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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > October > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSaving on extracurricular activities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A bad economy doesn’t have to mean an end to your children’s extracurricular activities.
By following some of these suggestions, you can keep your children busy without breaking the bank.
For instance, instead of buying new sports and musical equipment, consider used equipment? A new pair of football cleats can run $75 at a sporting goods store, but you can get a used pair for half of that. And check the classifieds or a music store for good deals on used instruments.
How do you keep costs down without sacrificing your children’s after-school activities? Share your tips.
You can find more money saving tips at Your Money
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Comments
By Mom of 5
October 7, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
I quit my full time job in order to hang out with my kids, and I pulled them out of all “paid” activities, and do most activities myself with them. They don’t need to be on a team, we have enough family and friends to make our own. A neighborhood pickup basketball, kick ball, softball game is so much fun. And we really get to know the neighbors and the community.
We can structure our own teams, and play as often as we like. No one has to pony up for uniforms, team mom presents, fund raisers, etc. We are more relaxed and have a great time. Focus on the kids, not the activities. Most kids are happy doing just that.
By Runnin
October 7, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
I went to part time, and pulled my kids out of all after school activities. Running to each and every activity with 3 kids, we only see each other in the car. I have to drop one off, then drop the other off, run and watch the first one’s game, then run and try and catch the second one’s game, while pacifying the third, who is too young for sports right now. We were eating too much fast food, and not spending enough time at home. School comes first, and it was coming in a very close second to activities. ENOUGH!
That and the kids never got to see their Dad. They would come home exhausted and go straight to bed. I was exhausted too, and we were gassing the vehicle up numerous times a week. ENOUGH.
This year, NO activities, other than family outings, which have increased. We now are relaxed, and we eat dinner at the table together, all 5 of us. I am learning new recipes and cooking some great nutrious meals. No more meals out of a drive-through or a box. ENOUGH.
And we have saved a TON of money. Not just the activity fees, but the gas, and the fast food was really eatting up our budget. ENOUGH.
Now we all have time for each other, we are home every night, and the kids are excelling in school!!!
By Texas Pete
October 7, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
I gave my kids all kind of after school activities.
what more do they need.
By Perkle
October 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Kids are definitely over scheduled with the activities. My stepson is now 15 and only lives with us on the weekends but I know as he gets older, we will see him less. He only plays one sport per school year now. That is so insanely expensive. When I played ball in school you had to buy your shoes and everything else was provided for you. Now he has to pay this fee and that fee and pay for his uniform. About $500 just to play basketball. I think a child should have one activity where they are involved with other kids. They need time in some form with their peers to learn how to get along in this world. It is all a balancing act. Doesn’t get any easier when you grow up either!
By Mamaof2
October 7, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
My twelve year old son started karate this year and is loving it. We pay a flat fee for the month and he can take as many classes as he wants to (or I want him to!). He loves it. He is thriving and it has given him the discipline and challenge he needed. If he wants to succeed it is up to him. The classes are 45 minutes and the studio is 10 minutes from home. No traveling, no gear, and the uniform was free! My six year old daughter is taking dance classes. The studio is fifteen minutes from home and class is 45 minutes once a week. She can wear anything that is comfortable to dance in so I only had to buy her shoes. (Unfortunately, I couldn’t find used ones in her size and the color she needs.) Of course, when recital time comes around this spring I may be singing a different tune! As far as “sports” go, I do not think there is anyway that I could afford to keep up with it or be able to get them where they need to be. As it is now, I work part time and still have to ask family members to help out on occasion.
By Mattie
October 7, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
My three sons have played almost every sport offered. Our first stop for equipment was always “Play it Again”, but we never had any luck buying used. The one time I bought a used aluminum baseball bat, I found out that they have a certain amount of “pop” when they are new, but once it’s gone, the bat is dead. Hockey skates? Too beat up to buy used, as with most equipment. Maybe for very young children used is ok, but once they get older,it’s safety first, and that means buying new. I’m so happy my last football player is graduating this spring. No more paying $1500 a season for high school sports!