Ideas for spending less on entertainment
With all of the necessary expenses that the average household is responsible for many people are looking for ways to cut back. Obviously, this means separating the needs of a family from the "wants" of a family. Therefore, entertainment is a common category where spending can be cut back on. This is not to say that entertainment is unnecessary, just that money can be saved by thinking of more cost effective alternatives.
Below are just a few suggestions for how you can spend less on entertainment and have just as much (if not more) fun in doing so:
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Eat in
With an average sit-down dinner costing anywhere between $10-15 a plate, imagine how much money you can save buy eating in. Instead of going out to eat, consider spending less on entertainment by making a special dinner of your own. You can spend a few dollars for an extra special meal and save a lot more by not going out. Also, there are a lot of ways to make eating in more fun. You can have a picnic, eat by candlelight, have a pretend camp-out in the back yard and cook your food by the fire, the possibilities are endless!
Rent a movie
Instead of going to the theatre and spending $8-15 dollars per person there, rent a movie and bring the theatre to your living room. New DVD rental options such as RedBox, allow you to rent DVD's for as little as $1 a night (or for free if you have a promotional code). Make the evening fun by making your own popcorn, having store bought concession treats or even making it a dinner and a movie. You are guaranteed to save a lot of money and to have the best seats in the house!
Free to the public
Look for community activities that are free to the public. Art museums, public parks, shows put on by colleges, and city fairs are just a few examples of all the opportunities that are present. Many times you can find these activities that are free to the public by looking online for a city or community website or by calling a community phone number with pre-recorded information (this number can usually be found at the front of your community phone book).
Settle for seats that are farther away
If you are a sports fan you know that the seats at the top of the stadium are going to be much less than those that are court-side. With the average upper bowl seat being $30 and the courtside seats being $350 or more, you are saving %85 percent by enjoying a more distant view. The same applies with almost any staged event; the seats that are less ideal are going to be at a better price. Consider sacrificing a slightly better view in order to stay within your budget.
Be creative
Many times it is the creative activities that turn out to be the best and most memorable ones. Game night, themed dinners, treasure hunts, art projects, etc. are low in cost but are sure to resonate with the family. Especially if you have a family, your kids will remember the good times you have together and will never know how much money you spent. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's worth spending the money for.
Make chores fun
If you are really pressed for money in the entertainment sector and are looking for ways to make even the most mundane activities more entertaining, take heart. There are always creative ways to spice up your day or even make chores fun. Instigate a chart system, rewards, and activities. You may be surprised how much entertainment you can create with a small amount of money (or none at all), creativity, and some planning.
