When money is tight in my household, paying for entertainment is one of the first areas of the budget to go. Convincing my family, on the other hand, can be a little tough, so while we do make some allowances (we still haven’t completely gotten rid of cable), it takes a lot of creativity to keep everyone entertained for as close to zero as possible.
Finding fun alternatives to eating out
Part of the pleasure of eating out is the entertainment factor, so we try to include that even with home cooked meals. For example, I might make a salad, a homemade pizza and a desert and then pack it all up for a five minute trip to the park. We all eat picnic style on one of the benches, and then the kids get to play on the playground or basketball court. The adults can talk or read. It satisfies our need to be out but without the expense of a restaurant meal.
Taking stock of what you already have
We already have so much entertainment at our fingertips, such as the above mentioned cable, plus DVD movies, board games, video games, books, puzzles, outdoor toys, etc. When we take stock of what is really available for entertainment, it makes us feel really silly to think about having to spend money to be entertained. We try to target something we haven’t done in a while, such as cutting paper snowflakes, watching a movie on the back of the shelf or rollerskating in the driveway. The later is extra entertainment for the kids as they watch their uncoordinated parents.
Look around for unexpected opportunities
Is it a nice summer night? Why not grab some glass jars and catch fire flies in the back yard? Feel like going to a carnival? Why not pop some home-made kettle corn and create your own carnival games? You are only limited to your vision and imagination.
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