What's your Tri Budget for the year?

This year has been expensive.  I bought a tri bike for $3,000, a wetsuit for $200, a few other clothing items, shoes, races and hotels.  All total I'm going to guess close to $5000.  Hopefully next year is cheaper. 

In 2007, my first year I spent  about $3500.

This year I'll spend about $1500.

When I convince my husband that I NEED a tri bike I'll have another big money year.

Wow, some of you have spent quite a bit.

I  have spent (including race fees) close to 1000 in my first year. Next year, though, I will probably be spending some cash on a new bike. My MTB is great, but I need a tri/road bike now that I know I will continue to do tri's.

Well first year for me and for my wife so we spend x2 what most everyone else is.

Probably well over 6k this year, should be less next since we are still getting all our supplies, though might decide to get a pair of tri bikes next year so it could double....

NOT including Gas, Meals and Nutrition, I'm at $6500ish this year so far.

And I've got 2 more big races to go to.

Money manager has me on a very tight leash! For tri's gear this year, probably < $300 including the new sneakers and goggles earlier this year. Only doing 2 races and some rides so < $200 in entry fees. I'm in need of a new trisuit but that can wait until next year or if Desoto has a good 08 stock sale in the fall I'll "sneak" it in!

For general fitness related stuff, I'm begging for a new lightweight FS XC/MTB ($2k) and accessories for riding back and forth to work. I've finally wore her down enough that I can order one as soon as they build more stock. I would really like a trainer to get more tri-bike time in.

My first year and my goal was a half ironman. 

Felt S32 bought on ebay:        $610

Wetsuit (new) on ebay            $150

Helmet on sale                        $50

Shoes, clothing at used goods

swap at LBS                            $60

Tri shorts                                 $40

Entries:    Local mini                $15

                Local mini                 $15

               Tinman                     $150

               Local mini                  $30

Total for year:                       $1120

 
This equipment is good enough to take me right through to ironman.  It is possible to do this sport on a budget.
 

I budgeted about $5,000 for Tri Gear this year knowing I needed a new bike. (Which I just purchased) This includes a lot of mundane stuff like tubes, tires, C02 in addition to the new bike I just purchased last week. (Cervelo P2C)

My race budget is much larger because it involves a lot of travel. I budgeted about $15,000 for this Season. This is higher than last year mostly because I will be travelling to 3 races this year. (Ironman CdA, Nike Women's Marathon and the Boston Marathon) My season ends in the Spring when Tri Season resumes at the end of Marathon Season.

Next year my race budget is much lower owing to the fact that I am doing my 09 Ironman Race Local and will probably try to keep everything else but Boston '10 as local as possible.

The whole wildcard is that driving to races is not nearly as cheap as it once was

I don't keep a list of expenses. But it's very little for me this year, mostly race entry fees and one night at a hotel since all my races are local, the furthest is 4 hours away--by car. I bought all gear last year, mostly on eBay. All I do now is update (our fab new tri club uniform!) and replace worn running shoes and little stuff like tubes, chain, cleats, nutrition, water bottles, etc.

No kids or dependent spouse to feed here (anymore) so I spend what I want.