Frugal Fun with Family and Friends

Everyone enjoys spending time with family and friends. In fact, many people’s most cherished memories are of the times spent with loved ones. Unfortunately, many of the popular places for having fun with family and friends have gotten quite expensive. Even something simple like a night out to catch a movie has gotten a little ridiculous if you add up the total for movie tickets, popcorn and drinks for everyone.

The great thing is that there are alternatives ways to have fun that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.  In fact, you have the opportunity to have just as much fun at a fraction of the price. Some of the ideas I’ve included below are free!

Movies

Most people love to catch the new releases at the movie theaters when they get the chance.  It’s exciting to finally see the latest flick after seeing that trailer with your favorite actor for weeks.  But doing that even once a month can add up and put a dent in your budget.  A great alternative is going to the drive-in. Not all areas have them, but when they do you’ve got to consider them as a great money saving option.  Admission is usually much cheaper than the ticket costs at a regular movie theater and often times you can bring your own drinks and snacks to save even more money.  Although you might not be able to catch all the new releases at the drive-in, they do tend to have fairly new releases so the kids can see something before it’s on video.

If the drive-in doesn’t do it for you, remember that most theaters offer matinee showings at a reduced price.  Some theaters even offer free family friendly, kid oriented movies on weekend days. Checking out the theaters in your area for these money saving options is a great way to catch the latest movies without the outrageous costs.

Music

If you have a favorite band or music artist it’s great to catch them at a live concert when they’re in town.  However, concert ticket prices are not usually cheap and trying to make it a group get together can get out of hand quickly when it comes to cost.  A great alternative to consider is checking the local paper for concerts in the park!  A lot of areas offer them during the warmer spring and summer months. Little kids especially enjoy the music without all the raucous crowds and deafening sound systems. Older kids can also find these concerts provide an opportunity to have some fun while gaining an appreciation for less well-known bands.

The Great Outdoors

Getting out to enjoy nature is a great way to save money and still have fun.  When it comes to family outings, going camping is a great opportunity to have a fun outing that everyone can enjoy.  And the great part is, camping doesn’t have to be expensive. You can get back to basics and pitch a tent in the back yard - little kids love these kinds of adventures! Or you can plan a vacation, spring for a camper, and rent space at a campground. You can bring some hamburgers and hot dogs and grill ‘em up or you can catch some fish to fry. The costs for a camping trip like this will almost always trump going on a big lavish family vacation.

Parks also offer a nice opportunity to get outdoors for day trips. The bigger parks that have playground equipment can keep the younger kids entertained for hours on end. It’s also nice when you have friends with children to plan a get together at the park that involves the kids. You can all bring some food to share a big picnic spread, catch up on what’s going on in each others lives, and let the kids tucker themselves out. Hiking trails also provide some great exercise and a little adventure. Who needs treadmills when you’ve great trails to explore?

Enjoying family and friends doesn’t have to be expensive. Look around for money saving opportunities that will still enable you to enjoy the ones you love while on a budget.

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