My teens' social lives are thriving, but my wallet isn't. Dances, movie tickets, and mall outings add up.

Source: Business Insider

The author's teenagers (not pictured) are fostering strong social bonds, but doing so sometimes costs money. Maskot/Getty Images/MaskotMy youngest two kids are 12 and 14 and have formed important friendships in middle school. They're starting to have more frequent — and expensive — social events.