With the Stanley Cup right around the corner it may be time to consider how much money you have to put into your love of hockey this year. Although it is a fantastic and entertaining sport, hockey can become a huge money pit if you’re not careful about what you’re spending. From major equipment expenses to checking out your favorite teams live, you can really be hurting after the season is over. With a few simple tricks of the game you should be able to enjoy this hockey season without feel the icy cold burden of the price. This season there will be fewer penalty shots on your budget and more power plays to keep you and your family excited about the upcoming games.
1. Starter Kits
If you have a child that is just starting to get the hockey bug then a starter kit might be the best way to help cut down on spending. Starter kits usually have a discounted price on each of the items so you won’t spend as much as you would buying each thing your child needs seperatley. Most starter kits come in an age appropriate size, so you may want to purchase the kit based on what is going to give your child the maximum amount of time with kit. If you have more than one child then they can easily share a starter kit as it usually comes with more than one stick. You may end up buying a couple of extra pieces, but it will still save you a whole lot of money. As your hockey player grows older or wears down some of the items you can easily replace them one by one without having to worry about everything going bad at the same time. You can even pass the kit down to young players when your hockey star has outgrown the kit.
2. Second Hand Equipment
When it comes to supplying the hocket players in your family with the appropriate equipment it may be a wise choice to stick to the used equipment. This is especially important if you have younger players who are in the midst of growth spurts. You should be able to find decent padding, hockey sticks and skates in your favorite sporting goods store. These stores usually have a special used section that contain plenty of children’s sporting equipment. Of course, older players can also find some incredibly finds as well. This can be one of the best places to find reliable padding, especially since the store must go over each item that is turned in for quality. Another great way to find cheap equipment is to check out your local thrift stores. If your community has a strong community based around hockey then you should be able to find some amazing items. You may also want to check out yard sales for items that will suit your needs.
3. Season Pass
Whether your into the major leagues, minor leagues, college or peewee games you should be able to get more out of your money by buying a season pass. Many people who love to frequent the games greatly benefit from having a pass that will get them into any game they want to see. The best thing about the season pass if you don’t have to spend big bucks to get into the highest quality seats. In fact, you can easily find amazing seats in a moderately priced area, which will really keep you satisfied all season. If you still think a season pass might be a bit too much for your family then you could always consider buying a pass and sharing it with another family. This will allow you to split the cost evenly and you won’t have to feel obligated to go to every single game of the season. You may have to spend some time working on a schedule for the passes, but it will certainly cut down on your hockey expenses before the end of the day.
4. Skip the Pros
One of the major things that really destroys the budget it the fact that many people feel the need to check out the professional games as much as possible. This can be a huge mistake on your part as major league prices can really cost a lot depending on the team you adore. Instead of spending money on the majors you can easily spend half of the price to check out a minor league or college level game. These games hold just as much action and could give you a glimpse of some of the players that might be in the majors in a year or two. If the price tag is still a bit too much for you then check out local pee wee league every once in awhile. You’ll love watching the kids learn their skill while witnessing them improve throughout the season. You may also run across a friendly game on the street or local ice rink that might suit your need for the hockey buzz.
5. Say No to Packages
A lot of cable companies might try to lure you into one of their hockey packages which could add up for $50 a month to your cable bill! This is an unacceptable price for many, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Instead of buying into the package try to find a location where you can watch the games. There’s many different sports bars and restaurants that will allow you to have a drink, or enjoy some appetizers while enjoying the entire game. You may also want to ask around and see which friends have the game playing with their playing company. Of course, if you really want to get the package then you might want to ask friends to help chip in for the extra price. Make sure you throw a party every time there is a game though and enjoy the extra company while you cheer on your team. On the other hand, you should be able to find most games online, so don’t fret if you can’t find the game on your cable.
6. Fan Clothes
When it comes to supporting your favorite team or player there’s nothing quite as appealing as fan clothing. From t-shirts and jersey to hoodies and socks, there’s certainly a whole lot you can choose from to show off your own style while supporting your team. Of course, these items often come for a pretty high price which doesn’t always suit the household budget. There are a few ways to get some of the items you need at a price that won’t make you feel like you’ve been left in the penalty box. A lot of the major retailers for your team will often have sales on items, especially if there is a major holiday or the team is out of the play off. A lot of clothes will also make it onto the clearance rack, especially if they have been on the label for a long time or no one seems to be buying them. Another way to show off your pride at a very low price is to make your own fan clothing. You can gather t-shirts with your teams colors and use shirt paint to create incredible designs that will really make your team proud to have you as a fan.
7. Street Hockey
As the weather heats many of the ice rinks are out of commission, which means you might have to pay a whole lot to rent out a rink for your team. Instead of showing off your skills on the ice you can easily take up a new hobby by taking the game to the street. Street hockey is certainly a cheaper way to enjoy playing your favorite sport. It requires less equipment and can be played with or without rollerblades, which adds to the savings even more. The best thing about street hockey is you can often substitute a lot of the supplies for common items at home. For instance, you can create a cheap and efficient goal using cones, baseball bases, or anything you can think of to mark off the area. Another great substitute is replacing the hockey ball or roller puck with a simple tennis ball or other common ball. Of course, one of the best money saving qualities of street hockey is it can be played almost anywhere for free.
8. Skates
Skates can be a tricky part of your budget for hockety. If you’re an adult that tends to play hockey often then you many want to consider splurging a little and buying a more expensive pair. This will ensure that your skates actually do last longer so you don’t have to keep buying cheap pairs to as a replacement. The only thing you may have to replace from time to time is the blade. Of course, buying skates for children is an entirely different story. Most kids outgrow shoes faster than they do just about anything else. This can be a huge problem when it comes to buying skates as they tend to be pricer than shoes. Instead of buying your child an expensive pair then you may want to buy one of the cheaper brands. You may also want to consider buying the skates a size or two bigger. This gap can easily be filled with thick socks and will ensure your child’s skates don’t end up in the donation pile within a month.
9. Join a League
If you’re trying to find the cheapest way to enjoy some hockey action then you may want to consider choosing a league to join. Leagues will instantly give you a team which will work as a great support system when it comes to improving your skills and pushing your game a little further. With a league you also won’t have to deal with finding a location to play, buying padding and other equipment as well as locating people to play with. This can all be pretty pricey if you’re not careful. Most leagues will charge a small dues each month, but it will certainly cut down on the amount you spend without the league. Children will also grow into the sport easier when they are placed in a league as it will teach them sportsmanship as well many of the skills they need to become the player they’re capable of becoming.
10. Carpool
When it comes to hockey, walking tends not to be a realistic option in the means of transformation. You also might not be able to take public transportation because of the heavy equipment you’ll have to lug around from place to place. One great way to relieve the pressure of transportation is to carpool with your teammates. Carpooling allows everyone to have a reliable way to games without forcing everyone to spend their excess money on gas. Of course, you may want to find the player with the biggest vehicle to get everyone to the game, but simply chipping in for gas won’t leave your pockets empty. This is also a great way to boost morale, especially for kids going to their first season of hockey. If you just plan on attending games then you may want to stick to the carpool rule, especially if you attend games often or games out of town. You’ll even get to enjoy the buzz of having companions cheering with you as you head home from a victorious game.
Hockey is a great way to burn off some of those winter calories. Although the world is warming up around us and the playoffs are rapidly approaching, you’ll still be able to enjoy the exciting savings these tips offer. So get ready to cheer on your favorite team without stressing up the money.
