Get daily email updates, with tips, tricks and insights to save money and make more money: Subscribe by email!
Have you played The Frugality Game today? Login to play, save and win!
I was driving to the grocery store the other day, when I happened to notice the local high school football team doing drills on their practice field. It hit me like a linebacker: schools offer incredible ways for parents to save money just with their extracurricular activities.
There is an after-school activity for just about every type of child, and every type of interest that child may have. And the really great thing about these is that kids aren’t just sitting in their rooms with the curtains closed, playing video games. They are actually offering opportunities for kids to exercise, learn, and grow as individuals in their school and in their community. Let’s take a look at a few, shall we?
After-school sports. This is the easy one. You may have to shell out a few bucks here and there for equipment and such, but for the most part, this is a completely free venture for you and your kids. From football to water polo, cheerleading to the dance team, kids get great exercise while getting to work and grow in a team-oriented atmosphere. But what about the kids who may not be physically gifted enough to make the team? Well, there are some viable options, such as…….
Clubs. The chess club, the mathletes, student council, etc. There are options out there for every kid. If he or she is interested in T.V., suggest the Audio-Visual club. Global domination? Try the diplomacy club. The point is that there are loads of groups that your child could join to help him or her find out what they are interested in and challenge their intellects. “But my son doesn’t like any of that stuff, he just sits inside listening to music all day after school”. For that we have……..
The Band. The perfect outlet for kids with an interest in music and creativity. You may have to rent an instrument for the course of the year for a fee, or if he or she becomes truly serious about it, you can invest in your child’s future by purchasing them their own. Either way, the band offers a great social setting and in addition to teaching discipline, scientists say that it can actually make your child smarter. How about that for a deal?
So there you have a few fine ways to help you get the most out of your community and really see your tax dollars at work in your own household. Any other ideas?
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Volunteering at church groups is also another way kids can stay involved for free. Many churchs offer volunteer positions for their youth groups during the summer. At my church we have vacation bible school and childer 13 and older are encouraged to volunteer during the summer to assist in conducting bible school. It’s free and the voulunteer has an opportunuty to show their leadership skills.