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Key Takeaways
- Making lasting summer memories doesn’t have to break the bank—with a little budgeting and creativity, you can keep costs low.
- Free or low-cost activities like biking, hiking, outdoor movies, and museum discounts offer plenty of entertainment options.
- Local theater productions and and movie chain discounts offer cheap, easy ways to have fun without going far.
When summer rolls around, it’s easy to start splurging, spending money on cocktails at rooftop bars or buying flights for international travel.
A recent analysis of Bank of America credit card cardholders found that, on average, they spent $150 a month on entertainment.
But having fun this summer doesn’t need to come at the detriment of your wallet.
“It’s not about spending big money. It’s about creating moments,” said Taylor Kovar, a certified financial planner and founder of 11 Financial. “We’ve done backyard movie nights with a sheet and a cheap projector, invited friends over for a taco bar, and hit up free museum days while traveling. If you’re willing to be a little creative and flexible, summer can still feel full without draining your bank account.”
If you want to save this summer while still enjoying time with your friends and family, here are five ways to reduce your summer entertainment costs.
1. Draft an Entertainment Budget
To keep a handle on entertainment costs, you’ll want to create an entertainment budget and track your current spending. It’s important to be flexible when figuring out your budget.
“You may need to modify both goals and budget—maybe the vacation is delayed a year, becomes a few shorter, closer-to-home trips, or the hoped-for hiking trip in the Alps is to Colorado instead,” said Austin Kilgore, analyst with the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights,
2. Find New Biking and Walking Trails
Visit a new place or a place you know well, and get there on foot or by bike.
“You may be surprised how different things are when visiting by bike or on foot instead of by car. Maybe you can hike in a park nearby, take a self-guided historic walking tour in your area, or bicycle to a different locale,” Kilgore said.
Looking for a hiking trail near you or a vacation spot you are visiting? Check out AllTrails. This website allows you to search for trails by city, park, or trail name, and provides photos, reviews, and trail conditions. You can also download the app.
Plus, if you’re into city walking, the GPSmyCity app provides walking tours in more than 1,000 cities.
3. Have Movie Nights On A Budget
A movie at home with friends is a fun, cheap way for everyone to spend the evening. Some local libraries will offer free subscriptions to certain streaming services, too.
And if you want to head to a theater and not spend a fortune, some theater chains—like AMC and Regal—offer value days each week where tickets are heavily discounted. Additionally, in a city like New York, there may be weekly movie screenings during the summer, which are free to attend.
4. Take Advantage of Special Deals At Local Museums
While many local museums in the United States are not free, some do offer discounts for seniors and children. Even if you don’t qualify for a special discount, there are many museums that offer free entrance—just make sure to do some online research beforehand.
For example, in Washington, D.C., all the Smithsonian museums are free to attend. In Los Angeles, California, more than 20 museums offer free admission. And in Cleveland, Ohio, general admission to the Cleveland Museum of Art is free.
5. Check Out Local Theater Productions
You don’t have to go far for good, live entertainment.
“Look into community theater and performances at local schools or faith-based organizations. They can cost a fraction of what a major production does, yet be fun, easy to get to, and present surprisingly high-quality talent,” Kilgore said.
If you happen to live in New York City, you’ll have your pick of free live entertainment.
“In New York City, you can take advantage of the countless free and low-cost cultural offerings, such as free Shakespeare in the Park, rooftop movies at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the various free concerts in Central Park,” said Liam Hunt, director of research at IncomeInsider.org. “Every major city has a ‘free events’ section on their website, and I always encourage locals and tourists alike to keep tabs on it.”
The Bottom Line
With a little creativity and research, you can have a memorable summer without spending a lot of money and going over budget.
To save money on entertainment, think local. What does your local museum, theater, movie theater or library have to offer? Also, don’t discount activities as simple as movie nights at home or walking and biking tours of the city you’re in.
