5 Ways To Save On Entertainment Costs
How do you control your spend? You hear all the time about the importance of saving and budgeting in order to be financially independent. So, does this mean you’re supposed to live under a rock all your life just so you can have money in a savings account? The following article discussed how to control what you spend.
I used to think so. I used to have a motto to reduce my spending. “If I go out, I’m going to spend money, and if I spend money, I’m going to regret it later. So, I don’t spend.” However, staying in the house all the time can get pretty boring.
Whilst staying at home will make sure you don’t spend, it is not a recipe for a happy life. I’ve now learnt a way to live life and be frugal. Avoid making impulsive uninformed decisions. It’s alright to treat yourself to some fun and entertainment from time to time. Here is my strategy to help me to save on my entertainment costs…
1. Set a Limit on what you spend
In order to make sure you don’t regret spending, set a limit. Set a limit on how much you’re going to spend each day. Also, set a limit on how often you’re going to allow yourself a little treat. For example, you set an entertainment allowance of $100 for the month but you limit this once or twice per month. That way you have something to look forward to each month. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the financial burden afterwards.
2. Research Things to Do
After setting your budget you can begin researching things to do. The internet is the perfect place to start. Search: “things to do in my city for $100 or less” and you’ll be redirected to plenty of options. This will help you find some interesting new activities whilst staying within budget.
3. Always Search for a Coupon
Did you know there is a coupon at Groupon for just about everything you want to do? Whether you want to dine at a new restaurant, sip on coffee at Starbucks, go out to the movies, shop at Nordstrom or even take a weekend vacation, there is always some way to knock the original costs down a bit. Sign up for online deal sites by creating a membership or even following them on social media. This might even help you to determine what you’re going to do for entertainment when you’re not quite sure what to get into.
4. Find an Affordable Alternative
There are simple instances in which you want to do something but you just can’t afford it. That doesn’t mean you have to sit around and mope. You can always look for more affordable alternatives. For example, maybe you love to watch movies but this week your funds are a bit short. If you use home entertainment services such as satellite television, you can easily catch a movie or a football game at home.
5. Save Up for What You Really Want
This one will take a bit of patience and practice, but if you want to do something that is really costly, you can always count your coins until you can accomplish your goal. For instance, if you want to take a weekend trip but it’s over your $100 per month entertainment allowance, find free things to do at home or in your local community and save the money. Roll the allowance over into the next few months until you have enough to take that much needed and deserved trip. Then to add to your savings look for great ideas on how to travel on a budget so you get more out of your trip.
You should never assume that being frugal or financially independent means that you can’t do anything more than sit in the house and stare at the walls. Life deserves to be lived. All you have to do is find simple ways to save on the things you like doing the most. By setting a limit, doing some research, finding coupons, or looking for great alternatives you will find that you’re able to do a lot more and the best part is… you won’t feel guilty about the money you’ve spent.
