The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Jimbo on August 29, 2012, 11:03:37 AM
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Hi all!
I would like to get your thoughts on playing organized team sports... I am a big, big, BIG deck hockey fan (or ball hockey, or cosom hockey, basically hockey in a gymnasium using a ball instead of a puck). I basically think this is the most fun one can have during free time.
I play in an organized league, where teams register and play each other every week, with statistics being compiled, around 12 teams compete so there is a different challenge every week. All fun and games, no pressure, great cardio workout and just plain good fun. I could go on and on.
Problem is, I now play 3 nights per week (the leisure time available when one is child-free is definitely great, I'll say) and it is getting a little expensive. For 12 weeks, 3 times a week, it'll cost me something like 250$.
Of course, I could play less. To be honest this will be the first time I play as much and we will see how it goes. I probably will play 'only' 2 nights a week starting in January, we will see.
I like the organization, I like the teammates and the other teams, I like the fact that it is inside (I have a hard time working out during winter, as I live in Montreal) which means good weather. I am just wondering if this could be done in a less expensive way.
I don't have enough friends who play to just organize a weekly hockey game in a school yard, although I have organized that in the past (not weekly, just a one time deal every now and then). However, it's not the same as the organized league.
I wonder if any of you have similar problems and tricks on lowering expenses in this area. I guess the simplest way would be to start my own league as a side hustle...
Thoughts?
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12 weeks 3 times a week is 36 times. That's about 7 bucks a time. Let's toss in another $3 a time for commuting, an occasional drink, whatever.
To me, $10 for an hour (more? I dunno) of "the most fun one can have during free time" is a freaking bargain and I'd be proud I was spending so little on entertainment (you should try having snowboarding or scuba diving as your most fun things). Hell, even going to dinner and movie once a week is probably more expensive then 3x hockey sessions.
That said I don't know your income etc so maybe the discussion is necessary. Don't get so worked up about saving money you don't have a life.
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It sounds like you've already thought of this, but I'd still suggest trying to set up a weekly pick-up game somewhere. If you have 12 teams playing 3 times a week, that sounds like there's plenty of demand. If you don't have enough for a full game at first, it could start off as weekly practice until more people start coming. Once it's a more regular thing you could start advertising (for free, of course), and get even more people attending. Most event-calendar-type websites would probably add you to their calendar, and I'm sure there are plenty of other ways to get the word out. Maybe you won't be friends with every single person who shows up, but hey, that's how you make more friends! You even already have something in common. And yes, it won't be the same as your league, but maybe something different one night a week will make league play even more fun. Of course, that's for you to decide.
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It keeps you active, it's social, the cost isn't going to keep you down, so I say do it, and enjoy it guilt free.
Just don't fall into the hype that better equipment will make you a better player.
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I'm definitely happy to pay for sports. I love playing sport (waterpolo & netball this year only, though). I've thought a bit about the cost, but I'm happy to pay for fun & health :)
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if I was living in that part of the world, I'd be all over netball. :-) Also, it's funny you should mention waterpolo because I am currently looking into that for the winter.
One of the big challenges of playing team sports is finding like-minded players. I play for fun, exercise, and sure, the thrill of sport. But some people play like their lives depend on their performance, and act like 8 year olds if they do not win. So it is a challenge to find like-minded players who enjoy playing but will not drive a hockey stick on your knee cap if you happen to beat them. As silly as it sounds, this is a problem many have encountered.
So that is why I enjoy the league even more. But I do like the idea of organizing a big meet-up, opened to more people, and play for fun one night a week. It could be done, hockey is incredibly popular here as you might know.
Thanks for the replies!
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gooki's point about equipment is key. I pay $125 for about 17 Brazilian Jiujitsu practices per month (I teach a weekly class so I pay the two-a-week rate and then the school doesn't mind if I go more often). As a $7.35 hourly rate for Fun Activities, it's pretty cheap! But I could easily get carried away buying extra jiujitsu clothes or other equipment.
There's an option, Jimbo -- would occasionally serving as a coach or a ref help offset your hockey costs?
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There's an option, Jimbo -- would occasionally serving as a coach or a ref help offset your hockey costs?
I do that for my sport of choice - reffing even one night a week will cover two nights of playing and all of the equipment needed. Once your name gets out there you can get all sorts of sport related job offers on the side.