Playing youth sports isn’t cheap. The obvious costs begin with registration fees and then quickly roll over into equipment and uniform purchases. 

Next come the hidden costs of gasoline to get to games and practices, meal money for the concession stands or dinner on the way home. If your children are on a travel team, you’ll typically also need to factor hotel expenses. Those hidden costs quickly become visible when the monthly credit card bill arrives.

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Just about everything I’ve listed so far is essential to play youth sports. But what about the expenses that aren’t? Things like team pictures, additional wearables and team functions are strictly social. Sure, every kid wants to have it all. But at some point, it has to stop.

Just last week, after recently turning down the opportunity to purchase the team photo – the one my wife took with her phone came out beautifully – my son was offered the chance to purchase a T-shirt with the league logo printed on the front and his name and number emblazoned on the back. 

The cost was really irrelevant. It was more the fact that we were going to buy a shirt he doesn’t need, and quite frankly, won’t be asked to wear to any team function. I appreciate the effort of the folks who organized it, and from the looks of sign-ups just about everyone is taking advantage of the opportunity. 

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I decided this was a perfect opportunity for my son to spend his lawn-mowing money on something he really wants, but doesn’t actually need. He chose to do exactly that.

Having a child involved in youth sports means there are going to be some obvious and other unanticipated costs. Families have to determine which expenses are necessary, and which expenses are optional. 

For the optional items or activities, don’t be afraid to say “no.” Or, let your child foot the bill if they really want it. Most of the optional items are very affordable for kids who have birthday or chore money stashed away. We parents just don’t think to have them use it.

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Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years, originally as a coach and board member with his now-adult son and most recently "just as a dad" with his 8- and 10-year-old sons. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter.