Entertainment That Doesn’t Break the Bank
It can be a pretty daunting time of year financially at the best of times. The expectations for Christmas can seem overwhelming. How can we meet everyone’s expectations, have fun, and not bust into overdrafts or max out our credit cards? You may have found winning strategies in recent years, but with inflation at a forty-year high at eleven point one per cent, we all need to look to save money wherever we can.
You don’t have to channel your inner Scrooge; there are still ways to have fun that don’t cost a fortune and keep you entertained.
What’s On
A perfect place to start looking for entertainment is on your local What’s On website or newspaper. You can find all kinds of live events that are free to go to, or just ask for a small donation. Ironically, as the festive season approaches, there are often more of these than at other times of the year. There are often free carol services and concerts in local village and town halls as well as churches. Salt Lake county youth often find events in Salt Lake City this way so they never run out of things to do. Singing with other people or listening to well-played music is always uplifting. In addition, you can usually find other activities, including organized rambles, town trails and Christmas Fayres and Markets. There is often free live entertainment at these events – it is not all about the shopping.
A night in
While we talk about ‘Netflix n Chill, ‘ other streaming services are available, and some have even better content. You must have a TV license if you watch any live TV (even streaming live on any device. However, as you are legally obliged to pay for this service, you may as well take advantage of everything on offer. iPlayer has an incredible selection of TV programs, documentaries, and films in its back catalogue. You can ditch the TV license if you do not watch any live channels but be careful. You must not watch any live events on any channel. Channel 4 and ITV Hub offer outstanding free streaming services with a mind-boggling selection of programs and films to keep you entertained.
Having a Flutter
Going to the casino is not most people’s idea of a budget night out or in. However, this is another option for inexpensive entertainment if you are clever. If you want to have an online flutter, it is essential that you set yourself a budget and stick to it if you want to play for real money. There are also plenty of leading casino offers and bonuses which allow you to get more out of your visit. Alternatively, demo games let you try out games without it costing any money. The downside to demos is that there is no payout if you win. Some big platforms like Entain also offer free-to-play games for more of a social experience.
A night at the movies
Going to the cinema can be a costly experience, particularly when you add on popcorn, pick-and-mix, and a drink. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg, however. First things first, maybe avoid the popcorn or buy one to share. Even better, buy your popcorn and sweets in the supermarket and take them with you. You could even make a popcorn tub at home and pour your shop-bought packet in if you want to. Look out for two-for-one cinema deals. You can often find that you can get discounts on mid-week seats. For example, if you buy your insurance through Compare the Market, you can claim a year of two-for-one cinema tickets.
Last Minute Deals
If you love the theatre or other live entertainment, you can often bag a bargain on seat prices by waiting until the last minute. The risk is that you miss out. However, you may also find some incredible stand-by ticket bargains and see shows you might not have considered before. Stand-by tickets are not always on sale, so keep an eye out for them and be brave enough to try something new. Plenty of venues have free entertainment in their foyers or bars as well.
