15 Ways to Stretch Your Entertainment Dollars

Just because you have placed your family on a strict budget, that does not mean you still can’t have a little fun. In today’s rough economy, you just have to use a little more creativity to find entertaining ways to spend your free time on a shoestring budget.

1.    Don’t go to the mall or shopping centers for your entertainment. Although it is fun to people watch and look around, it is just too tempting to want to spend money or plan to spend money you don’t have. There are plenty of other places to find entertainment such as a friend's or relative’s home, the park or the library.

2.    Check your town’s community calendar. Stop by your local library, city hall or city’s website for the calendar of community events. You would be surprised at the free events, classes, entertainment, festivals and even meals that are offered. It is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with others in your community and get a full understanding of what’s going on in your town.

3.    While you’re at the library, discover all they have to offer for free. There are free movies, children’s activities, books of course, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, magazines and online media. If you haven’t visited your local library lately, you will be amazed at the variety of free offerings.

4.    Don’t meet friends for expensive restaurant meals. Be creative and host a backyard cookout or throw a potluck where everyone brings something. Be sure to have everyone bring their own beverages and after dinner, enjoy a game of cards. Once you’ve started the ball rolling, others will reciprocate, giving your circle of friends’ good fun and inexpensive weekend entertainment.

5.      Go out midweek if you must. When you feel like you just have to go out for dinner, go midweek when you won’t have to wait in long lines and fight hordes of people for a table. Many restaurants lower prices midweek to attract more customers so you can take advantage of a Wednesday night enchilada dinner for $5.99 and still afford to take in a $1 movie.

6.    Check out your community and school theatre productions. You might just find some fantastic new talent and enjoy an interesting show. Or, volunteer to help with costumes or set building for free entrance.

7.    Purchase an entertainment coupon book and save up to 50 % off on dining out. Check your Sunday paper for lunch coupons.

8.    Visit area tourist sites, stroll the local zoo, or just take a nice leisurely walk in the park with your best friend or kids.

9.    Take advantage of the many free online courses offered and teach yourself something new.

10.     Eat dinner at home and then go out for coffee and dessert.

11.     With good weather comes festival season. During warm months, there are free street festivals, outdoor concerts, readings, workshops and parades.

12.    Be the entertainment! Participate in open mike night at a comedy, poetry or live music venue. If that is taking it too far, at least get a group together to enjoy a night of karaoke.

13.    Take a free dance lesson at a local dance studio. They often offer free introductory classes. Isn’t it time you learned to salsa?

14.    Local community centers offer great classes for free or very little money. Take a martial arts class, yoga, or learn to play bridge and meet some new friends in the process.

15.    Meet friends for happy hour at a bar or lounge that offers free food.

Recruit your friends and neighbors into a game of finding fun and free things to do. You’ll be amazed at the creative ideas people can come up with. How about a block party, horse-shoe tournament or a neighborhood garage sale? Fun doesn’t have to be expensive.