When you add up what you spend for entertainment, it can be a large chunk of change. If you saved what you already have budgeted for things in this category, it could easily be as much as $1,000 or more! We really are creatures of habit; it is easier to pay more than to keep abreast of less expensive alternatives. Here are a few ideas for you:
1. Ditch premium cable or satellite services. Try pulling up the regular network programs that you enjoy on your computer at the network sites, such as nbc.com, fox.com, hulu, etc. For movies, rent what you want to see at Redbox, or keep a good list of titles on order with Netflix for less than $10.00 a month. Many Netflix offerings can also be viewed instantly online, so you don't even need to wait for the DVD in the mail. You can get high definition signal now with old fashioned rabbit ears! Unless you are a junkie for a specific sports channel and live games, I don't think there is much that you can't find online for free or nearly free. You can also hook your computer up to your television screen, so you have the large screen option, not limiting you to your desktop for viewing. Here is an article on exactly how to do this. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-How-We-Cut-Cord-ac-4204109190.html?x=0 This one tip is worth hundreds of dollars in savings per year.
2. Use an e-reader. I think anyone who travels must have a Kindle or similar e-reader for the weight savings and convenience. But if you want to cut additional costs and save trees, consider getting your periodicals delivered to your device, many books and newspapers and magazines are delivered for less cost and nearly instantly. I love my library and I do miss the feel of real paper, but unless it is something I love enough to keep dusting on the shelf or I can't get otherwise, it goes into my neat little reader, which easily fits into my briefcase or purse. My Kindle alllows me to underline, write notes and save clippings. The only drawback I can see is it is hard to loan to a friend.
3. If you need to have a real "get out of the house date" and go out for a nice evening, check what is playing at the discount movie theater. Then check the moneysavingqueen.com blog for discount food coupons for the nicer chain restaurants. Don't see one you like? Go to the web site of your favorite eatery and see if there is a coupon there waiting to be printed out. Also, be aware of early diner specials.
4. Drop the gym membership. You can run in the hood, dance to your favorite music and enjoy a yoga routine right in your own living room. Trade workout DVDs with your friends so you won't get bored. Have fun with a walking buddy.
5. Go to your favorite restaurant, order one large meal and two plates. My nephew and I used to do this with our favorite Mexican place. The servings were plenty large enough for the two of us, plus the free chips and salsa would top us off if we were really hungry. Be sure to tip big if you do this, though. It is not right to cheap the wait staff who work just as hard for you regardless of how much you order! (My daughter is a waitress. She is only paid $2.00 an hour, so those tips are really important.)
I often dine out with a group of friends, maybe eight or ten of us at a time. We all order our own meals, but ONE dessert and ten spoons. Friendly to the waistline and the budget!
6. I love live theater and musical performance. Giving up my Friday night orchestra section broadway season tickets was like loosing prime real estate. Here are some ideas to feed your love of live entertainment: Watch out for local high school and college productions. Some of the schools in my area seem to have nearly professional talent. You might see a future super-star starting out. Go to park performances that are sometimes offered during out door arts festivals. Be aware of restaurants and clubs that have live performers, usually on the weekends. Check with your local college music department to see when performance students are giving recitals. You won't be disappointed and you are encouraging a young artist. You might also check into volunteer ushering (RSVP). That way, you can see the big shows for free!
7. Cell phones are not only for communication but entertainment as well. Check with your carrier to see if you really are using the package you are paying for to its fullest. You might be able to cut down on your plan. Speaking of phones, how much are you really using your land line? Time to cut the cord? Consider going cellular only or adding vonage or ooma as your home alternative. Phone plans are very competitive now, so doing frequent research here should pay off, as they continually get cheaper and cheaper.
8. Vacations can be a very costly part of the budget, but we Americans need to take them. We work much longer hours than most other nations and it is harmful to your health, your family and actually makes you a less effective worker. How about having a "staycation"? Look at the area where you live as if you were a visitor. What would you like to go see? Where would you like to explore, hike, photograph or paint, right in your own back yard? I have several good museums in my city that I haven't visited since I was a girl. Bet they would be as much fun now as they were back then! The only rule is you can't work just because you are at home. You really have to act like it is a vacation. Special meals, visiting places, sleeping late, getting a mani/pedi or massage, going for a tour of a historic site... ENJOY and REFRESH YOURSELF.
Happy Hunting.
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