How To Save On Extra Curricular Activities For Kids
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If you have kids then you undoubtedly have seen the insanely large costs of having them enrolled in extra curricular activities. Whether they are sports fanatics, dancers or musicians the costs can become overwhelming to say the least. These tips on How To Save On Extra Curricular Activities For Kids are a great place to start when your son or daughter come home begging to sign up for just one more thing. While we as parents want to give our children the best of everything possible, we must put our foot down and realize at some point our financial health is important also. Utilizing some great suggestions here will help you achieve both happy children and a happy and healthy budget.
HOW TO SAVE ON EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITES FOR KIDS
Shop for gently used equipment.
One of the biggest expenses for kids extra curricular activities comes with the equipment needed. Whether you are looking for a baseball bat, glove or balls for your junior teeball player, or leotards for your future gymnast, shopping second hand can be a life and budget saver. Make sure to purchase only good condition and quality items. Check with friends, family, local social media swap shops, Craigslist or even eBay for great deals.
Rent the instrument instead of buying out right.
If your son or daughter has decided they want to become the next composer, drummer or bass guitar player for a punk band, you can check with local music shops for the chance to rent the instrument for a few months instead of buying. If your kids decide to stick with it and truly learn how to play, you can then make the choice to purchase the instrument out right.
Barter for lessons.
Many piano teachers, dance teachers or even art instructors are more than willing to barter with you in exchange for lessons. Are you an expert social media maven and can help with their PR, or maybe you clean houses for a living and can offer to clean theirs free of charge in exchange for the lessons? Whatever your skill set is, never hesitate to seek out a bartering situation to help reduce costs and make everyone involved happy.
Make them earn the money themselves.
With summer jobs for teens readily available it may be time to let your teenager know that next year they will be paying for their own equipment or only choosing one of their many after school activities. As a child gets older it is a great tool for them to learn responsibility, as well as a way to help them learn what they are truly passionate about doing and what is simply a phase so they can hang out closer to the cute guy/girl in their circle.
Stick to only one activity per season/semester. Many sports overlap each other during the school year, this is a time when it can be not only extremely costly but also stressful for the student and parent. When your kids are choosing things to be a part of, encourage them to persue the one thing that interests them the most rather than spreading themselves too thin over multiple activities.
No matter what sport, music or dance class your child wishes to participate in, you can apply these tips on how to save on extra curricular activities for kids and create a much healthier and happier family dynamic. You don’t have to tell your kids no, you simply have to find new ways of providing them with what they need to succeed.
