Gift Cards

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Now that America’s largest movie theater chain is going to start charging ticket prices based on where your seat is located, it’s time to think about ways you can save money at the movies.

Seriously, folks, AMC Theatres’ new pricing policy has a lot of people riled up. Just for example, actor Elijah Wood says it’ll penalize moviegoers who have lower incomes. “The movie theater is and always has been a sacred democratic space for all,” Frodo tweeted.

Still, by the end of the year at every AMC theater, seats in the front will be cheaper while the best seats in the middle will cost more.

If you ask us, it’s just another way for them to gouge you.

16 Ways to Save Money at the Movie Theater

Fortunately, we’ve got ideas for how you can save a buck or two at the movies. Check out our list of 16 ways to spend less at the theater.

1. Go to Matinees

Going to a matinee can knock up to 30% off the ticket price, but watch out for the theater’s definition of “matinee.”

Shows before 4 p.m. used to be called matinees at most theaters, but some now charge the evening price for anything that starts after 3 p.m.

2. Go to Pre-Matinees

Some theaters offer an even better deal for really early movies — “pre-matinees.”

These typically apply to movies starting before noon.

3. Go on Tuesday!

America’s three largest movie theater chains all have the same discount day — Tuesday. You also have to join their customer loyalty club to get the Tuesday discount, but that’s usually free.

AMC: The biggest chain in the U.S. has Discount Tuesdays if you’re a member of its loyalty club, which is called AMC Stubs. You can join for free, although there’s also a premium option you can pay for if you want. As for Discount Tuesdays, the ticket price varies by location.

Regal Cinemas: These theaters have Regal Value Days on Tuesdays, when Regal Crown Club members get discounted movie ticket prices and 50% off popcorn. The club is free to join. A look at this theater-by-theater list shows that most Regal theaters charge either $5 or $5.95 for movie tickets on Tuesdays.

Cinemark: This theater chain has Discount Tuesdays if you’re a Cinemark Movie Rewards member. There’s a free option or a $10-per-month option that gets you more perks. Again, the ticket price on Tuesdays varies by location.

4. Buy at Your Warehouse Club — In Person or Online

Seriously, you should make full use of those warehouse club memberships! If you shop at Sam’s Club or Costco, ask about theater tickets at the customer service desk. They often have them at a discount.

Costco also sells theater tickets online at a discount, and so does Sam’s Club.

5. Try Groupon

It’s kind of a crapshoot, obviously. But you can always hop on Groupon to see what kind of movie ticket deals are going on there. We see deals for AMC, Regal and Cinemark theaters there, off and on.

The website LivingSocial is another option to check here.

6. Eat Before You Go

These days, lots of movie theaters go well beyond popcorn, Sno-Caps and Raisinets. If you’re hungry, you’ll be super tempted by the hot dogs, nachos, cheese fries, chicken tenders, pizza…

And they’re all way overpriced, of course.

You’d be better off eating in a restaurant beforehand.

Save even more money by eating at home before you go.

7. Share the Snacks

Theaters don’t want you to bring your own food.

But we haven’t seen them stop parents who bring their own paper bags to divvy up a large bucket of popcorn between the kids.

It’s much cheaper than buying a small bag of popcorn for each person. Share other snacks to save money.

8. Get Special Discounts

You might qualify for special discounts — and you could save up to 35%. Here are some examples:

9. Buy Discount Movie Gift Cards

There are a number of places where you can buy discounted theater gift cards online. For example, you can buy AMC gift cards on online marketplaces like Raise for discounts of up to 25%.

Use them for matinees, and your total cost might be less than half of what an evening ticket costs.

10. Go to Discount Theaters

These are also called late-run movie theaters. You’ll see the same movie, so why not wait a couple of months and catch it for less?

Just search “discount theater” plus the name of your city to locate cheap movies.

11. Join the Club

Most theaters have a club or loyalty program you can join to save money. Here are some examples:

AMC

The largest theater chain’s loyalty club, AMC Stubs, has three tiers.

  • Insider is free and gets you perks like Discount Tuesdays, which is probably the main attraction here. You also earn $5 back for every $50 you spend.
  • Premiere seems pricy to us. It costs $15 per month and lets you reserve theater tickets online for free. You can also upsize your popcorn and fountain drinks. Doesn’t sound like a great deal.
  • A-List lets you see three movies a week for $20 a month. That’s a lot of movies.

Regal Cinemas

The Regal Crown Club is free to join and gets you access to Regal Value Days on Tuesdays, where you get discounted ticket prices and 50% off popcorn.

Cinemark

Cinemark has Movie Fan, which is free, and Movie Club, which costs $10 a month and gets you one movie a month and 20% off concessions.

12. Go to a Drive-In Theater

Check DriveInMovie.com or DriveInTheater.com to see if one of the few remaining drive-in theaters is near you.

Call or check online to see if they have discount days or a price-per-car night when you can bring the whole family or split the cost with friends. And check out our tips for maximizing the fun.

13. Go to Advance Screenings for Free

Movie companies sometimes offer free tickets to the public for advance screenings. If you get one, go early — movie screenings often get overbooked.

Here are a few places you can check to see if anything is available near you:

See The Penny Hoarder’s post on ways to get free tickets to advance movie screenings for more tips on how to snag these freebies.

14. Buy in Bulk for a Discount

At BulkTix.com, save up to $5 per ticket for some theaters if you buy more than four at a time. At Costco, you get a discount when buying 10-packs of tickets at the store.

15. Go to Late Shows

Some theaters offer cheap tickets for late-night shows — sometimes at matinee prices.

Showings typically start around midnight. If you’re a night owl, this can be a great way to avoid the crowds and save a few bucks.

16. Sit in the Front Row at AMC Theatres

If you’re OK with sitting in the front row, you’re in luck! It’s not really most moviegoers’ favorite spot, though.

By the end of the year at all of AMC’s movie theaters, here’s how the tickets will be priced:

The most desirable seats in the middle of the theater will be priced at a “slight premium” compared with the regular theater seats, which will remain the most common choice, AMC says. Those regular seats will continue to cost the current price. Seats in the front row are “value seating” and will cost less than the typical seat.

It’s up to you, but you might want to avoid neck strain and stick with the regular seating. You can always save a few bucks by not buying those Raisinets.

Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Steve Gillman is a former contributor to The Penny Hoarder.

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Source: thepennyhoarder.com

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With so many business credit cards on the market, it can be difficult to determine which is best for your company’s needs.

Cutting through it all, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of our favorites. In the same family, the Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card is a cash-back option launched in December 2021.

Both are solid options, but there is a clear winner for most business owners, so let’s break it down.

Comparing the Ink Business Preferred and Ink Business Premier

Let’s start with a quick overview of each card’s highlights. For more details, check out our full review of the Ink Business Preferred and the Ink Business Premier.

Ink Business Preferred Ink Business Premier
Annual fee $95. $195.
Welcome offer 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. $1,000 cash back (worth 100,000 bonus points) after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Bonus categories Earn 3 points per dollar spent (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year) on:

  • Travel.
  • Shipping purchases.
  • Internet, cable and phone services.
  • Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines.

Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

 Earn 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Earn 2.5% total cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.

Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases.
Redemption options Points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed through the Chase travel portal, or points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to 14 travel partners. Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed toward cash back and various Chase Ultimate Rewards portal redemptions, such as travel or gift cards.
Card benefits
  • Cellphone protection ($1,000 cap per incident).
  • Purchase protection.
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
  • Trip delay reimbursement.
  • Primary car rental coverage.
  • Extended warranty protection.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Cellphone protection ($1,000 cap per incident).
  • Purchase protection.
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
  • Trip delay reimbursement.
  • Primary car rental coverage.
  • Extended warranty protection.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Related: Ink Business Preferred review

Welcome offer

While the welcome offers for the Ink Business Preferred and Ink Business Premier might look similar on the surface, they are actually quite different due to the difference in how you can redeem the rewards earned between the two cards.

With the Ink Business Preferred, you’ll earn 100,000 Ultimate Reward bonus points after spending $15,000 in the first three months. Points earned from the card are worth 1.25 cents apiece when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, or they can be transferred to any of Chase’s travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This means the 100,000 points earned are worth a minimum of $1,250 toward travel. However, you can potentially get much more value from them by transferring to the Ultimate Rewards program’s 11 airline and three hotel partners, including United, Southwest and World of Hyatt.

The Ink Business Premier is also offering 100,000 Ultimate Reward bonus points ($1,000 cash back) after you spend $10,000 in purchases within the same three-month timeframe. The cash back is earned in the form of Ultimate Rewards points. But unlike those from the Ink Business Preferred, you cannot transfer these to the program’s airline and hotel partners. Nor can you transfer them to your Ultimate Rewards account linked to another card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card so that they become transferable (though you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points from your other card accounts into the one linked to your Ink Business Premier). Instead, these points are always worth just 1 cent apiece, whether you redeem them for cash back or things like statement credits, gift cards and travel through the Chase portal. So this welcome offer is worth $1,000 no matter how you use it.

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Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta

Winner: When comparing the two cards, the Ink Business Preferred card has the upper hand since its points are worth more when redeemed for travel. However, if you’re looking for a pure cash-back welcome offer, the Ink Business Premier is a better option since the minimum spending requirement to earn the bonus is much less.

Bonus earning categories

The Ink Business Preferred offers more bonus categories than the Ink Business Premier, so that you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases per account year in the following categories:

  • Travel.
  • Shipping purchases.
  • Internet, cable and phone services.
  • Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines.

On all other purchases, or after you spend $150,000 combined in the above bonus categories, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent. Since Chase Ultimate Rewards are worth 2 cents per point, based on TPG’s valuation, you’re earning a 6% return on your category bonus purchases and a 2% return on all other purchases.

The Ink Business Premier offers both interesting bonus categories and strong everyday earning. With this card, you’ll accrue:

  • 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • 2.5% total cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
  • 2% cash back on every purchase.

Earning at least 2% cash back on every purchase is strong but not unique. Many other cash-back cards offer the same return, such as the Citi® Double Cash Card (see rates and fees) and Capital One Spark Cash Plus. But if you often make large purchases — those over $5,000 — then earning that extra half a per cent in cash back can save you a lot of money in the end.

Winner: If you are looking to simplify your business expenses and to just have one card for everything, the Ink Business Premier is the winner. But that’s only if you are looking to earn cash back. The Ink Business Preferred will give you more options if you prefer to earn travel rewards with your credit card purchases.

THE POINTS GUY

Redemption options

Even though both cards are “Chase Ink” credit cards, the redemption options are very different.

With the Ink Business Preferred, in addition to redeeming your points for cash — where 1 point is worth 1 cent — you can also use them toward travel in two different forms. You can either redeem points toward travel reservations through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, where points are worth 1.25 cents each. Or you can transfer them to 14 travel partners (11 airlines and 3 hotels), including:

TPG estimates Chase Ultimate Rewards points to be worth 2 cents apiece when you leverage these transfer partners, thanks to the number of options they open up.

Chicago Athletic Association. HYATT

With the Ink Business Premier card, however, the points you earn are worth 1 cent each, plain and simple, and there’s no option to redeem your rewards toward travel at a higher rate. Whether you redeem them for cash back or for other options through Chase Ultimate Rewards, like gift cards or travel, you still get 1 cent per point.

Winner: The Ink Business Preferred has many more options and your points earned are worth significantly more.

Related: Maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards

Card benefits

Both cards offer the exact same benefits when it comes to purchase and travel protection. With both cards, you’ll receive:

  • Purchase protection: If an eligible item is damaged or stolen within the first 120 days after purchase, you’re covered up to $10,000 per claim ($50,000 per account).
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: If you must cancel or cut a trip short because of a covered issue (such as illness or severe weather), you’re eligible for up to $5,000 of coverage per person for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses, which provides great peace of mind when unexpected problems arise. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per trip.
  • Trip delay reimbursement: If a covered trip is delayed by a covered hazard for 12 or more hours — or long enough to require an overnight stay — you’ll be eligible for reimbursement, up to $500 per ticket in reasonable expenses. You only need to charge part of your common-carrier fare to the card to use this benefit, so you’ll be covered on award tickets if you put the taxes and fees on the card.
  • Primary car rental coverage: If you use either card for the entire rental cost and are traveling for business purposes, you’re covered for theft and damage in the U.S. and most countries worldwide. Remember that this doesn’t offer any liability coverage, but you are covered up to the actual cash value of the vehicle you’re renting.
  • Extended warranty protection: Purchases with a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less will get coverage for an extra year. This can be extremely helpful when an item stops working shortly after its scheduled warranty ends.
  • Cellphone protection: If you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your card and your cellphone is stolen or damaged, you can receive up to $1,000 per claim, with a $100 deductible — for up to three claims per year.

Winner: Tie, as both cards offer the exact same benefits.

Which card should you get?

Like many other questions asked — it depends. If you don’t have a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card that allows you to redeem points toward travel, then the Ink Business Preferred card is a great choice. Your points are potentially worth significantly more and open up many travel redemption options.

Also, if you have high monthly expenses in the card’s bonus earning categories, then the Ink Business Preferred can also help maximize your points earned.

But, if your spending categories are much more varied (or don’t include those increased bonus categories) and you prefer to earn cash back, you’ll be better off with the Ink Business Premier card. Earning a minimum of 2% cash back on every purchase is solid. And if you often make purchases of over $5,000, earning an uncapped 2.5% back is a great deal.

Yes, the Ink Business Premier card costs an extra $100 a year, but if you have heavy business spending, that difference can be nominal compared to the extra rewards earned.

Aside from how you earn and redeem points, the cards are extremely comparable, with both offering excellent travel and protection benefits.

Ultimately, the real question is: Do you want to earn travel rewards or cash back? If you are able to simply answer that question, then the card of choice is quite obvious.

Bottom line

For a mid-tier credit card, both are strong choices for business credit cards, in their own way. The two cards offer great ways to earn points or cash back, while also offering benefits that will help protect you in a time of need. And for a relatively low annual fee, you’ll never have to worry about statement credits or extra perks to help “offset” the fee.

Also, if you already have the Ink Business Preferred card, that doesn’t prevent you from applying for the Ink Business Premier. Combining the benefits of both can truly allow your business to earn a plethora of points and cash back, giving you more money and points in your pocket so you can take a step away from work at some point and truly enjoy a vacation.

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred

Apply here: Ink Business Premier

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox.

Source: thepointsguy.com

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Inside: Exchange unwanted gift cards for cash at gift card exchange kiosk near you! These convenient machines allow you to exchange unwanted gift cards for cash.

Do you have a bunch of gift cards that you never use? Or maybe you got a gift card for a store that you don’t really like.

I know I do!

In the past year, I have made it my mission to use up old gift cards, but there are still some untouched.

But now, there is an easy way to get cash for your unwanted gift cards – using a Gift Card Exchange Kiosk!

It may sound too good to be true – until you actually give it a try.

This is a great way to get cash fast and get rid of unused gift cards.

What is a gift card exchange kiosk?

A gift card exchange kiosk is a physical machine that allows you to turn unwanted gift cards into instant cash.

It’s a convenient option that allows you to insert your gift card into the kiosk and get a quote for how much cash you can get in return. The process is simple and fast, with the money being dispensed immediately.

Gift card exchange kiosks accept gift cards from many retailers and will pay you a percentage of the balance on the card.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

What types of gift cards can be exchanged for cash at a kiosk?

At a gift card exchange kiosk, you can usually exchange gift cards from well-known retailers such as Nike, Best Buy, Macy’s, and Apple for cash or a gift card of the same or lower value.

Other gift cards from lesser-known retailers may not be accepted.

How does gift card exchange kiosk work?

Gift card exchange kiosks are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a convenient way to turn unwanted gift cards into cash.

If you have a gift card that you are no longer using, here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a gift card exchange kiosk:

  1. Find a gift card exchange kiosk near me.
  2. Find the gift card slot on the machine. This position can vary for different kiosks, so be sure to look for it.
  3. Insert your unwanted gift card.
  4. Wait for the machine to scan and process your card.
  5. Review the offer that flashes on the screen. You will be offered either a discounted value of your gift card in cash or a gift card (of the same or a lower value) from another retailer.
  6. Accept the offer and collect your cash or gift card. For some kiosks, you will receive a voucher which you can then exchange for cash at the store’s cash counter.
  7. If you decline the offer, the machine will return your gift card with its original balance.

Using a gift card exchange kiosk is a simple and convenient way to get cash for unwanted gift cards.

How can I find a gift card exchange kiosk near me?

If you are looking for a gift card kiosk near you that will exchange your gift cards for cash, there are a variety of options available.

Typically, you can visit one of the stores listed such as:

If you are looking for an even more convenient option, you can now sell your gift cards online! Using CardCash is a great option as they offer high payouts and a safe alternative to going to an in-person kiosk.

I would avoid using other online platforms as sometimes if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!

Do gift card exchange kiosks exist?

Yes, gift card exchange kiosks do exist. These are machines that allow you to trade in your unwanted gift cards for cash or other cards.

However, I struggled to find any in the big city. So, your mileage may vary.

Learn you can read my Cardcash review when exchanging a gift card online.

Using Coinstar Gift Card Exchange

Coinstar was once a great option for those looking to exchange their gift cards for cash, especially if a gift card was about to expire.

The process was simple: enter the details of the gift card, receive an offer on the screen, accept or decline, and receive cash if accepted.

However, Coinstar has since abolished gift card exchange kiosks and now only allows people to exchange coins for gift cards.

Unfortunately, Coinstar is no longer an option for those wanting to get cash for a gift card, but you can use CardCash to turn those unwanted or soon-to-be-expiring gift cards into cash.

FAQ

When exchanging a gift card at a gift card exchange kiosk, you can usually expect to get around 60 – 85% of the remaining monetary value of the gift card in cash.

For example, if you have a gift card with a remaining balance of $100, you could expect to get around $60 – $85 in cash after the fee is taken out.

It is important to check the balance of the gift card before using the kiosk, as this will determine how much money you can get from the exchange.

Yes, there is a transaction fee associated with a gift card exchange kiosk.

Depending on the location and the company running the kiosk, the fee can vary.

Yes, there are some limitations and restrictions associated with using a gift card exchange kiosk such as only accepting gift cards from certain retailers

For example, Visa®, Mastercard®, and other bank-issued gift cards are not accepted at a Gift Card Exchange kiosk and therefore cannot be sold for cash.

Additionally, some kiosks may require you to enter personal information and provide identification for security reasons, which can take a few minutes.

The main difference between a coin machine and a gift card exchange kiosk is the type of payment they accept.

Coin machines accept only coins and dispense cash, while gift card exchange kiosks accept gift cards and dispense cash, e-gift cards, or a charity donation.

Time to sell gift cards for cash instantly near me

If you have an unwanted gift card, don’t fret!

You can exchange it for cash at a gift card exchange kiosk.

These kiosks are becoming increasingly popular, so you should be able to find one near you. Just be sure to check the fees before you exchange your card so you know how much cash you’ll walk away with.

Selling gift cards online is much more convenient than selling them in person, as you don’t have to worry about finding a kiosk near me.

Use CardCash for a hassle-free way to sell your gift cards online. Then, you can easily trade in your gift card for cash or other gift cards or cash.

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Source: moneybliss.org

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(Update 11/6/22: They’ve now added Amazon with the same 5% discount as Walmart. ht GCG)

Discover cashback can be redeemed as cashback at 1:1 or can be redeemed toward various gift card brands at a discount of 5% or more. They’ve now added Walmart e-gift cards as an additional gift card option with a 5% discount.

A $200 Walmart e-gift card will cost $190 in Discover cashback. A $5 Walmart e-gift card will cost $4.75. Same for any other denomination in between. Discount is valid on any e-gift card from $5 to $200.

There are lots of other brands available as well with 5% discount , such as Best Buy, and others with higher discounts, such as 10% on Home Depot and Lowe’s. This new Walmart discount is a welcome addition of another top brand as a way to squeeze out a bit more from your Discover cashback. See How to Maximize Discover Cash Back Redemptions for more discussion on this.

Hat tip to GC Galore

Source: doctorofcredit.com

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A friend invites you for an evening out or a weekend away that you just can’t afford. Which of the following responses sounds the most like yours?

  • “I’d love to, but…” (Too many late nights already that week/feel guilty leaving Junior with a sitter after being away from him all day/mandatory check-in with your probation officer.)
  • “That sounds like fun, but it’s not in my budget right now.”
  • “Um…” (Waffles, hates to seem like a killjoy.) “Yes, let’s.” (Whips out plastic, mentally scribbles “self-recrimination, 30 minutes” on to-do list.)

All three strategies are problematical:

  • Excuses start to sound like, well, excuses. Friends think you just don’t want to hang out with them.
  • Using the B-word puts some people on the defensive, as though your financial goals are some kind of judgment on their choices.
  • Caving in and charging your fun creates debt/adds to existing arrears.

That’s why I’d like to suggest a fourth strategy: Compromise. Specifically, to propose less-spendy (but still fun) ways to socialize.

You shouldn’t have to decline time with friends just because their usual ideas for diversion involve serious spending. It works the other way, too: By suggesting fun outside of restaurants and bars, you don’t put financial stress on a BFF who hasn’t got the do-re-mi.

Some people seem to think that folks on a budget can never have fun. I disagree. In fact, I believe that sometimes you ought to spend money even if you think you shouldn’t.

But not all the time, and certainly not if you’re already barely making book. (Hi there, all you startled new grads! Wasn’t it fun to get that college loan repayment schedule? And isn’t ramen yummy?)

Obviously there are far more possibilities than I could list in one article. Here are 22 options to get you started.

Eat, drink and be merry
Restaurant lite. Your foodie friends love trying new places. You can afford to do this maybe once a month. Alternate strategy: Arrange to meet them for coffee and dessert two or three (or more) times a month.

Wine tasting. Provide one bottle and some snacks and ask a few friends to bring sips to share. It doesn’t have to be pricey plonk; there are some pretty affordable wines out there.

Picnic. Come on, it’s summer. Hit a city park or hike to the back of beyond, carrying vittles. Variation: Cookout in someone’s back yard.

Dessert buffet. Invite everyone to bring over his favorite sweet. You’ll all be half-sick before the evening is over, but who cares?

A happier happy hour. Search for bars that serve half-price (or free!) snacks in the early evening. Look for deals with help from apps/sites like BiteHunter or Cheapism.

The potluck. A win-win: Everybody gets fed, but no one person has to do all the cooking.

Diversion at a discount

Social buying. Groupon, Living Social, City Deals and other daily deal companies offer 50%-off vouchers for sporting events, outdoor activities, live entertainment and other fun stuff. Groupon and City Deals can be accessed through cash-back shopping sites like Extrabux, Fat Wallet or Mr. Rebates for additional savings of up to 6%.

Coupon books. National ones like The Entertainment Book or local publications such as Seattle’s Chinook Book are full of buy-one-get-one offers to all sorts of things. Note: The Entertainment Book is also available through those cash-back sites, for savings of up to 35%.

Discounted gift cards. Mostly I get movie gift cards at 15% to 20% off. Chain restaurants, from Big Boy to Ruth’s Chris, are well represented.

Low- or no-cost fun
Game night. You can get cutthroat and serious about this, i.e., actually keep score. Or just be a bunch of friends enjoying favorite games. (Don’t own any? Look in thrift stores and yard sales.)

Open mic. Coffeehouses, bookstores and bars host them. The results could be stellar or ghastly, but either one gives you something to talk about afterward.

Group activities. Sites like MeetUp, BigTent and GroupSpaces will put you in touch with casual clutches of folks who enjoy a huge variety of fun stuff. Join with a friend and learn everything from geocaching to cake decorating.

Go swimming. City pools. Public beaches. Bring sunscreen.

Learn a new language. Sites like Word2Word and LearnALanguage.com will get you started. Choose a language with a friend or friends, then watch a movie in that language (get it free from the library). Or do it with an eye toward traveling to that country some day.

Book signings. Can’t afford to buy? Listen to the author talk, then.

The big game. Suggest a sports-watching party at the apartment/home of whoever has the best television. Your contribution could be popcorn, the world’s cheapest snack, with intriguing flavors like Bombay Masala, dilly lemon, black sesame mustard and chipotle lime.

Start a club. Personal finance club. Book club. Dryer lint sculpting society. Whatever floats your boat.

Free movie previews. A site called Gofobo organizes advance screenings in partnership with newspapers, radio and colleges.

The lively arts
Pay-what-you-can night. Admission by donation to plays, museums or other events. Look for them in your area.

Theater vs. the small screen. Friends going to see “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” “Harvey” or some other show you can’t afford? Invite them over the next evening to watch the film version of the play they just saw, and discuss the differences. Set out coffee and freshly baked cookies.

But is it art? See if there’s a “First Friday” type of event in your area, during which galleries coordinate show openings and serve wine and cheese. Visually stimulating and you get fed, to boot.

Rush tickets. You can spend as little as $20 for a Broadway show if you work it right. (Read this article at Playbill to learn how.) Some regional companies have rush programs or discounts for the 25-and-under crowd, too.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Also a lonely one. But fun doesn’t always have to cost an arm and a leg at 18% interest.

Get creative about your amusement and you can be both optimally socialized and fiscally responsible. You may also turn into one hell of an Apples to Apples player.

Readers: What are your favorite low- and no-cost ways to socialize? Do you and your friends enjoy these things out of necessity or by choice?

Source: getrichslowly.org