If you have a child who plays sports, then tournaments are also part of your life.
Tournaments eat up time, money and peace of mind faster than a kid can get in and out of his/her equipment. But, there are ways to minimize the damage.
1. Plan your route to each game. Yes, this means looking at a map. Talk to other parents, too; they'll often have tips about reaching certain rinks or fields, parking, etc. Planning your route also involves padding travel time for traffic slowdowns, weather and human error.
2. Plan your downtime. This is especially important when you're on the road for a tournament. Online maps often give you the option to search the area for restaurants, coffee shops and attractions.
3. Plan your meals and snacks. Where are you going to eat? If the game is at noon, will you have lunch before, or after?
4. Plan to socialize. While the kids are getting ready, conversation with other parents will be your main activity. You may be able to stake out a spot in the stands early and get some work done, but don't count on it.
5. Plan your budget. How much will you need for meals, entertainment and gas? Are you willing to shell out for photos, trinkets, raffle tickets? (If you're not, tell the kids ahead of time. Much easier than a conversation in front of the raffle table.) Decide your limit, then take cash. Small bills are best. Get this the day before the tournament, from your local bank or ABM. Nothing is worse than looking for a bank machine in unfamiliar surroundings.
Surviving a tournament is not only possible, it can be fun. The key, of course, is planning. Make your game plan, stick to it, and you might just make the finals with your brain still intact.
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Top Money-Saving Planning Tools
Having a plan really can save you money. My favourite money-saving planning tools:
1. Menu. Yep. Every week I plan out what we'll eat for supper and lunch if there won't be any leftovers available. How it works: I'm never standing in front of the fridge at 5:30 pm pretending to decide what to make while actually deciding what toppings to order on the pizza.
2. Grocery list. You probably know this one. Make a list and stick to it. How it works: The list frees you from buying stuff that's in your cupboard and forgetting things you need. And you just know those forgotten things are another trip to the $tore.
3. Snacks. We always carry snacks and water bottles. How it works: If you never hear "I'm hungry" or "I'm thirsty" when you're miles from home, you instantly cut out those emergency snack buys.
4. Calendar. Seriously. How it works: I use my calendar when I'm planning menus. That way, I know when we'll be away from home around a mealtime, or breezing in the door when supper should be on the table. I can plan the days that the crockpot is on duty, days when a takealong meal is needed, or even a day when we can go crazy and pick up a meal.
5. Treats. Bet you didn't see that one coming. Sure, you've heard about all work and no play. But did you know it could save your budget? Plan ahead for treats. How it works: They're rewards for good behaviour, and we all need them. Without any treats, at some point you'll crack under the pressure and blow your whole system.
1. Menu. Yep. Every week I plan out what we'll eat for supper and lunch if there won't be any leftovers available. How it works: I'm never standing in front of the fridge at 5:30 pm pretending to decide what to make while actually deciding what toppings to order on the pizza.
2. Grocery list. You probably know this one. Make a list and stick to it. How it works: The list frees you from buying stuff that's in your cupboard and forgetting things you need. And you just know those forgotten things are another trip to the $tore.
3. Snacks. We always carry snacks and water bottles. How it works: If you never hear "I'm hungry" or "I'm thirsty" when you're miles from home, you instantly cut out those emergency snack buys.
4. Calendar. Seriously. How it works: I use my calendar when I'm planning menus. That way, I know when we'll be away from home around a mealtime, or breezing in the door when supper should be on the table. I can plan the days that the crockpot is on duty, days when a takealong meal is needed, or even a day when we can go crazy and pick up a meal.
5. Treats. Bet you didn't see that one coming. Sure, you've heard about all work and no play. But did you know it could save your budget? Plan ahead for treats. How it works: They're rewards for good behaviour, and we all need them. Without any treats, at some point you'll crack under the pressure and blow your whole system.
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