut costs by making your own decorations. With these simple and inexpensive ideas, you can start by making your own centerpieces for the tables. You'll find the needed supplies at most dollars stores across the country.

For the first four arrangements, buy glass bowls in various shapes and sizes from the dollar store.

Arrangement #1

Fill the bowls halfway with clear water and add floating tea light candles, also from the dollar store. You can color the water with artificial coloring to match your theme.

Arrangement #2

Fill the bowls halfway with clear water and add roses, carnations, or daisies to float in them.

Arrangement #3

Fill the bowls halfway with sand and place tea lights on the sand. Add other accessories to highlight a theme, like seashells or river stones.

Arrangement #4

If you have a lemon or orange tree in your backyard, USE IT, GIRL! Fill the bowls with lemons or oranges and work the theme around that, especially if you're having a summer quinceañera.

I have three more ideas using different supplies. Keep reading!

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Quinceañeras can be very expensive (mucho dinero!), but they don’t have to be if you plan carefully, well in advance, and stick to your budget. The most important step to take before you start planning your quinceañera is to ask your family, "HOW MUCH MONEY CAN WE SPEND?"

Partying on a budget requires you to be very creative, that you have as many padrinos and madrinas involved as possible, and that you sacrifice some luxuries, such as an elaborate cake, a fancy beverage selection, or professionally printed invitations. You might also need to have a madrina of hair and makeup — a fashionable aunt or big sister — who can style you, instead of a professional at the salon.

Below, I’ll show you how you can have a quinceañera for 50 guests on a $2,500 budget. Feel free to remove the items that you can live without, and invest more in those that are most important to you.

Dress: $250
Accessories: $40
Hair & Makeup: $50
Venue Rental & Equipment Rental: $350
Ceremony Fees: $60
Flowers & Decorations: $150
Food & Beverages: $500 ($10 per person)
Cake: $150
Music: $150
Photography & Videography: $300
Invitations: $100
Limo: $250
Favors: $100

Remember that idea I gave you with the padrinos of the cake, where everyone bakes a small one? Well, that’s the perfect example for saving — in small pieces. Put aside little amounts of money throughout the year, and before you know it, it will add up to your goal!

What do you think — could you manage on a $2,500 budget?

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Don't be discouraged by the supersized birthday parties you see on TV. A quinceañera doesn't have to cost a fortune to be a blast. There are many money-saving tips you can use. I'll share my favorites, and then I want to hear yours!

1. Open a registry and ask padrinos and madrinas to sponsor certain things, like the dress, shoes, accessories, cake, limo, flowers, sound system - anything! The padrinos and madrinas can be relatives or family friends. They are usually flattered and proud to participate. Write personal notes that say "I would be honored if you would be my padrino and madrina..."

2. Hold the party at home or in a public place, such as at a beach, park, or historical site, which usually can be rented for a minimal fee.

3. Play your own music. Start making a list of your favorite songs now (check out Mis Quince's playlist here) and burn CDs closer to your big day. Rent some speakers and equipment, if needed. At the party, hit the play button and get dancing!

4. Favors might not seem expensive, but when you add them all up, they can be. Here's an idea: Since you've already made a special CD, why not burn copies and give them to your court? Make custom labels and cases with your name and quince date. If you're feeling crafty, get your relatives together to make your own favors. (I love to be crafty for quinces! See me with my glue gun decorating a guest book? We used ribbon and silk flowers that matched the party theme.)

What money-saving tips do you have?

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