Tri's are expensive

When we first started looking into triathlons we just got caught up in the awesomeness of it all and did not even consider the price. Well imagine our shock when a sprint triathlon at the local rec center was going to cost us $80!! But no worries we found some solutions for you other frugal triathletes out there,
and if you have any suggestions please leave a comment.
Solution #1: Volunteer
Some companies will give you a voucher/credit for another one of their races if you volunteer at an event that precedes the event you want to compete in. One example of this is On Hill Events which does a ton of races( not only triathlons) all over Utah. We will be volunteering at the Layton Marathon so that we can get two $50 credits to go towards the Powell 3 Triathlon in October, which is like a 50% off coupon, Score! There are race companies all over that have this option, volunteering may not be how you want to use your time but it is a great way to cut costs on registration fees. On Hill events volunteer
Solution #2: Charity
Run for a great cause and get sponsors to back you while your at it. Not only will this make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside but it will also help you cut some of the cost on race day. Now this one isn't the easiest to do and will require lots of leg work on your part to find companies willing to sponsor the cause you are competing for.
Solution #3: Ebay and thrift stores
Biking tends to be the most expensive part of triathlons, we had to buy our bikes and that was one area that we splurged on and got brand new bikes. However when I was shopping for cycling shorts, jerseys etc. I discovered that it would be super easy to spend hundreds of dollars on gear. I use ebay a ton and looked on there for shorts and jerseys and I found a lot of bargains. Now most the stuff that is cheaper is pre-owned, that may bug some people but I figure I'll give it a good wash and I'll be fine. I got some Cannondale shorts for only $10, two pairs of Pearl Izumi shorts for about $18 each, and about 5 or 6 jerseys for less than $10. When I got them in the mail they all looked like they could be brand new, it took a lot of searching to find the good deals but it was worth it. The best part about ebay is if you get something and you don't like it, you can turn around and sell it again which I had to do a few times.
Thrift stores may have things also, it is definitely a lot harder to find the things that you need but my dad was strolling through a thrift store and found a great pair of cycling shoes that fit him perfectly and he only paid $10. It takes effort but there are ways around spending hundreds of dollars on gear.

We got all this for about $40 on ebay

Solution #4: Used bikes

Used bikes are a great option for beginner triathletes. The only reason we didn't go that direction is because we have a ton of races planned out and we knew we would be buying new bikes eventually so we just bit the bullet. There are a ton of great used bikes out there if you look, my dad just got a Lemond for only $250 that is in great condition. Our one recommendation if you get a used bike is to go and get it fitted at your local bike shop, prices vary but plan on spending anywhere from $50-$75 for a good fitting. This will make all the difference as you start biking. If you live in Utah Bikers Edge in Kaysville is awesome and they take really good care of you. If you get a brand new bike from them they do free tune ups for life, which is a great bonus.

Here is Kassia getting fitted on her Cannondale