Fun shouldn’t come with a financial hangover. But in 2024, the average American spent more than $3,600 on entertainment and an average of $3,200 on dining out. That’s about $565 a month just for enjoying life.
If you’re trying to get out of debt or build savings, that kind of spending can stretch your budget thin. But cutting costs doesn’t have to mean cutting joy. With a few smart changes, you can still have fun without overspending.
Let’s look at practical ways to lower your entertainment costs while keeping your quality of life intact.
Track Your Entertainment Spending
Entertainment spending often slips under the radar. Unlike rent or groceries, it doesn’t show up as a single line in your budget. It’s spread out across takeout meals, subscriptions, game downloads, concert tickets, and more.
Start by reviewing your last couple of months’ bank and credit card statements. Add up anything that falls under leisure: restaurants, streaming services, movie rentals, event tickets, and app purchases. You might be surprised how quickly it adds up.
Save Money on Going Out
Going out can be one of the most enjoyable parts of your week—and one of the most expensive. But with a little planning, you can still enjoy nights out without the financial regret.
Look for Free or Low-Cost Local Events
Many cities and towns offer free activities if you know where to look. Museums often have “free admission” days. Parks host concerts, movie nights, or seasonal events. Community centers and libraries sometimes offer workshops or performances.
Local event calendars, social media pages, and apps like Eventbrite can help you find these opportunities in your area.
Use Coupons and Deal Sites
Before you buy a ticket or book a reservation, check for discounts. Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial offer deals on everything from escape rooms to comedy shows. Some restaurants and venues also post discount codes on their own websites or social media.
If you still get a Sunday paper, don’t toss the coupons. Many include deals for local dining or entertainment.
Ask About Discounts
Don’t be shy about asking. Many restaurants, theaters, and venues offer special pricing for students, seniors, military families, or kids. Happy hours and matinee pricing can also cut your costs by 30% or more. You might need to show ID, but it’s a simple way to save if you qualify.
Make the Most of the Outdoors
Nature is one of the most affordable entertainment options around. Many outdoor activities are free, or close to it, and they can be just as enjoyable as a pricey night out.
Explore Local Parks and Trails
Whether you’re in a city or a rural area, chances are there’s a nearby park with walking paths, bike trails, or open spaces to relax. Urban parks often host free concerts, fitness classes, or farmers markets. In more rural areas, state and national parks offer hiking, fishing, and picnic spots—sometimes for just a small entrance or parking fee.
Plan Around the Seasons
Make the most of what each season offers. In the summer, head to public beaches, splash pads, or outdoor movie nights. In the fall, visit nature preserves for leaf-peeping or apple picking. In winter, many cities offer free skating rinks or sledding hills. Spring is perfect for gardens, nature walks, and outdoor art fairs.
Leave the Car Behind
If parking fees are steep, take public transportation or bike to your destination. You’ll save money—and maybe discover parts of your neighborhood you hadn’t noticed before.
Cut Back on At-Home Entertainment Costs
Streaming services, gaming subscriptions, and high-speed internet all add up, especially when you’re paying for more than you use. But you don’t have to cancel everything to cut costs.
Audit Your Subscriptions
Make a list of all the services you’re paying for: Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, game passes, and so on. Are you really using them all? Cancel anything you haven’t used in the past month or only signed up to watch one show.
Some services also let you pause your subscription instead of canceling, so you can come back later without losing your preferences.
Share Strategically
If you live with others, consider sharing subscriptions. One person pays for Netflix, another for Disney+, and everyone shares access (as long as the terms of service allow it). Just make sure to agree on how you’ll split the costs and stick to services you all actually use.
Downsize Your Internet Plan
Unless you work from home or have multiple people streaming in HD at once, you might not need the fastest internet package. Contact your provider and ask about cheaper options. A small downgrade could save you $20 to $40 a month with little impact on performance.
Use Free Music and Podcasts
You don’t need a paid subscription to enjoy good music or engaging audio content. Many popular platforms offer free versions that give you access to a huge library if you can put up with a few ads.
Stream Music for Free
Services like Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music all have free tiers. You won’t get premium features like offline listening or unlimited skips, but you’ll still have access to most of their music catalogs.
Listen to Podcasts and Internet Radio
Apps like iHeartRadio and Apple Podcasts offer thousands of shows for free—from comedy and news to storytelling and self-help. Many independent creators also stream content directly on their websites or social media pages.
With a good pair of headphones and a few favorite playlists or podcasts, you can turn any walk, commute, or chore into free entertainment.
Cook at Home Instead of Ordering Out
Ordering food is convenient—but it comes at a steep price. Here are some ways you can save while making cooking and dining in more enjoyable.
Make Mealtime an Experience
Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. Involve family members or roommates. You clan plan a menu together, try a new recipe, or turn dinner into a themed night. You could even rotate who cooks and who cleans to keep things fair and fun.
Prep Ahead for Busy Nights
If your main reason for ordering out is lack of time, try meal prepping on weekends. Cook a few big-batch meals or chop ingredients in advance. That way, putting dinner together during the week takes less time than waiting for delivery.
Enjoy Healthier and Cheaper Eats
Home-cooked meals also give you more control over ingredients, portion sizes, and nutrition. You’ll probably eat fewer processed foods and avoid the extra calories and sodium that often come with restaurant dishes.
Host Budget-Friendly Social Nights
You don’t have to go out or spend a lot to have fun with friends or family. Hosting a night in can be just as enjoyable and far less expensive.
Plan a Game or Movie Night
Break out the board games, stream a movie, or set up a trivia contest. If you already own a few games or have access to streaming platforms, there’s no extra cost. Rotate hosts to keep things fresh and share the responsibility.
Make It a Potluck
Ask guests to bring a drink, dish, or snack. That way, the cost (and effort) doesn’t fall on one person. You’ll spend less, try more variety, and create a relaxed, communal vibe.
Keep It Simple
The focus should be on spending time together, not putting on a big production. A casual get-together with homemade popcorn and a deck of cards can be just as memorable as a night out—without the price tag.
The Bottom Line
Entertainment doesn’t have to break your budget. With a little planning, you can cut costs without cutting joy. The key is to stay mindful about where your money goes and choose the things that bring you the most value. A few smart swaps today can help you build a more flexible, less stressful financial future.
