Cheap Thrills: Thirteen Things You Can Do to Stretch Your Entertainment Dollar

With the economy faltering and gas prices soaring, maybe you feel that as far as entertainment goes, you're stuck home watching television every night. But you don't necessarily have to spend a fortune to get out and have a little fun. Here are some suggestions to get you out of those sweatpants and out of the house:

1. Yes, you can still go to the movies, if you time it right. Most movie theaters offer discounted ticket prices if you attend afternoon matinees (usually before 6 PM) and some have special nights of the week where you can save a few bucks off of your admission. And check out theater chains that offer discount club cards - usually the deal is that you get points for every movie you attend and at a certain level you can either get free refreshments or even one free ticket.

2. If you live near New York City or Los Angeles, find out how you can attend a taping of one of your favorite TV shows. It's free, and usually all it takes is getting on a waiting list or standing on line. Have fun, see how shows are recorded, and maybe win some prizes in audience - only contests. Check out the networks' websites for more information.

3. Love football but don't want to part with the astronomical cost of a stadium seat? If you live close to a college that's got a decent football team, give them a try. You'll save a bundle - even if you take the kids. If it's a bit of a drive, consider carpooling with friends to save on gas money.

4. Bummed you can't swing a night on Broadway? See if your area has a community theater group. I've been to dozens of these productions, and some of the talent is as good as any that I've seen in New York. And you can't beat the ticket prices.

5. If you like people watching, take a friend, your significant other, or your kids and indulge in a little guilty pleasure. Spring for a couple of cups of coffee or a snack (any good eavesdropper knows that success depends on looking like you're engaged in another activity), park yourself in an area with a lot of foot traffic (like the food court at the mall, or an outdoor cafe at a popular intersection), and pick your targets. Try to guess where that person (or couple) is coming from or what they do for a living. What's in the bag that man is carrying? Does that frumpy looking woman have a secret life? As long as your targets are none the wiser (in other words, no staring or pointing), this can be endlessly amusing.

6. You have a passion for shopping but buying new clothes isn't in your budget? Then consider secondhand shops or consignment stores. Contrary to what you might have heard, the clothes are clean and most are in very good condition. And remember --somebody else's "previously owned" garments are new to you.

7. If secondhand shopping isn't your bag, organize a swap meet. Get a bunch of your friends or neighbors to come over with items that they no longer wear. It's very possible that the woman across the street had a perfect pair of jeans for you stuck in the back of her closet. If you want to make a party out of it, ask people to bring a dish for sharing as well. Afterward, donate the leftover clothing to a local shelter, or, if it's business clothing, organizations like The Women's Alliance get these outfits to people who need them for job interviews.

8. If you live near a college (especially one with a strong focus on the humanities), then you have a treasure trove of entertainment right at your fingertips. Go on their website to find public lectures, readings by well-known authors, theater, and live music, among other events.

9. Speaking of live music, many towns and small cities - especially those with the younger populations found in college towns - are peppered with venues where you can see surprisingly good local (and regional) musicians. Listen to local radio stations or pick up free newsletters at local stores to find out where you can hear these acts. And if one hits it big, you can say that you once heard them play for a five-dollar cover fee at a cafe near your house.

10. In many cities across America, a renaissance of sorts is afoot in the art world. Some offer once a month "art nights" where galleries all open up to exhibit their latest. You may not have the buckage to buy, but that doesn't mean you can't look. And many of these galleries also have live music. So you can get out of the house and get a little culture, too.

11. Organize an old-fashioned "game night" with your neighbors or your friends. Make it a potluck, pick a board game (or try a new one) and have fun. If you don't know too many of your neighbors, or have recently moved in, what a great way to acquaint yourselves.

12. Treat yourself to an elegant evening out at the local symphony or philharmonic. You don't have to live in a big city to enjoy the pleasures of live classical music. Go to your local art council or chamber of commerce's website to find out where these events are held.

13. If reading is your thing, and just passing the local bookstore gets you depressed because you can't buy that new bestseller in the window, then consider joining a book-swapping club on the web. At sites like swaptree.com, you can offer up your used books, DVDs, and videogames for trade and get equivalent ones in return. All it costs you is postage, and a book you've been dying to read could be waiting in your mailbox.