Youth sports equipment costs can slam you. Do you feel the hit to your wallet every season?

The costs of playing on a team, buying uniforms and traveling can add up very quickly, but there is one area where you can save some money without sacrificing value. Youth sports equipment deals are out there if you are willing to take the time to look. Here’s some things to remember as you look for deals:

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1. Buy used

There are many ways to buy used: consignment stores, community swaps, online sites such as sidelineswap.comand SecondTimeSports, and even garage sales.

2. Plan ahead to buy retail

If you think ahead, you can cut equipment costs by buying when it’s cheap. Not only can you budget the for the expenses, you can save anywhere from 10 to 60 percent on deals. However, if you wait until the last minute, you may end up paying top dollar.

Get on the email lists of your favorite sports organizations. Many of them will have discounts before the season begins and after the season is over. Some quickie sales may last only for a weekend, so jump on them right way.

Another good time to save money on sports equipment is during holiday sales. Of course, buying off-season can get tricky because you may not know what size to buy. You can, however, save money during this time on more expensive items.

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3. Cheaper isn’t always better

In an effort to save money, it’s easy to get sucked into buying cheap. Just remember that cheap equipment doesn’t often last as long. Sales give you a chance to get quality items that hopefully won’t fall apart so easily.

4. Buy bigger

When buying a uniform that your child will be using for a while, buy one size up. This gives you another season of use out of it.

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5. Check Facebook

Local Facebook groups can be a great resource for finding gently used equipment. Families often want to hand down equipment that is no longer needed, and these groups are available in many cities nationwide.

No doubt about it, youth sports can be expensive. But the benefits of youth sports are too big to ignore: building confidence and self-esteem, increased physical fitness and emotional health.

Janis B. Meredith is a life coach for parents. She provides resources to help parents raise champions. Learn more about how she can help parents Raise Champions.