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The High Costs of Kids’ Sports
Nicole LaFountain understands the importance of exposing her children to a variety of activities. Her daughter, 11, and son, 9, have had the opportunity to try their hands at swimming, karate, gymnastics, soccer, lacrosse, T-ball, and even hockey. However, indulging in multiple sports comes with a significant downside – the expenses quickly accumulate.
The Challenge of Growing Children
Take, for instance, LaFountain’s son, who recently experienced a growth spurt. Just three weeks before the hockey season ended, he outgrew his hockey skates. LaFountain embarked on a mission to find a used pair to avoid breaking the bank. However, despite her search efforts near her home in Waterford, Conn., she was unable to find any suitable skates. To make matters more challenging, there were no hand-me-downs available from friends or family.
The Costly Solution
Ultimately, LaFountain had no choice but to drive an hour away to a specialty store. There, she had to fork out a staggering $600 for a brand new pair of hockey skates. The uncertainty of whether the skates would fit her son in the following season only added to her frustration. LaFountain reflects, “Would the skates fit next season? Maybe. Maybe not. But what do you do? It’s crazy!”
