Welcome to this week’s edition of Thrifty Living 2012. This week we’re focusing on saving money on entertainment. Not that we ever spent scads of money on entertainment, but we have definitely cut back. We think once, twice and thrice before we spend much needed money on entertainment. We both work in the arts, so even though it’s work, we do get a fair amount of exposure to theater that we wouldn’t get otherwise.
Here’s how we handle it in our house:
1. We don’t go to the movies. Truly. And we love movies. But the cost involved with two people going to see a first-run film are, to me, ridiculous. This is from a girl who remembers going to matinees as a child for a quarter. We also find that audiences in a movie theater can be noisy and sometimes downright rude. Don can’t stand any talking during a film. Neither of us can abide cell phones or texting. And sometimes audiences act as if they are home in front of the television and not in public. So….we wait. We simply wait until the movie is available on DVD or Pay Per View. Pay Per View on our cable system is $4.99. That’s much cheaper than the cost of $18.00 or more for two people to go to the movies. We also rent through Netflix. We just watched Midnight in Paris last night. And Turner Classic Movies is part of our cable package and shows the best movies ever. We pay a bit more for cable because it provides the vast majority of our entertainment.
2. We rarely eat out. Oh, we sometimes grab something when we’re out and about and need to eat, but basically? We eat at home. I’ve had to re-train Don on this very thing. He is an actor who worked on the road for a long time, so his instinct when he is out and about is to order something to go. Those little amounts quickly add up. Why bother doing that when we have perfectly good fresh food in our kitchen? He’s much better about it now and is, in fact, a really good cook. A big treat for us is ordering a pizza.
3. We don’t take vacations. We’d love to, don’t get me wrong. But money is tight and vacations are simply something we can’t validate at the moment. My work sometimes takes me on the road and through discovering a new place, I get a mini-vacation. Same thing for Don. He worked on a film a couple of years ago that shot in New Orleans, so he got a mini-vacation. But the trips are paid for by our employers. I dream of a trip together to England and Paris. Some day.
4. I use the library. This is the single biggest change I have made in my entertainment costs. I am a book lover. I love to buy books. Hardcover, paperback, used, new. I love, love, love books. For most of my life, my favorite thing to do has been to hang out in a bookstore (and a record store when they sold records) and pick out 2 or 3 or 4 books to buy.
I can’t do that anymore. So I’ve started using my local library. It’s a very small branch, but it’s part of a larger library system. I can go on my computer, search for a book I want to read, get in the queue, and when it arrives, pick it up from my local branch. I read all of the Lee Child series last summer when I was recuperating from surgery. All ordered through my library.
Occasionally, I will save my pennies for a certain book. Or, I’ll download it to my Nook because Nook copies are generally less expensive. But I haven’t used my Nook since I was in Wisconsin last summer because I’d rather hold a real book in my hands. I also review books on this blog, so I sometimes receive review copies.
5. I rarely buy magazines anymore. I used to buy scads of magazines every month. Many of my favorites are no longer being published. And I am more and more dissatisfied with the content of most shelter magazines. I can’t see paying over five or six dollars for a magazine that I’m going to toss in a recycling pile. Let’s face it – there is so much that is magazine-worthy in blogland so this particular sacrifice ends up being pretty easy to make. Here’s what I do. If I am considering buying a magazine, I scan it thoroughly in the store before I buy. Nine times out of ten, I end up putting it back. And I’ve saved myself some money.
For me, the best entertainment is watching my two silly dogs, reading a book from the library, maybe doing a little creative crafting and watching a great old black and white movie on TCM. And laughing with my husband. See? It doesn’t have to cost much at all.
Please visit Brenda, Diane, Elaine and Jen, the rest of the Frugal Five, for their tips on this subject.
P.S. The Etsy shop is open!
All good tips! I used to get BBC History magazine. One thing about history magazines is that they don’t go out of date. So you can dig back through the stack, pull out a magazine, and read it again. Or I go through my huge stack of maps and read those. Like you, I will NOT pay to go to a movie, except on very rare occasions. And who needs cable TV? So many channels and still nothing decent to watch?
these are good tips. We’re also very, very careful with the (nonexistent) entertainment budget. I’ve taken to hosting our friends at our home so we have people over several times/week. It’s very inexpensive – a few pennies for some tea and homemade cookies or something like that – and we all have such a great time. We don’t do the movies anymore – we don’t have cable at all, but we don’t miss it at all – the internet pretty much solves that.
These are all really good ideas! And I love the end of your post where you describe the best entertainment! Just enjoying the life you have can be so much fun! ♥
We go the movies every Saturday night followed by pizza at Boston Pizza all paid for by AIR MILES.
Free to us! Love it!!
Sue
xo
Claudia
I smiled at your first picture. Just for fun, I had watched “Pillow Talk” last night, free and legal, online. The site is as follows: http://www.classiccinemaonline.com
Another site I need to explore for movies is this one:
/http://www.archive.org/details/movies
I have listened to some of the old radio shows on the second site, but haven’t looked closely at the movie collection. Again, free and legal.
As for magazines, my local library branches carry plenty of them and all but the current issue of each may be borrowed. I don’t know if your library has that option. I LOVE libraries, but my Kindle is the best tool for accessing old classics (The Project Gutenberg site has thousands of free downloads, all fabulously categorized -not just Kindle versions, other options as well.)
I hope something here might open up your entertainment options a little. (None of the sites mentioned require you to sign up at all.)
-Karen
Claudia, I love the old black and white movies. Our library has hugh book sales during a festival we have every September. You and Don can always do the “Peter Gunn Dance” while cooking , thus having dinner and dancing.:):) Smiles, Susie(She Junks)
Love it! I too am a book lover. We have a fabulous second hand book store at our public library and the books are so cheap that I tend to buy almost all of mine there. Pinterest has taken the place of my magazine addiction. Love that!!!
Have a wonderful day!
We do all these, except we also request DVDs from the library. Also, we like board games. We have fun playing a game in the evening – chatting & laughing. :)
Have a great one, Claudia!
~ Zuzu
I love our local library and sometimes if I really want to buy a book I will wait for Amazon to have it really cheap. We also never go to the movies. I bet we have been to maybe 4 times in our 20 years together. Our children don’t really go either. We are all computer homebodies. I LOVE magazines and will only buy one now if I really love it..sad that most of the really great ones have folded.
It is good to be a homebody nester I think!
I just ordered from your Etsy shop and am thrilled with all of your and Meredith’s handmade goodies. The scarf is a splurge for myself for Valentines Day.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sounds so similar to what I do. AND reading blogs to me is like reading a magazine everyday!
It is amazing to me how similar our posts are this week. All sort of kindred spirits on the entertainment front.
I agree with all of this. Especially about the magazines. I’ve always loved magazines. They are so, so expensive these days. And, there are so many wonderful blogs out there…I get my magazine ‘fix’ everyday.
This is a great series.
Your Spot On..! We only do Blockbuster Kiosks and Redbox Kiosks. Do You all have those? I highly reccommend them, and at $1 to $2 Dollars, and the ability to return them at any kiosk, You just can’t beat it! Thanx for having the Frugal Five posts, and look forward to any advise like this, I’am trying make it here in this brutal Michigan Auto Industry and feel alone sometimes,less, vacations, at home more, but you are so right, being together with your husband and just enjoying time together, you can’t put a price on that.
Smiles,
Christine
I think a lot of folks are more sensible about entertainment spending now don’t you? And a lot of it is just being sensible no matter what you can afford. Our favorite thing to do together is watch TCM. Nothing like the quality. My magazine list is now very small too. I find myself grabbing a bunch at the bookstore and perusing them there for a few minutes. I hardly ever find one that moves me enough to bring it home.
This is the way I get my entertainment also. Renting movies, TV and using the Library! Going out to eat is a rare treat and seldom done anymore. Even a inexpensive meal adds up. I’m pretty content with it all. I too have given up magazines, not worth the money anymore. Loving this series a lot!
I can say my entertainment is like yours most of the way down the line, Claudia. Only exceptions are I don’t care for Turner Classic Movies, I like ones more current (Netflix and cable) and no husband. Other than that, you described how I live too. Good Post!
Claudia,
I like your post. We do not go to movies. We watch them at home. I have stopped buying magazines and newspapers because it is all online. I used to buy a lot of cookbooks but not anymore.
We have cut back on restaurants because the food does not seem to be prepared on site any longer. However, we are going on a cruise. We planned and saved and will truly enjoy it because we have cut back in so many other areas.
I am sitting at my computer and catching up on Downton Abbey as I knit away.
Carol
I SO enjoy reading your blog! I used to enjoy buying books but now I love my library ~ I pick up lots of books and it feels like Christmas:) I’m also a Jack Reacher fan ~ still think that Lee Child is wrong wrong wrong for choosing Tom Cruise to play the part. I’m #12 on queue for The Affair lol….I might have to break down and buy that one.
Sounds like a good life to me! I too love the library and find it a great way to enjoy books without having to spend money. There is so much available if you are willing to wait in line. Also, there are Inter Library Loans. In this program you can ask for a book anywhere in the country! See if your library supports this country wide program.
Hugs,
Terri
All your tips are very wise, Claudia. I only buy ‘takeout’ now and then as a treat, I have only 1 magazine subscription, and I haven’t gone to the movies in years. But I’m afraid I can’t resist buying books… that’s my one downfall!
By the way, the items in your shop are just beautiful! Wishing you all the best with this new chapter.
You and Don sound very much like me and my husband. We watch movie channels {I haven’t been out to the movies in over 20 years} and have Netflix. I read more than anything and get my books (and a few magazines} on my Nook unless it is a decorating book that I want to use for reference. We don’t really care for fast food and given my choice, I love to get out of the house so we go to a restaurant for dinner instead of ordering in. That is such a big treat for me. A fun night is having the kids over, making some snacks and playing board games!
I love your series and look forward to reading all that you gals post! :)
XO,
Jane
I totally agree on not eating out. We didn’t do it often, mainly after church on Sundays. I began putting a meal in the crockpot on Saturday nights and it would be ready, so I didn’t have to cook on Sundays. Now we only eat out when we have to make a day of it in the city to do our shopping, and we’re very selective since we’re eating much healthier.
It’s so easy to find frugal entertainment!
I’m with you on your suggestions. One thing Dave and I need to do more is cook at home. We are getting better since our kitchen is finally finished. It’s difficult with both of working because we are pressed for time. When we entertain friends, we invite them over for a home cooked meal.
I love TCM! The old classic movies are my favorite. It’s very rare that we go to the movie theater. We get the senior discount now and if we do go, it is a matinee.
I’d love a vacation but as I get older, I really enjoy being at home. We did go to upstate New York last year and we loved it! The year before that we went to Charleston and Savannah. One of our goals is to try to take once mini vacation per year. We also have a camper and go to local places and that feels like a vacation, but staycations are the best!
Keep up this great series!
Sandy
We have a great used book store that I frequent. I take my used books in and get credit for them, and when I purchase other used books I get those 1/2 off. We’re a family of 3 and quite often we all read the same book before it goes back! This way I’m helping to support the book store, too, and keep a local business running.
Vacations are out of the question, both for financial reasons and a sick husband I can’t leave. I do manage a wknd away once or twice a year, but even the cost of hotels is staggering!
I gave up buying magazines, as I’d leaf through them and scanned over most of the advertising that drove me nuts and I’d realize, gee, I didn’t need this after all. Still get Country Living though. I remember when I quit subscribing to Family Circle I felt I’d committed a crime!
The library is the best money saver for me because I have a true book addiction! I love bookstores, and when out with friends, they drag me by, kicking and screaming! Don’ like nooks or kindles – what do you do when the grid goes down!??
My other money saver is I try to stay out of antique stores – if I MUST poke around, I go to thrift stores instead. At Goodwill or Salvation Army I can usually get out for $20 instead of $200!!
GREAT POST CLAUDIA…..AND SO TRUE…
I ALSO WAIT FOR THE MOVIE TO COME ON TV….AND TCM HAVE GREAT MOVIES…..
I TOOK A WALK THROUGH YOUR ETSY SHOP AND IT IS REALLY NICE….YOU HAVE LOVELY TREASURES THERE…..GOOD LUCK
WITH YOUR SHOP……RIZZI
We used to go to the movies all the time. My husband at least once a week. Now hardly ever. We did like taking our granddaughters to a special movie. The last time we did it was over $60 for tickets and for all the food they wanted. We don’t do that anymore.
We do like to just cozy up at home most of the time.
Here I thought we were boring until I have read on all your blogs today, that we are in the norm.
Oh my gosh, forgot your shop opened. Headed over.
Have a great week-end Claudia.
Claudia, i am so excited your shop is open, congratulations!! i just ordered one of your lovely scarves!
Love the thrifty segments, Claudia! Everything mentioned thus far is part of our everyday lives!
Libraries are a good resource for DVD’s & VHS tapes of the classics, newer releases, series, etc… you can borrow. One can even put in a request to another library within NH or NH state library to borrow! Libraries aren’t just for books anymore!
As a matter of fact this weekend we’re getting together with three other couples {FRIENDS} to view the NR Courageous one of them received for a gift! We’re all bringing snacks/appetizers for a few hours of entertainment! Good Times and cost effective!
Off to check out the other ladies thrifty ideas!
Cheers,
Anne
PS…
I don’t quite understand it, however there are NOOK clubs and even books you can borrow from different libraries through your own Nooks!
Barnes and Nobles offers FREE Fridays for a book of their choosing. Simply sign-up for the free notifications. Not to mention over 1 million FREE books to your Nook. Just punch in 0.00! Worth a look see…
Might want to check into it.
As a librarian, I am thrilled to hear so many of you talk about using your local library. Don’t forget to vote for them and tell your representatives. Right now we (I am a librarian) are being called a “non essential service” by our local government. They have no idea, of course, about how BUSY we are given the state of the economy. Thank you for supporting your local library district.
Clara from Redeemed Junk and Stuff
Claudia, we have similar practices. We now stream movies via Netflix. We have very basic cable at both houses and have few channels but that works for us. I buy books for fifty cents at garage sales most of the time. Sometimes I splurge for books at Goodwill. We vacation at our other house 70miles away where my family lives and our blessed we had the opportunity to make that happen. We do not vacation anywhere else and we used to take nice vacations. I am going to North Georgia to visit my kiddo this weekend and I am telling you I forgot how to pack. We rarely eat out as I like to control the ingredients of what we eat and can prepare meals much more cheaply and with better ingredients. We do have a close circle of friends that we rotate having supper with and enjoy their company and conversation.
And the simple life is good, is it not, my friend? You provide us entertainment via YouTube. By the way, when is the next one coming out of you, Don, and the dogs? I’m waiting for it.
Brenda
Hi Claudia,
You are not going to have much time for entertainment keeping up with your etsy shop :) Great job! Your items are lovely!
Pinterest has been a huge money saver for me. It is like getting a new magazine in the mail every single day! Love it!
xoxo Debbie
Like you I have stopped getting most magazines. There’s just not enough good stuff in them anymore plus reading blogs and pinterest are so much better. I’m enjoying reading about all the ways we can economize. Right now my thing is to buy as few groceries as possible until we’ve emptied out the freezer and pantry:)
When the time is right to take a vacation look at the different home exchange sites. Someone is sure to want to swap for your cozy home. In the meantime, you can visit the sites and imagine yourself staying in all kinds of wonderful places, without having to pay lots of money for a hotel. I’m really enjoying the thrifty series, and I’d like to visit your etsy shop but the link didn’t work. Is that just me?
Lots of great ideas, Claudia! I know with all the great blogs, I don’t read as many magazines either! Went to visit your etsy shop…I think you have a bad link…it went to photobucket. Congrats on opening a shop!
If I didn’t have my crochet/crafting to keep me entertained, I don’t know what I would do. The only thing I watch on tv is the Today Show and American Idol. I don’t do movies in this country because everything is censored and who wants to pay to see a movie with scenes cut? Can’t find magazines at all and they cost way too much to begin with. Thank goodness for blogging where I get plenty of inspiration. Happy Friday! Tammy
I agree with all of your tips. I think I have gone to one movie in the last year “The Help” I had to sit by myself, because my sister talks too much. I can’t stand talking during a movie. The library is my best friend. I am a non stop reader and I can get everything I want there for free, plus inexpensive movie rentals. Going now to check out your shop.
Laura
Excellent thoughts!
You can download books for your Nook or MP3 from many library systems. With a library card in our state, we can get a pin for the state library which has a lot of downloads including movies, music and magazines! Isn’t that great????
I still love your new lamp!
Girl I am with you. A good dinner at home, a movie on DVD or Netflix, a book from the library, heaven. Btw you can usually read most shelter mags at the library as well. I am a magazine addict but I have been disappointed of late. Plus I just plain can’t afford them anymore. The blogs and pinterest are my eye candy now.