It’s no secret that competing can be very expensive, from the grocery bill to the supplement bill, to tanning, hair, makeup, shoes, suits, registration, etc. you can expect to spend a rather large amount.

This may make you question whether or not it’s for you. If this is something you really want, some careful planning can help to make it possible and a lot less stressful.

You don’t have to be wealthy to compete; it can be done on a tight budget. It may take some careful watching of finances and perhaps, being a bit frugal with spending, but it can be done. In this two part article, we will take a look at some of the costs to factor in and ways to help make it a bit easier on the wallet.

Groceries

Be prepared to spend at least $150/bi-weekly. This may be slightly less to a lot more depending on the competitor and the meal plan.

Protein sources can require the most money here. A way to save on that and still be sure you’re getting good quality meats is to look for butchers and farmers that sell larger quantities for a cheaper price. Ask about the free-range organic options. There are even some butcher shops and farmers that will deliver larger orders right to your door.

If your plan incorporates egg whites, buy them in bulk. Places like Costco offer larger quantities and can save you quite a bit of money.

The most obvious one: Look for sales. The quality of food should not be compromised, but if there are sales on your meal plan options, take advantage! Watch the flyers and shop around.

Supplements

Depending on the person, this can vary a lot. Taking a look at the average competitor using only “off-the-shelf” supplements, it’s not at all difficult to spend $200/month. Do careful research on the things you are incorporating, get more than one opinion, and get rid of anything unnecessary. Keep an eye out for sales here, too. Be careful for expired labels, yes this may save you money, but you still want quality from the supplements you’re purchasing.

Suits

Suits can range in cost from the low hundreds to the thousands, all depending on the designer and style. Find a designer that will work within your budget, or see about renting/purchasing a used suit from a competitor. Some designers will offer previously worn suits for discounted prices. Another option is to buy a designer cut suit with no stones on it, purchase stones yourself and do some sweet bedazzling. This can be a lot of fun and you can find stones for a reasonable price, or even on sale (including Swarovski Crystals which look the most amazing on stage).

Just keep an eye out, check online places and stores like Wal-Mart in the craft section, Michael’s and seamstress shops. This also allows you to get really creative and really make the suit your own. Doing it this way, your suit may cost you, in total, approximately $200-$250, can end up looking amazing and worth a lot more. If you choose to re-sell the suit, this also adds to the value.

Seem like a lot so far? It doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. Next week we’ll look at more of the items you will need for show day, including shoes, jewellery, tanning, hotel and registration costs, as well as a way to budget for the season.

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