[USER]

Calling all seasoned sports parents! I’d love to hear your best money-saving tips for supporting a child in competitive sports.

My 13-year-old is passionate about travel ice hockey—it’s been fantastic for him, but wow, the costs add up fast! From equipment to gas, meals on the go, and out-of-state tournaments, it seems like we’re always stretching the budget.

We live in a non-hockey state, so this season alone, we’ll be traveling out of state six times in just five months. And with “stay to play” hotel rules, we don’t have much flexibility there. Trying to bring our own food sometimes means extra baggage costs, too.

If you’ve been through this, what strategies helped you keep costs manageable without sacrificing your child’s experience?

We love seeing him thrive, but I’d love to trim down the $1,500 weekends if possible!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Kathie]

I’m not much help other than to say I feel for you (I’m the grandma of teenage travel athletes and one of them hockey too) I did the same for my own kids years ago but youth sports has become a financial disaster program these days!!

That “stay to play” hotel rule is ridiculous.

I guess if possible try to ride share and maybe even room share with another player once in a while, fill up that hungry belly with fruit, cheese and nuts from home so that the meals might not be super sized, pre-owned equipment, (in my opinion actual performance does not suffer with a basic level stick vs a high end expensive one) but a 13 yr old may disagree.

If possible use gas apps for discounts and book hotels on a card that gives rewards, cash back or points.

I made a lot of sacrifices so that my kids could do some of these extra things and I used to question if it was worth it but now as adults they have so many positive memories (yes I know there are other ways to make them) some went on to play in college, one in an international tournament in Europe, one is a high school coach and another coaches his own in a local youth program. If he stops loving it, you can stop, but otherwise, find a way.

It’s also important for him to not feel entitled but rather to understand that you’re happy to do this, but that it comes at a cost that may mean he has to go without something else.

[Lora]

Does your team do fundraisers to help out. My kids were competitive gymnasts and travel baseball. We did tons of fundraisers to offset costs.

[Jan]

He’s old enough to go with another family. I am sure there are other families that would be glad to stay home.

Start taking turns.

[Kimberly]

Fellow hockey mom.
First, I have no regrets. My son loved the sport and it taught him so much.

He played through college and now coaches. Wouldn’t change a thing.

I never skimped on a good helmet or good skates. Some other equipment you can find used or hand me downs from older kids around the rink.

Talk to other parents who may buy new shin guards because their kid didn’t like them.

They’re usually happy to pass the old ones on.
Check with local rinks if they have an equipment swap or bin.

I agree with packing meals or bringing a skillet/crock pot to the hotel. Sandwiches. Protein snacks. Gatorades & water.

Instead of Christmas/birthday gifts, ask family if they would contribute to his “hockey fund” instead. I did that one year when money was exceptionally tight.

We need to teach kids to live within one’s means, too. So, if he wants to do ‘extra’ things like an outing, tournament hoodie, eating out with friends, then ask him to earn some extra money.

Mow lawns, rake leaves, etc.

All we can do is the best we can!
Good luck!

[Dawn]

My daughter became friends with other team moms and they would bring their crockpots, electric griddles etc on the trips.

Each family would contribute predetermined groceries and they would cook for the entire family of all pitching in.

For example eggs, pancakes for breakfast. Grilled cheese, soups for lunch, taco bat for dinner.

[Lettice]

Join the frequent guest program at any hotel you stay at. Make sure to add your rewards # at checkin. Check rates/availability for the dates you need to be there.

Book the minimum required nights for stay to play through the organization and book the other nights yourself.

I second the suggestion to bring your own snacks/drinks.

[Beth]

My sister played competitive softball and I remember my parents trying to capitalize on credit card rewards or points whenever possible.

They had a lot of stay to play trips, but sometimes they were at hotels they had rewards points with and would cash those in for free breakfast or a free night.

Not much you can do really and the comments here are already great.

[Debbie]

My son uses his money back credit card. Find one with the most cash back

[Jamie]

At 13 I would include him in budget discussions. He may have some really good ideas for you.

Even if he doesn’t he can learn about budgeting and planning which is really important too.

[Amy]

Are there any equipment swaps for things like pants, shin pads? I know they get sweaty but this keeps our skiing cost down.

Both my brothers played and it is not a cheap sport.

[Gina]

A friend & I were just talking about this yesterday. Full disclosure: My husband was a high school basketball coach for 20 years.

Currently, many AAU travel coaches just coach for a full-time job, they make so much.

Private coaches are a racket, insinuating that they can get your child to be good enough for a scholarship. How many times have I heard that one?

I believe we need to think about everything we are missing because of these teams. How is the family unit affected? What sacrifices are being made?

Can your child find another interest locally & more cost-effectively? Is he getting burned out?

(My nephew did. He played golf from the time he was 3. He had lessons, he was on the Callaway Jr.

World team. He went to Scotland for a tournament. The day after his High School team won the State Championship, when he was a Freshman, he quit golf & hasn’t played since.)

[Lisa]

We did room share with another mom/player. We drive and share all costs. Also, the rule is most of the team has to stay to play.

We had relatives in one town and we said no we are staying for free there.

We bring food, get hotels with free breakfast, and limit the eating out. Usually we picked one team dinner together.

[Shannon]

I was the cheap hockey parent on the team. I used points from credit cards for airfare, gift cards for meals and a small crockpot.

If it was a tournament that we could drive to I premade meals that could be left in the crockpot or microwaved.

Hotels usually had free breakfast so that was easy and we had one team meal a day, we are in Canada and had lots of allergies on our team so if there was a Boston Pizza in town we usually went there. Knowing that my airmiles had gift cards so I would use them.

Went on a jump rope tournament to New Burnswick, bought a collapsible cooler (cheap and still have it) and packed it in my suitcase and used gift cards from airmiles for Sobeys, bought sandwich making stuff for lunches at the gymnasium and nachos with shredded cheese at the hotel for dinner.

Pasta can be cooked with hot water from a kettle if it’s skinny noodles and add canned pasta sauce and precooked shredded chicken heated in microwave.

Even without gift cards it’s way cheaper than restaurants.

[Rachel]

Grocery delivery once you get to your hotel if you have microwave and fridge or even just for snacks?

[Author]

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