What’s your favorite inexpensive form of entertainment?
I know this is going to make me sound old, but I can’t believe how expensive something as simple as going to the movies has become. With popcorn, candy and soda, a family of four can easily run up a tab in the hundred dollar range. I’m sorry, but when I spend a hundred bucks, I need to have something tangible to show for it. (Like a hangover.)
Here’s another one: golf. When you add up the greens fees, cart, and in my case, lost balls and damaged clubs, it can also be a short trip into into that territory north of the dreaded a c-note. call me crazy, but shouldn’t frustration be free?
So, how about you: where do you find fun “on the cheap”?
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Hitting the local bars for live music. I always have friends with me, or on the nights where I am checking new bands out, and go solo. I always make new friends, and generally find some really talented bands. Most places charge a minimal cover, or no cover. I will drive 30 or 40 miles some nights to check out some bands. And, no, I don’t worry about being pulled over. Fun does not mean drunk. If it does, get a designated driver…
Perfect! Live music = me feel good. No cover = me feel good for free.
Watching politicians promise you the world!
Funny you should mention this just now. Last weekend, my BF & I went to the beach where we slowly savored Dusty Millers: vanilla ice cream drowning in chocolate sauce then liberally dusted with ground malted milk, just like the stuff malted milk balls are made of. It was such a pleasure to listen to the waves and let the icecream melt in our mouths. We went back 2 days later and did it all again.
We weren’t trying to save money, but my friend remarked that if he had $100M he wouldn’t have changed a thing…
For my wife and me it can be as simple as walking our dog on the West Haven beach. They have a great community of people and dogs, beach and activities. We are outdoor-sy people so hiking is another. The state has many great parks where you can swim in a pond too. While a boat or jet ski can increase the ‘fun’ there’s also that added expense.
Oh yeah, and all those things are good for your health, too!
Jeff: LOL!
MT: YES! Something as simple as a “Dusty Miller” at the beach is exactly what I’m talking about!
Jared: Love the “community” aspect of walking your dog at the beach.
Going to the library every Saturday to access the internet for free (we don’t have internet at home…or cable,either) and to “rent” movies. Connecticut has an intra-library loaning system, where they can get you any movie if it is available, at another library. Seen lots of great stuff this way. Oh yeah, the library also has the same policy for books!
Also like going to car shows, usually it doesn’t cost much to get in (except in Greenwich) and we meet fellow car enthusiasts this way.
Laura, you’re my HERO!
This is exactly what I want to do.
Except… I’m… Too… LAZY!
I can’t help you with the lazies. However, if you want to do a car show and don’t want to walk around all day, pack a small cooler and a chair and sit under a tree after the first walk around. Invest in your favorite brand of car t shirt ( or I can paint you one…I paint jackets and T’s) and let the fans approach you. A t shirt can be a great conversation starter.
What is your favorite car…Didn’t you used to have a SAAB that lost it’s timing chain and that ruined the car?
Something tells me you moved onto Audis, but it has been a long time since I last saw your car…back in the nineties I think, on Dixwell Ave!!
I moved on to a variety of vehicles after the sad demise of the SAAB. Sadly, none of these were Audi’s…
Favorite car: probably still that old SAAB.
After what the car did!!! OMG! I think the timing chains go after 150,000 miles. Not sure, I’d have to ask my brilliant husband Ross. He knows almost everything about every car ever made…here and abroad.
What are you driving now?
And to get back on topic, another cheap form of entertainment is growing your own garden. Veggies are so low cost and it is nice to set up a chair with a spouse and kid by the flowers in the shade, drinking a nice cold Diet Coke.
Also, just kicking back with child and having tickling contests…very cheap and very fun
Here’s one. I am not much of a gambler, but not too long ago a friend and I went to the Foxwoods Casino for the afternoon just to walk and talk. It makes for fun people watching and window shopping. Well, the parking isn’t free and don’t do what I did – run low on gas! I paid at least an extra dollar per gallon at the Mohegan Sun gas station! Yikes!