Saving on Entertainment; Movies

Most of us like movies, but they can get expensive. If you go to Wal-Mart and buy a movie, you pay, on average, $15.00 - $20.00 for a movie. If you go the theater you pay $8.00 – $20.00 for a ticket. If your rent a movie at store, you pay $3.00 to $5.00. Are there ways to save a lot of money and still enjoy the movies? That answer is yes!

Saving at the Theater – The movie theater is the most expensive way to watch movies (excluding the costs of putting in a home theater), but it is also one of the most fun ways to experience some movies, like “Narnia.” For the most part, my family does not go to the theater; it is just too expensive. One of the lessons that my family had to learn very early is to live without some things. The theater is one of them. However, if going to the theater to see a movie is important to you, here are some things you might try.

See if you have a local dollar theater. These theaters usually show a movie a few weeks after they have left the major theaters and don’t have quite as nice seating. At our local theater, we can get tickets for between $1.50 – $5.00 depending on what day we want to go. However, the drinks and popcorn are still overpriced.

Some theaters have programs that give you free tickets on your birthday, what better price is there? Some also have group discounts starting with eight people, taking a group is a great way to save money.

Renting Movies – Renting movies can be a good way to go, especially for movies that you are only going to watch once or twice. However there are some things to keep in mind when renting.

1. Going into a store to rent is an expensive way to go. Many times you can find a copy of the movie online for about the same cost (including shipping).

2. Red Box is a one of the best ways to see new releases for just a dollar a day. They sometimes even carry Dove approved movies that are really neat.

3. Netflix is a great option. Our family subscribes every once in a while (we save a lot by only having it months we will really use it) and enjoy some of the movies without having to buy them.

Saving on buying movies – There are movies that you will watch over and over again and some that we will watch a few times. The best way to save money on movies is be willing to wait. I know, that is not a very popular concept in today’s world, but if you are willing to wait you can find just about any movie you want on Amazon, or at your locale thrift store for fifty cents to four dollars. I think the most that we have ever paid for a movie is $7.00.

Do you have any great movie money saving advice?