Chronicles of The Shoestring Diva

By offering "how to" advice and bargains, the Shoestring Diva is your go-to-person for living life to the fullest... on a budget. Each dilemmas is tackled with funny, practical and informative solutions. Comments and emails are welcome.







Search This Blog

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Movies cost an arm and a leg

While watching the Oscar’s last Sunday, I had an epiphany. Although I hear the numbers every weekend, I was in utter shock! The highest grossing movie…362.1 million dollars domestically… didn’t win best picture! I can’t believe the amount of money Americans spend to be entertained. The Husband took the offspring to see a matinee on Saturday and it cost $25! I already had dinner planned so I told them not to buy popcorn. Good thing because that popcorn would have been their last supper. That brings me to this week’s blog. Entertainment is not free. It may cost you an arm and a leg.

Most people are paying for cable or satellite channels in their home. Thanks FCC. In my house, we have at least 200 channels even though we can only watch one channel at a time. Use these channels to your advantage. Call over some friends and entertain them with a movie via pay-per -view or premium channel movie. Sharing an average cost of a pay-per-view movie of $4.99 between 4-6 people is a lot more economical than $8 a piece. Movie night at home is a great way to save money and build friendships.
Here are some elements for movie night entertaining:

  • Try to choose a movie that is showing on your premium movie channels. If you are already paying for it; use it.
  • Turn down the lights to create a movie theater glow.
  • Make some popcorn and add seasonings from your own cupboard. Sprinkle a little garlic, parmesan cheese or even sugar to create different flavors. I like extra buttery.
  • Have a pot luck dinner and turn movie night into “dinner and a movie”.
  • Plan ahead. Watch the TV guide for movie premiers. If you are purchasing, DVD or Blue Ray release dates often comes with price cuts. 
  • Instead of purchasing a movie from the store, rent one. If you are not a repeat movie watcher, it may not be in  your best interest to purchase. 
  • Remember the classics. Classics movies are often on the discount shelves in stores.
  • Visit your local library. That right check out up to date DVD’s for free.
Until next time,

Smooches

No comments:

Post a Comment