Sports can be a positive thing for both children and adults, but between the costs of uniforms, sports equipment, team or league fees, travel and tournament fees, and private coaching, the expenses involved can rapidly escalate. And for many families, that can be a strain or even undoable.
Read on for some savvy spending strategies so you can be an enthusiastic supporter without derailing your budget.
Embrace Free Health-Related Services
Families that have health insurance coverage typically have a lot of free and low-cost sports-related services they can tap into. If you aren’t sure about your coverage, check with your spouse, employer, or your insurance company. You can even invest in a Marketplace policy if you don’t currently have insurance as an entrepreneur or freelancer. Wellness exams, chiro, nutrition counseling, and massage therapy are all worth exploring. Knowing your options and what’s available are keys.
Shape a Resume to Snag a Sports Internship
Interning or volunteering with a sports organization is a great way to carve out opportunities for your youngster. Consider shaping a presentation to make a case for your child’s proposed role. Using a resume template format, work with your child to compile a list of your child’s accomplishments and skills. This shows you are serious and dedicated and brings validity to your proposal.
It can also help to come up with potential interview questions and coach your child on how to answer. Just like in sports, practice makes perfect! And all of these skills boost confidence and carry over into your child’s future endeavors.
Use Available Amenities
Year-round training can be challenging, thanks to the cost of gym memberships. Renters have a decided advantage in one way, thanks to the facilities so many rental communities offer these days. Designed to attract top tenants, many of the dozens of area rentals offer options like pools, trails, and gym equipment. There are also organized exercise classes sometimes, and things like saunas and hot tubs to soothe weary muscles.
However, if your current living situation doesn’t provide these benefits, you might look into community leagues and other planned programs that offer scholarships or other types of assistance. Check with your coach, your area parks and recreation department, or a school administrator for more information.
Practicing at Home
Although team members practice together at gyms or on playing fields, it’s important to have a safe place for your child to practice at home. This could be an indoor home gym or a level area in the backyard. If a grassy area is needed, consider a professional company for lawn aeration as well as fertilizing, dethatching, and weed control. Legitimate companies will be licensed and should be able to provide references.
If your child plays a sport such as water polo, of course, they’ll need to practice in a pool, but there are also workouts that can be done on land. You can also help your children get fit simply by walking instead of driving to run errands, which will give you an excuse to spend more time together.
Saving Money on Equipment
Sports equipment can be expensive, but there are ways to remain on budget. Gently used items can be found at Play it Again Sports, on eBay, Craigslist, and at places like Goodwill or consignment shops. If your child is progressing and needs a different size or level of equipment, you may be able to sell or trade the old items for the ones currently needed. You can even pick up used cheer outfits. You may need to deal with ironing pleats, but it’s easy to do with a little online guidance.
If you have more than one child, they may be able to inherit equipment their older siblings have outgrown. Buying equipment at end-of-season sales may help with the cost, too.
Choose What to Invest In
If your child can narrow their focus to one or two sports, there will be fewer uniforms, fees, and less equipment to purchase.
Step back from investing in a lot of equipment if a child is new to a sport or unsure that they’ll continue with it. In these cases, renting equipment might be a good way to go.
Remember the Life Lessons
Integrity Gymnastics notes that healthy competition can teach valuable lessons to people of all ages. Setting and working toward goals, staying focused, time management, persistence, cooperation, taking turns, and good sportsmanship are lessons that can be learned from competitive sports.
The Purpose of Competition
Although some coaches and parents embrace the philosophy of winning at any cost, in a general way, this is not helpful in kids’ sports or in any activity. It can teach the wrong lessons to children, and it may drive away customers in business. A lack of integrity or unwillingness to abide by rules, laws, and professional standards can undermine any endeavor.
Remember that athletics are not the only things being taught when your child plays sports. Focusing on improving skills rather than on winning creates positive outcomes. Learning how to be part of a team is important, as is learning to accept losing with grace.
Although some investment of money is required when a child plays sports, it doesn’t have to be a massive expenditure, particularly in the beginning stages. With some forethought and planning, you can find the most budget-friendly ways to support sports involvement. Sports can help them stay healthy and active, and some of the life lessons learned will be priceless.