How to Save Money on Entertainment

How to Save Money on Entertainment
Lifestyle
Money

We love to get out and do things; like going to concerts, museums, sporting events, and theme parks, but the cost of these activities can really add up! Thankfully, with a bit of creativity and planning, it’s possible to get out there and have fun without doing too much damage to your wallet. This article explores money-saving ideas that will allow you to enjoy the recreational activities you love without the hefty price tag.

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Look for free/inexpensive events

The NextDoor App, Eventbrite, and your local community groups on Facebook are all great places to look for free or low-cost community events. Fall is a popular time for events so there will be lots to choose from, including leaf peeping, craft fairs, and free concerts.

Think about events outside of your town/city as well. Even traveling an hour away – by car or public transport – can open up a broad range of less expensive concerts, sporting events, or theatre tickets.

The NextDoor App, Eventbrite, and your local community groups on Facebook are all great places to look for free or low-cost community events. Fall is a popular time for events so there will be lots to choose from, including leaf peeping, craft fairs, and free concerts.

Think about events outside of your town/city as well. Even traveling an hour away – by car or public transport – can open up a broad range of less expensive concerts, sporting events, or theatre tickets.

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Sometimes, it pays to wait

If you’re interested in an event but it’s not make or break, you can sometimes get lucky by waiting until a few days before – or even the day of – to purchase tickets. People who purchased tickets but who can no longer attend might be looking to offload their tickets at a lower price than face value. Check your local Facebook page or list serv for these opportunities. You can buy directly from the seller or Ticketmaster offers the ability to transfer tickets to others, as do sites like Vividseats and StubHub.

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Save with discounts

Visit a site like Groupon or Viator for discounted event tickets and passes for activities. Travel aggregators, like Expedia and Trip Advisor, will have special offers on activities as well.

Make sure you’ve installed the browser extension of a deal site, like PayPal Honey or Rakuten. That way, available discounts will pop up automatically as you browse. For example, I’ve saved between 10-20 percent on road trip activities on my recent road trip using these tools!

Visit a site like Groupon or Viator for discounted event tickets and passes for activities. Travel aggregators, like Expedia and Trip Advisor, will have special offers on activities as well.

Make sure you’ve installed the browser extension of a deal site, like PayPal Honey or Rakuten. That way, available discounts will pop up automatically as you browse. For example, I’ve saved between 10-20 percent on road trip activities on my recent road trip using these tools! ]]>
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Buy big

If you’re a diehard sports fan, purchasing tickets for the season makes financial sense even if you miss a game here and there (and you can often sell tickets you don’t plan to use). Every sport/team is different, but season ticket-holders may also have priority access to away games, discounted merchandise, cheaper concessions, and exclusive events where you can hobnob with fans and even players. Season tickets are also available for other things, like the opera, the theatre, and theme parks.

Going with a group? Most theme parks, water parks, and festivals will offer a group ticket option, which will be cheaper than if everyone were to purchase tickets individually. There are sometimes specific hours of access, so pay close attention to the fine print.

If you’re a diehard sports fan, purchasing tickets for the season makes financial sense even if you miss a game here and there (and you can often sell tickets you don’t plan to use). Every sport/team is different, but season ticket-holders may also have priority access to away games, discounted merchandise, cheaper concessions, and exclusive events where you can hobnob with fans and even players. Season tickets are also available for other things, like the opera, the theatre, and theme parks.

Going with a group? Most theme parks, water parks, and festivals will offer a group ticket option, which will be cheaper than if everyone were to purchase tickets individually. There are sometimes specific hours of access, so pay close attention to the fine print.

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Membership has its privileges

If you’re an art buff, install the app of your favorite local museum. Have a few favorite bands? Sign up for their emails as well as for nearby venues. This way, you’ll be the first to know about upcoming happenings and you might have access to exclusive discounts as well.

If you regularly go to your local botanical gardens or aquarium, consider a membership. The calculation is easy – estimate how many times you go and compare the cost of tickets purchased per visit vs. an annual membership.

Also, like with sports, your membership may come with perks, like members-only viewing times, advance access to popular events, discounts at the gift shop, free guest passes, and free access to sister locations.

Some ticket sites offer discounted pricing if you’re a member of an association like AAA, or AARP. Ticket sites may also offer exclusive pricing for card holders from a certain bank, like Chase or Amex. I also spotted exclusive pricing on Ticketmaster for Verizon customers. Benefits like this can be indicated on the ticket seller’s site, but you can also keep an eye on the emails from your credit card holder or mobile provider, or visit their sites and search for a list of perks.

If you’re an art buff, install the app of your favorite local museum. Have a few favorite bands? Sign up for their emails as well as for nearby venues. This way, you’ll be the first to know about upcoming happenings and you might have access to exclusive discounts as well.

If you regularly go to your local botanical gardens or aquarium, consider a membership. The calculation is easy – estimate how many times you go and compare the cost of tickets purchased per visit vs. an annual membership.

Also, like with sports, your membership may come with perks, like members-only viewing times, advance access to popular events, discounts at the gift shop, free guest passes, and free access to sister locations.

Some ticket sites offer discounted pricing if you’re a member of an association like AAA, or AARP. Ticket sites may also offer exclusive pricing for card holders from a certain bank, like Chase or Amex. I also spotted exclusive pricing on Ticketmaster for Verizon customers. Benefits like this can be indicated on the ticket seller’s site, but you can also keep an eye on the emails from your credit card holder or mobile provider, or visit their sites and search for a list of perks. ]]>
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Stay on budget on-site

When you finally get to the event, you’ll likely find that concessions and souvenirs are overpriced. Before you go, find out what you can bring in. For example, you’ll save a bunch just by bringing your own water and snacks, if that’s allowed. Be very clear on the rules, which can be strict. Some places require clear bags or they don’t allow glass. Or some don’t allow outside food/drink, so you may have to dump what you brought or walk all the way back to the car.

When it comes to souvenirs, don’t buy any onsite without a quick Google search on your phone. You may find the same tee shirt online for less than at the event. One less thing to carry and you saved!!

quick Google search on your phone. You may find the same tee shirt online for less than at the event. One less thing to carry and you saved!! ]]>1
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Trae Bodge is an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator who has specialized in smart shopping, personal finance, and retail for more than a decade. She has appeared on TV over 1,000 times; including Today Show, GMA3, NBC Nightly News, Inside Edition, and network affiliates nationwide. She has been named a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn, and her expert commentary has appeared in Forbes, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Yahoo Finance, and numerous others.