Ok, so I'm turning 18 in September, and I haven't really had a birthday party well... Ever. Haven't even had a cake since I was about 9.

I WANT to throw myself a Masquerade type party and feel special for a day, but my boyfriend and I can barely afford our rent and living expenses this summer.

So I'm trying to think of ways that I can cut costs and maybe not have the extravagant party I want, but at least something memorable.

I dunno. I'll probably end up opting for higher/decent quality food for us through the summer instead.

Ideas? :(

edit/ To clear things up

• I'm starting my second year of college this fall. My tuition is free for this year because I'm still technically enrolled in high school. It's a neat program. Books are still a fortune though and I don't qualify for any assistance because of the program.
• I do not live with my parents, nor do I get any real support from them

so throw yourself a costume party! making food, a cake and drinks isn't that expensive. and even still, you have plenty of time to pick up some spare cash with a small side job (both you and bf?) to build funds for the party.

The most fun I ever had at a party was going to a park and 'turkey bowling'. Usually we just hang out at clubs ($5) and go to the mall. We would try on this crap and just have fun. I don't like doing much on my birthday.

I googled and this came up, maybe it can help:

http://www.party411.com/themes.html

God I'm having enough trouble finding a MAIN job. Nowhere here hires under 18, and very few places are hiring period. He's been here a month and he's only gotten one interview, despite going out looking every day and asking everywhere we've gone. It's very lucky we both had savings already or we'd be homeless and starving next month. x_x

I've been getting less and less jobs cleaning houses.

Right now I'm honestly looking into him filing for unemployment for the month and me going to community youth services (Which I HATE. They treat me like a drug addict who's trying to play them despite the fact that I'm intelligent and have NEVER touched drugs) to try and beg them for their help and acceptance into their teen job program.

The biggest expense would probably be renting somewhere. We're moving out of the house my mom dumped on us and into a much cheaper basement apartment that, while it suits us fine, it hideous and small.

edit/ And I know that it's kind of silly to want a big fuss but I just want a big fuss ONCE you know? I'm probably not going to be able to go to my senior prom (it falls during a week I have exams and I'll be taking night classes)

It's perfectly okay to make a big fuss if you want. It's just hard to plan an extravagant party with working on limited funds.

Maybe you can ask your friends if they have any extra decorations or things they can contribute to the party. There's always interesting stuff to be found at Salvation Army/thrift stores (cheap fake crystal that looks decent). Go to a crafts store- see if you can get any ideas from there. I once built a bunch of tiki posts out of cardboard and paint for a friend's bridal shower (theme was Hawaiian). People couldn't even tell until they got up close. Stuff like that. :)

For some reason I honestly hadn't thought of thrift stores, which is weird because the Seattle area is chock-fricken-full of them. xD

I could probably find and modify a dress easy enough, the mask I'm not so sure about, my sculpture skills are awful at best.

i know the feeling.

i guess what i'm saying is that if you want a party, you have to figure out where the funds will come from. get creative. there are plenty of jobs available... though it may not be what you want. especially if you just take a job to pay for party supplies.

OR as bluestar suggested, perhaps incorporate your friends into the mix... get together and brainstorm some ideas. ^_^

Oh trust me, I've been looking at everything from clam digging and hard manual labor (despite my arthritis) to in-home caretakers and domestic help. Fast food, retail, hospital cleaning. Nada.

Even been going to placement centers and temp agencies daily. Another big hindrance is I no longer have a car. You don't really need one around here but they always demand one. x__x

WA's minor labor laws are ridiculous if you need to work more than 20 hours a week so with all the people out of work most of the places are finding it easier to just hire adults.