Going out to restaurants is not the only way that we spend money while out on the town. Just as popular, you’ll find people out at movies, local attractions, theme parks, and much more. There are many ways to avoid being a hermit and yet not breaking the bank. Who’s ready to earn money for your family for a great night out?
Biggest Savings
The biggest savings that you can make when speaking about going out on the town is to not do it at all. That will give you the largest savings in this category. Since this blog is called Finance Hacks for the Regular Person, that is not very realistic and will be hard to continue over a long period of time. It’s much more sensible to understand that you will want to head out with your sweetheart or your family periodically. The key is to do it without breaking the bank. Even when choosing to go out, try to set the number of times that you go out per month and stick to it. If you can reduce your “out on the town” monthly expenses by adjusting 8 times out (for example) to 5-6, you will feel the difference in your bank account.
Movie Theaters
With the inception of Covid, viewing movies has changed quite a bit. Many theaters were closed for months and upon opening, had limited capacity. The price to see movies today has escalated tremendously over the years. The average price of a movie per person is $10-$20 depending on what area of the country you reside, your age (children/seniors), and if you’re viewing a 3D movie.
The expense of your movie experience is not the only thing that you have to factor in. The snacks and drinks can be even more expensive than your ticket. It is not uncommon for your concessions to amount in $20+ of additional expense. So, spending $40 on a movie trip for two people is on the low side. That includes only popcorn and drinks. If you add in nachos, pizza, Icees, or candy, it even gets higher. A movie out at the theater has long been a great date night or family event. Let’s explore alternative options as well as cutting back on expenses if you decide you still want to hit the big screen.
You can reduce your viewing expense by adjusting the time that you go to the movie. Most theaters have discounts for matinees, twilight movie times, and even certain days where you can get discounts off the price of the normal ticket price. In my city, we have a local theater that charges $5.25 for the first showing of every day. Another theater charges $5.50 on all showings on Tuesday. So, if you want to hit your local theaters, plan strategically.
Some great national coupons and discounts can be found in “the Entertainment Book”. Explore https://shop.entertainment.com/ to see if it is available in your area. Even if a hard copy book is not available, you may be able to get a digital subscription. If you frequent the same theaters, join their loyalty club which can earn you things like discount tickets, free concessions, special viewings.
AMC Theaters: www.amctheaters.com
Cinemark Theaters: www.cinemark.com
Regal Cinemas: www.regmovies.com
**Search online or ask your local theaters what clubs and options you have.
Movies with Children
If you have young children and are around during the summer, Regal Cinemas offers $1 movies during off times. It’s a good way to break the monotony of being at home and are all child friendly. There’s definitely something about being able to see a movie on the big screen that just makes it better. It’s important to note that even though the movie expense is only $1/person, the concessions are still in full force. When my kids were younger, we would pop microwave popcorn at home beforehand, bring our own bottled water, and stop at the Dollar Tree to pick out candy. A true way to earn money for your family. Do I even have to say that the microwave popcorn would’ve been purchased on a BOGO? Obviously!! 😊Cheap? No, no…frugal. You can do the same thing, even if you’re not going with your kids. It’s important to point out that you don’t HAVE to purchase any concessions while you’re there. If you don’t feel comfortable bringing in your own food or drinks, the elimination of this can save you a ton of money. *Check with your local theater to inquire about any Covid limitations.
Alternative Movie Options
Because of the pandemic, hordes of people left the movie scene and looked for more in home options. If you love movies, but don’t want to throw down the money on going out to the theater, what options do you have? Not only can you spend a considerable amount of money at the movie theater, but seeing movies other ways are not cheap. Let’s visit some monthly streaming costs.
Netflix: basic-$8.99…..standard-$13.99…..premium-$17.99
Hulu: Hulu-$5.99…..no ads-$11.99…..Hulu live+TV-$64.99…..no ads +live TV-$70.99.
Disney+: $7.99
ESPN+: $5.99
Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+ bundle: $13.99
Amazon: included with a Prime account, you can find many offerings for free. They tend to have most items, but you may have to rent or even buy them.
**With our Verizon cell phone, we get the Hulu/Disney+/ESPN+ bundle for absolutely FREE. My youngest wants me to pay for getting rid of the Hulu ads, but I have (obviously) refused.
When we’re looking for a movie to watch on a family night, we always check the free places first (Youtube, Cable on Demand) and then any streaming services we have a membership to and then only pay for it if we can’t find it anywhere else. If you are a big-time movie/TV buff, this could be a great deal for you. If you are already paying for cable, you may find that you have the option for a large number of shows and movies. We are lucky that our cable is included with our HOA fees so we have that option for free. Several apartments also include cable in your rental fee. Explore your “on demand” channel to watch a lot of items.
However, an even better way to view movies/series is by using your local library services. You are able to borrow DVD’s for FREE and some even have free streaming apps available. **See “The Library Really is That Great”, 4/28/21 to see even more in-depth library hacks.
Local Attractions
If you are in a city that has Dave & Buster’s, you should take advantage of half off Wednesdays. Dave & Buster’s is a sports bar on steroids. Full on video games, ping pong & pool tables, food and entertainment. Definitely a fun date night out with the family. You can charge up cards (even on your phone) to give you credits to play games. If you loved the arcades of the 80’s you’ll want to give Dave & Buster’s a try. Just like many restaurants, there are certain nights where deals are offered. Look it up online to find out the deals to make sure that’s when you patron the establishment.
If you live in a tourist town, going to activities off season not only will keep you happier with less people, but you may be able to get local deals for a fraction of the cost. Unless you’re heading out with visitors, skip the tourist attractions on peak seasons. For full time residents, many establishments (all year round) offer a local discount, which can be 10%+ off. So many people forget this and are spending extra money doing the same exact activity or going to the same restaurant.
Pre-Party at Home
Instead of spending all of your money on drinks at the bar, why not start out with a few at home? Invite your friends and pre-party before heading out. *Of course, make sure you get an Uber/Lyft or have a designated driver! This is not only a great time to connect with friends without the loud noise and busy atmosphere, but can reduce the number of drinks that you purchase when out.
Bring Your Own
Were you aware that there are establishments that allow you to BYOB (bring your own beverage) and BYOF (bring your own food)? Seems unreal, but it’s TRUE. There are places that don’t have a liquor license or a brewery that doesn’t have a kitchen. There are also restaurants that serve their own wine that will allow you to bring in your favorite if they don’t carry it. Note that they may have an uncorking fee.
Buy in Bulk
If you’re attending an event with a group of 10+ (may vary), many places will offer group deals that will be cheaper than the standard priced tickets. You will have to check with each venue to see what they offer. If you’re going on a vacation, this could also apply to flights, cruises, and even Disney tickets.
If you’re at the bar, consider skipping the shots. They’re pricey and will be gone in a fraction of a second. No sipping on those. A better idea would be to buy a pitcher. It is cheaper per glass. Beer is not the only thing that can be found in pitchers. Other options include Sangria, Margaritas, Fish Bowl, spiked lemonade, etc. Check with your local establishment for their specific deals.
Coupons
Just to reiterate how to plan for your night out on the town, you should always look for coupons or discounts for every place that you want to go, whether it’s a restaurant or an activity. Some of these are hard coupons and others digital. Some examples include (list not all inclusive):
· The Entertainment Book: https://shop.entertainment.com/
· Local coupon books
· Flyers in paper or mailings
· Attractions Book: https://www.attractionsbook.com/index/
· Groupon: www.groupon.com
· Living Social: www.livingsocial.com
· Restaurant.com: www.restaurant.com
· Gift Card Mall: www.giftcardmall.com
· Card Cash: www.cardcash.com
Going out doesn’t have to break the bank. There are always options to keep costs to a minimum or be reduced and still having amazing experiences with friends. Continue with these kinds of finance hacks and you’ll notice that you’ll have more room to breathe in your budget. Don’t give up. It’s all worth it!
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