Hard economic times don’t have to mean sacrificing entertainment. Movie lovers who are patient and practical can still watch the biggest blockbusters or quirky foreign films at the local Cineplex or in the comfort of their own homes.
Cut Costs at the Movie Theater
Go to matinees and second-run theaters to save on ticket prices. Matinees tend to have more children present; even the R-rated films get parents dragging the kids along because it’s cheaper than hiring a babysitter. Second-run theaters won’t run films until they’ve been out for a few weeks, but being one of the first people to watch a movie doesn’t necessarily increase viewing pleasure. Despite these drawbacks, the substantial savings offered by attending matinees are well worth it.
Attend advance promotional screenings of movies. Radio stations, newspapers, and other media often receive large amounts of free tickets to advance movie screenings. Movie distributors want to fill the seats of these early screenings to promote word-of-mouth advertising in large metropolitan areas. Do weekly searches of local media websites to enter these contests to get passes in advance. Listening to the radio station and reading the newspaper will provide easy information about these screenings. Also check online for sources of promotional events, usually offered in the largest cities.
Limit food purchases at the theater. Eat before arriving, order cheaper/smaller kid’s combo selections, and set strict limits on purchases while at the theater. Concession stand prices represent big money makers for the theater.
Save Money on Movies at Home
Join a movie club. To save money on movie rentals, people can join a movie rental club that best meets their needs. Companies such as Netflix and Blockbuster offer different options for movie lovers. Some libraries also offer DVD rentals for free.
Buy a high-quality antenna. The book In Search of the Five-Cent Nickel by Don Abbott and Jacquelyn Lynn (Liza Jayne Publishing, Inc., 2008), which includes a variety of money-saving tips for today’s economic times, suggests that consumers cancel their cable service and buy a good television antenna. This provides access to all the networks and local channels on the air for no additional cost. Outdoor (when allowed by individual communities) or indoor antenna should both work for this purpose.
Buy DVDs without bonus features. Discount stores frequently sell classic movies and recent movies on low-cost DVD releases without bonus features. These older versions may come in cheap cardboard packaging and provide no extras other than scene selections and language options. Sometimes the initial DVD releases were rushed with no bonus features, only to be re-released later with commentaries and other extras. When the newer releases come out, the earlier releases drop in price. For purists who want only the movie without the extras, these discount store releases are a great bargain. For those who want the movie and bonus features, the best strategy is waiting until the demand lessens and the price comes down.
Buy used DVDs. Most movie rental stores and gaming stores carry used DVDs for purchase. As long as they come with a guarantee, there’s no risk. After purchasing a used DVD, wash it with soap and water, and then dry with a soft cloth before playing. Play the DVD within the specified time of the guarantee to be sure it has no flaws. Generally, used DVDs play perfectly. Be wary of used children’s DVDs, however, as kids sometimes scratch the surface through rough handling.
For more consumer information, read Eat Healthy at the Movie Theater and Six Tips for Maintaining Privacy.
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