I had the following sidebar published in the October issue of Big Apple Parent based on some tips that I gave at a Babies R Us seminar that I led earlier this year.  (If you’re interested in reprinting these tips, please email me at kcoleman@mominthecity.com.)

KIDS’ CLASSES: 5 Money Saving Tips

1. Be sure to do your research before investing in a class.  Many companies offer free (or reduce-priced) trial classes.  All you have to do is call and ask if and when they hold trial classes.

2. Compare prices for popular classes on the provider’s website.  Often you can get the exact same class for different prices based on the facility where the class is held.  Be careful that you don’t pay for “real estate”.

3. Ask about discounts and special offers. Often, these deals aren’t mentioned unless you ask. Common discounts include early enrollment, re-enrollment, sibling discounts and discounts for taking multiple classes.  Also, be sure to check the company’s website because some specials are only mentioned online as monthly promotions.

4. Consider joining clubs and organizations in order to get discounts and free classes.  Many organizations (like the JCC and the Ys) offer substantial discounts to their members.

5. Be sure that you’re comparing apples to apples. When comparing class prices, be sure to take into account the number of classes and the length of each class (i.e. a four session half-hour music class for $200 is not a better financial deal than an eight session 45-minute music class for $350).

Posted by Kimberly on 08 Oct 2007 at 10:22 pm | Tagged as: Features