It's a line from a kids movie... :)
So I'm embracing the frugal lifestyle and realizing that I want out of the rat race. This month I've:
-vowed not to eat out anymore (hot, prepared grocery foods are still legal)
-pledged to meal plan and whittle down the food still in pantry/freezer
-got my husband on board (!!!!!)
-hit $2K in cash savings
-talked husband into upping his 401K contributions to 8%
-decided the 2008 / 105,000 mile Kia is going to go until the wheels fall off (and got husband to agree!)
So far my first month has been amazing!!! Except...
Our girls are going back to dance classes next month. This is our 4th year at the studio, and here's the ugly breakdown:
11 year old - ballet, tap, jazz, ballet technique, pointe
7 year old - ballet, tap, jazz, acro
Total monthly tuition: $281.00 x 9 months = $2,529
New shoes (including pointe shoes, which go quickly and are $80 per pair) - $285.00 + $100 growth = $385.00
Costumes - varies, but last year was $300
Tickets - $15 per seat / 3 shows each year / multiple nights of same show and the kids want us there each night = $90 per audience member
This year they joined Competition and we'll have MORE costumes and a hotel bill for the big spring break competition.
Then we have SUMMER INTENSIVES which I'm not even adding in here because I feel kind of nauseous already.
It's a huge amount of money, but the girls LOVE it, and we are able to afford it. I'd just rather put my money towards savings or debts... Is that selfish?!? I think they learn a lot in dance, about movement and feeling comfortable in their bodies and learning to work with a team and overcoming stage fright... There are lots of benefits. (No, I don't expect either girl to become a ballerina. I actually doubt they will continue past age 14.)
The 11 year old isn't hiding in her room on her Ipod--she's with a teacher she adores and a group of friends that are always there, no matter what's going on in school or which teacher she gets that year. The 7 year old also has a bigger group of friends that she's known since she was 3. It's a nice, stable, supervised place for the kids to go.
I'm really torn over this. I want to give good things to my kids, but I'm looking at $3,000+ per year for the kids' hobby. What would you do?