Game Time Savings | Family Economics

By Andrea

Our boys participate in many sporting events. Each team requires normal dues and fees to play, but the cost don’t stop there. You pay to get into games, pay for face painting and, of course, the concession items.

We have a budget for these events, but that doesn’t always satisfy the children’s bellies or the fact that they simply cannot get that foam finger that will fall apart in two seconds.

Here are a few suggestions to help you save more at sporting events.

• Pack snacks: If the stadium or event allows you to bring in items, pack your own. We typically purchase concession items to support the organization but sometimes the snacks available for purchase are the exact same thing I already have.

Some game-time snacks that work well in all weather conditions are pretzels, fruit snacks, homemade cookies or muffins. You could also buy a bag of suckers or ring pops before the game and share with fellow fans.

• Hit the craft store: Visit the craft store before a game. To pay for face painting at sporting events is $2 or more. A bottle of face paint is less than $2. There are usually coupons available to save even more.

Purchase an entire bottle of face paint and do the painting at home. You can even have a few children come over for some at-home tailgating fun and make a new tradition.

• Reuse sports accessories: Okay, so I admit — I’ve bought one (or two) foam fingers in my day but only one per season. Even that one per season purchase isn’t required since our boys are older and take care of their souvenirs better.

Taking care of the items means they can reuse them each game, each year, and years beyond. Our boys use them as decorative elements in their room beyond the stadium.

What other ways have you saved at sporting events?