Budgeting For Skating Expenses

[Isk8NYC]

On another thread, someone said they thought about opening a separate bank account for new skates, etc. I think budgeting and saving for skating expenses is a great idea.

I try to use the same credit card everytime I pay for lessons or ice time, so my year-end summary is fairly complete.

I do budget for my coaching expenses, including educational events.
For my kids' skating, I budget:

Private lessons (2/week)
Freestyle cards (1/month plus 3 extra for season peak)
Group programs (Bridge, Artistic, Power)
Synchro (biggest expense - ice time plus coaching)
Uniform (synchro)
Tights (6 pair/year)

I've been really bad about budgeting for new skates and dresses. The skates are just poor planning, the dresses I usually make myself. I hate adding up all the fabric/sewing purchases and finding out that I spent just as much as a pre-made dress.

I do watch for crystal sales at craft stores and fabric stores, which helps. I've found the right-size skates a few times on sale or barely used on eBay.

Tips, comments and suggestions for budgeting or saving for skating?

[Schmeck]

I actually completely refused to tally up how much we spent on my older daughter's skating, until we had to submit a cost when younger daughter tried to get into a local private school. 8O It just about equaled my yearly salary! So then we just kept that amount (my paychecks) out of the family budget. I did do it all out of one account though, but I wouldn't deposit my paycheck until the synchro bill was due.

Question for you - what size are your girls? I just found a bag of old skating dresses in a bedroom - would be glad to give them to you if they would fit your girls, or if they could grow into them. We don't have any young skating friends anymore, and there are 3-4 really nice dresses (one custom FriedaB) that are just geting covered in cat hair. I don't want to sell them, just want to give them to someone who will appreciate them!

[sk8tmum]

I do have a seperate "skate and blades" account that is contributed to every month. That way the money is there when the skate replacement occurs: it's my single largest on-time expense, and I'd rather spread it out than take a huge hit at once. If I've got extra, then, it stays in there to cover next year's pair, as they never seem to get less expensive.

In terms of everything else, our coaches bill monthly; our club fees are paid monthly; so it's all part of the monthly budget.

My biggest savings this year was on rhinestones: I contacted my usual supplier, and told them how many I would need. I got a 75% reduction on my cost, as they passed them through to me at the wholesale rate. By doing my own stoning, I figure I save over $300 a dress, as we're typically at the 7 to 800 stones level :) or more - the dresses come "naked" and I go from there.

We also figured out how to adapt dress shirts for my son for testing; a decent (expensive) dress shirt with a lycra stretch built in can be paired up with UnderArmour compression shorts quite neatly. Still have to pay up for competition outfits, and pants, as off-the-rack do not fit at all from any manufacturer ... but our dressmaker also puts in seam allowance that allow for significant alterations to allow for growth.

Being honest with the dressmaker about budget and need for growth, by the way, has also been a good strategy: if you can only afford X or need it to last through Y, they need to know that. If they refuse to be thoughtful ... find a new one ... ours is wonderful about respecting our dollars.

[sk8tmum]

Oh yes ... betwen 3 kids, I have to budget for 15 privates a week. eek. Dance, skills, stroking, transitions, freekskate, spins ... sigh.

[isakswings]

Typically, I try to buy skates in February or March. We usually revieve our tax return then and I try to get skates out of the way then. This year, because we were given skates and because dh was laid off about that same time, I did not purchase skates. Now that we are buying skates in July, it does not make sense to buy another pair in February or March(dd usually wears her skates for about a year). In this case, I think setting aside money in a seperate account, would be wise. We do not use credit cards, so unless I set asisde money for expenses like this, it won't be there.

As for dresses, I shop skate swaps, e-bay and now My Skating Mall to help cut costs. I am also learning to sew and I truly believe I will be ale to make dd's comp dresses soon. I will be watching for fabric sales too!

Another way we help pay for skating, is by having dd help out at her rinks LTS sessions. If she helps out at a session, she earns 1 hour of ice time per session she helps at. So, in the fall, LTS will be 2 times a week. I am hoping she can help out on both sessions, therefore, she will earn roughly 8 freestyle sessions a month that way. I don't know if time will allow for her to go to all the sessions, but I want to try to do so. Another thing we've done in the past, was to sign her up for LTS classes. I would pay 40.00 for the 6 week session and with that came 6 passes for a freestyle or public session. I figured, it was a bonus for us because she was getting more ice time and lesson time for a very small price! They offer ice dance and I am thinking about signing dd up for group ice dance since she will level out of LTS.

As for crystals, I buy mine an ebay. They aren't swavorski but they are very nice and no one ever notices that they aren't swavorski. At the level dd skates at, I don't feel it is necessary to buy swavorski crystals. We have had some and I do agree they are prettier,but even dd's coach didn't notice a huge difference! When I can buy a gross for less then 10.00, I think the savings is worth it!

So, now my current goal is to open that savings account for dd. I will start putting a certain amount of money away and hopefully, that will help ease the pain when unexpected expenses come up. Not to mention, her coach wants to do an out of state comp next year.... we'll see!

[isakswings]

I do watch for crystal sales at craft stores and fabric stores, which helps.

Tips, comments and suggestions for budgeting or saving for skating?

Crsytals... I have bought a lot of mine from this seller on ebay:

http://shop.ebay.com/plm37-sweetpeas/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Again, they are not Swavorski, but they are pretty. :)

[RachelSk8er]

I'm single, no kids, and not a whole lot of bills (esp now that my car is paid off) so I don't budget or do separate accounts or anything. Heck, I don't even really balance my checking account any more since I don't write many checks and I know there is a buffer there. I do shuffle $ into a savings account that I could use for skates or whatnot if needed, but I'd rather forget the money is there and only use it if I have to. Other than competition season and those expenses, I don't think I spend a whole lot on skating on a weekly basis that I really need to budget for, especially when you compare that to what other single young professionals my age spend on things I don't have time to do (partying out at the bars on weekends, going to concerts and movies, etc).

I can generally count on getting close to a $2,000 tax return every year (sometimes more) and I literally do my taxes the second I have what I need. Since I have that money by mid-February, it's just in time for the most expensive part of the skating season with all the adult competitions in Feb/March/April, that money mostly goes toward competition travel expenses. Last year it also went toward new skates.

In the past, I've bought new skates when I had a bonus from work coming so I didn't really have to budget or save for them.

I buy dresses pretty much whenever I want/need them. They don't really break the bank since I buy them plain and stone them myself. If I spend $150-200 at the most to order the dress, it takes 3-6 weeks to come, and by that time I've had a few paychecks and have money to go buy stones, or I order it with enough time that I can hold off on stones and stash some money. (My current freestyle dress was $160, I ordered it in April 09, it came in June, and I didn't stone it until August.)

[herniated]

I didn't read everyone's reply's fully but I buy my crystals from www.ejoyce.com. very inexpensive and especially when you buy the larger quantities. The craft shops are just way too expensive. :)

[katz in boots]

I'm single, no kids, and not a whole lot of bills (esp now that my car is paid off) so I don't budget or do separate accounts or anything. ..
I buy dresses pretty much whenever I want/need them.

Sigh! I remember those days...:roll:

[AgnesNitt]

Sorry, thought I was on the skaters board. Deleted my original comment.

However, Skating is probably about as expensive as Golf and less expensive than boating. I'll bet there are a lot of men in soccer/baseball/softball leagues that spend as much on them as skaters do. It's MUCH, MUCH less expensive than owning and showing a horse.That's some things to compare it too. The money count is just overwhelming to some people.

[icestalker]

It's MUCH, MUCH less expensive than owning and showing a horse.That's some things to compare it too. The money count is just overwhelming to some people.

Definitely! You have to buy the horse, a trailer, a pickup truck, feed the horse, buy grooming products, pay vet and farrier bills, buy tack (saddles last much longer than skates, fortunately), pay showing fees, buy hay, which is much more expensive than it used to be, and then you have to train the horse daily, which is something that takes a lifetime of experience. A lot of show people have several horses. It's really very sobering when you compare that to skating, lol.

One thing- if you own your own land, it's completely free to ride and train your horse. No ice time fee. My mom always says that with a sigh at the end when she drives me to skating. I then ask if we can clear out Dad's workshop, install AC, and flood & freeze the floor. :lol:

For the people who have teen skaters, do they help pay for skating at all? If you're really in a tight spot with budgeting, ask the kid if they would rather have that extra lesson/extra competition/extra ice time or the unlimited texting/designer clothes. Or they can get a job (easier said than done), or give up some of their allowance and birthday money.
I have a $10 per month phone with no texting at all (I am a teen with friends) and non-expensive clothes (Target, Walmart, JCPenney but only if we have a coupon) and though my mother detests Walmart, she grocery-shops there cause it's cheap. Sacrifice is the name of the game! I hardly ever ask for anything that isn't skating related.

I recently got a $7.52 dress from eBay (shipping was $25 though). For the people not gifted in the area of sewing and stoning, eBay is a lifesaver.

[twokidsskatemom]

Sorry, thought I was on the skaters board. Deleted my original comment.

However, Skating is probably about as expensive as Golf and less expensive than boating. I'll bet there are a lot of men in soccer/baseball/softball leagues that spend as much on them as skaters do. It's MUCH, MUCH less expensive than owning and showing a horse.That's some things to compare it too. The money count is just overwhelming to some people.
I dont agree. My dh golfs, both my kids skate.We spend alot more on skating than his golf.He has a membership to a course and Golf clubs. He even takes lessons now and then.We dont even come close.
Maybe for some, and maybe if you dont compete.But not in our world.

[sk8tmum]

Depends on the golf course ... $25,000 entry fee, annual dues $15,000 for primary, $12,000 for secondary, $5,000 per child.

That's what my father paid for us 20 years ago .. it's worse now with inflation. Then, there's the clothes ... nicely pressed Bermuda shorts with knee socks and carefully coordinated golf shirts.

Hmmm ... always knew there was a reason why I don't golf :) Besides the clothes, that is! (don't have the knees for the shorts, and could never get the socks to stay up).

Realistically, every sport can be inexpensive or really expensive; you can do any sport at a range of levels. I think I've got one of the highest expenditures of any parent at my club, as I've got 3 skating and my guys do "more" than most in terms of training and competing, and my one kid is definitely competitive not test track - you pay for custom skates and National-level coaches (all 6 who work with this kid) plus clothing and travel and off-ice training and dance classes and all that. Other parents... it's not as expensive as, say, baseball is (which I also pay for for two of my kids, hmmmm ...) as they are happy with what they do, which might be skating twice a week and doing the occasional local comp. You can pay lots or a little for anything ... weirdly enough, the only person I know who comes close to my annual expenditures has three girls in competitive dance. Her bills make ME shudder.

I do know of one kid who did dressage, and the bills for THAT were way above what anyone paid for skating - particularly if you buy a horse ... and the clothing was horribly expensive.

Oh yeah ... my guys do more volunteer coaching for ice time than any other kids in the club, work their butts off for any amount they can get, and are the most amazing bargain hunters in the world; they give up willingly electronics, vacations, expensive clothes, movies, video games and dinners out (which all of their friends have) - to help cover the cost of their skating. They're good kids who learned a long time ago what things cost, and that they need to contribute in very way possible.

[AgnesNitt]

Definitely! You have to buy the horse, a trailer, a pickup truck, feed the horse, buy grooming products, pay vet and farrier bills, buy tack (saddles last much longer than skates, fortunately), pay showing fees, buy hay, which is much more expensive than it used to be, and then you have to train the horse daily, which is something that takes a lifetime of experience. A lot of show people have several horses. It's really very sobering when you compare that to skating, lol.
.

I was very lucky. I used to show other people's horses for them so I only had to pay for my lessons, trucking to shows, and entry fees. I make good money, but owning and showing horses is for people who make REALLY good money.

For me skating is cheap--but I'm an adult, I don't compete. Kid skaters, I can understand why they're much much higher.

But I think it's a worthy investment if your child is interested in learning a serious sport, even if they're not at the very top. When I look at people who skated seriously as kids, they're levels above their contemporaries in self discipline, maturity, and intelligence. Even if they never get to the elite levels it certainly pays off later in life.

[isakswings]

But I think it's a worthy investment if your child is interested in learning a serious sport, even if they're not at the very top. When I look at people who skated seriously as kids, they're levels above their contemporaries in self discipline, maturity, and intelligence. Even if they never get to the elite levels it certainly pays off later in life.

I agree! It is quite the sacrifice for us to have dd in skating. Dd will never get to the elite level of skating, but that is OK! She enjoys what she does and is currently in the competitve track of the sport. It's hard for us because we cannot afford the training that others pay, but we do what we can. I sometimes struggle with that but it is just as much of a learning experience for me as it is for her. To be honest, she doesn't seem to notice who has more lessons and who doesn't. Being able to help at learn to skate helps us out..it helps to pay for ice time. :) It's a challenge for most, I imagine. Skating IS expensive, but so are so many other activities, if you want to get into the competitive side of the activity. My sister in law was in a show chior her sopomore, junior and senior year of HS. It cost 5,000 a yr for that and then they had to do fundraisers so they could attend a competition and to go to that was 1,500. Then she took some private dance lessons and singing lessons too. It all adds up.

[twokidsskatemom]

Depends on the golf course ... $25,000 entry fee, annual dues $15,000 for primary, $12,000 for secondary, $5,000 per child.

That's what my father paid for us 20 years ago .. it's worse now with inflation. Then, there's the clothes ... nicely pressed Bermuda shorts with knee socks and carefully coordinated golf shirts.

Hmmm ... always knew there was a reason why I don't golf :) Besides the clothes, that is! (don't have the knees for the shorts, and could never get the socks to stay up).

Realistically, every sport can be inexpensive or really expensive; you can do any sport at a range of levels. I think I've got one of the highest expenditures of any parent at my club, as I've got 3 skating and my guys do "more" than most in terms of training and competing, and my one kid is definitely competitive not test track - you pay for custom skates and National-level coaches (all 6 who work with this kid) plus clothing and travel and off-ice training and dance classes and all that. Other parents... it's not as expensive as, say, baseball is (which I also pay for for two of my kids, hmmmm ...) as they are happy with what they do, which might be skating twice a week and doing the occasional local comp. You can pay lots or a little for anything ... weirdly enough, the only person I know who comes close to my annual expenditures has three girls in competitive dance. Her bills make ME shudder.

I do know of one kid who did dressage, and the bills for THAT were way above what anyone paid for skating - particularly if you buy a horse ... and the clothing was horribly expensive.

Oh yeah ... my guys do more volunteer coaching for ice time than any other kids in the club, work their butts off for any amount they can get, and are the most amazing bargain hunters in the world; they give up willingly electronics, vacations, expensive clothes, movies, video games and dinners out (which all of their friends have) - to help cover the cost of their skating. They're good kids who learned a long time ago what things cost, and that they need to contribute in very way possible.

yes, I guess it depends on the course, but overall I dont think most courses are 25,000.I know of all of the ones in our state and none are that spendy.You also dont need perfect clothes to golf, Not even at the CC here..I am not going to one up you but alot of us have more than one skater and expensive ice/lessons /skates ect.Try 2000 plus a 7 hour drive for regionals just airfare alone.Just for us, not even the coaches expenses.If we fly out of our city it would be another 1000.00
That said, its not always those that sink a small fortune in this sport that do well.My kids compete with kids that have daily lessons, and we found out that isnt the factor in placing well.Both my kids are competive, and we do dance, private ballet ect.
As far as earning money, my kids were out today selling lemondade for skating.Every little cup counts!

[RachelSk8er]

I dont agree. My dh golfs, both my kids skate.We spend alot more on skating than his golf.He has a membership to a course and Golf clubs. He even takes lessons now and then.We dont even come close.
Maybe for some, and maybe if you dont compete.But not in our world.


I'm guessing I spend more on skating than my dad does on golf, but for a regular golfer my dad doesn't spend a whole lot. He doesn't take lessons or anything and golf is only from about March-late October unless he travels for work (he's in FL/AZ a lot though). Skating is all year. The course where he usually plays with his friends on weekends is $40 for a round if you play early in the morning on weekends or at odd times during the week. That's about what I spend on ice time for a week (I skate 3-4 hrs/wk at $10-12/hr). He also gets a lot of golf during the week for free though, since clients are always taking him out golfing...he seems to do a lot of "work" on the golf course. He doesn't go on "golf trips" per se (like I go to skating competitions), but he goes on a lot of business trips for work where there is most certainly golfing going on so he's obviously not paying for any travel/hotel/entry fees. I don't see people doing business with me on the ice and paying for my ice time/lessons, or taking me out of town for skating competitions doubling as business trips, unfortunately. That would be sweet. Must find a way to make that happen.

I don't spend a ton on skating either comparatively. 3-4 hrs/ice time a week (sometimes I only manage 2 if I'm really busy), one 45-minute lesson/week, I don't take my coach to competitions, don't test a whole lot right now, cut my own music, stone my own dresses, and when we travel for competitions I'm always splitting hotel and rental cars (if needed) with other skaters.

[Skate@Delaware]

Wow! I couldn't imagine spending that much for golf! Our local cc charges about $500/year for a family membership (and you can use the pool) and you have to spend another $500 per year on fees either on the green or at the restaurant or to play tennis.

I KNOW I spend more than that on skating, even this past year which was pretty lean. I probably spent about $3,000-5,000. Not including skating wear.

[Query]

The devil should take out an ad in skating magazines:

Wanted to buy: your soul.

All services available.

:twisted:

[Purple Sparkly]

I have a credit card that I usually use only for skating related expenses (although recently I have had to use it for othe reasons). This is great because most of my skating expenses are separate from everything else, but horrible because then I get a better idea of what I am spending on skating. Sometimes it's best not to know exactly what you're spending as long as the bills keep getting paid.

[Skate@Delaware]

Hubby got a little taste of how much I actually spend when he called coach and signed up for privates, then asked me about club ice/membership/publics, etc....but he never really knew how much I skated per month so...? But his head was spinning when he got done with HIS costs!

And I didn't even tell him his lessons were going to be in another town about a 45-minute drive (each way)!

Skating is more expensive than quilting, too! (even when I bought over $250 worth of fabric & notions at a time)

[icestalker]

Oh yeah ... my guys do more volunteer coaching for ice time than any other kids in the club, work their butts off for any amount they can get, and are the most amazing bargain hunters in the world; they give up willingly electronics, vacations, expensive clothes, movies, video games and dinners out (which all of their friends have) - to help cover the cost of their skating. They're good kids who learned a long time ago what things cost, and that they need to contribute in very way possible.

That's great! More than I could do- my parents aren't willing to give up a lot of that stuff :lol:

But I think it's a worthy investment if your child is interested in learning a serious sport, even if they're not at the very top. When I look at people who skated seriously as kids, they're levels above their contemporaries in self discipline, maturity, and intelligence. Even if they never get to the elite levels it certainly pays off later in life.

What I tell my mom is that she's paying for education. I want to be a coach, but I need to be a good skater first. She's trying to keep it a hobby. I don't even compete that much- only twice a year.

As far as earning money, my kids were out today selling lemondade for skating.Every little cup counts!

How much did they earn?


One thing I noticed is that a lot of fees are for competition. Flying, traveling expenses, plus coach expenses, plus the competition fees, plus dresses and for the higher levels, secondary coaches or choreographers. Is it really, really necessary to do more than two or three competitions a year? And is it really necessary to try at Regionals every year (unless you're senior level, then go right ahead.) What's wrong with just working on skating skills and doing a local comp?

[twokidsskatemom]

That's great! More than I could do- my parents aren't willing to give up a lot of that stuff :lol:



What I tell my mom is that she's paying for education. I want to be a coach, but I need to be a good skater first. She's trying to keep it a hobby. I don't even compete that much- only twice a year.



How much did they earn?


One thing I noticed is that a lot of fees are for competition. Flying, traveling expenses, plus coach expenses, plus the competition fees, plus dresses and for the higher levels, secondary coaches or choreographers. Is it really, really necessary to do more than two or three competitions a year? And is it really necessary to try at Regionals every year (unless you're senior level, then go right ahead.) What's wrong with just working on skating skills and doing a local comp?
They earned 10.00 the first day, and 12.00 yesterday. They are out right now, goal is 25.00 for the week so they can buy their own punchcard for ice.In regards to competing, some people like to attend regionals because they can.They like to say, I went to regionals.
On the other hand,some of us dont have local comps. We have one in state on at the end of the month. That is it.This is only our second year going to regionals, and they have been skating for 7 years.Its stilll not qualf, next year they will both move up.
Some kids live to compete.Mine would do it at least once a month if they could.
When you compete, it helps get the nerves out,polishes your presention,makes it easier the next time.IMO anyway.My kids just took lessons,passed dance tests with skaters who had been to the olys.They said the same thing I have said since we started. Anytime you can skate in front of a anyone, do it.ISI, USFSA, critques, recitals, whatever.

[isakswings]

One thing I noticed is that a lot of fees are for competition. Flying, traveling expenses, plus coach expenses, plus the competition fees, plus dresses and for the higher levels, secondary coaches or choreographers. Is it really, really necessary to do more than two or three competitions a year? And is it really necessary to try at Regionals every year (unless you're senior level, then go right ahead.) What's wrong with just working on skating skills and doing a local comp?

Yes... comp fees add up. In fact, on my most current bill, the comp really bumped up my coaching fees. However, it is ok because dd learns a lot from skating. PLUS she loves to compete. It is challenging for us to do this, but IMO worth it. Dd would like to coach, we'll see if that happens. :)

There is nothing wrong with working on skating skills, but competitions do help. Whether or not they are necessary depends on what you plan to do with your skating. If your goal is to coach, I would say that yes, it is necessary to compete more then you are currently competing. The reason I say this is so YOU have a greater understanding of what it is like to be a competitor. W/o that understanding, I would think it would be harder to prepare your students for comps. As a competitor, you learn what the judges expect and how to handle the pressure of competitions. JMO... :)

For now, do what you can. You are limited in what you are able to do, because your parents can only afford so much(or will only do so much). Once you are able to devote more time and money to skating, you can switch up your focus. For now, focus on your skills and compete when you are able. Don't worry about what others are doing. This is one thing I am working on! It is very hard for me because I would like to provide more for my daughter and can't. For now, I need to be happy with what we are able to do.

Good luck!

[drskater]

Icestalker:

Competition expenses can really add up. Since your resources are limited, you may want to invest your time and energy (and $$$) in testing. After all, until you get a consistent axel there's no point in competing at Regionals, even at Pre-pre.

Because you want to coach, try to imagine what a potential student will want from you. In picking a coach, I would want someone who would be able to help me prepare for tests as well as competition programs. If you want to coach high level competitive skaters, then you'll have to achieve that level yourself. However, there are a lot of low level coaches who are fantastic but haven't gone beyond novice or ever competed beyond Regionals.

Take your time and do what you need to do. I'm certain your dream will come true.

[icestalker]

$22! Wow. I had no idea you could make that much selling lemonade. I want to be able to regularly buy freestyle cards ($100 for 10 sessions) so I can practice more, but still be able to afford new skates every year and new blades every other year. I'm starting to feel panicked because my competition is a month away, and I feel like I'm not getting enough practice. Four weeks is gonna fly by really quick, and I'm not going to be prepared.

I guess, right now I don't understand the competition thing because since I don't even get the amount of ice time per week these competing kids do, I can't imagine competing so many times a year. This upcoming competition has cost us $100 in entering fees alone, I really can't see myself or my mother paying that four or five times over. But I can understand how it's good for the kids who actually love competing and can afford it :)

Right now it stresses me that we may be moving to Kentucky in the next few years, I feel like moving to Kentucky will destroy my chances at this sport, but my parents are truly not happy living in this state. And I don't know how I would be able to afford moving back to Florida after turning 18, and then being able to afford skating sufficiently, and going to college.

As we are not even in a figure skating club right now I can't test, but we are eventually going to join whenever I am ready for Pre-pre competition. Perhaps, in the next few years I can get a job and a car and be able to skate and compete more, and if at a high level maybe take a shot at Sectionals/Regionals simply for the sake of a future coaching career. But I can't imagine not spending my life in a rink.

[Icefrog]

If your foot is not growing and you aren't skating much a week (well under 10 hours) you might not even need a new pair of skates every year and you might get even more time out of blades. I have never broken down a pair of skates in a year and depending on where you live you can get them rebuilt. There are ways to save money in this sport, but they are few and far between and if anyone has anymore ideas I'm all for it!

I have to very carefully budget for skating. I love it so its not hard to put most of my disposable income towards my skating. I figure I could be out shopping, partying or going to concerts or something I really love. Except I do get to shop (only sales and things I need not so much for fun) and go to parties so I don't feel as deprived as my friends and family think I am. They cring when I tell them how much I spend and when I added up how much I spend a year I cringed too, but I wouldn't have it anyother way :)

[RachelSk8er]

One thing I noticed is that a lot of fees are for competition. Flying, traveling expenses, plus coach expenses, plus the competition fees, plus dresses and for the higher levels, secondary coaches or choreographers. Is it really, really necessary to do more than two or three competitions a year? And is it really necessary to try at Regionals every year (unless you're senior level, then go right ahead.) What's wrong with just working on skating skills and doing a local comp?

A lot of people go to regionals because it's the biggest competition that they will ever get to do and to them, it is a big deal, even if they don't place well. It's a goal they work toward all year just like everyone else. They earned the right to compete there based on their level and that's all that matters.

I compete way more than 2-3 times a year because I'm an adult and I can do what I want to, and skating trips are my time that I get to spend with my friends and not have to worry about work or the other 700 things going on in my life for a few days. So for the sake of my sanity, it is necessary :)

If your foot is not growing and you aren't skating much a week (well under 10 hours) you might not even need a new pair of skates every year and you might get even more time out of blades. I have never broken down a pair of skates in a year and depending on where you live you can get them rebuilt. There are ways to save money in this sport, but they are few and far between and if anyone has anymore ideas I'm all for it!

Yeah, you probably will not need new skates every year based on the level/amount of skating you are doing if your feet do not grow. The quickest I ever went through skates was about 14-16 months, and that was when I was skating on both a junor and senior level synchro team and testing moves and dance on top of that. I was on the ice about 12 hrs/week (and synchro seems to just kill boots much faster than singles, even though you're not jumping). If you're skating only a few hours a week and working up to pre-pre, you should not be going through skates that quickly unless you need a stiffer boot. Most of us on here (at least that I know personally) skate in the 3-6 hrs/week range and are anywhere from beginner-doubles, and are going about 2 yrs or more per pair.

[Kim to the Max]

I go through boots pretty quickly and I am extremely hard on my boots (currently senior moves and double sals, double toes, and starting work on double loops and double flips and I am on the ice about 15-18+ hours a week between skating and coaching). I had purchased my current pair of boots to arrive about a year into my using my last pair of boots...however, I was able to get about another 6 months of use out of them. I really should have only done about 4 months, but testing and other situations forced me to squeeze those last 2 months out. You really won't need boots every 12 months. Instead plan on 18-24 months, particularly looking at what you are working on and how much you skate, you should be fine with a little more time.

[drskater]

ITA with the above posts about the costs of replacing skates. Your skates should last you until you start doubles and so forth. My husband had a perfectly good pair of skates for years. But when he started working on doubles, the skates literally fell apart!! The sole burst open and lost the blade right out there on the ice. It was pretty funny.

You keep saying that the cost of joining a club is prohibitive. I know some clubs can get awfully pricey. Yet at the same time, it could SAVE you money in the long run. For starters right now it is only $25.00 to join USFS through a club. Most clubs have funds to help skaters with competitions and testing. Of course, many folks carpool and bunk up together when traveling to competitions, obviously to save money. The more people who go to a competition with a particular coach, the less the cost of coach's expense, since they're pooling their money on that cost. Belonging to a club puts you in contact with other people who are also looking for ways to save money.

[Skate@Delaware]

ITA with the above posts about the costs of replacing skates. Your skates should last you until you start doubles and so forth. My husband had a perfectly good pair of skates for years. But when he started working on doubles, the skates literally fell apart!! The sole burst open and lost the blade right out there on the ice. It was pretty funny.

You keep saying that the cost of joining a club is prohibitive. I know some clubs can get awfully pricey. Yet at the same time, it could SAVE you money in the long run. For starters right now it is only $25.00 to join USFS through a club. Most clubs have funds to help skaters with competitions and testing. Of course, many folks carpool and bunk up together when traveling to competitions, obviously to save money. The more people who go to a competition with a particular coach, the less the cost of coach's expense, since they're pooling their money on that cost. Belonging to a club puts you in contact with other people who are also looking for ways to save money.
This is when it really pays to talk with the other skaters and their parents...they can be wonderful sources of information on how to save tons of money! And sharing resources is a great way of saving money-borrowing dresses and re-stoning is one way that the parent's at my rink save money. Carpooling, bringing your own food and bunking together at competitions, and even sharing coaches (instead of solo lessons, splitting a lesson among two or three ).

[momof3chicks]

$22! and if at a high level maybe take a shot at Sectionals/Regionals simply for the sake of a future coaching career. But I can't imagine not spending my life in a rink.

My dd enjoys 'spending her life at a rink'- at least right now. Maybe that will change later. And why go to regionals? To try and make nationals of course! I think even making junior nationals is an accomplishment-- and is on my dd's current list of goals. Sometimes you go to competitions and/or regionals even if you are not ready to win them, to get the experience- run throughs in a show or during practice isn't the same, and it helps a lot of kids to get more used to competing so nerves don't get the best of them.

[twokidsskatemom]

My dd enjoys 'spending her life at a rink'- at least right now. Maybe that will change later. And why go to regionals? To try and make nationals of course! I think even making junior nationals is an accomplishment-- and is on my dd's current list of goals. Sometimes you go to competitions and/or regionals even if you are not ready to win them, to get the experience- run throughs in a show or during practice isn't the same, and it helps a lot of kids to get more used to competing so nerves don't get the best of them.

IMO the reason to go to regionals should be just to compete, do your best, and have fun.If your only goal is to go to Jr nats,you will be very disappointed as only 40 skaters from each level go to Jr nats.That doesnt mean your skater cant be one of those, but its hard and the very best move on.
Less go to Nationals from each level.
So its the experience that matters, not just the placements.

[Isk8NYC]

This is somewhat related to the thread. My oldest niece gave me her old skates this weekend in the hopes that I can find them a new home. She says I bought them for her when she was 12.

It's entirely possible because I had disposable income at the time and I paid for most of my nieces' skating expenses.

I was shocked to see that they were CUSTOM KLINGBEIL skates with GOLD SEAL blades. Boy, was I a generous auntie, lol.

They're still in the skate bag with guards and I haven't checked them out as yet. If they're in good shape, maybe I can sell them to buy a pair of skates for my grandniece!

[aussieskater]

This is somewhat related to the thread. My oldest niece gave me her old skates this weekend in the hopes that I can find them a new home. She says I bought them for her when she was 12.

It's entirely possible because I had disposable income at the time and I paid for most of my nieces' skating expenses.

I was shocked to see that they were CUSTOM KLINGBEIL skates with GOLD SEAL blades. Boy, was I a generous auntie, lol.

They're still in the skate bag with guards and I haven't checked them out as yet. If they're in good shape, maybe I can sell them to buy a pair of skates for my grandniece!

Can I be your niece??? (Takes a ticket and waits in the line formed to the right, and now down around the corner :D)

[isakswings]

ice stalker re: skating clubs. Seeing as you are a basic skills skater, you might see if your club offers an "introductory membership". Our club started one this year and it is under 50.00 for the year. The fee does not allow you to test with an introductory membership, but it does allow you to skate on club ice, participate in club activities(parties, ice shows, exhibitions, ect) and represent the club at competitions. I would see if your local club offers such a membership. I know more and more clubs are doing this as a way to "grow" their clubs and give LTS parents and students a chance to check out the club. It is a nice way to "try out" a club w/o having to put out a lot of money. I probably would have signed my daughter up a year earlier had this been an option for us 3 years ago. As for a full membership, it might not be as out of reach as you think. I know our club is one of the more expensive clubs in the area...it is smaller then other clubs so the fees are higher.

As for ice time, I strongly encourage you to talk to the skating director at your rink. See if you can help out with the lowe level LTS clases in exchange for free ice time. Explain your situation and your desire to skate more. It can't hurt to ask. My daughter earns 1 hour of ice time for helping out at LTS. I tell my daughter it is her way of helping to pay for her skating. :) She enjoys helping, so that is a bonus too! Anyway... good luck! My daughter will compete next month as well! Are you competing in one or 2 events?

[twokidsskatemom]

ice stalker re: skating clubs. Seeing as you are a basic skills skater, you might see if your club offers an "introductory membership". Our club started one this year and it is under 50.00 for the year. The fee does not allow you to test with an introductory membership, but it does allow you to skate on club ice, participate in club activities(parties, ice shows, exhibitions, ect) and represent the club at competitions. I would see if your local club offers such a membership. I know more and more clubs are doing this as a way to "grow" their clubs and give LTS parents and students a chance to check out the club. It is a nice way to "try out" a club w/o having to put out a lot of money. I probably would have signed my daughter up a year earlier had this been an option for us 3 years ago. As for a full membership, it might not be as out of reach as you think. I know our club is one of the more expensive clubs in the area...it is smaller then other clubs so the fees are higher.

As for ice time, I strongly encourage you to talk to the skating director at your rink. See if you can help out with the lowe level LTS clases in exchange for free ice time. Explain your situation and your desire to skate more. It can't hurt to ask. My daughter earns 1 hour of ice time for helping out at LTS. I tell my daughter it is her way of helping to pay for her skating. :) She enjoys helping, so that is a bonus too! Anyway... good luck! My daughter will compete next month as well! Are you competing in one or 2 events?

The new intro fee is being pushed by USFSA , it was passed at this years Gov Council.Its should be 25.00 for first person, 15.00 for next, athough the club can charge what they wish. Its a full membership,including the magazine and testing. I am ursure why your club would say they cant test? It was also in this months USFS magazine.

[isakswings]

A
Yeah, you probably will not need new skates every year based on the level/amount of skating you are doing if your feet do not grow. The quickest I ever went through skates was about 14-16 months, and that was when I was skating on both a junor and senior level synchro team and testing moves and dance on top of that. I was on the ice about 12 hrs/week (and synchro seems to just kill boots much faster than singles, even though you're not jumping). If you're skating only a few hours a week and working up to pre-pre, you should not be going through skates that quickly unless you need a stiffer boot. Most of us on here (at least that I know personally) skate in the 3-6 hrs/week range and are anywhere from beginner-doubles, and are going about 2 yrs or more per pair.

Agreed! My daughter is landing axels (will be working on doubles at some point this skating season) and has yet to completely break down a pair of boots. She actually outgrows her boots before she breaks them down. Her blades are usually good as well. The only time her blades were worn out, was the most recent pair she had and that was because they were hand-me-down skates. She has brandnew boots and blades and I don't expect either to be completely worn out before she outgrows this pair. If you have decent boots and blades, you shouldn't have to replace them every year(unless you are still growing).

[isakswings]

The new intro fee is being pushed by USFSA , it was passed at this years Gov Council.Its should be 25.00 for first person, 15.00 for next, athough the club can charge what they wish. Its a full membership,including the magazine and testing. I am ursure why your club would say they cant test? It was also in this months USFS magazine.

Ahhh ok. I assumed they couldn't test because I had considered an introductory membership LAST year at another club and that was their policy. I have not read our form to know if there are restrictions I just assumed there were. My bad! I bet I am wrong about that! That is cool! That makes it more enticing! It is 35.00 at our club. Oh and my daughter has not recieved her new issue of Skating yet. *blushing*

[twokidsskatemom]

Ahhh ok. I assumed they couldn't test because I had considered an introductory membership LAST year at another club and that was their policy. I have not read our form to know if there are restrictions I just assumed there were. My bad! I bet I am wrong about that! That is cool! That makes it more enticing! It is 35.00 at our club. Oh and my daughter has not recieved her new issue of Skating yet. *blushing*
It might have been last months, we get ours late. I just remember it was in the beginning on the right page.
Its only good for brand new people, cant have ever belonged not even as an independent.Trying to get people in the door so to speak or maybe feet on the ice lol

[isakswings]

It might have been last months, we get ours late. I just remember it was in the beginning on the right page.
Its only good for brand new people, cant have ever belonged not even as an independent.Trying to get people in the door so to speak or maybe feet on the ice lol

I like the idea a lot...esp in this economy. I think it will also make LTS parents more likely to try it out if it is affordable. Like I said, I would have signed my daughter up earlier if this had been an option in the 2007-2008 season. She didn't join her club until the 2008-2009 season. :) I think it could be very good for clubs like ours too. Smaller clubs might benefit from this new program! We are hoping our club grows more this season and I hope some will renew. :)

[icestalker]

ice stalker re: skating clubs. Seeing as you are a basic skills skater, you might see if your club offers an "introductory membership".

As for ice time, I strongly encourage you to talk to the skating director at your rink. See if you can help out with the lowe level LTS clases in exchange for free ice time. Explain your situation and your desire to skate more. It can't hurt to ask. My daughter earns 1 hour of ice time for helping out at LTS. I tell my daughter it is her way of helping to pay for her skating. :) She enjoys helping, so that is a bonus too! Anyway... good luck! My daughter will compete next month as well! Are you competing in one or 2 events?

I'm pretty sure they don't. There's the regular membership and the associate membership and that seems to be all.
Doing anything at the rink besides my own skating is out of the question because it's so far away. The coaches that help out with LTS are all older, like 18+, so there must be an age limit. I think you have to be some certain level too. I would absolutely love to be able to help with the group lessons there but it's just not really feasible.
I have a program to music in Freeskate 2, plus a Freeskate 2 no-music compulsory.

[Isk8NYC]

Oh and my daughter has not recieved her new issue of Skating yet. *blushing*Back in the day, I never renewed my membership on time because I skated at a seasonal, outdoor rink. The Club didn't have ice until Oct/Nov, so that's when I would renew. The USFSA membership fee wasn't pro-rated for the partial season and I always missed the first few issues of the magazine.

One year I wrote a letter to the USFSA asking for the missed issues of SKATING magazine. They sent them in a box. I was a happy camper.

[Query]

Skating is probably about as expensive as Golf and less expensive than boating.

Not for those of us who kayak. It's fun to paddle up to Marinas where people pay as much per month in dock fees, or in maintenance, or for a day or two's gas, as we pay for a really fancy kayak with all accessories that lasts a lifetime with little or no maintenance, and comes home on top our cars. Also fun to paddle up to the multi-million dollar homes that have expensive waterfront landscaping meant to be viewed by their same-income neighbors. Our only real cost is driving to where we want to go. You can hear them thinking "river scum!" or "wharf rats!" :lol:

I was just talking to a rental operator who charges people each $2500/week for a microscopic double occupancy cabin to cruise on a catamaran. OMG.

I splurged last year and bought a slightly used 23.5 pound skin-on-frame sea kayak that I love, for $400. My favorite paddle, which also weighs nothing, is a Greenland wood paddle I also bought used, cheap, from a gal who "needed" new equipment to compete. I'm gradually making one of my own, planed from a cedar board. I just saw someone buy a couple $50 used whitewater boats.

Skating cheap public sessions without lessons, and sharpening my own blades, is the same idea. I spend more on gas to drive to the rink than on ice time and equipment. "Ice rat?"

It helps that I'm too old to grow into new skates, and don't test or compete. I used to waste a lot of money on a couple high end coaches who couldn't turn me into a great skater, because I never had the potential. And wasted money on club memberships and dance sessions I wasn't good enough to take advantage of. Used to waste money on kayak lessons too. It's not that I regret the lessons, as some things were learned, but there is only so much some of us can learn.

It's all a matter of how ambitious you are, and whether you have to show off new clothes and gear. If you are just in it for fun, you don't have to spend a lot, in most sports.

[AgnesNitt]

Okay, I've told this story before, but once I complimented an ice dancer I know on his beautiful three turns. He said "They only cost me $5000-per foot."