A Dozen Cheap Thrills: Family Entertainment on a Budget
Copyright Deborah Taylor-Hough
Used with permission on DrLaura.com. All rights reserved.
hometown.aol.com/dsimple/
Frugal living and family entertainment often feel like termson the opposite end of the spending spectrum. But ifmoney's tight, it's important to plan some fun into thosesunny weekends and summer vacation, otherwise lifecan get a bit dull and frugal living can seem more like astraight-jacket rather than a means to help you reachyour financial goals.
Here are a few simple ways to save a few pennies oncommon entertainment expenses:
Be patient and wait to see new movies on video. Somecommunities even offer free video rentals at local librariesand will order new movies if library patrons request a certaintitle.
Check to see if there are any discount movie theaters inyour area. Most of these places show movies just beforethey're released to video. A family of four can go out foran evening at the movies and only spend around $10 fora fun family outing. Keep a list of movies you want tosee, and then check the discount theater listings eachweek. These theaters often keep the movies for justone or two weeks, so stay alert to what's playing.
Go to the first show of the day at first-run theaters forthe best prices (and shortest lines!).
Check your area for free days at museums, zoos, etc.
Rather than buying separate admissions to differenteducational or fun family destinations, buy one yearlyfamily pass to either the zoo, the aquarium, or a themepark. Go repeatedly to that one place each time youwant a family outing. You will easily save the cost ofthe family admission, plus you'll have the benefit of notfeeling pressured to see everything in one day. Youcan always see what you missed the next time youcome. Next year, buy a pass somewhere else.
Check for free concerts, plays, and other live familyentertainment in local parks.
Call and find out if your local college stage productiongroup, ballet or orchestra will let you watch them rehearsefor free.
If you want to eat at an expensive restaurant, go forlunch rather than dinner. The menu is usually the same,but the prices are often half.
When dining out, drink water only. Ask for a lemonor lime wedge if you want to make your drink seemspecial. This trick can easily cut $10 off your family'stotal dining bill, which could mean the difference betweengoing out for a fun meal or staying home eating frozenegg rolls again.
Go fly a kite. Literally!
Make the most of any available student discounts.Show your child's school ID at museums, zoos, galleries,theaters, etc.
Instead of an expensive day of professional sports,go to a high school or community college game.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
--Deborah Taylor-Hough (wife and mother of three) is theauthor of
'Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eatfor a Month'
and the newly released,
'Frugal Living ForDummies(r)'
(Wiley, 2003). Visit Debi online for morearticles and tips at:
hometown.aol.com/dsimple/
