The Cost of Raising Your Olympian by Ellen Katz As an energetic preschooler, my daughter Laura loved to hang like a monkey from playground equipment. So one summer when she was bored, we took her to a few gymnastics classes. Comparison shop on the Internet. Local agencies may offer low-cost lessons. Don't forgo saving for college to pay for sports.
Finances are just one aspect of a child's athletic activities.
But while many of us played for free when we were kids, today's recreation can be a considerable investment. Before you sign up for a sport, consider the expense involved. Alyssa has quit, but Laura tumbles on. At 10, she was put on her gym's competitive team. The weekly training hours tripled and the cost doubled.