Picking a Tae Kwon Do School - Financial

Once you've decided why you want to take up Tae Kwon Do, and which schools seem to fit best with your needs, it's important to consider cost.

In the very old days, instruction was not paid for - some martial arts, like Aikido, still charge "mat fees" only, for upkeep of the dojo (the Japanese term, the Korean is dojang). But that is rare - these days, one needs to feed the kids, pay for gas, etc. Even in the old days, students would find non-monetary ways to compensate the master.

In Tae Kwon Do, it is typical for lessons to be paid for by the month or by the year, with prices ranging from a couple hundred bucks to much less. Paying for a year will generally get you a discount.

But it is really important to note that this is not the only charge you may see for your or your child's lessons:
- Belt tests
- Gear (uniform, sparring gear, weapons, etc.)
- Competitions

These types of charges can double the year's instruction costs, so it is important to plan for it. Some schools are very upfront about these costs, but not all think to mention it.