FRUGAL FRIDAY!!!!

Let’s get down and get frugal. This week we are discussing ENTERTAINMENT. Did you know that on average amercians spend $1800.00 on entertainment a year. This doesn’t include eating out!! Now can you even imagine how much that would go up. I know that for us eating out has been a weakness. I love being catered to. ☺ Not to mention I don’t have to cook or clean up. Now I just try to find ways to simplify my life in the kitchen.

So anyway back to the subject at hand. I am sure that you all are probably aware of where I am going with this but let’s talk FREE. I don’t know about you but there is a lot to do around here that is free. My most favorite place is Como Zoo. We have a zoo in the Twin Cities area that is run strictly on donations. It’s really beautiful. We could go a few times a week and probably see something new weekly. Right now they have a butterfly exhibit and myself and my camera have plans to get over there sometime soon. If you check your local paper, look online for events you might be surprised what you could find.

I was looking online and found that the Mall of America in Bloomington has toddler Tuesdays. They have different events that appeal to mom’s and their kids every Tuesdays. The events are free. I would recommend bringing your own snacks and beverages.

Now of course there are always the obvious things; go on walks, go to the park, play outside in the sprinkler. There really is a lot that we can do for entertainment that doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Remember that children are easily entertained. They don’t need to always go to amusement parks, the swimming pool, or to the movies. Playing outside with your kids is fun for them. Play hide and seek in the back yard, kickball, tag, or encourage some creativity by making up a game. This will create family bonding and teach your children how to have fun without spending a lot of money.

What about cutting down the cost of entertainment. Going to the movies. Another source of entertainment that I love. ☺ Walk past the concessions stand. DO NOT STOP! You can spend as much on concessions if not more then you did on your ticket. Try to go to a matinee. The best option is if you can hold off seeing it on the big screen, rent it from REDBOX when it comes out on DVD. REDBOX is basically a movie dispenser that you can find at MC Donalds. The cost to rent is $1 a day. You can return the movie to any MC Donalds that houses a REDBOX. It’s really quite brilliant. I wish I had thought of it.
What about the local community pool? Check your neighborhood and community for toddler or wade pools. Going to the big pool can add up, if you go to the wade pool a couple of times of week it’s free and you will still have fun and cool off. :) You can always turn the sprinkler on at home too, have an old fashioned water fight.

Well I think this is long enough but I hope that you got some fun ideas and enjoyed my frugal tips. Have a great weekend.