Quinceañeras are expensive — a quinceañera can leave your family a debt averaging $5,000 and up. So, what kind of impact will today's struggling economy have on your quinceañera?

The good news is that the quinceañera business is still booming. People are still buying those $500 dresses and other quinceañera services and accessories. Regardless of the recession, the quinceañera seems to be too important for the Latin family to include in the crunch. To pass on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to crown our precious "princesas" would be even more costly than the expense itself. Here's how to avoid any regrets:

• Enter the rescue angels: "padrinos and madrinas," your godparents. Family and friends come together and split the bill. There are many creative ways in which the culture rallies to raise funds for different situations, and the quinceañera is no exception.

• If the weather in your city permits it, have the quinceañera at an unusual time of the year, when products, services, and party halls are not as in demand.

• Save money on hair and makeup by going to the makeup counter at your favorite department store or the local beauty school. Try to work your quinceañera around a theme that doesn't require a big dress, and look for a less elaborate yet beautiful evening gown. Some of those themes include "Hollywood Night," "Under the Sea," and "Beach Party."

• Look for a secondhand dress. I don't know if you've noticed, but they are very popular and eco-friendly these days — there's even a whole Website started by MisQuinceMag.com, Seventeen.com, and other teen sites called DonateMyDress.org. They have a directory of dress donation centers to help you find one for free.

Meanwhile, here is a list of the AVERAGE costs, to help you start planning and economy-proofing your quinceañera. These costs have been calculated based on 200 guests. You can adjust the costs based on what you can afford and research those items to find better prices based on your budget.

DRESS: $800

TIARA: $100

ACCESSORIES: $100

SHOES: $100

PETTICOAT: $50

BOUQUET: $100

PRINCESS CHAIR: $100

CAKE: $500 (SERVES 200)

20 72-INCH TABLES: $200 (EACH SEATS 10)

200 FOLDING CHAIRS: $400

20 TABLECLOTHS: $160

DINNERWARE (200 SETS): $700

5 CHAFING DISHES: $120 (FOR FOOD)

2 HEATERS: $200

LIMO: $500

PHOTOGRAPHER: $1,500

VIDEOGRAPHER: $1,500

GUEST BOOK: $100

PHOTO ALBUM: $100

DOLL: $100

DECORATIONS: $1,5000 (FLOWERS, BALLOONS, ETC.)

HAIR & MAKEUP: $500

FOOD: $4,000 ($20 A PERSON)

BEVERAGES ($10 A PERSON): $2,000

MUSIC: $1,000

HALL: $800

DANCE FLOOR: $150                 

The key to saving is to put it all to paper — record all your expenses. Give yourself enough time to shop around and come up with creative solutions to items that might be tricky to afford.

Do you have any other economy-proofing quinceañera ideas?

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