From the Bleachers to the Balance Sheet: Making Travel Sports Work for Your Family and Your Future.

It was a crisp Saturday morning when Jen found herself sitting on metal bleachers for the third weekend in a row, sipping lukewarm coffee and cheering on her 11-year-old daughter at a travel soccer tournament. The sidelines buzzed with excited parents swapping stories about hotel points, carpooling logistics, and the best cooler snacks. But in the back of Jen’s mind, she wasn’t thinking about the game- she was thinking about the $700 club fee that just hit her credit card, the unplanned hotel stay after a game went into overtime, and the growing feeling that something in her financial life was slipping. 

Jen and her husband were in their early 40s- solid earners, responsible savers- but lately, everything seemed to revolve around their kids’ sports schedules. And while they loved supporting their daughters’ passions, they couldn’t shake the worry: Were they trading their financial future for their kids’ present? 

If you are in this phase of life, you understand the push and pull. Travel sports can be an incredible opportunity for kids, teaching discipline, teamwork, and resilience - but they come with a hefty price tag. Between equipment, uniforms, coaching fees, travel, and meals on the road, families can easily spend $5,000- $10,000 per child per year on competitive sports. 

The key is not to say “no” to these experiences- it is learning how to say “yes” strategically. 

Three Ways to Keep Your Finances on Track While Raising Athletes.

1. Create a “sports sinking fund.”

Think of it as a dedicated, seasonal fund just for travel sports. Even saving $150-$200 per month in a separate account can help you prepare for the burst of expenses that come with each new season. Use tools like automatic transfers to build the fund gradually, without having to make big cuts when fees are due. 

2. Don’t press pause on retirement

It is tempting to reduce 401(k) contributions or skip IRA deposits to cover rising kid costs, but the long-term cost of delaying retirement savings is much greater than you think. Even small steady contributions now will compound over time and provide future flexibility. 

3. Involve the whole family in financial choices. 

Travel sports can be a powerful lesson in financial tradeoffs. If a tournament means skipping a vacation or cutting back on dining out, explain the “why” to your kids. Let them see how goals get funded and what it takes to balance priorities with your value spending. 

Jen and her husband had been contributing steadily to their retirement for years, but when both of their daughters joined travel teams, they hit pause “just for a season” to cover costs. That season turned into three years. 

They figured they would make up for it later. What they didn’t realize was how much those missed years would cost them in the long run. 

Let’s break it down: 

If Jen had continued investing just $500 per month in her retirement account during those three years, from age 40 - 43, with no further contributions there after, and that money earned an average return of 7% annually, it would grow to about $72,000 by the time she reached age 65. If she continues contributing past age 43, until 65, and that money earned an average return of 7% annually, it would grow to about $350,000.

Just from pausing contributions for a few busy years, all while continuing to spend thousands on sports that, while meaningful, could have been budgeted for, alongside their future goals. 

So what’s the takeaway? 

You don’t have to choose between supporting your children and securing your future. You just need a thoughtful, proactive plan that flexes with your life, whether you are juggling soccer tournaments, gymnastic meets, or back-to-back out-of-town activities. 

And that is where we come in. 

Let’s build a plan that works for real life- your life. Schedule your planning session today and make sure your financial goals are not left on the bench.