For Andrew Cheney, tennis is a family tradition. His parents introduced him to the sport, and now he's passing it down to all three of his kids.

"Actually when all three were born, I had Penn balls in the little baby crib," Cheney, of Scottsdale, Arizona, said.

With an entire family on the court, keeping track of gear is one way Cheney keeps costs in check.

"The can costs add up for a while, but we just, with the young ones, we make them keep track of the balls and pick them up," Cheney said.

Fellow Scottsdale tennis player Joshua Olivas agrees that tennis doesn't have to break the bank.

"I don't think it necessarily has to be an expensive sport. I think there's lots of avenues to get rackets for on sale, and to find good stuff at discount," Olivas said.

Once you have your gear, taking care of it can extend its life. Olivas keeps his equipment away from heat and direct sunlight.

"I keep it out of the sun. I bring my rackets and my balls in from in the car. I don't leave them in the heat," Olivas said.

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Felix Schumann, Head Penn Racquet Sports Product Category Director, says that habit is especially important in extreme temperatures.

"I'd always recommend bringing your gear after playing inside in a room temperature controlled room, because there the product can really stay the best," Schumann said.

Heat is particularly hard on tennis balls, working its way from the inside out.

"Usually the core first starts to deteriorate, especially during the heat," Schumann said.

Schumann recommends storing tennis balls inside, in a cool, dry place, and avoiding leaving them in a hot car.

Penn is rolling out two new balls, including one built for longevity, with woven felt while retaining a durability-focused core.

"We have the Pro Penn Marathon+ ball, which is designed for durability," Schumann said.

The ball was released in July. The Pro Penn Infinity, a premium tournament ball, will soft launch in October.

For players just getting started, Schumann says top-of-the-line equipment isn't necessary.

"There's a wide variety of products you can first purchase, and especially with us with Head Penn, we offer some consumer-friendly options that you can get at a Target, a Walmart, a Dick's," Schumann said.

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To save on playing costs, Schumann also recommends seeking out public courts and opting for group lessons over private coaching.

"Start taking some lessons in a group setting, because then you start really getting into the sport. You're starting finding a community. You're also finding partners to play with in the future, which then you dont have to take that many lessons anymore from an actual coach," Schumann said.

The money-saving mindset extends beyond the tennis court. REI says dirt, sweat, and body oils can wear down sports and outdoor gear over time, reducing performance. The retailer advises cleaning gear after use, drying it thoroughly, and storing it properly. As one example, a bike helmet should be replaced after a crash.

Back on the court, Olivas says quality tennis gear can go a long way.

"They last a long time and they're affordable," Olivas said.

Cheney says a little care can keep his family's favorite sport well within budget.

"It's a whole lot cheaper than skiing and a lot of other sports out there, Cheney said. You get a few rackets, some balls, and you're all set."

This story was originally published by Jane Caffrey with the

Scripps News Group in Phoenix.

Thrifting can cost up to 80 percent less than buying new retail items, with savings cutting costs down to just $5 to $8 for clothing and household goods, according to Red Racks Thrift Stores. With National Thrift Shop Day on Monday, August 17

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, stores across the country are offering even more savings.

We have an Oreck XL commercial-style vacuum for $10. These go for well over $200! Conner Wilson, a consumer in Phoenix, Arizona, said at his local Goodwill store.

For Wilson, a thrift store is the ultimate treasure hunt, and he hunts every day!

We have this amazing old steamer trunk, union-made Everlite from Canada, Wilson said. We are talking about time capsules. Manufacturers aren't able to make things with the materials that they had made yesteryear, and so you end up with better products that last longer, that look better, and ultimately are way cheaper.

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The biggest sell: just how far your money can go.

We're probably going to get out of here for under $100 and probably have $1,000-plus worth of stuff, Wilson said. Incredible, and this is daily for me!

With National Thrift Shop Day coming up, Goodwill says shoppers should check their local stores for extra deals.

You have varying discounts depending on the location, Mjellma Gashijoco, Goodwill Manager of Social Media and Communications, said. But at ours specifically, on Monday, August 17, we actually have 50% off store-wide, which is incredible. I know I will be shopping that day for sure.

With back-to-school shopping underway, Gashijoco says these deals can help outfit a dorm room for less.

We found this practically brand-new Keurig machine for only 10 bucks, she said. We found this cool cupboard. When you are shopping furniture at these big box retailers, you're looking at spending over $100 for something like this, whereas here you're getting it for eight bucks.

Local thrift shops are gearing up for their day in the national spotlight too, like Delivering Dreams of Arizona.

All clothing will be 50% off, and at our furniture and home goods store, everything will be 35% off, Michelle Peralta, Delivering Dreams Thrift Shop Volunteer Manager, said.

Those sales are running both Monday, August 17

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and Saturday, August 15

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, giving shoppers deals from the closet to living spaces.

This is an amazing vintage green leather chair. This will be about just over $25, Peralta said. We have an all-white solid wood baby crib. This is $75 dollars.

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Many thrift stores like Goodwill and Delivering Dreams of Arizona are non-profits, so money spent also gives back

We have four programs that serve children living in poverty, Peralta said. Every purchase has a purpose.

Morgan Tefft, a 20-year-old volunteer at Delivering Dreams of Arizona and a regular thrift shopper, is always looking for on-trend and sustainable fashion. She says the price tags at thrift shops are hard to beat.

Some of the shirts and pants at $3 is such a steal. You can't touch that price in a big box mall store any day, Tefft said. I'm a student. I'm on a budget. I need those good deals.

For shoppers, the secret is keeping an open mind, and the thrill of finding the next deal.

It's like the last bastion of treasure hunting that I think we have in the world, Wilson said. And I can't stop finding the best things in the world!

This story was originally published by Jane Caffrey with the

Scripps News Group in Phoenix.