B is for Budget

Budgeting for your Program and keeping costs low.

Once you have set your plan into place for the events of the season you have to figure out what the cheerleaders will wear.  Each school is different in what they provide, what the kids purchase and what they fundraise for.  The BEST way to cut costs on your budget is to purchase uniforms with team funds and have the kids check them out and return them at the end of the season.  It can be a high initial cost, but the cost for the students and parents becomes less.  You also have less worry when it comes to ordering items for the first game. 

The best way to save money is to sit down and decide what your cheerleaders will have before looking through any catalogs.  Here is the list of things my team gets.

• 3 Shirts
• 3 Shorts
• Shoes
• Bag
• 3 Practice Bows
• 1 Game Bow
• Pom-pons
• Warm-up Jacket and Pants
• Briefs (or spankies)
• Crop Tops (Under Armour)
• Uniform Top and Skirt (School Provided)

If you are a coach at a high school, you have probably received 10-20 cheer magazines so far.  Once you decide on the items in the spirit pack, then go through ALL the catalogs and find the things you want and research what company has the best price for each item.  It usually does not save  money purchasing all items from one company.  There are lots of factors that contribute.  One is color of uniforms.  Our school uses Maroon, but each company has a different color of maroon.  I personally use about three different companies when purchasing. 

For the shirts, warm-ups, bag, crop tops and uniforms I purchase from GTM Sportswear. 

The shorts, pom-pons, briefs come from Omni Cheer.

For Bows I use Team Cheer.

Lastly, the shoes come from a local Nike vendor.  Use the companies that offer free shipping and have good customer service. 

Here is a small price comparison to show you what I mean.

Best advise… Shop Around. 
It may be easier to go with one company, but the “package” deals are not always a good value. 

CHEERS!

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CW3