How to save money on extracurricular activities

I was one of those ridiculously overbooked kids growing up. I would go straight from school to rehearsal for the school musical to gymnastics practice to another rehearsal for the local community theatre, finally getting back home around 10pm or eleven to start my homework. The weekends offered no reprieve. If I wasn’t rushing off to Ukrainian school, Girl Scouts or folk dance, it was to a soccer game or gymnastics meet. At the time, those years were overwhelming, but they paid off big time when it came time for the college admissions process.

In today’s ultra-competitive environment, even preschoolers have schedules that rival my overbooked high school years. In an effort to develop skills and create a competitive edge that can not only help in securing higher education prospects, but also with future career possibilities, extra curriculars are as important as ever. But how can you get your child involved and equipped with unique knowledge and skills without putting your own finances at risk? After all, piano lessons and French tutoring aren’t free.

Here are some practical ways to save on extracurricular activities.

Try before you buy. Many private programs like dance and gymnastics require lengthy and costly commitments. To avoid your child’s extra curriculars following the same fate as your expensive, unused gym membership, start out with a non-committal or low cost trial period through a school program, community center or introductory special. Once you’re committed to the activity, you can better assess if you’re ready to commit to the cost.

Search for low cost alternatives. Community-sponsored recreational departments typically offer extracurricular activities at a significantly reduced cost compared to private companies and teachers. Ask around and stay up to date on what resources are available in your community. From the YMCA to the Boys and Girls Club to the local library, there’s bound to be plenty of affordable programming. In fact, some of it might even be free.

DIY. If you have a practical or specialized skill like sewing, carpentry or playing an instrument, consider passing those skills onto your child. You can even collaborate with fellow parents to set up a system where you rotate your skill sets and teach a new class each week.

Use the schools. Save for the occasional piece of equipment and rides back and forth, my participation in high school sports, clubs, choir, theatre and other extra curriculars was free. Use the resources of the public school system to participate without the price tag.

For more advanced training in a particular subject or skill set, look into auditing a class at a local community college. This can be quite affordable and useful once your child’s skill set outpaces your own or advances beyond what the public school programs can teach.

Barter. If you want to spring for the private lessons and programs but can’t afford them, see if there’s anything you can offer in place of cash. For example, advertising for the school or teacher, cleaning the studio, clerical and administrative work or assistant coaching or team management.

Save on supplies. The incidentals involved in extra curriculars, from equipment to specialized shoes to snacks to transit, can add up quite quickly on their own. To save on the necessary supplies, do your research. Is it cheaper to rent an instrument rather than buy it? Can you buy used instead of new sports equipment? Maybe you can scout out some yard sales for old music books before ordering new ones online. Or perhaps you can swap your old sewing machine for a pair of tap shoes. In addition to reaching out to those you know in the local community, check online forums like Craigslist and Freecycle to see what low cost options are available near you.

Don’t overdo it. Despite the pressure to be involved in anything and everything, colleges and employers prefer to see that prospective students and employees are consistently involved in two or three activities over a number of years rather than being superficially involved in ten for shorter periods of time.

In addition to helping your child cultivate his or her skill set, gain leadership experience and develop physically and socially, extra curriculars should be fun and fulfilling. Don’t get so focused on meeting the expectations of others that your child can’t enjoy the camaraderie of sports or the creative playfulness of the arts or the discovery of learning a new language or skill.

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How to Save Money on Extracurricular Activities originally appeared on usnews.com

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