Can I just say that kids’ hobbies are expensive? Wow! If your little ones play on a sports team, you can count on having to pay for uniforms, sports camps, and equipment. If your kids prefer to play a musical instrument, you can expect to pay for the instrument, music books, and possibly even private lessons. No matter what type of hobby your child enjoys there are sure to be costs associated with it.
Before your financial life falls victim to your children’s hobbies, take heart. There are some easy ways to control the costs of these pastimes without limiting your kids’ involvement. Try these out in your household:
Start slowly. When your child announces that he’s going to become a photographer, you don’t need to rush out and buy him a shiny, new digital camera and a ton of accessories. Why not let him borrow your camera for awhile first? He can grow into getting his own camera later.
Shop for secondhand supplies. We all know that growing kids sometimes only get to use their hobby supplies for what seems like a minute. Uniforms and shoes are outgrown quickly; interests change before their tools are worn out. By scouring consignment stores for gently-used items you can save tons.
Embrace the spirit of hand-me-downs. It’s very common to find friends with older children who enjoy the same hobbies that your kids enjoy. As their kids outgrow their hobby’s supplies you might ask them to allow your children to use the items destined for the discard pile. Who knows? You might be able to return the favor for another family when your kids are done finished with them.
Check for all available discounts. Sometimes schools or club teams are offered discounts from local retailers. Be sure to pay attention to any information passed out by the coach. Be sure to sign up for email lists for your favorite retailers; sometimes they send out coupons or sales alerts.
Encourage your kids to help shoulder some of the cost. The surest way to test your child’s devotion to his new hobby is to have him invest his own money in it. He can mow lawns, baby-sit, or shovel snow to help pay for the things he needs.
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