Good day! 😄
We all love a good night out.
Restaurants, concerts, an impromptu girls’ trip. They give us the connection we crave and the experiences that enrich us.
Or maybe ya just wanna stay in and watch Netflix. You do you boo.
But when the average American spends over $300 a month on entertainment, we KNOW there’s opportunity to get the entertainment we crave without breaking so far into our budgets.
So here are 3 things you can do this week to cut your entertainment budget without cutting the fun.
Tip #1: Cut the (streaming) cord ✂️
Over $50 of the average entertainment budget is for streaming services alone.
That’s a potential $600+ a year.
If watching TV is your jam – try these free alternatives:
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Tubi: Free Fox & WB shows (Scandal & Gossip Girl PLZ!)
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Peacock: Free version includes roughly two-thirds of Peacock’s total catalog
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Pluto: Free CBS and MTV classics (Hello Daria & Cheers!)
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Borrow the movie from the library via Hooplah or Libby.
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Go old school and use an antenna to tune into local channels.
If you do sign up for a new streaming service (or buy ANYTHING) in the next month, you have to use Rakuten, a browser extension that gives you rebates and cashback for purchases you already planned to make.
Right now their welcome bonus is $40 ($10 higher than normal), which means you’ll get $40 when you spend $40, and in girl math, that means it’s basically free. 💅 **
Tip #2: Get Your Game On 🎮
If you’re a gamer (or your partner is), you know that the cheapest video games or board games can cost $70 alone and we aren’t touching season passes for sportsball.
Craving competition on a budget? Try some low-cost alternatives:
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Get a free trial on platforms like Steam, Xbox Game Pass, or Playstation Plus.
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Check Eventbrite or Meet Up for board game nights.
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Learn to play the sport that you enjoy watching!
Tip #3: Explore 🥾
Armed with curiosity, even a familiar trail can become something new when we take the time to notice individual features.
Even if you’ve lived in the same town your entire life, chances are, there’s a new bike path, walking trail, or water feature to discover!
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Use FreeCampsites.net to find a free campground nearby for a low-cost getaway.
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Check your state’s Department of Transportation site for free bicycle access.
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Join a local photography contest for a new perspective on your city.
Get More!
🎙️ Ep 505 How to Save Money on Entertainment (Frugal Friends Podcast)
👛 28 Proven Ways to Save Money (Nerdwallet)
Reset on Sundays With Us!
This Sunday, we dropped some great advice and even better recipes in our Sunday Reset: How the Japanese Budget & Save Money (SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE!)
Listen for a breakdown of Kakebo, along with recipes like Big Mac bowls, Asian lettuce wraps, and quinoa salad!
Ready to feel more in control of your money? Our Spending Planner Spreadsheet IS FINALLY HERE! It’s mobile-optimized to make it easier to track your spending, set goals, and actually stick to them.
PLUS it comes with a 60-page Values-Based Spending Guide to help you spend with intention and not guilt!
Have a great day 🌸
Kim
⭐️⭐️ P.S. Want to share all this goodness with your friends AND earn cool Frugal Friends merch?
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.
