5 Ways to Save on Family Entertainment

Entertaining a family is hard enough but trying to do it without breaking the bank is an even bigger challenge. Here are 5 tips to help you cut back on expenses when entertaining your family.

Check your local library

We recently moved and the local library has jam packed schedule of fun and FREE kids events each month. My library even has a parent’s day out a few times a year, where the kids get to stay and do crafts with the librarian and moms and dads can get the heck out of town (or just escape for a couple of hours). Also check the community center in your area; many offer the same types of kids’ programs that libraries do.

Get Cultured

Bank of America’s Museums on Us program gives credit or debit cardholders the opportunity to visit participating museums for free on the first full weekend of every month. Pack a lunch and eat on the lawn or the steps of your favorite museum. (Bonus points: if you can walk there – no gas money spent).

Check out Target’s website and see if your area is one where they offer discounted rates on local museums. For example, in my city the whole family can get into the Glazer Children’s Museum for less on Target $2 Tuesdays (first Tuesday of the month, from 2-7 p.m.)

Coupons

I use coupons for everything, but up until last year I had never really used them to save on fun family outings. And then I found out about sites like Groupon, Amazon Local, Eversave and Living Social. You can get great deals on all types of products and services through these sites but my favorite deals are the “experiences” you can snatch up at a reduced rate. SIgn up to get the daily emails for these sites (use a separate email account, like I suggest for coupons so you aren’t bombarded) and when you see a deal you or your family would love then jump on it!

Use Rewards Points

I get picked on for saving (snatching) everyone’s Coke bottle tops, or asking a fellow mom if she plans on using her Pamper’s Points BUT I don’t care one bit because I haven’t paid for a magazine subscription in 5 years and I regularly trade my points in for movie tickets. Coke and Pampers both have rewards programs that are very simple, you enter codes found on the inside of their packages onto their website (also via text or phone app). There are plenty of rewards to trade your points in for, but I find the movie tickets to be the biggest treat for myself.

Living Room Entertainment

Don’t forget it’s okay to stay in every once in a while too:) Host a family game night in your living room. I didn’t know until recently that there are coupons for board games and card games (most often on Coupons.com or Target.com). Snag some old favorites when they are on sale, invite the neighbors over and have them bring a dish to share and you are set.

If you aren’t up for entertaining a crowd than how about family movie night? Make some popcorn and have everyone meet on the couch after dinner for a film fest at home. Or wait until the kids go to bed and enjoy a movie alone or with your spouse.

And you don’t have to spend a fortune renting or buying the movies – I am constantly seeing Redbox and Blockbuster Express codes for free rentals on sites like The Krazy Coupon Lady.

I hope these tips help you have fun for less and as always remember that when trying to save money it’s important to use a budget, plan ahead and stay organized (that way you won’t lose the Groupon you bought for that 8-hour sailing excursion or the free movie tickets you earned from trading in points!).