How to Stretch an Entertainment Budget

Entertainment such as movies, dinner out and sporting events are getting more expensive all the time. You need to have some fun in your life so read on to get ideas about how to stretch an entertainment budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Blockbuster store
• Popcorn
• Public library
• Card games

1. Rent movies from Blockbuster or receive them in the mail from a company such as Netflix instead of going out to a movie. Another rental option is cropping up around the country, too--Red Box Rentals, a machine in grocery stores that rent new releases for less than the usual rental stores.
2. Pop your own popcorn and make your own snacks to eat while watching movies at home. This will cost a fraction of the price that going out to a movie and buying snacks and drinks would cost.
3. Go to the library to check out books if you love to read for entertainment. This will cost nothing, as opposed to buying books at a Borders or Barnes and Noble. If you are lucky enough to live in a city that has a Half Price Books, shop there for your reading material and music. The prices are amazing and the variety is great. The store even has a clearance section where you can get paperbacks (all varieties) for next to nothing.
4. Attend high school sports instead of pro sporting events. If you don't have a child playing for a high school team, then adopt a school to go to the events and cheer them on. If you live in the same town in which you grew up, attend sporting events at your alma mater.
5. Make friends in your neighborhood and swap nights to entertain at each others' homes. Play card games and have a pot luck dinner with a group of neighbors instead of going out for dinner and a movie.
6. Start running in the park instead of paying for an expensive gym membership. The savings can be used to buy a better running shoe to make the sessions more comfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• Set aside a portion of your salary for entertainment. If you budget for fun, you will spend the allotted money and have a good time.
• Don't deny yourself the fun of going to a movie or out to eat once in a while. If you deny yourself everything fun, you will become bitter about money and develop an unhealthy attitude toward budgeting.