Essential Tips for Saving Money on Entertainment Costs
- Editorial Staff
- 39 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Online entertainment seems like a luxury when budgeting. Yet with so many free options, it can now save you money and is not something that should be wiped from the slate.
This year, most US households are feeling their budgets getting stretched. So much so that even the thriftiest of people may find the many money-saving tips available online simply not feasible. You still need a certain level of comfort and ways to keep yourself entertained, making cutting out all but necessities impossible. If you play online games or watch streaming services and are looking to save money, there are ways to do so in the coming year.
Finding the Free Offers
One way to cut back on entertainment costs is to identify the offers for online entertainment. For example, most streaming services will allow you a 7 or even a 28-day free trial. You can watch one free of charge and then switch to another the month after. Just remember to cancel the automatic subscription.
Even online casinos and slot games have similar offers. Well-known games and sites will allow you to enjoy a host of games at no charge. These include slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette online free. This means you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get yourself going and can play using the house's bankroll for a time. If you pick a well-known, trusted provider, you also get peace of mind, knowing your payment details are safe.
Finally, make sure you compare prices on your broadband. Used to stream your television and online entertainment, you may not be getting the best deal. Most providers will be willing to offer a discount to tear you away from competitors, so don’t be afraid to contact them and ask.
Reassess Subscription Services
Another way to save money is to reassess your subscription services. Over the past few years, many of them have begun to offer low-cost, ad-supported packages. This means you pay less but have to endure adverts at various intervals. This is not a problem for some, but may be infuriating to others. A recent survey suggested that almost half of people (46%) who signed up to major services choose these options, up 10% in a year. Netflix alone has seen 66% of its new subscribers opt for an ad-based solution.
There are also whole services that require no subscription, which allow you to watch for free. Then include Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Crunchyroll. While you don’t always get the quality of programming you do on major services, you can find some great content.
Eating While Entertaining
While taking part in online entertainment, you are going to need to keep hunger at bay, especially if you plan on watching long movies and playing multiple gaming sessions. Cooking meals at home is a great way to save money. You can buy goods in season at low cost, then batch-cook meals and freeze them. Always remember to shop around. Supermarkets are in a price war, and budget may not always be the lowest cost anymore. You should also not forget about local retailers, who may be able to provide meat, fish, and vegetables cheaper than bigger stores.
Anyone who already does this will know that this takes time. With work hours and the management of a household, times may come when the hours in the day run thin. You may also need to just kick back and treat yourself to a delicious meal without the washing up sometimes.
In these instances, make sure you shop around with the schedules. You may find restaurants have special offers, such as meal deals or buy one get one free offers. Even if you visit at certain times, either in person or through delivery services, you may be able to benefit from happy hours on food or drinks.
Travel Costs
Luckily, if you are entertaining yourself at home, then your travel costs will be minimal. However, if you do decide to venture out, then with petrol at a premium, you may wish to consider other modes of transport. The best of these is rail, which can provide some substantial discounts if you book in advance. It may be worth investing in a railcard if you plan to do this regularly and have the right social conditions to get one, such as being a student or senior citizen.
If you must travel by car, then consider whether the vehicle is right for you. If you are only making small city trips, you may not need a large vehicle. Smaller ones will result in less tax and fuel consumption.
Always remember that famous investor Warren Buffet once said “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving”. These tips are not exhaustive and won't apply to everyone. However, take on Buffet's advice. By implementing a few over the year while keeping yourself entertained, it will help you make savings which can go towards other expenses.
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