Supporting Your Athlete, For Less!
By YAN WANG, AMANDA COCHRAN
(NYC/CBS)Looking to cut costs this school year? Some of the highest costs every year for some parents may be related to sports. However, you can get great deals on sports equipment if you know where to look.
From football to swimming, here are the best websites we found for cutting costs on kids' sports gear:
Speedo: You wouldn't think high-end swimwear retailer Speedo would have good deals, but their grab bag suit sales for kids are a steal. Speedo competitive suits can cost nearly $100. For around $40, you can snag a great suit that will last a long time. You pick the size and they pick the print from overstocks from the previous season. There are no exchanges or returns, but if your child is just using a suit for recreation or practice, it's OK to be a little adventurous with the style.
HitRunScore.com offers an array of different sports equipment at discount prices. Whether your child is an all seasons player on different fields, or if you have a houseful of kids with different interests, this is a one stop shop to get your gear in season. They offer equipment for softball, cheer leading, volleyball, football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. If that weren't enough, they even sell uniforms. They have great online promotions, such as a 15 percent discount on your total purchase, and they also ship for minimum rates (as low as $5.99).
Children grow like weeds, want to try out different sports, and like it or not, sometimes they buy the equipment and decide they don't like the game. Well, Play It Again Sports is a great way to buy and sell lightly used second- hand gear. It's a great place to buy brand name equipment at a discount price, and a good way to get rid of unwanted, barely-used equipment. It saves parents money, and some closet space. Play It Again offers equipment in most sports: soccer, golf, baseball, hockey, football, water sports, wheeled, lacrosse, fitness equipment, and snow sports.
Your star athlete is probably the fan of some college and pro teams as well. While sports spirit gear can get pricey, you can buy discounted jerseys and t-shirts at Fanatics Outlet so they can flaunt their favorite colors. Fanatics Outlet has college teams, as well as NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and Nascar fan gear.
Some of us were born to be center stage, and for those parents who support them, Discount Dance Supply can help you fund the lovely dancer. Discount Dance Supply offers both men and women gear, and it has everything you need. Head-to-toe gear is found on this site, from leotards, tights, unitards, to shoes.
For the kids who have hit the ground running -- literally -- Trackoutlet.com has sports gear for less if your child just can't get enough of track and field. They offer discounts up to 50 percent off retail prices. The site also includes training items that may be popular in the upcoming season. Trackoutlet.com even offers equipment for shotput, discus, and high jump.
And last but not lease, what fan doesn't want to see their favorite sport live? DiscountSportsTickets.com offers affordable prices to professional and college sporting events. This can make a great birthday gift, or even a stocking stuffer. The site shows upcoming events and the sports tickets that are currently on sale. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter so you can updates sent straight to your smart phone.