How much does your family spend on entertainment? That includes movies, books & magazines, eating out, DVDs, Netflix, plays, amusement parks, other admission fees, etc. EVERYTHING.

What tips do you have to help save money?

My tip: do nothing and go nowhere! errrrr. We just don't do any of those things that are listed on a regular, monthly basis. We do things that don't cost money: parks, family game night, movies we've recorded from our dish network ((does that count in the entertainment budget??) I take the kids to McD's occasionally (less lately) so that's prob about $40/mo, plus we'll buy a $10 pizza from Costco once or twice a month.

My only tip would be to lower your standards, appreciate the simpler things in life, make going out a very *special * occasion. There's so much to do for free... go ride bikes, go for family walks, make popcorn together and watch a kids movie as a family (free from libraries, or one you already own...) My kids think going to the library is the greatest treat...

I know we sound boring, but the truth is we go to so many parties and park days and soccer games/practices which are social gatherings in and of themselves... we get more entertainment and socializing than we need through all that! As for dh and I, we don't go out together alone much. And with food allergies in the family, we aren't tempted to go out and eat a whole lot.

__________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

We spend about $25 a month on entertainment. We get books and movies from the library or trade them with friends. In the summer we go to lots of public parks, in the winter we go toboganing or outdoor ice skating (which is free). DH takes the kids to a Saturday matinee at an older (and less expensive theatre) for $4 a ticket ($12 for the 3 of them) once a month. This is one area where we have really cut back. Any extra money will go for books or magazines that we want to own.

I'm interested to hear everyone else's ideas.

__________________

I could not tell you! I actually have no idea! (I probably do not want to know either) It is just a part of our life. The kids activites are very important to us. We also enjoy grabbing a pizza or something occasionally. As you can probably tell, I am not a budgeter!! I just know when things are too much.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

My tip: www.netfilx.com

This has been GREAT for us. NO trips to the video store, and we get teh movies we want. We get movies for almost every weekend and this is our 'family time'. We snuggle up in my bed, pop some popcorn, and watch movies. WE love this. I spend 14.99 a month and I get 2 movies at a time.

WE rarely go to the movies, maybe once every 2 or 3 months. I can't take CAmeron he won't sit through a movie yet, so dh or I stay home with him.

Other than that, we don't do much. Sometimes I like to go to the mall and just walk around but that contribues to unneeded spending.


One thing we did this summer was find this awesome flower park in another town. Yah it cost in gas to get there, but it was SO worth it. I ended up taking some fantastic pictures of my kids there, and we were there all day, walking, looking at the ducks in the duck pond, reading about flowers ect. We had a picnic there, we brought our own sandwiches and juice boxes. The kids LOVED it.

__________________
~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

Back together!! Sept 28th Boston TDCenter!! Woohooooo!

[quote=Missystuy]My tip: www.netfilx.com

We had to cancel our membership!! We got tired of watching part of a movie and not being able to see the end because of damaged discs!!! it happened several times!

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

[quote=Happymom]
I have gotten a few that were scratched. Netfix has a page thought that you can report it, and they will send you another copy if you ask them too. One time, I got an entirely diffrent movie than was listed on the sleeve! For the most part, we have had good luck and enjoy it.

__________________
~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

Back together!! Sept 28th Boston TDCenter!! Woohooooo!

Library-movies, books, magazine, I get all my new releases from them
Look in the paper for coupons/discounts/free entertainment in your area
Park
If you visit a certain spot (children's museum, zoo) repeatedly it might be cheaper to become a member.
Water fights, sledding, flying kites, bike rides, hikes, picnics

Now that I'm reading all of your entries, I think I should probably be recording how much we spend on entertainment. Especially since impulse spending is our big weakness. We used to have Netflix, but switched to Blockbuster online (3 movies at a time for $17.99- same price for 3 at a time on Netflix) because we could get a free in store rental for every online rental that we returned. The value of an in store rental is $4.92, so the free in store rentals are a great value. I've gotten up to 4 free in store rentals within one week (in additon to my online rentals)!

We both read a lot, so we do tend to spend a lot for books and magazines. We never buy movies; only rent them. However, we now have a new library that is only 5 min. from our house, so we'll be getting books and magazines there. I do have a couple of magazine subscriptions, but I usually purchase these online at discount magazine sites. However, I'm willing to cut them out. We do not go out much anymore as a couple now that we have a 5month old. I'm going to start keeping better track of our entertainment spending in 2007.

I would say on a yearly average about $100 a month. But that is on the high end. This past month I only spent about $35 on entertainment (had to get Pirates of the Caribbean and a few other DVD's). Well, my dh did take us out to eat for my b-day- I think that may of been $50 (that he saved with his side job $).

My tips for saving $ on entertainment are: try to not go out to eat- if you know it's going to be a busy day, use your crockpot for dinner (and if you decide to go out to eat, order water instead of pop!). Check into season passes and discounted amusement park rates (Santa gets us a zoo pass every year- pays for itself after 2 visit and often you are able to use it at different zoos!). Try to have a family night- wether it be a game or movie. Go to the park and go on nature walks, and start some new hobby- my oldest enjoys looking for rocks with fossils on them, youngest loves birds and butterflies- my hubby likes fishing- I like the peace! My family also enjoys camping- it cost very little (pick up supplies at yard sales, if getting started). Another thing is look into your paper for any free events going on- there is usually something going on in this area that costs little to nothing!