How to Enjoy Nights Out without Bursting Your Budget
What is life without a little bit of entertainment, right? While having fun and keeping yourself sane are essential to a healthy and balanced lifestyle, entertainment spending can quickly drain your extra cash. We don’t suggest forgoing all fun in the interest of saving, but if you follow a few simple rules, you can enjoy your nights out, guilt-free and avoid sending your budget into an apocalyptic spiral.
Don’t say “YES!” to Everything
Not every invite needs to be met with a hardy “yes”, advise financial planners and budget experts. Instead of agreeing to all outings without thinking about the cost, experts suggest weighing the costs and benefits. For example, if your best friend is getting married in a tropical location, you’ll want to budget for her special event; but, if someone you haven’t actively spent time with in the last year invites you to their big day, you can probably skip it to save your budget. Deciding what is important, what events you absolutely want to attend, and events that your presence won’t be missed, is a good way to narrow down what you say yes to, and what ones you regretfully decline.
Pick an Off-Peak Day to Go Out
Spending the night at a bar or restaurant on Friday or Saturday might seem like a good idea, but it’s a terrible idea for your entertainment budget. Bars and eateries often offer specials on nights that aren’t considered busy to try and drive in new customers. Drink specials can save you several dollars per beverage, and special pre-fixe menus can offer great savings, too. You simply need to be flexible about when you head out to have a good time. No rule says only Saturdays can be fun, so head out on a Tuesday and enjoy a night on the town at a fraction of the price.
Use Savings Apps to Find Great Deals on New Experiences
Have you been dying to try the new Greek restaurant down the street, but the price tag is too high? Consider checking out a savings or discounts app for deals on meals and experiences. Many of the discounts offered are at or exceed 50%. For example, you may only pay $20 for $50 worth of food. If you are flexible about where you want to eat or what you want to see, you can find great deals.
Look at Free Festivals
The warm weather is back, and that means communities around the state are offering free festivals, music, and outings. Free admission can be a great way to save on the backend but still experience great summer fun. Check your local community website for their hosted events. Many will be free or low admission cost, so throw a bottle of water in your bag, and head out to enjoy the day. Nothing is cheaper than free, right?
You work hard and desire to have some fun, but you should always remain mindful of your budget. Figuring out your entertainment budget, and then using a bit of frugal magic to find fun events is a great way to stretch a dollar.
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