Encouraging kids to compete in and engage with youth sports has many great benefits for their health, fitness, confidence, and socialisation, but it can also come with a huge price tag. The good news is that no matter what sport your child plays, there are plenty of options to consider when it comes to saving money on sporting equipment. Many parents whose children participate in sports feel like between the shoes and uniforms and other essential equipment, they need to spend a small fortune on gear. And with kids outgrowing their stuff within a year or even less, it can quickly add up. Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to buying sports equipment for your kids.
Borrowing Money
For many parents, borrowing money is the best strategy for paying for sports gear. A 0% interest credit card that you can repay over a few months, for example, can help you spread the cost of expensive items like sporting equipment, sports shoes or branded team jerseys and other clothing, rather than having to fork out all at once from your savings or even your wages. However, be careful when borrowing and always closely examine the interest rates and conditions, as you could end up repaying much more than you would if you bought the equipment outright. For emergency replacements, a short term loan from 24 7 payday loans direct lenders like BingoLoans could help.
Speak to the Coach
Before you head out shopping, it could be worth speaking to your child’s sports coach. If your child has just signed up for a new sport or is outgrowing their current kit, talk to their coach before you spend any more. In some cases, they may be able to provide some of the gear so that you don’t have to buy it. And, they can make sure that you are up to speed on the rules so that you definitely get the right things and don’t end up wasting money on something that your child won’t be able to use.
Rent Equipment
Renting the equipment is another strategy that often makes financial sense to most parents compared to buying it. Sporting clothes and equipment like golf clubs are based on the child’s age and height, so they are likely to be outgrown quickly. Renting means that when your child outgrows the equipment that they are currently using, you can simply send them back and replace them for the next size up. And with affordable monthly payments, you can often rent equipment for a mere fraction of the price you’d pay to buy them.
Find Second-Hand Deals
You can bet that you’re not the only parent out there whose kid plays sports. Other parents are going to be in similar situations, where their child has outgrown their sporting equipment or clothes and they need to make money to upgrade them. Speak to parents of children on your child’s team, or search the internet to find any second-hand bargains.
There are many benefits to playing sports for kids, but it can be quite costly for parents. Keep these tips in mind to keep the cost down!
