Sometimes the best nights for us is relaxing at home watching a movie we’ve been curious to catch. Watching movies and saving money can go hand in hand. There are several options to look at, depending on how you watch your movies.

Cutting Costs at the Theaters

I’m not sure what the prices are around your area, but an evening ticket for a new release is $9.50. It’s not bad in itself, but when there are several movies that you want to watch, it can quickly add up. It does pay to look around and see what deals you can find.

Never underestimate the power of your student ID. Some movie theater chains offer a discount (typically, you can get matinée prices all day). While entertainment books have coupons for movies, they don’t usually apply for new releases, so plan accordingly.

If you’re willing to wait, you can grab a movie for a fraction price at the second run theaters. We have both a $4 and a $1 theater on this side of town.

If you’re looking for the theater experience, you also might want to check with your friends to see if their apartments have a complex theater that they let residents use for free. It’s great way to watch a movie with friends at the fraction of the cost.

NetFlix Subscriptions – Worth It?

Several of my friends have NetFlix subscriptions and they really enjoy it. They tend to be movie fans and love inviting people over for their latest pick. They save money by entertaining friends at home instead of constantly going out to the movies.

For some people, though, it can be a money drain as they are not using it to the full. You have to ask yourself about how much you really use the subscription.

  • How close are your alternate video rental options? For some people, NetFlix may be practical, as video stores are inconveniently located.
  • How often do you watch movies? We tend to watch them on an approximately biweekly schedule.
  • Are you using NetFlix for watch a TV series? Netflix tends to be a better deal for those catching up on some television shows they may have missed the first time.

You have to analyze the numbers to see if a subscription makes sense for you. For some, they may find if they simply downgrade or upgrade the subscription, they’ll have a better deal on their hands. If you don’t want to spend too much time calculating the costs of your NetFlix subscription, you can use FeedFlicks.

RedBox- As Good As It Sounds?

We are fans of redbox and use it grab a DVD for movie night. The nearest redbox is less than 10 minutes away and it’s located at our grocery store. For most movies, we just wait until it’s released on DVD.

What are the pros of redbox? You really can’t be a $1 rental price for movies. I also have found redbox to have several locations near us, so it makes it easy to pick up.

Another bonus that I enjoy time to time are the promo codes that allow me to get the movies for free.

What are the cons of redbox? The selection in each kiosk is limited, but based on my experience, it’s not bad at all. You also don’t get some extras that are included with DVDs nowadays, which is a headache. If I really like a movie, though, I’ll end up buying it, so this not a big deal.

Your Thoughts on Watching Movies You Love

How do you keep from spending a fortune watching all the movies you want to watch? Are you getting your money’s worth with Netflix?

Laura Martinez

Laura Martinez