Saving on Entertainment

When it comes to having fun, it can be hard to say ‘no’ in the moment – all for the sake of saving a little.  Who wants to be the party-pooper during a good time?  Later, you return home with a knot in your stomach because you spent way more than you planned.  Here are a few fun pre-planned pointers to help you save and enjoy yourself, while having a good time.

• Museum Reciprocity

Many museum memberships come with reciprocity – meaning you aren’t limited to the Museum you joined!!! For a discounted rate or sometimes for free, you can visit other participating museums in the network.  For example, the Boston Science Museum participates in the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) reciprocal admission program.  This grants all members free or discounted access to over 200 museums, including international museums in Korea, UK, Mexico, Australia, Bermuda and more!

• Outdoor Adventures

We sometimes forget that there is an abundance of outdoor activities where one can play, roam, and explore.  Go for a hike!  Have a picnic and play some games!  Go fishing or have a beach day!  This list from POPSUGAR has lots of great suggestions for how to make the most of outdoor recreational time.

• Library

Believe it or not, many libraries have a slew of free family-friendly activities that they offer on a weekly basis.  For those without kids, there’s still an option for you. Aside from books, most libraries also carry DVDs and audio books.  Download an audio book of your liking and find a beautiful outdoor spot to kick back, relax and have a story read to you.  One extra perk: library late fees are nominal and they often allow you to take out a large number of items at a time. (My local library lets you take up to 50 items out at once!)

Get your creative hat on and start planning some budget-friendly fun for your next outing.  Enjoy the quality of your time with loved ones, friends, or yourself without financial stress lingering in the back of your mind.  For more great tips on low cost entertainment, check out this great post from The Simple Dollar.