Five Ways to Save on Entertainment

1. Develop Cheap Hobbies
Some of my hobbies are expensive. I'm a skiier, a golfer, and an opera fan. None of these is particularly frugal. However, some of my favorite hobbies are free or cheap: reading, writing, walking, and watching seasons of old TV shows on DVD. Take the time to develop a free habit of your own. I am a huge advocate of developing a daily reading habit. Reading, of all types, expands the mind and enriches the soul. And given the abundance of free books to be had at the local library and online (www.gutenberg.com is a great place to start), all of that knowledge can be yours for free.

2. Utilize Free Days/Hours
Many museums and attractions have special hours or days on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis when they open their doors to the public for free. And, some of the greatest museums in the world are free every day. I could spend months lost in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. or the British Museum in London, and it wouldn't cost me a dime. Here in Chicago, I often make the short walk to the Art Institute from my office to take advantage of free admission on Thursday evenings. Call the attraction or check its website - many of them offer free admission.

3. Ask About Discounts
In my old hometown, baseball games were a favored way to spend a summer evening. On Monday evenings, hot dogs, beers, and tickets were $1 each. My friends and I were always there - for $5 we could get a bleacher seat, a hot dog, and three beers. It was an awesome evening, every time. I go to New York City to wander lovingly around Times Square and check out the new shows on Broadway. Seats run up to $180 a ticket, but those seats can often be had for $20. Many shows sells $20 tickets either to those willing to get up early and stand in line or through a raffle. Some discounts are limited to students, but many are available to all and sundry.

4. Volunteer
I'm a theater nut. If I don't see two or three new shows each week, I'm not happy. This gets to be a VERY expensive habit. In exchange for acting as an usher, most of the theaters in my town will allow a volunteer to see the show. I do this often and have had great experiences. The house managers are generally pleased to have a volunteer and the duties are light. And as an added bonus, most of the time I end up being given a great seat that is better than the cheaper seat I would have bought myself. If you have a pricey hobby, look for ways to volunteer in the industry to offset your costs, or take it one step further and:

5. Get a Part-Time Job
A part-time job that is related to your hobby can be a great way to offset cost or even put extra money in your pocket. Being a ski insturctor has long been one of my dream jobs - free passes, and excuse to spend all of my time on the slopes, and the joy of passing on something I love to others. In college, I worked part-time at an arena that hosted concerts and basketball games. It was great because I got to pick my own hours, hear the concerts for free, and gave me some great stories (remind me to you about that time I played basketball with Britney Spears). Working at a store dedicated to your hobby or at a venue for it can be a great way to earn a little extra money, defray your costs, and work in a field about which you are passionate.