cheapfun

I think we’d all agree that money has become an increasingly important issue, especially with what is going on with the economy these days. A short while ago, we discussed cutting back on the right expenses and one area that could easily sustain a few cutbacks is entertainment.

It’s important to keep yourself entertained and have some fun leisure time, but it’s also important that you keep an eye on your wallet when doing so. Attending a lot of hockey games and rock concerts can quickly leave you struggling to pay the bills. Living on mac-and-cheese alone can’t possibly be healthy. With this in mind, I thought it may be apt to bring up the topic of having fun on a budget. There are a lot of cheap thrills and inexpensive entertainment that you can enjoy. Fun doesn’t have to break the bank.

Tourist Attractions with Coupons

When you live in particular city or town, you sometimes forget about some of the tourist attractions that are available to you. It’s also very easy to forget about some of the great attractions that are only a short drive out of town. If you’re looking for an inexpensive activity that could easily take up a whole afternoon (or more), consider some of the tourist traps attractions in your local and surrounding area. In doing so, don’t forget to inquire about discounts for locals and to search for coupons. When I went to the Calgary Zoo, I used a 2-for-1 coupon. Susanne and I had about four hours of entertainment for about $16. Check out museums, galleries, and other exhibits. They’re great for the kids and adults too.

Borrow Movies from the Library

While it is easy to get excited about the latest Hollywood blockbuster, it’s far more affordable to check out some movies that are already available on DVD. Renting is certainly cheaper than going to the local multiplex, but even Blockbuster is more expensive than free. Most public libraries will have a selection of DVDs available and these come at the whopping price of zero dollars and zero cents. Some of the educational stuff can be fun, but they typically have Hollywood films available too. I’ve even heard of some public libraries offering video games!

Fun and Fancy-Free at the Park

This even applies if you happen to be buried under some unfavorable winter weather; it just means the activities are slightly different. There are a lot of great activities that you can enjoy in the park and none of these will cost you a penny. Get together with a buddy and toss that frisbee, throw that football, or shoot a few hoops. If it happens to be nicer outside, pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Sports like tennis and basketball can not only be a great way to spend a few hours, they’re also great for your health and overall wellbeing.

Smart Spending for the Most Fun

Even if the Monopoly Man is bankrupt, he can still have some fun on a budget. It’s easy when you’ve got the money to spend on great trips to Las Vegas and terrific Kanye West concerts, because these can be a great source of enjoyment. We all need some happiness and excitement in our lives. However, it’s not quite as easy to have so much fun when you’ve got a tighter clutch on your wallet, so you need to spend more wisely. Do you have suggestions for cheap thrills? Share them through the comment form below! And yes, commenting on this blog is both fun and free. πŸ™‚