Spending and socializing are pretty synonymous in our culture. The entertainment budget category for most households is just under the three big ticket items: housing, food, and transportation. Eating out at nice restaurants, drinks at swanky bars, movies at the theater, concerts, amusement parks, and the mother of all entertainment… vacations! These experiences are a blast with friends. But they are hell on your budget. When getting control of your finances, this entertainment category can be one of the biggest hurdles. But you don’t have to be a hermit to go down the path towards financial independence! With some creativity and shifting of your mindset you, too, can socialize like a bad ass on a budget!
Everyone socializes in different ways. A single twenty-something will have a drastically different entertainment spending pattern than a married forty-something with three kids or a sixty-something with a boyfriend, two dogs and a grandchild. The first step in taking control of your entertainment budget is to understand where it’s going now.
Similar to the financial independence exercise of going through one year’s worth of expenses and categorizing, you’ll want to lay out what and where you’ve been spending your entertainment budget. From there, you can also step back and understand how you like to be social. Some people join athletic groups and teams and play competitive sports on weekends for fun. Others enjoy pampering and spa days. And still others might want to share a concert with friends, or join another family at an amusement park with their kids.
The point of this thought exercise is to understand how you like to be social. With other families? Or your girlfriends? You’ll likely have a few categories that come up. Or, perhaps, you notice a lack of social activities.
That’s okay too.
It’s something I went through when looking at my life after years of the corporate grind that left me hyperfocused on career growth and stagnate in other areas, like health and friends.
But fret not!
From here, you can adjust and think objectively about how you want to spend your social time. There may be an opportunity to combine other goals – like better health, discovering the arts, or learning a new skill.
Exercise with Friends
This is something that would have scared me a couple of years ago. The idea of my friends seeing me unfit, sweaty and dying was not my idea of a good time, thank you very much. Exercising with friends, for me, began in the most unexpected way.
Years ago when I was in corporate but getting educated in real estate as part of my exit strategy, I joined a real estate investment group and an apartment management group to develop knowledge in real estate investment and property management. I took classes whenever I could squeeze them into my work schedule, and met a few acquaintances along the way.
A couple of months after I left corporate, I was able to take more classes due to a free schedule, and get to know these acquaintances better. I was also getting out into nature and hiking more often – posting pictures on social media of my excursions to lovely state parks. This caught the attention of one of my real estate buddies, and she asked me if I wanted to join a hiking group.
I said yes. And was immediately concerned.
What if I was too slow? Couldn’t keep up? I’d never really hiked with other people… or did any physical exercise with other people.
I marked it on my calendar, and that Saturday, woke up before the sun and drove to a park I had never heard of.
The park was absolutely gorgeous. The people were friendly and great company. And I never fell behind. This became a Saturday ritual with the group. And became a catalyst for more athletic endeavors and more friendships built around fitness.
Our hiking group organizer is a 70+ year old woman who has done at least one Ironman and several marathons. She has fitness goals. And when I expressed interest in doing a triathlon, her support and guidance was amazing and, frankly, what spurred me on to train for a triathlon.
The training spurred the morning walks with my mom into walk/runs, where she’d walk and cheer me on as I clawed my way through the “Couch to 5K” program. I joined a road bike group to get more comfortable with riding… and while the COVID-19 stalled that, I’m excited to get back with the group once some normalcy returns. I joined my local YMCA, which has a great lap pool. Discovered yoga and body flow classes that I enjoy after a swim, and have gotten to know some of the ladies there.
And, coincidentally, I discovered another real estate buddy of mine who also used to do triathlons, and she has invited me out to a local lake for open water swimming. So far I’ve only done this a few times, but it’s a huge challenge and a lot of fun.
In the future, I hope to get back into the swing of things with the road bike group, and may even join a running group.
Now, about a year after joining that hiking group, my social circle has grown. And fundamentally improved. I enjoy these ladies and their positive attitude. We motivate each other, and support each other’s’ goals. As a bonus, a few also are in the real estate industry, so we can talk shop and support each other in that way as well.
Making friends around fitness is a great way to build and stick with healthy habits. Want to give it a try? If you’re not that athletic, start small and find a walking group. Ask friends and neighbors if they want to join you on a morning or afternoon walk. Go visit some local or state parks on your own to build some confidence… then invite a friend or two next Saturday morning. Bring some coffee in a thermos and homemade muffins, find a park bench after the hike and make a long morning of it. Perhaps you’re a bit more athletic, but used to exercising on your own. See if there’s a group activity you can enjoy. Ask a buddy to sign up with you. You’ll all have fun, meet new people and stay in shape. Win, win.
Discover Free Activities in Town
Before I started throttling back my budget – entertainment budget included – I had no idea there were free activities in my city.
Seriously. No idea.
Cutting out consumerism opened up a world of personal and social entertainment that were, frankly, more enjoyable than heavy food and drink out at the newest, fanciest restaurants. Many of these were individual pursuits, like reading and painting, but I also stumbled onto some activities that are great for groups.
Back in my corporate days, I tried to carve out less than an hour to search online for free activities to do over the weekend. I found a couple of local newspapers – one a major newspaper and one a bit more underground – that gave me plenty of options. Lucky for me, they both had online calendars that were easy to search by category, and one even had a “free” filter.
Fantastic.
Here are some examples of free events I found. These are just a few examples; explore what your area has to offer:
Museum Days – There are three major museums in my area. Each of these museums had a set of free days. Two of the three have free days every Thursday from 3-9pm. The other museum has a free day every Tuesday from 4-9pm, as well as the last Sunday of the month. As all three are sizable museums with different focuses and revolving installations, I could visit one every other week and never get bored. This was a great place to meet a date after work before dinner, or meet up with friends – especially friends with kids! One of the museums in particular had some more kid-friendly areas, so every month I would meet a couple of young moms; we’d walk through a bit of the museum and when their kids got restless, we’d take them to the “interactive learning” area to wear them out. I also met a couple of art-lover friends at the museum to walk around and catch up. If they wanted to grab dinner after the museum – an expenditure I wanted to avoid – I’d just say I had a late lunch, or already had dinner at home. Perhaps a tea or coffee instead before we all headed home? It was never a big deal and, frankly, a lot more fun than a local restaurant or bar.
Plays in the Park – A few times a year, a travelling theater group will make its way to my city and offer free plays at a local park. These typically happen on a Friday or Saturday evening. Everyone brings their own seating or picnic blanket. There are, of course, many food truck vendors that take advantage of this, and many patrons are happy to indulge. And since this is a free event, it’s always pretty crowded, so parking can be a nightmare. But, if you plan it right, it can be fun and frugal. I did this once on a Friday night. Since the play started on Friday at 7:30pm, I actually planned and prepared Friday’s picnic dinner on Thursday. I made a cold quinoa salad to share, a few lentil veggie wraps (using cabbage leaves to wrap, they last longer and don’t get soggy), a couple of apples, and some grapes. Bonus, I brewed some raspberry hibiscus tea and let it cool in the fridge overnight, then filled up two travel mugs with cold tea. All of this, and a couple large bottles of water and a picnic blanket, fit into my backpack perfectly. I brought those and a couple folding chairs previously used for camping with me to work Friday morning, and stored my backpack items in the company fridge until I was ready to leave in the evening. I left work Friday promptly at 5pm, picked up my date and went straight to the park – we got there over an hour before the play started. Which was a good thing, because I was going to park about a mile away from the park. Why? Because parking a mile away cost nothing, but parking in the city where this park was located ranged from $10-25. And in late autumn in Central Texas, a mile walk in the evening is not the end of the world. I took the backpack, he took the chairs, and we got to the park in less than 20 minutes. Found a spot, set up camp, and enjoyed some homemade food and outdoor entertainment.
Festivals – I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of festivals. Not most festivals, at least. I need to be in the mood for the huge crowds. But if the festival centers around good music, I can be swayed. The key with free festivals is to go in with a game plan. Just because the festival is free doesn’t mean you won’t drop over $100 that day if you’re not careful. You typically can’t bring much into a festival. Some won’t even allow water bottles. I do a bit of research about the festival before attending so I can avoid unnecessary costs and still have a good time. Parking, drinks, and food must be researched in advance. If you can park farther away and walk or take public transportation to the location, you’ll save yourself some money and parking headaches. In my experience, festivals won’t let you bring in outside drinks, but don’t care about food. So I bring an empty water bottle, some resealable bags with homemade trail mix, some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and maybe some fruit, too. After entry, the first mission is to find the water fountain and restrooms (for future reference), then explore the area. If you want to indulge and purchase some things, have at it. But being prepared not to pay for parking, drinks or food during your time at the festival helps you save some cash and relax, enjoying the music and the people.
Music Events – It’s not the most common thing, but sometimes venues will have free admission for musicians. These are usually small venues and local bands. But how will they make their money, you ask? Easy. Drinks and merchandise. And, as long as you know this going in, you can choose to either entirely abstain, or selectively choose how you want to spend your money. Personally, if I buy merchandise, I really need to like that band, and I’m only buying one item (probably a CD). But I probably won’t spend my money there. If they’re local, they’ll have music available for me for free online 🙂
I’ll choose the drinks. And there are two important tips to saving money on drinks at bars: don’t overdo the drinks, and stick to one drink. Decide in advance how many drinks you’ll have (I typically max 3 at night). This prevents costly mistakes like buying a round of shots for “new friends,” late night meals out, and overbuying merch from the local band you just met. Beer is usually your cheapest bet, but I’m not a fan of beer most nights. Ask the bartender what the best wells are, and decide your drink from there. I usually ask which is better, the well rum or vodka. Based on that, I’m sticking with rum and coke or vodka and tonic.
Dinner Parties & Game Nights
I was nervous about hosting my first dinner party. When I started declining happy hour invites, I wanted to find another way to enjoy time with friends. So I decided to invite them over for dinner.
This is not something I had ever done before. My family wasn’t the “dinner party” crowd, really. Perhaps a chill BBQ crowd, or nice dinner for friends staying in town with us for a few nights, but I don’t recall us hosting people at home.
And I had no idea how to do it. As such, I tried way too hard for my first dinner party.
I developed a fancy menu with expensive grocery items. Bought several bottles of different wine. And got lots of fresh flowers and scented candles to make my apartment feel fancy. That Saturday I slaved in the kitchen from late morning until mid afternoon preparing the appetizers, dessert, and dinner. I managed a (way too thorough) cleaning of the apartment in between the cooking.
Once the first set of guests arrived, I cracked open the wine and brought out appetizers. We chose some music, made small talk as some other couples came in, and once the wine hit and the dinner was served, I relaxed and enjoyed the night. Between dinner and dessert, we busted out a board game. And, if memory serves, played another game after dinner. Company stayed later than we all expected – that’s what happens when you’re having a good time. As everyone started heading out, we were already talking about the next get together.
It was a great success.
Since then, my menu has become much more simplified. And frugal. I still focus on a good cleaning of the house. But my dinners are simple. Just well made with cheap ingredients. Desserts are also homemade (and frankly, my favorite). Honestly, I rarely serve alcohol anymore. We have a small home bar, and some wine hanging around the house for those that want it. I’ll usually ask guests to bring beverages so that’s sorted. Instead I invest in good board games that pay for themselves tenfold in good times.
I try to have a dinner party and board game gathering about once a month. Usually with different people depending on who’s available. Not too many – maybe two or three other couples. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend an early Sunday afternoon.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Vacations. The pinnacle of entertainment. And escape.
Not by coincidence, one of the most expensive “entertainment” expenses most people have. For most, vacations involve plane tickets, rental cars, hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, amusement parks, planned activities… all with associated costs that easily add up to the thousands. For some, tens of thousands. So when it comes to cutting an entertainment budget, it’s important to look at all expenses.
Converting day-to-day expense items from more expensive options (movies and dinner out) to less expensive options (dinner parties and free events) is absolutely important. But so are those annual, vacation expenses.
Vacations are looked forward to all year long. They can be a blast. And, frankly, a depressing budget item to cut.
My suggestion – a shift in mindset about what “vacation” means. You can keep the fun and drastically reduce the expenses, just by embracing the great outdoors and giving a good old-fashioned pastime a try.
Camping.
That’s right, my friends. By keeping your excursions a bit more local and letting go of all those fancy amenities, you can reap all of the relaxing and fun benefits of a vacation without racking up the costs. That said, you still want to approach camping with a frugal mindset. Camping can get out of hand financially as well. So some planning will keep you and yours sane and on track.
First, find the destination. There are so many local, state, and national parks to enjoy. Personally, I find that my state park pass is invaluable, and pays for itself several times over every year. I’m fortunate to have absolutely tons of state parks to choose from in Texas, ranging from beach, desert, dry bush, lakes and pine woods, depending on how far I’m willing to drive. Most state parks have campsites. And very knowledgeable staff and helpful online sites and portals. I usually try to visit parks for a day before deciding to camp there, just so I get an idea of activities they offer. These can be great weekend excursions. If there’s a park I’m considering for a multi-day stay, I’ll ask the staff what campsites they recommend. Most are happy to get to know you and what you’re looking for, and offer the best site they have.
Park passes typically give a discount on camping fees, and booking for an entire week can give you some savings as well. Personally, I find most state park restrooms are very clean, and have no problem showering there. My partner and I typically go for a site that isn’t too far from a public restroom with a shower, but set deep enough to feel somewhat private.
Knocking out airfare and hotel expenses will really kick that vacation budget’s ass. But things can still go south. Camping gear is not typically cheap, and most have a tendency to over-purchase and overpack.
Knowing what you’ll do for entertainment at a park is key. We typically go for places near water – lakes preferably. So our time at a state park will be spent hiking the trails, swimming in the lake, tubing at the lake, sunbathing in the mornings, taking naps, reading, playing games at the campsite, making campfire breakfasts and dinners, and drinking. We have a kayak, so we bring that and each take turns if we decide it’s worth tying it on the car.
Just like scoping out parks, take the time to research outdoor activities. Research outdoor activities just as you would research things to do at a vacation destination. I find preparing for a vacation is also enjoyable. Sure, it’s not the same as being on a vacation, but there’s something to be said for the anticipation. Then plan activities accordingly.
Once you have the activities planned, you can back into what you’ll need for gear and food.
When I first tried camping, my tendency when roaming the outdoor stores was to buy everything.
Don’t do that.
Do an online search for “minimalist camping list” or “simple camping list” and modify for yourself. A simple tent with a rain guard. We don’t use a sleeping bag – we live in Central Texas. Instead, I splurge on an inflatable air mattress, bring pillows and a couple of blankets. One lighter and one heavier. Basic toiletries. And basic clothing for hiking, swimming, and maybe some “presentable” outfits in case I want to go out to eat a couple of nights. Lots of sunscreen and insect repellent. We have camping plates, cups and cutlery. A pan, pot and coffee pot. Fire starters, first aid kit, knives for whittling, firewood prep, etc. Inflatable tubes, pump, beach towels, swimsuits and inflatable buoys for swimming. A deck of cards, dominos, and any other games that are durable enough for the outdoors, potential wind and rain.
And food.
Another item where planning is your friend. Plan absolutely every meal. We typically make breakfasts and dinners over the campfire. And expect lunch to be portable, without the need for fire or heating. Prepping as much as possible in advance makes all the difference in cooking and packing. For instance, one favorite is breakfast sandwiches with coffee in the morning. That and oatmeal. For breakfast sandwiches, I make several at home and freeze them individually, wrapped in aluminium foil. And for the oatmeal, I will section out containers with pre-measured dried oats, dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar, and spices. For dinners, I’ll pre-cut vegetables and meats, put in sealed containers, label and freeze. So when it’s time to pack for the campsite, items go from the freezer to the cooler. Dried items go in a large, sealed tote bag (those oatmeal packs, a couple bags of bread, peanut butter and jelly for lunch sandwiches, and fruit).
Sure, you may forget some items. A grocery store is just a hop in the car away. And you may want to splurge and have dinner out. You deserve it with all that money you’re saving.
Or maybe a dinner out won’t be nearly as appealing as getting everyone around the campfire and enjoying dinner under the stars.
Try this out just with your family at first. Then consider inviting friends on your vacation. Perhaps they can join you at a closeby campsite for a few days. You may run into other families enjoying the outdoors. Perhaps you decide to split your time between a couple of parks during your week off. Regardless, enjoy time with your family without the hassle of airports and hotel room lobbies.
And enjoy the extra thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars, in your bank account. You earned it 🙂