The cost of entertainment keeps going up. If a person wants to be entertained, they better be ready to pay up. Going to a football game can cost a family of four more than $300. Going to a concert can set a person back more than $100. A movie for 2 can set a teenager back a month’s allowance. Even watching television at home is not cheap when you look at the cost of cable. It is scary to think about how much can be spent in a month on entertainment. Most people would rather not think about it, but they do not want to miss out either. Instead of spending a lot of money, it is time to learn ways to cut the costs of entertainment without having to sacrifice the quality of entertainment.
The key to cutting the entertainment budget is to find alternatives that do not cost as much if anything at all. It may require a little bit of effort, and it may mean adjusting the way that things are done, but the possibilities are there. The key is to learn the different ways. Here are 7 things that can be done to lower the cost of a family’s entertainment bill.
1. Lower the Cable Bill – A typical cable bill in the United States is approaching $100 a month. For the people that also watch pay-per-view movies or sports, that rely on DVR services and other add-ons, that bill can be even higher. Watching television is one of the most, if not the most common form of entertainment that families use. It is also one of the best opportunities to save money on. Many cable companies will offer special deals to retain customers. It may also be possible to negotiate a lower price. Changing to a lower priced package or eliminating the add-ons can significantly lower the monthly bill. It requires carefully looking at the bill and looking at what you actually need from your television service. After that it is a matter of contacting the cable company and seeing what they can do to lower the bill.
2. Turn to Cable Alternatives – Finding ways to lower the cable bill is good, but eliminating cable altogether is even better. Thanks to live TV streaming services and online TV options, it has never been easier to watch television without paying for a cable subscription. The streaming services for TV come in many forms. There are plenty of free services such as YipTV or Crackle. There are also paid services such as Netflix and Hulu that offer the same shows that are seen on cable. It is possible to find live sports to stream online and people can find a large selection of movies to watch. It takes a little time to get used to watching TV this way, but most people find it to be better and cheaper. It gives the user more control over what they watch and what they pay for.
3. Stream Music – People used to spend a lot of money on records and then CDs. Thanks to streaming music services that is no longer needed. Free streaming music services can help find a specific radio station, or they can find a particular type of music or artist. There is no need to spend any money on musical entertainment when you can stream it on any computer device.
4. Look for deals – If it is a necessity to head out to the movie theater or there is sometype of show or sporting event that cannot be missed, look for deals before paying full price. Websites such as Groupon or similar sites offer deals in the local area for just about everything including entertainment. It is possible to save 50% or more through these deals.
5. Eliminate Trips to the Movie Theater – A trip to the movie theater that includes popcorn, drinks and the tickets can rival the budget of a small country. Instead of spending a lot of money on bad movies, watch them at home. Various movie streaming services offer plenty of great movies via their personal apps. Combine that with a bag of microwave popcorn and a drink out of the fridge, and you have saved a ton of money. If a trip to the theater is needed, make sure that it is a special movie and do not do it often.
6. Volunteer – One of the best ways to see live shows and sporting events without having to pay to get in is to work at them. Many venues need volunteers for their events. Getting into an organization that works at these events is a great way to see the shows for free. It does mean doing some work, but it does not mean spending any money.
7. Dining Out – Going out to a restaurant is always nice, but it can be expensive. Consider going out less often. Money can be saved if entrees are split between two people. Order water to drink to save money. These things will not take away from a meal, but they can make it cheaper. It is also possible to avoid dining out by dining at home. Plan a picnic in the back yard to make it a little different. It is also possible to find recipes for the dishes found in restaurants online so they can be made at home. It may be better than what you get in a restaurant.
These are some of the best ways to save money on entertainment, but they are not the only ways. Some of these may require investing money in some basic equipment. Upgrading internet service, buying devices to turn a TV into a smart TV or investing in cooking equipment may mean laying out some money, but that is a one-time expense. Over the course of time, the money saved from eliminating cable, not taking trips to the theater or dining at home will far exceed the cost of any equipment needed in the home. In the days when cost seems to always be on the rise, it is nice to see some costs go down.
If you have any suggestions, ideas or thought about how to save money on entertainment or anything else, take the time to share them with us.
