Debt Is A Trap

Entertainment is another, lets face it, non-essential expenditure.  What is essential?  That which assists us in survival.  Now, you may have a different opinion than I, as I am aware how easily entertained I am but I have a growing family that doesn’t necessarily think a trip to the grocery store was an outing.  Since that idea failed me, I started to consider how much we averaged in entertainment expenses and how we as a family could lessen the expense yet have a good time living.

I removed the eating out issues in a previous post.  Since that isn’t factored in we discussed where we spent our money for entertainment.  We found ourselves going to the movies (pretty funny since he runs a video store), purchasing video games, renting movies and video games, and watching cable.  So we assessed each expenditure.

Going to the movies:  As we do enjoy the popcorn, we agreed to attend a movie out only once a month.  With that we also will be watching for specials and will be trying to attend during the day when prices are usually cheaper.  Monthly savings $90.00

Video Games: On occasion we will purchase a video game when it is something that is requested frequently, now we rent.  I also have learned to combat the constant request from the kids by digging through our own library and challenging them to beat a game they haven’t played often.  Monthly savings $9.00

Renting Movies:  We get deals already with Michael’s employment with Family Video, but something that is cool with the company is that their kids movies rent free, to everyone, all the time!

Cable: With some complaints and slight withdrawal symptoms, we got rid of the cable.  Monthly savings $55.00

Replacement Ideas:

I am no proponent of fast food, but I can tell you that if you have children, eating your meal at home, then scooting off to the closest place with a play area is a few hours of cheap entertainment, not to mention the energy burned off by the kids.  We will purchase a snack and drinks and watch the kids play.

Weather permitting, we will trek to a few of the local city parks.  Its fresh air, great exercise, and I like the curly slide.

I also have found some good sources of entertainment in our community theater and also by reading announcements in the local paper.  Its even cooler to go do something that supports the local community or charity.

I could go on for days on ideas, but my point is that if you are committed to making a different for your family financially, this is an easy way to trim expenses and still have a good time.  As my boys get older we are going to start up the idea jar.  Everyone has ideas.  If you put the idea in the jar (with approval) then when the time comes to go do something, you pull it out and go do it.  It adds some mystery to the plan and kids love the suprise.

One last thing I would like to mention before we move on.  The only thing I invest in on paper anymore is a book.  I no longer buy the newspapers or magazines.  Almost everything is available on the internet.  I do invest in books as we are all avid readers and it is imperative for me to continue learning.  But I do not impulse buy unless it is on clearance.  I will use amazon and other discount sources for these purchases.

This adds to my families tally of yearly savings in the amount of $1,188.00 bringing our measurable total to $11,188.00.  I’m on my way to debt free living.