return2ozmaAmericans are 'doom spending' — here's why that's a problem
Flying SquidIt’s not just ‘doom spending.’ There is next to nothing to do without spending money anymore. Pretty much the only free things anymore are city parks in good weather and libraries all year around. I have a 13-year-old. She’s constantly looking for things to do. There’s so little for her to do for free. She’s in online school, so sometimes it’s nice to get out of the house and go to a cafe to do her schoolwork. $15 minimum every time.
MacGuffin94Idk about you but every activity is about $100/month too. I have kids in dance, $100/month per kid. Same with swim lessons (yes at the YMCA too). Looked into ice skating lessons and it’s the same. I want my kids to be able to try things but there’s no way we can afford to do more than one activity at a time and that’s a stretch sometimes.
Yep. She has drum lessons once a week. That’s all we can afford. And that’s just her and a drum teacher, so it’s not even like it’s a ton of social interaction. I’d love to get her to do other classes and things like that, but we can’t afford them.
Yeah and that’s another barrier, start up cost. Instruments are expensive. I grew up playing hockey and if I want my kids to try it it’s around $2000 just for one season.
We were (somewhat) lucky on that end. Her drum teacher sold us a simple drum set for $500 a couple of years ago and we’ve just added bits to it since then. Considering how much drum sets can cost, that was a bargain.
But we also had two incomes at the time. We’re down to one now.
A snare drum can cost $500, easy.
Yeah, this is definitely not a high-end drum kit, but she’s a kid and she’s not going to be playing gigs any time soon.
No I mean, you got a deal!
For sure. I just wish she’d practice at home more often. Sigh. Kids.
You did it right. There’s two things you NEVER buy new. Treadmills and drum kits.
As a percussion instructor, it makes me happy that you are investing in your child’s talent by getting them lessons!
Thanks! She really likes it. I think it’s a good way for her to get aggressions out that she has trouble getting out in other ways.