Entertainment

Free Entertainment:
If you are tired of being bored, you will be pleased to learn that
there are hundreds of things to do that do not cost a dime. For
example, if you want a little Friday or Saturday night excitement,
sign up at your local police department for a “ride-a-long” where
you can go on duty with an officer as they respond to real calls.
Community colleges are always offering free exercise classes, or
coffee shops have poetry readings.
Entertainment and having fun does not have to cost anything.
Some cities have special areas that are popular on the weekends
where you can find free concerts. Check your local paper and
college to get a list for your area.


Trendy Fashion:
Most people love to dress in the most up-to-date fashion but for
those fashions, you pay big bucks. Consider dressing with basics
and then emphasis them with trendy accessories. This will save
you money on the clothing that is less expensive while allowing
you to dress it up.

Dining Out:
Eating out can be expensive. Rather than stop eating out, simply
cut back and look for options of two-for-one. Restaurants of all
calibers offer weekly specials and if you check in your Sunday
paper, you can often find special bargains.
You might even think about signing up as a Mystery Shopper on
the Internet where you can eat at fine restaurants free or at a
huge discount just for writing a report on the food, service, and
cleanliness.

Cancel Subscriptions:
It is always fun getting your favorite magazine or book in the mail
but you should cancel them or at least most of them. If you have
several subscriptions, choose one or two to keep and cancel the
rest.

Buffet Meals:
When taking the family out to dinner, consider restaurants that
have buffets. In many cases, the prices are outstanding and a
parent can share with a small child. In addition, many buffets are
“all you can eat” and of course, there is something for everyone.

Matinee:
Do you love the movies but hate the prices?
Switch your nighttime show to the late afternoon or early evening
matinee. The price is about 50% less and when taking an entire
family, that is a nice savings.
Pop your own popcorn, put in a plastic bag, and place in a large
purse and make or buy your own candy, leaving only drinks to
buy.
Food at the theater is outrageously priced.
The next time that you head to the movies, hit the matinee, stuff
those jellybeans and licorice sticks in your purse, and enjoy the
savings. Also, check for movie tickets online, which can be
discounted.

Avoid Temptations:
If you have a particular weakness, stay away from it. If you love
to gamble, stay out of the casinos. If you have a weakness for
shoes, drive past your favorite shoe store. While avoiding
temptation is hard, it is also necessary in order to save money.
When you want to give into your temptation, this is the time to
use your “allowance”.