« Occasional Treats | Home | Retirement Dreaming »
Entertainment for Less
By Daphne | June 27, 2008
The ever soaring price of gasoline means people who are sticking closer to home may opt for amusement parks and other closer forms of entertainment.
Did you know that some ballparks will allow you to bring your own food into the park? If you are parking at the game, some lots even allow you to tailgate.
If you decide to take the family to a museum, you could also pack a lunch for the family and eat outside at an adjacent park to really save money. Just because you are having a picnic, it doesn’t mean that you have to have boring foods. Splurge on a different type of bread like sourdough or a multi-grain nut bread to make sandwiches. The extra cost will be offset by not purchasing your food at the ballpark. Before you buy your tickets, see if you can purchase a food and ticket package. There are some individual game tickets that offer your seat and a hot dog, chips and soft drink all included. Another way to see a game cheaper is to go to the games that have poor records. Winning teams or conference rivals will be ones that are easier to sell. When you team faces off with a squad that has a losing record, you will have an easier time getting a ticket and possibly one at a discounted rate.
This will not apply at the movie theatres, although if you do happen to bring in your own candy bar or box of candy you will definitely save two or three dollars or more.
Many museums have free days or reduced admission on certain days. Compare the price for the complete “all inclusive” ticket to see if this is something that you are really interested in doing and then compare the prices. If you choose to go to a museum on a free day, many added exhibits and attractions are not included. You will still have to pay for additional exhibits but you can save a little by attending on a free day. If a free day is not convenient for you, determining what you really want to see and possibly can see in one day is important. Rather than trying to squeeze everything in, focus on one or two exhibits that you may enjoy thoroughly.
No matter what you decide to do, you are going to have to pay, make your own or barter/trade for it. Just like picking your battles, pick what you want to spend your entertainment budget on and try to save as much as possible.
Topics: June 2008 |