Have you seen the price of going to a movie these days?

Thankfully, there are other ways to have fun and still stay on budget. I’ve compiled several ideas for staying entertained on the cheap.

Having fun doesn't have to be expensive. Check out this huge list of ways to save money on entertainment. Cut costs on everything from books to DVDs & more.

Save Money on Books

Use The Library! The books are FREE – as long as you return them on time. 😉 While you’re there, check to see if there are any Library Sales coming up – you can find books for as little as $0.10-.25! I’ve found loads of great books at library sales over the years. It’s definitely worth looking into.

Other options are going to a used bookstore – the books are usually half price! At the used book store in my town, you can bring in your old books to trade in for store credit, which can then be applied to half of your purchase. So if you have books to trade in you can end up paying only a quarter of the cost of the book out of pocket.

Another great option is reading eBooks. You don’t have to have an actual reading device; there are lots of free apps for your computer and phone. Ebooks can frequently be found discounted and even free!

Finally, if you have friends or co-workers with similar taste in books, borrow and trade with each other. This way, you both have fresh reading material and can even discuss the books together.

Save Money on Magazines

Here are some ideas to save on magazines.

– Do you have a friend or two with the same taste in magazines? Then you could trade the titles after you read your copy.

– Go to the library. Many libraries carry magazines that you can check out or read there.

– Check out www.discountmags.com. They offer subscriptions at discount prices. Watch for sales, they have some really great deals!

Save on DVD’s

Here are some ways you and your family can save on DVDs.

– Check out the library, they usually have a good selection of movies to choose from. It’s free and you get to keep them longer than if you rented them from a video store.

– Go to resale shops. You can find all sorts of titles at discounted prices.

– Borrow from friends and family if you are just wanting to check out a particular movie.

– Video rental stores sometimes mark down the price on extra copies of movies after they have been out awhile.

– Bargain bins have some classics

Activities at the Park

If your town has a park, there are plenty of opportunities to keep the kids busy this summer for little to no cost.

  • You can play sports such as tennis, baseball, or basketball.
  • Toss a frisbee, or play frisbee golf if your park has a course.
  • Go for a walk, hike, or ride your bikes. We LOVE hiking along the river with our dog.
  • Have a picnic and a leaf hunt.

Many park districts have tons of other planned activities as well. Local parks hold many opportunities for some outdoor fun!

Summer Reading Programs

Summer reading programs are a great way to keep kids busy and for them to earn free books! Many books stores offer the programs, such as Barnes and Noble.

Check out your local library as well, our offers prizes for summer hours spent reading. Unfortunately, I have yet to find one that offers prizes for adults who read throughout the summer. 🙂

Having fun doesn't have to be expensive. Check out this huge list of ways to save money on entertainment. Cut costs on everything from books to DVDs & more.

The Minor Leagues

Are there sports fans in your family? Do you like to go to games?  Check out any minor league teams in your area – the tickets are much more affordable! Plus, local teams appreciate the support even more.

Whether it’s baseball, hockey, or something else, local and minor league sports games are a fun family outing that won’t cost a lot.

Cut the Cable

I canceled our cable in August of 2013. I was fine with just having the internet to watch shows. I had figured we could save almost $1000 over the course of a year by cutting the cable. A couple weeks later, after many phone calls from the company, I answered the phone. They offered me a package of adding cable back on for less than it was going to cost to keep just the internet.

Even though it doesn’t make sense, I was able to save some money. And I admit that I was happy to have the Food Network back! 🙂

What are some ways you save money on entertainment?

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