Movies, Music and Games: Cost Cutting Tips for Home Entertainment

Entertainment is something everyone needs. The problem is that entertainment is getting to be pretty expensive. How many times have you gone out to the movies in the last month? How much did it cost you? If you’re like most people, you spend at least $10 a ticket. If you’re taking your partner out every weekend, you’re spending about $40 or maybe $50 a month just on movies. That doesn’t include dinner and gasoline for driving. Here’s how to cut costs, without sacrificing the fun.

Using Online Coupons And Promotions

If you want the latest coupons, follow the Dojo blog. You’ll find discounts for movies, games, and other forms of entertainment. Coupons for games might sound a little strange, and it is a somewhat unusual way to save money. At the same time, it’s perfectly legitimate.

Watch Classics

Classic movies are making a comeback, and the good news is that they’re cheap. You can sign up to Netflix, or one of the other popular streaming services, for under $10 a month and watch unlimited movies. And, if you do get tired of watching black-and-whites, the good news is that Netflix, in particular, is constantly updating its movie and T.V. show offerings. It’s managed to get some hits from the 1980s, ‘90s’ and even more recent movies.

Failing that, you can always borrow classics from your local library.

Take Up Babysitting

In exchange for watching someone’s kids, you can ask for free movies and food instead of cash. Not only is this an interesting way to spend your time, you get to watch new releases for free. You can also entertain yourself, and the kids, doing other interesting activities, on the parents’ dime of course.

Take In A Matinee

Matinees are cheaper than prime-time showings, so go earlier in the day, and save yourself some money.

Learn a New Card Game

Who says you have to go out to enjoy yourself. If you stay in, you can learn a new card game and play it with a friend or friends. When’s the last time you played Euchre? What about Gin Rummy? Have you ever played Blackjack or what about Crazy Solo or Candyman?

There are so many games out there, that you could keep yourself entertained for hours, days, weeks, even months. If you gather up enough friends, you could make it a regular weekend party theme – each week you play a new game.

Listen To Pandora, iTunes Radio, Spotify

Getting free music these days is actually pretty easy. All you have to do is download and install Pandora, iTunes Radio, or Spotify and you’re good to go. These services stream music to your smartphone, laptop, or tablet computer. And, unlike music in the public domain, this music spans many genres and includes popular music you might hear on the radio. How do they do it? Licensing. These companies have special licensing agreements with music studios that let them deliver music to you that’s almost commercial-free.

Play Free Games Online

There’s a growing trend of open source gaming online. The best part about this movement is that these games are free and legal.

Richard Turner enjoys finding new ways to entertain his family without breaking the bank. With a background in personal finance, he enjoys sharing his insights online. Find the latest discount coupons on Twitter.