These days, the role of parents includes wearing many hats: chef, maid, launderer and homework guru are just a few of them. With all the extra-curricular activities kids are involved in, some of the most prevalent roles may include chauffer, coach, and cheerleader, too. And it may cost a small fortune to outfit your kids for the many sports they're involved in.

On top of your kid's pursuits, keeping yourself and your spouse healthy and fit can be expensive, too. You can go the cheap route, which usually means a nice pair of running shoes. Or, you might spend a few thousand dollars on a treadmill, weight bench, various yoga mats, and that oversized bouncy ball. Before you go out and indulge your newest kettlebell fantasy, check out these tips for buying sports gear for the whole family.

How much you pay for your gear can depend a lot on what sport you're involved in. A golfer can drop anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand on new clubs, while high-end running shoes will send you over the hundred dollar mark pretty fast. The good news is there's plenty of gently used sports gear for sale, whether it's at a store or from an individual.

When it's time to invest in some athletic equipment, check Web sites like Craigslist or eBay to see if anyone has what you need for sale. There are also consignment stores that exclusively sell used athletic equipment. In the end, you can save some serious cash by buying used -- just check it out thoroughly to make sure what you're buying is still in good shape.