Being entertained, having fun, and enjoying your time is part of life, but unfortunately for many people, doing so has become more expensive lately. Fortunately, there are countless ways to save on entertainment and leisure. Some of these tips and tricks are so practical and straightforward you’ll be shocked you haven’t implemented them already!
1. Share Streaming Passwords
While Netflix made headlines worldwide after the streaming giant revealed they would begin cracking down on password sharing across their services, sharing passwords on other services is still possible. Streaming platforms like Hulu and Peacock still allow password sharing among users, although the practice is generally frowned upon. Hey, whatever it takes to save some money!
2. Join an Intramural Sports League
If you still have two somewhat-healthy knees, one of the best things an adult can do is sign up for a local intramural sports league. For approximately $50 per season, you can meet people, play a sport you (hopefully) love, and scratch that competitive itch. It’s also a great way to relive your glory days by signing up for a softball or basketball league! I’m not ashamed to admit that some of the best friends I’ve made have resulted from signing up for intramural sports leagues.
3. Volunteer More
Although volunteering isn’t the sexiest way to spend your time, it’s undoubtedly one of the most uplifting and rewarding. Meeting like-minded men and women while doing something good is always something you shouldn’t shy away from! Volunteering is a free activity that can open up a new world of socialization and introduce you to people you wouldn’t normally encounter.
4. Go to the Library
I’m consistently amazed at how few people know about the perks of having a local library card in your pocket! It’s not 1983 anymore; libraries are much more than places to rent books for a few days at a time before ultimately forgetting to return them. Today, libraries are an invaluable resource for entertainment. Not only can you rent movies for free, but many libraries offer community classes and events that can work as a fun night out in a pinch.
5. Take a Hike
Exploring the great outdoors is another practical way to spend a few hours doing something enjoyable, especially if friends are involved. Hiking is whatever you make it to be! From leisurely nature walks to exhausting multi-hour treks up smaller mountains, you can adapt your itinerary to suit your needs. Being in nature and getting a good sweat on is exhilarating; it’s good for the body and soul!
6. Find Discount Movie Theaters
I must hand it to modern movie theaters: They are dazzling, luxurious experiences these days, but unfortunately, that luxury comes at a cost. Thankfully, many non-luxury movie theaters offer first-run Hollywood films in a no-frills, bare-bones setting with tantalizingly low ticket prices! Sure, these theaters are a bit dingy, a little dirty, and desperately need a facelift, but you can’t argue with those rock-bottom prices.
7. Utilize Your Gym’s Perks
Most people use the gym for basic amenities like locker room access, ellipticals, and machine workouts. However, many gyms offer extended amenities that are excellent ways to save on leisure! There’s a good chance your local gym offers a lap pool, a sauna, and massage chairs, so take advantage of them! Getting more value out of your gym membership is something all gymgoers should be doing.
8. Invest in an Extensive DVD Collection
One of my best friends recently spent $1,000 and bought someone’s 800-movie DVD collection off eBay. At first, I was appalled at his poor purchase, but after I thought more about it, I realized how savvy it was. Now, my friend doesn’t need to be tethered to streaming services. He purchased 800 films (most of which he presumably had never seen before), thereby securing his entertainment future! Hey, if you’ve been looking to cancel streaming services in general, you can do much worse than buying a ton of DVDs.
9. Take Advantage of Free Trials
These days, seemingly every streaming service offers free trials. There are countless options, from music services like Spotify to entertainment platforms like Apple TV (and everything in between). Of course, there’s no obligation attached to these free trials, so take advantage of them by sampling as many services as possible. Although you can’t pull off this scheme forever, you can stretch it out longer by using multiple email addresses.
10. See a Matinee
If you’re still paying full price to see a movie, you’re leaving considerable money on the table! I’m officially at the age of “Will fall asleep watching any movie that begins after 8 o’clock at night,” so seeing a mid-afternoon matinee is one of my favorite things to do. It’s cost-effective and a great way to see first-run films that would put me to sleep if I experienced them later in the evening!
11. Dive into Local Theater
As a one-time lead of a high school musical, I know the beauty of small theater productions more than most. Most large cities and towns across the United States have a few local theaters with affordable ticket prices. Many advertise free admission during specific seasons! If you have yet to support your local theater, ask yourself why you hate the arts, stop mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, and get cultured.
12. Entertain at Home
Many of us don’t realize how much fun we can have in the comfort of our own homes until we plan a gathering around it! Dinner parties, movie nights, and other social events at home are ideal ways to get friends together and pass the time in a genuinely economical fashion. If you want to save money, host a potluck dinner; you won’t have to worry about making food, and your guests will be blown away by the variety of cuisines friends offer!
13. Lower Your Internet Speed
Here’s a dirty secret of the home internet business (and the same thing I tell my father): You don’t need super high-speed home internet! My dad proudly boasts of the one-gigabit-per-second internet speed he pays extra money for, but in reality, he’s throwing money away. Unless you live in a frat house, nobody needs internet speeds higher than 100 megabits per second. Put your hard-earned cash toward other bills than your internet speed.
14. Take Advantage of Happy Hour
As someone with decades of experience in the restaurant and bar industry, I know a few things about happy hour! It’s simply the best way to save money when dining out, as thousands of establishments nationwide offer discounted drinks and food items during specific times of the day. Many of these deals are designed to attract on-the-fence diners and get them in the door, so shockingly low prices on delicious food and beverages are the norm. It’s a great alternative to paying full price during traditional lunch or dinner hours!
15. Cut Out Cable TV
If you want to enjoy massive savings on your monthly entertainment bill, it’s time to go all the way and pull the plug on cable television completely. Many cable TV bills hover around the $100/month range, with bundled packages even higher. Cutting out cable television is a big step for anyone who’s had it in their lives for decades, but it’s one of the most efficient ways to cut back on expenses. After all, there are countless ways to enjoy entertainment other than through cable TV!
