6 Ways to Save on Kids' Extracurricular Activities

Guest Contributor: Callie Ward
​USU Extension Assistant Professor

Guys, it is WRESTLING SEASON at our house!! Wrestling was always big in my high school and with my family, and now with a son that loves it, the tradition continues. Like many sports or extracurriculars, wrestling has some cost associated with it: Registration / Team Fees, Uniform and Gear Costs, Tournament Registration, Travel, Concessions or food (This one is a HUGE cost!), Team Swag for the participant and the family support, Fundraisers (every parents favorite). These add up fast and so do the collection of team t-shirts too! (TIP: For a cheap and fun way to save your t-shirts here is a step by step guide for a t-shirt quilt.) As a parent, I can see the benefits of any kind of extracurriculars for my kids, physically, socially, and emotionally and make sure to plan for them each month within our budget. Researching how to save on this cost, I have come up with some tips to get you through the season: 

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• Volunteer: some programs may waive the fee if you volunteer, most larger events such as tournaments will not charge you an entrance fee and more likely give you a free t-shirt, then you don’t have to buy one!  
• Register Early: Early bird gets the worm! In this case, a cheaper option for your budget. This might not be the case for everything but register early and avoid the late fees.
• Thrift or Swap: Wrestling gear can get expensive and they always grow out of it so fast! Ask around to friends or family to swap wrestling shoes or singlets. Thrift stores are other great options! I always look out for this kind of stuff, especially if they are something my son can grow into. I found a pair of wrestling shoes once for $5 in a bin and threw them in the washer and they were like new!
• Carpool: There are usually other parents that would love to carpool. This helps with gas cost, plus, to be honest, your kid will probably have more fun with his buddies (Haha!) 
• Pack snacks: When traveling with kids or going to events, food costs rack up fast and are a budget buster for me way too often. If allowed at the venue, pack your meals, drinks, and snacks. Bring a refillable water bottle, that alone could save you a boatload!
• Pick just a few: Sometimes kids want to do it all! We love wrestling and basketball, so that is what my son does. He is asked for soccer and baseball, but it is okay to say no if it does not fit into the budget or the schedule. 

Now, go throw on your team colors, get your best mom cheering voice ready, and stay on budget this season!