Every area is different, but in most cases, there are local deals you can take advantage of to save money. Here's just a few ideas:
1. Movies - Some towns have a less expensive theater. In our area, it's Pollack Tempe Cinemas. They only charge $3 per person and on Tuesdays, it's just $2 per person. The movies they run are the ones that have just left the expensive theaters, so it's not the first 30 days after it hits the box office, but unless it's really worth an hour of my husband pulling a filthy tarp over his flatbed load and strapping it down in the rain/heat/etc., we wait.
Also, the bigger theaters also run deals where you can like their facebook page for a free small popcorn, or text to their number for free popcorn, or buy a "souvenir cup" of your favorite drink for say, $4, but refills next time if you return with the cup, are just $1.
Netflix, HuluPlus, etc. are all great deals too, although they get less and less movies because I read their goal is to be just on-demand TV shows. Not sure how BlockBuster is doing with that. They stopped mailing out DVDs last year in our area in favor of only online viewing. For under $10/month, it's worth it if you'd normally go to the movies. And don't my previous suggestion for renting FREE movies at your local library.
2. Live Performances - many local towns, groups, and schools run year-round productions you can see at a fraction of the cost of a real Broadway style show. Sure, the acting isn't as professional, but that makes for great entertainment. Find a local dance company or acting group that performs in your area and you may be pleasantly surprised. When we lived in NH, there was a place in nearby Portsmouth, NH called the Seacoast Repertory Theater. They did Broadway shows, like Joseph, Man of La Mancha, and Phantom of the Opera. The tickets were usually $20 or less, and you could often get in the 1st or 2nd row, which is literally on the floor/stage. The actors were very good with seamless performances too.
3. Depending on the season, you can sometimes find FREE outdoor events like movies in the park, concerts in the park, etc. They had them in the summer in Rochester, NH, and here in AZ, you see them in the winter.
So where do I find this information? I use our local newspapers' websites and go to their "Get Out" or "Entertainment" section to find what's going on around town. The bigger the city, the more there is, so if you live in the suburbs or urban areas, maybe you could find 2 back to back days of events to make a drive into the city, or overnight stay, worth it.
I also use Google to search for events. In our area, I may put in the name of a casino to see what cover bands are playing, or put in restaurants nearby that I know play live music.
4. Restaurants - If you have kids you can save a lot more than an adult couple dining alone, for sure. There's so many restaurants with "Kids Eat Free" nights, or coupons in the mail and Sunday paper coupons books for family deals. A common one may be somewhere that offers 2 adult and 2 kid meals, plus beverages, for one low price. There's also military discounts at some restaurants, and Senior Citizen discounts too. If you don't dine with kids and are nowhere near retirement age, try a restaurant's Happy Hour specials. Often they put their entrees on sale or even half price, and you don't have to drink if you don't want alcohol. I know Applebee's does that around here. Another one here does a deal where all entrees are half price after a certain time, usually the last 2 hours before closing. Check with your favorite locations, and don't forget the chain restaurants like Chili's, Applebee's, Red Lobster, Denny's, Friendly's, the'99, and more.
5. Clothing - I know you can shop at Goodwill and the Salvation Army, but truthfully, you're buying faded, frayed, stained clothing in styles 10 years old (or more), usually with buttons missing or really ugly prints. If you get lucky enough to find a T-shirt that's in your size & color, it's been washed and shrunk so many times that it's a half shirt now compared to when it was new. I find better deals at places like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshall's. They have the clothes that are still in style, but maybe I wouldn't be willing to pay $50 for in a regular department store, like Dillard's or Macy's. I find great tops there for under $20. If you sew, that's even better! You can find something, maybe make a minor change, like trading out ugly buttons, or changing a dress' hemline, and you end up with a great bargain. I stopped trying to find clothes at Wal Mart and Target. The shirts are paper thin and the shorts are up to your butt there. Tasteful, classy clothes are best found elsewhere.
Hope this at least stirred up some ideas, or reminded you of a few you may have forgotten. Have a great week bargain hunting.
