How to cut back on your entertainment costs

Everyone needs a break now and then but sometimes the cost of entertainment makes it difficult to enjoy yourself when you have to spend so much.Luckily, being entertained does not have to leave you broke or penniless.There are easy ways to make even the most mundane activities more enjoyable.With a lot less money, creativity and a positive attitude, a world of possibilities awaits you.Cutting back on entertainment costs does not have to mean cutting back on entertainment.Below are some fun entertainment ideas that cost very little or nothing at all:

- Instead of going out to eat, consider spending less on entertainment by making a special dinner of your own.You can spend a few dollars for an extra special meal and save a lot more by not going out. You can have a picnic, eat by candlelight, or cook your food by are fire, the possibilities are endless!

- Have a dinner at home with a theme in mind like the color green or the letter `C.'Then create a meal that fits the theme.Use food coloring to dye mashed potatoes or make all the side dishes start with the same letter.Another fun idea is to create your own Mr. Potato Head toys with baked potatoes and then eat your art when you're done.

- Instead of going to the theatre and spending $8-15 dollars per person there, rent a movie and bring the theatre to your living room.Lay some blankets on the floor, turn out all the lights and let the kids stay up a little later than usual.

- New DVD rental options such as RedBox, allow you to rent DVD's for as little as $1 a night or for free if you have a promotional code (dozens of promotional codes for free rentals can be found at insideredbox.com).Traditional brick and mortar rental stores are also a good option.

- Make the evening fun by making your own popcorn, having store bought concession treats or even creating a dinner and a movie.You are guaranteed to save a lot of money and to have the best seats in the house!

- Look for community activities that are free to the public.Art museums, public parks, shows put on by colleges, and city fairs are just a few examples of all the entertainment opportunities that are free to the public. Even grand openings can be fun.Many times these events have free food and activities.

- Many times you can find activities that are free to the public by looking online for a city or community website or by calling a community phone number with pre-recorded information (this number can usually be found at the front of your community phone book).

- Consider sacrificing a slightly better view in order to stay within your budget. Lower bowl seats at a sporting even are substantially more expensive than upper bowl seats.The same applies with almost any staged event; the seats that are less ideal are going to be at a better price.When allowed, take your own snacks to the game.Concession food is famously overpriced.

- Backyard camp-outs create some fun memories with little or no cost.Go on an imaginary hike, cook smores, hunt for deer, use your imagination!Be sure to set up tents and sleeping bags!

- Game night, themed dinners, treasure hunts, art projects, etc. are low in cost but are sure to resonate with the family.Be creative, especially if you have a family.Your kids will remember the good times you have together and will never know how much money you spent.Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's worth spending the money for.

- There are always creative ways to spice up your day or even make chores fun.Instigate a chart system, rewards, and activities.Make doing housework into a game and you may be surprised at how much fun your kids can have while helping you around the house.