Comments on: Trimming the Average Budget: Entertaiment

By: Shevy

Shevy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:02:44 +0000

Reading does not fall under the category of entertainment for the purposes of the chart we’re discussing (compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics data). Books, papers and magazines have their own line item.

Entertainment covers fees & admissions, TV/radio & sound equipment, pets/toys/hobbies & playground equipment and other equipment & services (ranging from hunting and fishing gear to boats or boat trailers to photography equipment, including developing pictures).

While I find Dog to be highly entertaining (he “catches” a tossed football in between his front paws and throws it right back by butting his head into the ball as he holds it) I find paying vet bills far less so, although they fall under this category. I buy him high-quality food (nothing on the list is a byproduct or “meal” i.e. ground up bits that would normally be considered garbage) and I go to an alternative vet who takes blood titres so as not to vaccinate unnecessarily, gives homeopathic meds, etc. But I save money by bathing and grooming him myself (Dog is a poodle with hair that grows and must be cut). The last time I paid to have him groomed (a couple of years ago) it was $53 and it should be done every 6 to 8 weeks.

For fees & admissions to things like zoos, science museums, planetarium, etc. look at memberships. Usually, if you go even twice a year a membership has already saved you some money. Kids love to go every 2 to 3 months and you can with a membership. It’s also a great suggestion for grandma & grandpa to give as a present if the cost is still too steep for you. And it’s clutter free!

By: Claudia

Claudia — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:42:06 +0000

If painting is your new hobby, I would suggest purchasing at least one good brush to start with, decent paints -not the cheapest or most expensive and with water colors good paper. You will get better results and not be as frustrated. I agree with Trent you can always add high end as you progress. But student colors, cheap brushes and cheap paper are not good choices.

By: Steffie

Steffie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:21:55 +0000

For safety’s sake if you are going the ‘used/secondhand’ route with equipment please make sure that it hasn’t shown up on a recall list etc. Read up on the hobby and the equipment first to get knowledge of brands and customer satisfaction etc. It would suck to have your mountain climbing equipment fail because of poor quality!

By: deRuiter

deRuiter — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:14:38 +0000

Some hobbies can actually generate income. Know a lot about horses? The local stable is generally looking for people to hire to teach beginners on leadline. Like dogs? Do some dog walking for money and you don’t need to be tied down with your own dog, ditto pet sitting. I’m not talking about a commercial enterprise here, just doing these things for people in one’s circle. Into gardening? An amazing number of people will buy your excess produce. Skilled at furniture repair? Fix others’ antiques for money.

By: Jules

Jules — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:01:19 +0000

We go see movies in the theater. It’s expensive, but we pick the films we want to see only after extensive discussions, and we buy popcorn in the theater, too.

It sounds really expensive, and it is. But movies are a rare treat for us (maybe twice a year)–we have to go when our schedules permit, and when there’s a movie worth seeing–and it’s always a ton of fun for us.

By: David/Yourfinances101

David/Yourfinances101 — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:29:10 +0000

The part I like the most is the “maintain what you have” part.

In other words, take care of your stuff! Its beyond me that some people I see try to live so frugally, but treat their possessions like crap.

Knowing preventative maintenance tips on all your possessions is a key to a long shelf life.

Great series, by the way

By: Kristen@TheFrugalGirl

Kristen@TheFrugalGirl — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:20:24 +0000

I would be surprised if Trent doesn’t read his comments. 20-50 isn’t really that many to get through. I can totally understand how blogs authors that get 600 comments on every post, like on Pioneer Woman don’t read every comment, but the comments here aren’t usually that overwhelming.

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:43:42 +0000

@MichelleO – maybe, but I think enough people have brought it up that it’s worth 5 seconds of his time to correct us one way or the other.

By: MichelleO

MichelleO — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:54:43 +0000

Perhaps Trent is specifically soliciting for suggestions regarding shelter costs and that’s why he hasn’t changed his request at the bottom of the articles. We are only assuming that his requests are related to the article that immediately precede them, and are, therefore, in error.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:08:28 +0000

I’ve been convinced Trent doesn’t read the comments since the brown paper wrapping day when so many people asked where he got the stupid paper.

I seem to recall, reading is not in the entertainment category since it is in it’s own category. It’s certainly my main entertainment expense. Well, time wise anyway.

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:36:38 +0000

I like the last tip (“If you’re a frequent consumer, look to renting”). I subscribe to Netflix, and the monthly cost for 10-15 rentals is about the same as the price of one new DVD (maybe 2 or 3 on sale).

By: kristine

kristine — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:25:32 +0000

Criminy! At least spell check the headline! I’m no stickler, but jeeez! Something must be going on with the author- no change in that shelter cost thing, seems like comments are unread, no spell checks…

Are hobbies included in this? Some hobby expenses can actually save money in the long haul- cooking for fun, sewing, writing…

Also- I recommend the lost art of letter writing. A leisurely written letter is reflective and warming, and receiving a real letter is even better!

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:24:57 +0000

I have to think he’s leaving the typo there on purpose now. Or he’s on vacation and the posts are on auto-pilot. What are the odds Trent does/doesn’t address the typo? :)

By: Kay

Kay — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:03:01 +0000

My husband and I like to go to performances (theatre, ballet, symphony, etc.) and have always found ways to do it cheaply or for free. As students, we could get awesome deals on great seats. Now, we can still get rush tickets (an hour or two before the performance) for a substantial discount. Our favorite option is ushering. We would arrive about an hour before the show, help show customers to their seats, and then watch the show for free. We were able to see amazing shows this way plus meet all kinds of fascinating people. Granted, most of the people doing this were retirees, but we were not and we loved it.

By: lurker carl

lurker carl — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:58:38 +0000

That typo, often mentioned yet left uncorrected for many postings, leads me to believe someone is not reading comments.

By: chacha1

chacha1 — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:44:56 +0000

LOL, Noadi, I wouldn’t be surprised. People make such a big damn deal about it.

My favorite tip here, because it’s one that not everyone would include, is “join a club.” There are clubs for EVERYTHING, and these days, they generally include at least one person tech-savvy enough to put up a rudimentary web site so you can check on what they’re doing.

Libraries are often a good place to find information on community clubs, and retailers of hobby gear can also often refer you.

By: Patty

Patty — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:40:45 +0000

“If you’re a frequent consumer, look to renting.”
This tip works for high turn over items like books or media but one should take caution with renting larger scale hobby items. Sure if its a rare game of golf then rent the clubs but if you are going to play regularly then it might be good to invest in a solid used set. Same goes with scuba equipment among other things. Another hobby item I can think of goes both ways though. My husband bought an expensive camera and basic supplies for this hobby but if he’s going to photograph an occasional wedding or graduation he’ll rent a special lens for the occasion.

By: Noadi

Noadi — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:33:13 +0000

I’m starting to wonder if Trent’s leaving that typo there to drive us crazy after the first couple times.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:42:09 +0000

What exactly is “So what universal tips can be offered to reduce entertainment spending and actually be useful?” supposed to mean?

By: KC

KC — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:34:36 +0000

Is reading entertainment? It is for me – at least an hour a day. I look for books I want to read at the public library. I even look around in neighboring counties that have good library systems. Hopefully you can get a free card from neighboring systems – or at least a cheap card.

If I can’t get the book I want from the library I get it new from amazon or used from some source – just depends which is cheaper including shipping. I always order $25 worth from Amazon to qualify for free shipping – so I might have to order 2 books I want.

Then I resell the book on half.com. Usually I make at least 50% of the purchase price back. This keeps costs down and keeps clutter down – I rarely keep the books I read.