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Ten Ways to Save Money on Entertainment

How to Stay Entertained Without Breaking the Bank

Entertainment isn’t a necessity like food or housing, but it’s still a big part of life. It can also be a big part of a monthly budget. However, you don’t have to spend big just to have fun. Here are ten great ways to cut costs and reduce your entertainment budget while still having a great time.

Visit the Library

The local library isn’t just for reading books, though that’s certainly a great aspect. You can do a lot more at the library, though. With nothing but a free library card, you can borrow books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and much more. Plus, many library systems offer online services as well, such as ebooks, music and movie streaming, and digital magazines.

Look for Free Local Events

Check out local newspapers and websites for free street festivals, concerts, fairs, and art shows. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find free things to do nearly every weekend. These events can be a great way to spend time with family and friends and they often cost nothing at all. Try to bring your own food though, if possible. Many free events sell food on-site at very high prices.

Have a Swap

There’s a good chance you have a lot of movies, music, books, and games that you no longer use. There’s a good chance that your friends and family members have the same. Put together a swap where you each bring what you no longer need and trade for what you’re interested in. You don’t even have to trade items permanently. You can do short-term swaps. For instance, why not lend your friend a few DVDs in exchange for some books they’re done reading?

Have a Dinner Party

Instead of going out to a restaurant with friends, take turns holding dinner parties in your homes. You can even structure them as a potluck where each person brings a dish. Not only does this cut down on costs while making holding the party easier for the host, but it also gives everyone the chance to try out some different tastes.

Try Amateur Sports

A professional sporting event can be a costly night out. Instead of checking out the major leagues, why not check out the minor leagues or amateur sports instead? You’ll still be able to watch high quality sporting action and it will come at a fraction of the cost.

Negotiate

Talk to the customer service team at your cable company and see if there are any deals that you can get on your services. Sometimes, you can get a big discount by mentioning that you’re considering cutting services or switching to a different company.

Look for Discounts

Various theatres, restaurants, museums, and cinemas hold regular promotions that can save you a lot of money. For instance, some museums offer free entry on certain days of the year and some cinemas have a weekly “cheap day” where the cost of tickets is reduced. Often, matinees are less expensive than evening movies as well.

There are also discount theatres that show slightly older films at a lower price. You might not be able to catch something on opening day this way, but you’ll still be able to get the theatre experience. These locations often have cheaper concessions as well.

Use Coupons

Check local newspapers and magazines and search online for coupons. You might be able to find big discounts on movies, music, and even admission to local attractions. Before you pay full price for something, do a search online and see if you can find a discount.

Get Outdoors

You don’t need to pay an entrance fee to have a good time. Take your bike and go for a scenic ride. Visit a local wooded area and go for a hike. Have a day at the beach or a picnic in the park. Not only will you save money by getting outdoors, but you’ll also get a chance to get some exercise as well.

Wait for Price Drops

A lot of things go down in cost if you wait. This isn’t just true for consumer goods. You can also save money on tickets by waiting until it’s closer to showtime, for instance. Local theatres and sporting events might drop prices just before a show or event begins because they want to make sure they have a full house. Look for these opportunities and take advantage of them when you can.