It's back-to-school season and you're just about ready to zip that backpack closed before tossing that supply list into the trash. You've been shopping for weeks to get the right pencils and pens, binders and the dozens of other must-haves. This, of course, is in addition to the perfect school shoes and autumn wardrobe. But now you're done, done, done! Your sanity and your budget are ready for a breather - at least until the Christmas shopping season starts.
But then your daughter comes home breathless from school telling you they've made it onto the school's pom pom team. She's thrilled and can't wait to start attending practices and games! Oh, and did she mention she'll need some money for her uniform and equipment?
Before you can finish digesting this piece of news, your son barrels through the door and announces he's decided to take drum lessons. It'll only be, say, $600 for the drum set, plus the price of lessons. But that's not a big deal for you, is it?