Cutting spending on entertainment

Do some early spring cleaning

For the next couple of weeks, take note of the magazines and newspapers you frequently read, the online subscriptions you frequently use, the extent to which you watch cable television, ect. Then compare your habits with your credit card bills. Are you subscribing to 10 magazines but only read two? Do you watch Netflix every night but only watch cable television once a month? With these findings in hand, unsubscribe from your neglected magazines, newspapers, websites, and television providers.

Break up with movie theaters and book stores

Unless you absolutely must see the midnight premier of a movie, wait a few months to watch it at home. You can even capture the social context of a theatre by throwing some sweet treats in the oven and inviting a few friends over for a movie night. If you’re an avid reader, become a member at every library within a 20 mile radius. Most libraries have digital copies of their books, so you don’t even need to make the trek across town to satiate your reading appetite. Even better, if you want to read a popular book, ask around to see if any of your friends or family members have already bought it. Pool resources instead of wasting them.

Be a member, not a visitor 

Paying for memberships or annual passes can be especially lucrative if you’re a parent or if you just want to incentivize yourself to try something new. At the beginning of the summer, pay for a season pass at the local zoo instead of purchasing pricey tickets to a new attraction every weekend. You can also purchase a membership at a local theatre or museum, and instead of going to the mall for the fifth weekend in a row, enjoy some cheaper, high-brow fun watching a play or perusing artwork.

Become the local expert of free activities

Make a google calendar of free concerts, festivals, and other activities in the area and share it with your friends and loved ones. With this in hand, you can encourage group activities that don’t strain your budget. Groupon — a website that connects you with local deals — is always a helpful source.