How Can I keep up with figure skating with the state of economy?

Do you have a coach? If so, explain to her your situation and see if she'll agree to give you 15 min. lessons. Believe it or not, it can be done.

Before your lesson, have an idea/agenda of what you want to do/accomplish. Doing so will save time, rather than wasting time on the ice trying to decide your lesson plan.

When I first took lessons, I couldn't afford 1/2 hr. I suggested to my coach what I wanted to learn, and took 15 min. lessons 1x/wk. and skated FS 3x/wk., including before going to work. Believe me, giving her an agenda saved time on the ice.

If you don't have a coach - just practice those elements you've learned. You can even get creative by combining elements, and you won't get bored.

Whatever your decision - good luck.

You have to sit down and look where the moneys going.

I get £10 a week for skating- £4 ice time £3 lesson. I then bought a bottle of water and my lunch. Which was the rest of my money. I was spending £12 a month on food! That's enough for another lesson each week. I bought a refillable water bottle and take food to the rink.

I earn £5 a week and that pays for another day of ice time, with the remaining money from the £10 another lesson. I get money for babysitting so about £20 a month which pays for my travel and my final day of ice time.

Ice time and lesson prices can't change. If anything they'll get more expensive. You don't need dresses or fancy practise clothes. Get used to not having Christmas presents- I've got my years comp stuff and new boots for this season. Yeah, I would have liked a working phone but you've gotta make these decisions.

Working isn't possible for everyone... Where I live it's impossible to work under 16. I teach piano and look after a few kids but it doesn't pay very much.

Easy: get a job. If skating is important to you, you'll be prepared to help pay for it. You can't depend on your parents for everything. If you're over the age of 14, you can get a part time job.

Actually, you can get a job at 14, as long as it doesn't involve machinery. I worked as an assistant Can-Skate Coach when I was 12. There are many things you can do. If the rink is so far away, then you could work there right before or right after your practice (that's what I did).

You can get off your backside and get a job. If you really wanted it that's exactly what you'd do. You can also ask the rink if they need rink guards or people to man the kiosk - most rinks give their employees free ice time.