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Ditch cable TV -

A great way to reduce your entertainment expenses is to ditch cable TV. Steaming services such as Netflix and HBO generally provide much more content, and at a much lower cost.

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Ditch cable TV -

If you still have cable TV, take a look at your monthly bills and consider switching to a streaming service that costs less. You might even be able to find one that lets you stream channels.

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Stream your music -

Likewise, streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music are a great way to listen to music at a minimal cost. Many platforms even offer a free, ad-based service.

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Stream your music -

Music streaming services are a great alternative to paying for and downloading music. They offer a huge variety of content, so there is something for everyone.

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Get a library card -

Whether you are an avid reader or not, a library membership is a great idea. Buying books is often very expensive, whereas taking out a book at a library is almost always free.

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Get a library card -

You might even find a library near you that also rents out things such as video games or cooking supplies, or puts on community events such as children’s read-alongs.

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Rent video games -

If you are into gaming, remember that you don’t have to buy all your games. You can rent them instead from rental services such as Redbox and Gamefly.

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Rent video games -

Some services charge a minimal daily fee, while others charge a monthly subscription. It can be a great option, especially if you don’t tend to play games more than once.

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Split memberships -

To reduce streaming costs even further, see if you can purchase a family membership and share it with your family, friends, or housemates.

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Split memberships -

Many services such as Netflix and Spotify offer a family or group membership that makes it cheaper for each user to access the service.

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Check for discounts -

Many entertainment venues such as theaters and cinemas offer discounts for certain groups. Particularly if you are a student, this is well worth looking into.

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Check for discounts -

Talk to your school about student discounts at local venues, and keep your student ID on hand if you plan to use your student status for a discount.

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Choose matinees -

Going to the movies or to see a play during the afternoon is almost always considerably cheaper than going in the evening; sometimes you pay just half the price!

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Choose matinees -

If your schedule allows, consider going to the movies on a weekday afternoon. Check online, too, for further deals on ticket prices and/or snacks.

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Attend free events -

Many people don’t realize the number of free events that take place in most cities. If you look online, you’re likely to find a number of options for free lectures, concerts, etc. where you live.

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Attend free events -

When searching for local events, keep in mind that free or low-cost events are more likely to take place near schools.

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Look for discount days -

Many establishments such as museums put on ‘discount days,’ during which members of the community have the chance to visit for a lower than normal price.

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Look for discount days -

Some places such as swimming pools and bowling alleys also offer ‘happy hours,’ during which people can enter for a reduced price.

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Buy a season ticket -

If you have a favorite cultural place that you visit often, such as a museum or a zoo, consider investing in a season ticket.

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Buy a season ticket -

You will likely pay more money up front, but you can often get a season ticket for the price of around three visits. So you would save money in the long run.

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Volunteer at events -

Volunteering at cultural events, such as music festivals, can be a great way to enjoy the event for free while giving back to the community.

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Volunteer at events -

Any time that you find a cultural event that you want to attend, contact the organizers before buying a ticket to see if they are looking for volunteers.

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Travel during off-season -

If you are looking to travel and broaden your cultural horizons, try to do so when your destination is in the off-season.

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Travel during off-season -

If you visit a place during the high season, you are more likely to fall into tourist traps. Venues may even lower their prices during less busy times of the year.

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Buy in advance -

Never forget the power of buying tickets in advance. Most events and airlines sell their tickets cheaper to people who purchase them well ahead of time.

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Buy in advance -

Once you have decided on a date for your vacation, see how far ahead you can book your plane tickets and check online for discounts.

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Buy group deals -

If you are going on vacation with your friends and family, consider looking for group discounts on your cultural activities. You might be surprised at what you can find!

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Buy group deals -

Websites such as Groupon are a good place to start. Your search may even uncover options for activities that you had never considered before.

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Vacation outside -

A great way to discover a new place on a budget is to focus on the outdoors. It is worth remembering that many nature-based activities are completely free.

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Vacation outside -

Have a look online for local hiking or biking trails, and speak to locals about the outdoors options. You might even consider camping to save on accommodation.

Sources: (WikiHow)

See also: Camping or glamping: what do your favorite stars love?

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