Cinema Savers: Tips for Saving Money on Movies
Posted By :Elena Difiore
Posted At : Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011
For all you movie maniacs out there, this week’s Mid-Week Update on Unlock Your Wealth Radio is all about saving on cinema. Times are tough and it doesn’t help that theater prices are constantly on the rise. No need to worry, the Unlock Your Wealth staff is here to help! The next time you get a cinematic craving, consult the following tips and tricks to save as much money as possible on your movie-going experience.
Stay In
The best way to save the most money is to opt for an at-home movie night. There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to renting movies. A popular option is Netflix. We recommend this option if you have a Nintendo Wii gaming system, a blu-ray player with Netflix streaming capabilities, or a high quality adapter cable to connect your computer to your TV. With Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” option, you can choose from hundreds (if not thousands) of movies and TV shows to stream directly to your living room. If you don’t have a Netflix subscription, there are other options such as Hulu.com, which offers a variety of movies and entertainment for free. Just like with Netflix, you will need an adapter cable for your computer in order to watch the movies on your TV.
Not a fan of streaming movies online or maybe just not very “Internet-savvy?” Redbox is a great option that makes renting movies pretty much foolproof. Picture a vending machine…now replace the food with DVDs and you’ve got Redbox. For only $1, you can rent a movie for 24 hours, which is typically more than enough time to view it and return it. When you do need to return it, all you have to do is deposit the DVD case back into the machine and you’re done. Check your local grocery store or mall and you’ll most likely find a Redbox.
Skip the Snack Bar
When a night in simply won’t cut it and you’re dead set on catching a flick, save as much money as possible by planning ahead. It’s no surprise that one of the biggest wallet-drainers for moviegoers is the snack bar. Just like sports stadiums and amusement parks, movie theaters charge outrageous prices for snacks and refreshments because they can. They rely on the idea that the convenience of having a snack bar located inside the movie theater will cause customers to endure the ridiculous snack prices. With a little planning, you can avoid throwing away your money on concessions by simply eating a full meal at home before going to the theater. Also, if you know you’re going to want a snack or treat during the movie, stop by a convenience store or gas station on the way and use your purse or your pockets to sneak the snacks into the theater.
Be Flexible
On top of forgoing the snack bar, there are several other ways you can save money when going to the movie theater. First off, be flexible about the time of day you choose to go at. You may prefer to go to the movies in the evening time, but why not opt for a matinee instead? Going to a matinee instead of a primetime showing will save you a few dollars off the price of admission. If you’ve decided you’re going to splurge on an evening showing of the most recent blockbuster no matter what the cost, at least do your homework ahead of time and ask around to make sure it’s a movie that’s worth the investment.
Another way to cut down on ticket prices?–Skip the 3D showing. At first, 3D movies were rare, but now it seems that practically every film being released is starting to offer 3D versions. Tickets for 3D showings can run anywhere from $12-$15 depending on where you live and, many times, the 3D effects are just an added bonus that aren’t vital to the enjoyment of the film. Choosing to see a film in its regular form of release instead of 3D can save you several dollars off the ticket price.
There’s no denying the fact that the cost of a movie date today is nowhere near what it used to be. However, the next time you’re itching for your fill of the Silver Screen, try some of these tips out and see if they don’t help keep a few bucks in your pocket.
