What I Spent at Spirit Cheer 2025: A Cheer Budget Case Study
Share
Last weekend, while my daughter Laurel competed at Spirit Cheer, I decided to track exactly how much we spent to see what a typical competition weekend really costs. Honestly? It wasn’t our priciest weekend, but even a “low-spend” comp weekend still manages to nickel-and-dime you into submission. Here’s the damage report:
The Breakdown
-
Hotel: $0
Massive win! Thanks to credit card points, we stayed at the hotel attached to the venue—and didn’t pay a dime. -
Food & Drinks: $116.91
Coffee and chicken tenders may be basic, but they’re our comp weekend survival staples. Here’s how it shook out:-
Saturday lunch: $32
-
Saturday dinner: $26.46
-
Sunday breakfast: $14.75
-
Sunday lunch: $8 (for Laurel; I had leftovers from Saturday)
-
Snacks: $35.70 (because hangry isn’t a good look on anyone)
-
-
Gas/Tolls: $41
Aka the privilege of sitting in traffic while fielding backseat tween drama. -
Parking: $32
Valet parking, because the self-park lot was full when we arrived. Just what I needed to start the weekend: an unexpected splurge. 😒 -
2-Day Admission Fee: $77
Procrastination paid off here—no $20 Ticketmaster “convenience” fee for me. -
Extras: $0
Laurel, wise beyond her years, opted to skip the overpriced vendor booths. We’re calling it a win for her savings account.
Total: $266.91 (+ a little of my sanity)
My Budget-Saving Wins
-
Hotel Savings: Booking our hotels with points saved us about $250 this weekend.
-
Leftovers: A little frugality by saving Saturday’s dinner meant Sunday’s lunch was a lot less expensive.
-
Avoiding Online Fees: Paying admission at the door kept my $20 “convenience fee” safe in my wallet.
What I’ve Learned
Even on a “good” weekend, competition costs pile up like glitter after Laurel hits the mat—everywhere, and impossible to avoid. That’s why I live and die by planners and budgets—they keep me prepared for surprise costs (like that hotel gift shop umbrella of 2024 I’ll never live down).
Your Turn
Do your receipts make you wonder if Starbucks should sponsor your family? Let’s commiserate. Hit me with your best budget-friendly tips—or just vent. Misery loves company, and so do cheer parents.
Plan Your Next Comp Weekend
Want to save your sanity (and your wallet)? Check out our dedicated competition travel planner. Not to toot my own horn, but it should be in every cheer parent survival kit. Happy planning!
Until the next comp,
Lexie
Owner, My Cheer Budget