When you’re trying to get your budget under control, there are a lot of costs that can sneak up on you. Soaring gas prices can quickly eat up your transportation budget. Interest rate increases can make your mortgage payment skyrocket. Although you often can’t control these runaway costs, there is one component of your budget that is completely at your discretion: entertainment expenses.

Entertainment expenses are dangerous to your budget because you don’t usually make one large, planned purchase. Most of the time, your entertainment expenses are comprised of many little expenditures over the course of the month. These little expenditures fly under the radar because of their small size, but when you add them all up at the end of the month, their combined size can really surprise you. Fortunately, there are a lot of great opportunities for low-cost entertainment.

1. The Video Store – For movie fans, controlling entertainment expenses can be quite a challenge. With a price of approximately $9 for each ticket and the crazy cost of concession stand snacks, an evening for two at the movie theatre can cost as much as $30. However, a movie rental is often under $5. Microwave popcorn from the grocery store, a soda from your refrigerator, and a bag of candy from the local discount store will complete your movie experience for about one-third of the cost of movie theatre snacks. What a bargain!

2. The Grocery Store – The stereotypical date includes a dinner for two at a nice restaurant. However, an appetizer, two entrees, two drinks, and a dessert can cost as much as $75. Tack on the tip for your waiter and you’re closer to $90. Now imagine spending an evening at home. You and your significant other can prepare the meal together, talking about your day’s experience or any other thing that you like. You can play soft music, dim the lights, and enjoy your privacy. As an added bonus, preparing your meal yourself will likely cost half as much as that fancy restaurant dinner, even with an entire bottle of wine.

3. The Zoo – Upon first glance, going to the zoo can appear to be pretty pricey, unless you are fortunate enough to live in a city that has a zoo which features free admission. However, even though zoo tickets can be as expensive as movie tickets, you’ll find that you get way more for your money at the zoo. You can pack a lunch for your family and spend the entire day enjoying all that your zoo has to offer. Make sure that you check the zoo’s website for any special discount days; some offer half-price admission days.

4. Chamber of Commerce Events – Although your local chamber of commerce sounds like an odd source of entertainment, take a minute to check out your chamber’s website. As a service to the community, these organizations often sponsor all kinds of free events. These types of events can include free public concerts. Usually held outdoors, these concerts are perfect for spending the evening under the stars with your sweetheart.

5. The Public Library – You probably know that you can check out books and movies from your local library free of charge. Aside from their loan programs, however, libraries often have other attractions for their community. Check the bulletin board at your library for a list of programming at your library. You can expect to find craft groups, guest lecturers, and even some educational opportunities. These are all usually offered at little to no cost.

Finding entertainment opportunities that won’t destroy your budget can be a little difficult at first. But after you’ve started looking around your community, you’ll see that there are tons of ways to cut your entertainment expenses without cutting the fun out of your life.

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