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That number can climb higher if your children play sports.
Understand Your Costs Before Signing Up
Youth sports leagues often have signup fees, but these can vary.
Some will ask you to pay hundreds upfront to enroll your kid.
Others may allow parents to pay monthly instead.
Factors like these can impact which sport is better for your budget.
There will also be more extensive equipment costs in some sports.
For example, your kids can play basketball with nothing more than basic gym clothes.
So, its important to understand your total financial commitment before signing your children up for new sports.
If you dont know how much youll have to spend, you wont know how to prepare yourself financially.
Prepare a Budget
Once you know how much a new sport will cost, start budgeting for the expenses.
That could mean cutting back on voluntary purchases for a few paychecks or pulling from your savings.
Note that you may not need to pay for everything upfront.
Spreading the costs out like this can make it easier to budget fornew sports-related expenses.
Start Considering Your Work Schedule Now
Youth sports games and practices often take place on weeknights after school.
Its important to start working on this in advance.
You dont want to wait until the last minute and end up missing out on shifts.
That would only createmore financial challenges.
Here are five options to consider.
Buy Used Gear
Consider buying used equipment instead of brand new.
It may save you hundreds oncleats, gloves, bats, helmets or pads.
Get started by visiting your local sporting goods store and asking to see their used equipment.
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can be goldmines for high-quality used gear.
Volunteer Coach
You might also be able to save money by volunteering to coach your childs team.
Some leagues offer discounts to parents who do this.
Plus, youll get to spend more time enjoying your childrens hobbies with them.
Dont worry if youre not an expert on soccer or basketball.
Youd likely still help out at practice and during games but in a smaller role.
Carpool When Traveling
Travel costs can be more expensive than you expect insome sports leagues.
If you want to save, consider carpooling.
Ask For Discounts
Theres also nothing wrong with asking for discounts.
Some youth sports leagues make inclusion a priority and have options for parents who cant cover costs.
You might qualify forsuch a discount.
The only way to find out is to ask.
These leagues tend to be more competitive, which means more money for better equipment and further travel.
you’re able to avoid these expenses by staying in local leagues.
Put the Costs Into Perspective
It can be tough to stretch your finances for childrens sports leagues.
But attempt to keep the expenses and the challenges they bring in perspective.
The money you spend on sports today can help your children for years to come.
Sports are associated withnumerous physical and mental health benefits.
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