My daughter’s softball fee just went up 40% from last year and the price given at tryouts. It’s not quite half as much as my son’s hockey, but I’m pissed it jumped so much after the team was selected. She also plays another travel sport and softball was her “cheap” second sport, so we may pull her from softball and just play rec in the spring.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why my daughter just rides the barn horses. Her professional-grade musical instrument cost us $85K, but at least it doesn't need vet care, boarding, and it can be carried as carry-on instead of a trailer.

How old is she, and for how many years had she been playing prior to getting such an expensive instrument? Do you feel it has made her more competitive in terms of orchestra placement/seating, summer music programs, etc?

She's in high school. Not into summer programs and doesn't wish to become a professional, even though she has the right level. She started at 4, and we got this instrument when she was about 12. She's been principal or concertmaster in MCYO or somewhere around that level since elementary, and once in a while participates in concerto competitions - she LOVES soloing with orchestra, it gives her such a thrill. There aren't too many opportunities for that, sadly.

Did the good violin help? I think for the concerto competitions, yes, because you need a robust projection when trying to be heard over the orchestra, and obviously you want the loveliest sound possible out of your soloist. Youth orchestra conductors are mostly focused on whether you've prepared the excerpts correctly and whether you can sight-read adequately. Actually, for a professional orchestra, having a distinct sound may even be a drawback, because you're supposed to not stand out; but at the school level, I don't think anyone really cares.

However that's not why I bought this instrument. I'm a classical music lover and derive great joy in listening to her play at home, so selfishly, I bought the violin for myself and my own ears

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why my daughter just rides the barn horses. Her professional-grade musical instrument cost us $85K, but at least it doesn't need vet care, boarding, and it can be carried as carry-on instead of a trailer.

Won’t it appreciate if cared for properly?

PP you replied to. Supposedly. Rare musical instruments by certain makers appreciate over time, even when NOT cared for properly, because their values lies in the maker's name and not the actual playability. That's why a broken Strad is worth more than practically any other maker's violin. But we chose sound quality from a reputable but not incredible maker, so she gets a violin that can project well in a concert hall, has a lovely sound, not too many wolves on the E string, and we found a really nice bow to go with it, with just the right amount of bounce for certain techniques. At a non-Strad price

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Anonymous wrote:I’m told aviation is even more expensive.

My 18 year old niece just got her pilot's license. I don't even want to know how much this is costing my sister and her husband....

It’s not that bad, my son looked into it and it wasn’t as expensive as we thought it would be. He decided not to do it because he also looked into the price to rent planes later and that’s where it got really not affordable. This was not going to be a hobby he could have at his age right now.

But I say it’s not that bad, my other kid plays a travel sport that’s easily 10k+ per year without adding in all of the private lessons and clinics. I don’t want to add it up. So it’s all relative.

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 boys that play hockey. The fees for their travel clubs are almost $8,000 (for 2). That’s not including gear or travel costs. They also play for their high school team, so another $3,000 (for 2) in fees.

I don’t get having your kid play hockey in the DMV (admittedly maybe you are in MN) unless you grew up playing.

It’s not a sport kids just play pickup around here and then practicing is a major pain in the ass since there aren’t ice rinks on every corner.

Anonymous wrote:I’m told aviation is even more expensive.

My 18 year old niece just got her pilot's license. I don't even want to know how much this is costing my sister and her husband....

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 boys that play hockey. The fees for their travel clubs are almost $8,000 (for 2). That’s not including gear or travel costs. They also play for their high school team, so another $3,000 (for 2) in fees.

A horse could really put this in perspective for you, if you want. You can sponsor mine!

I have 2 boys that play hockey. The fees for their travel clubs are almost $8,000 (for 2). That’s not including gear or travel costs. They also play for their high school team, so another $3,000 (for 2) in fees.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have everyone beat. My son's hobby is luxury real estate flipping.

Hard to understand what this means…but I assume you would only help fund this if your kid was successful and therefore it isn’t costing you anything and in fact is making money.

The son is not flipping them at a profit.

So…are you just happy burning $$$s? This doesn’t seem to be a worthwhile way to indulge your kid.

Do you also fund their day trading and encourage the kid to buy high and sell low?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have everyone beat. My son's hobby is luxury real estate flipping.

Hard to understand what this means…but I assume you would only help fund this if your kid was successful and therefore it isn’t costing you anything and in fact is making money.

The son is not flipping them at a profit.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the cost for the horses?

Horse: $75k. Nice, safe, hardly a world beater. A good citizen for lower levels.

Monthly costs: $3000ish, including recurring costs, lessons, and averaging irregular stuff like vet bills. Includes $300 shoes every 4-5 weeks. I’m trying to get the farrier to let me post video for hooftok. So far, it’s a no.

Competitions: $5k/rated show, give or take depending on the specifics. This is local. No Florida.

This is like, horse middle class. One horse. No Florida. Etc.

wait ... $5000 to compete in a local horse show?! Why so high and what does that include?
Also, how much is a horse lease if you aren't willing to buy? Just asking out of curiosity. DS plays squash competitively and I thought we were paying a lot!

“Local” can be a term to describe an unrated, shorter show which can be a lot less expensive. $5k might be close geographically, but we’re talking about a show that runs Tuesday-Sunday. It costs a lot to relocate and care for a horse for a week before you even begin riding.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is "Florida" and "no Florida"? I don't speak horse.

Huge "circuits" in Florida (Tampa and Wellington) during the winter that hold many many competitions. You ship your horse down end of Dec and it comes back early March. Depending on your situation you live in Florida during that time. Or you fly back and forth to compete.

Wow, isn't it hard on the animals to be transported in trucks and trailers like that for such long distances? Why don't horse people start up more local competitions to give the poor horses a break?

Not really. A big trailer is a pretty smooth ride. Plus if you’re camped out in Wellington for three months, it’s one round trip. If you want to make a list of logical horse welfare things to be upset about this should be #9,953.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is "Florida" and "no Florida"? I don't speak horse.

Huge "circuits" in Florida (Tampa and Wellington) during the winter that hold many many competitions. You ship your horse down end of Dec and it comes back early March. Depending on your situation you live in Florida during that time. Or you fly back and forth to compete.

Wow, isn't it hard on the animals to be transported in trucks and trailers like that for such long distances? Why don't horse people start up more local competitions to give the poor horses a break?

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me tell you about sailing...I always say, at least I don't have to keep the boat alive!

Really? my kid sailed with DC Sail (and regularly placed highly in local regattas) and it was pretty cheap - about $600/season. He did not fly to Florida for the winter but that amount allowed him to get good enough to enjoy it, learn something and pick up a skill he will have as an adult.

We are in the flying to Florida for the winter level, and are in the Midwest. A national travel regatta can easily cost $8-$10k for 4-6 days. It's ridiculous, we say no to a lot and save wherever we can - points and miles for travel, staying with friends, driving if possible to avoid chartering a boat, etc.. Many of DS' friends are in Europe for much of the summer right now training and racing. His season fees for the local club are nothing compared to the rest of it, but we live somewhere that freezes in the winter so we have no choice but to travel. Again, it's a choice, but the cost of everything, plus the coaching fees, are insane. To be clear not complaining, but everyday I am blown away by the cost of something related to sailing, despite having grown up in this world.

Sounds like keeping up with the joneses.

It is, we don't do it. So many coaches and parents say to me "Larlo MUST go to Italy and train." And I'm like, no, he doesn't need to do that at 12, in the long run it doesn't matter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me tell you about sailing...I always say, at least I don't have to keep the boat alive!

Really? my kid sailed with DC Sail (and regularly placed highly in local regattas) and it was pretty cheap - about $600/season. He did not fly to Florida for the winter but that amount allowed him to get good enough to enjoy it, learn something and pick up a skill he will have as an adult.

We are in the flying to Florida for the winter level, and are in the Midwest. A national travel regatta can easily cost $8-$10k for 4-6 days. It's ridiculous, we say no to a lot and save wherever we can - points and miles for travel, staying with friends, driving if possible to avoid chartering a boat, etc.. Many of DS' friends are in Europe for much of the summer right now training and racing. His season fees for the local club are nothing compared to the rest of it, but we live somewhere that freezes in the winter so we have no choice but to travel. Again, it's a choice, but the cost of everything, plus the coaching fees, are insane. To be clear not complaining, but everyday I am blown away by the cost of something related to sailing, despite having grown up in this world.

Sounds like keeping up with the joneses.

yes sounds so ridiculous.