How to Have Family Fun on a Budget

With the current economy and gas prices hitting record highs, many folks are cutting corners in all areas of their spending. One of the first things to go is entertainment. Let's face it: when you have to decide between going to a movie and paying your electric bill, the choice is pretty obvious. Bills must be paid, and fun goes by the wayside. But you need to include some R&R in your hectic, stressful life. Having fun together is imperative for your marriage, and essential for your family. Here are some ideas to help you find ways to enjoy leisure activities while maintaining your budget.

Start by looking at your budget. If you do not have your family's monthly budget down on paper, begin by doing so. You can find a free software program here to help you build a budget. See if there are areas of your current budget that are flexible, and decide on a monthly entertainment budget that fits.

Watch a movie. If you enjoy taking in a show, hit a matinee. Tickets to earlier movie times are often much less expensive than evening shows. And forego the exorbitant munchies! If you are lucky enough to still have a drive-in theater in your area, find out their specials. Some have two-for-one nights (usually a weeknight, which works better in the summer when school is out). Others have monthly specials where it is one price for a whole carload of people. You can find a list of drive-ins here.

If your idea of fun is snuggling on the couch with your sweetie or kiddos and taking in a flick on DVD, consider a monthly subscription such as Netflix or Blockbuster.com. These subscriptions allow you to rent a number of movies each month for a low flat rate. Bonus: the movies come right to your mailbox, so you will even save on gas!

Check into memberships. If your youngsters love the zoo, or you are a big fan of museums, an annual membership can get you free admission on a monthly basis. Don't just think about the art museums in your area (although they really can be extremely entertaining)! Look into children's museums, local history museums, automobile museums or whatever is available in your area. This could be a great gift from Grandma and Grandpa, as well!

Love a good game? Cheer on your local minor league, college or high school sports teams. Games are often free or cost a minimal entry fee. If you are lucky enough to live in a city that hosts spring training for a professional sports team, take advantage of a "real game" at a fraction of the cost!

Participate in local festivals, farmers' markets and swap meets. Many locales host food festivals, ethnic festivals, or holiday festivals on a monthly basis. Farmers' markets and swap meets frequently offer free entertainment and cheap snacks, as well as affordable goods for sale.

If your local newspaper has a website, check out their online activity calendar. Scope out your church's bulletin board. Read your child's school newsletter. Chances are there are tons of free or cheap fun times to be had all around you. Now go have a ball!