A topsy-turvy stock market has a lot of people concerned and for good reason: no one is quite certain what the impact of these movements will be. Given that a new president and Congress will be running the country in January 2009, consumers have additional reasons to wonder what the future holds for them.
But, life goes on and we can’t let events that we have no control over dictate our lives. We need to go on living and one of the ways we enjoy our lives is through entertainment pursuits. As you know, entertainment can take up a significant chunk of your budget and is often the first thing that gets cut back when the economy sours.
Fortunately, there are ways for you to still enjoy a movie, an afternoon playing putt-putt with the kids, or even take a family vacation without busting your budget. Let’s take a look at several wise moves you can take to save on entertainment costs without cutting out the fun:
Watch A Movie — Heading to the theater when matinees are being shown can save you two or three dollars off of the price of a ticket. Even better, is to wait until the movie comes out on tape and pay $4 for your Blockbuster rental. Best: rent the movie from your public library where it is either free or will cost you a nominal fee (usually $1).
Get The Discount — Zoos, parks, museums, art galleries and other public venues usually have at least one day per week where you and your family can get admitted for a discount. Check out their website to look for specials which may include a printable discount coupon. Some of the larger regional theme parks print their discounts on locally bottled cans of your favorite soft drink or snack.
Go With A Group — Your large family may not qualify for a group rate, but if you have a friends and neighbors who are interested in visiting the same theme park or want to take in the same show at the coliseum, you could ask for a discount. Send a large enough group to a baseball game and your group could be recognized on the home team’s scoreboard!
Use Your Membership Wisely — People who are members of AARP, AAA, or some other large and well known association are often extended discounts when they flash their card. Professional associations can sometimes bring savings your way too, so before you book your next room, rent a car, or take a flight, see which card opens doors for you.
Last Minute Planning — Planning ahead can yield big discounts, but so can waiting until the last minute, especially if you are flexible with your plans. Having young children in tow can make this difficult to do, but if you are looking for a discount on a flight, some airlines will give to you their best price if you are at the airport and willing to fly standby. Hotels want to fill beds while theater houses will often cut ticket prices at the very last minute.
Find Free Events — Spending time at a public park, heading to your local college campus for a public event, or visiting a state run art museum usually means one thing: your time there is free. In some cases you’ll pay a nominal fee to enjoy a college presentation, which can be quite good, but with free parking available, you’ll find the savings to add up compared to a night out on the town.
Your weekly community newspapers can be a treasure trove of excellent information on free or discounted events in your area. Many are free and some offer prizes, one more incentive to bring your family to a fun event.
Adv. — Does your college student need a credit card? Shop around to find and compare the best offers, deals that can benefit your student and help them as needed. Please visit SayStudent.com for the information you need to find the credit card that is right for you adult child.
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