In this current economy, I think it is safe to say that my unemployment checks might be my only steady income for a while. I sincerely hope I am wrong about this, but I have to be realistic. I'm sending out resumes like mad and the calls are few and far in between.
I've got savings in the bank, but I know it won't last forever. I am planning for leaner, meaner days ahead. Its time to make some changes, and the one place I can make cuts is on my entertainment budget.
As I have mentioned previously, I am typically a saver not a spender, but when it comes to going out and being social that's my weakness. Recently, I took my 10 year old cousin to Great Adventure. We had a great time. He thanked me profusely for the trip, and at one point said, "I can't believe how much money you wasted on on me." I told him, "It wasn't wasted, we had a good time...this is what I worked for." and he looked at me and said, "But you are not working." And I said, " I know I am not working (now)...but this is what I worked for."
I didn't see this day at Great Adventure as wasting money at all(Granted, it was also early on in my unemployment). Yes, it was expensive, but I brought my Coke Can with the B1G1Free coupon, we ate our packed lunch in the parking lot, and I didn't spend any extra money on pictures, or trinkets in the park. And most important of all, I had this special time with my cousin. That, to me, was priceless.
In my working days, that's exactly how I would view every moment out with friends and family. Sometimes I would look at a $60-$100 credit card receipt from the night out and say, "Wow, that was expensive." But I would chalk it up to the fact that I had a good time with my friends, and plus, I am frugal with my money else where, so I can afford this luxury.
Today I am unemployed. I realize if I want to stay social with my friends, some things will have to change. I never want to be the person who asks to split a bill so I can pay for exactly what I ate, or have my friends pay for me out of pity. So, I am going to have to cut where I can and I'm going to have to get a little creative.
Getting creative requires a little planning ahead. I think it also requires that your friends are flexible, but most likely, they know you are in crappy situation, and will appreciate your finding ways to maintain the quality time with them.
Here are my 10 Strategies for Staying Social when Unemployed.
(AKA - Ways to cut your entertainment expenses and still have fun.)
1) A friend wants to go out for drinks after work...
- Suggest a bar that has good happy hour deals; and/or
- Order one drink, and switch to water.
2) A friend wants to go out to the movies...
- Suggest a weekend matinee; and/or
- Get coupons for discounted tickets; and/or
- Bring your snacks to the theater. or
- Suggest a movie night at your house.
3) A friend wants to do a Spa Day for massages and facials...
- Go to the spa but only get one treatment; or
- Go to the spa, but only get a manicure; or
- Suggest a manicure and/or pedicure in a local salon; and only get one treatment.
4) A friend wants to meet up for lunch...
- Suggest an inexpensive place that has decent lunch specials. or
- Suggest you grab lunches ahead of time, and meet up at the park. or
- Ask if you could meet up for coffee instead.
5) A friend wants to meet up for dinner...
- Suggest an inexpensive place; or
- Suggest they come over your place for drinks and BBQ and tell them to bring their favorite dessert; or
- Ask if you could meet up for coffee/dessert instead.
6)A friend wants to go out to a club...
- Try to get in before the cover charge; and/or
- Offer to drive so you can't drink (too much). and/or
- Order the drink specials; and/or
- Drink water.
7) A friend wants to go away on vacation...(this is a tough one)
- Suggest a less expensive destination and/or shorter stay; and/or
- Suggest inviting other people along to help defray costs; or
- Suggest a day trip instead.
8) A friend wants to go to a casino...
- Go with a small amount of money and limit your spending to that amount; and/or
- Watch your friend gambling. Be his/her lucky charm; and/or
- Gamble a little at a time, and then go for walks around the casino.
9) A friend invites you to his/her beach house for the weekend...
- Suggest going for just the day instead of staying over. and/or
- Drink at the house before going out to the clubs;
10) A friend wants to go shopping...
- Make a pact with yourself that you don't buy anything you don't need, no matter what the price; and/or
- Be your friend's "personal shopper," and help them find what they are looking for. and/or
- Look at the trip as an opportunity for exercises...the more stores you walk in and out of, the more calories you burn.
Well, those our my strategies for having fun with friends on a very tight budget. What are your ideas?
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