Saving money on Entertainment

The easy way to save money on entertainment is to not spend any. However, we are trying to have as much fun as possible with our children, and introduce them to as many sights and sounds as possible. Sometimes that means spending money, and we don't begrudge it.

There are beaches and parks galore in New Zealand to enjoy for no cost.

Local councils organise various activities for little or no money.

Libraries often have free activities for children. Our own local library has a pre-school Storytime each week, and a club for children over 5 years old as well. They tend to have one night twice a year or so where they welcome families in for some sort of themed evening. In the school holidays they have something on for children 3-5 days during the week, with free crafts to make, and fun things like treasure hints as well.

A family can visit Motat for around $30, or even better- for around $60 you can buy a pass that lets your whole family (2 adults and up to 4 children) go as often as you like for a whole year. This cost includes a ride on the tram, a ride on the 4D spaceship, entrance to the tactile Dome, and entrance to at least 4 different displays they have on through the year. It is fantastic value, and a very fun place to go for all ages.

There are passes for the zoo and Kelly Tarlton's which are good value too, but nowhere near as economical as Motat.

In South Auckland, there are free swimming pools to enjoy...yes free. You don't have to live in South Auckland to use them either. We live near to a swimming pool which is indoor, has a splash pool for toddlers with various fountains to play with, and completely free. Even as I write this I am wondering why we don't go there more often!

Taking dinner to a beach (even when it's cold) is fun for kids and parents alike. Taking breakfast to the beach is even more fun, and we still haven't done it!

We look for specials on the backs of supermarket receipts, and in local papers- I read them sometimes at the library rather than having them delivered. We used to get 3 local papers delivered each week, and one Auckland-wide one as well, not to mention the multitude of sales flyers. I've enjoyed a year of not putting these items straight in the recycling bin since writing "No Junk Mail or Newspapers" on our letterbox.

We like to take advantage of special offers to get us in to places we would like to go. Recently the local cinema was offering a special where you bought a combo and received a free ticket. For $10, dh and J-Man were able to see a movie together and get a drink and popcorn each.

Once a year Auckland cinemas have a "Cansfest" where you can buy a ticket to a (usually a bit older) film with a can of food. There are also Baby on Board sessions where you can take your children under 5 for free to see a different movie each week. Tickets for adults and children over5 are only $6.50, and after 3 movies you can see one for free. This used to mean (before Princess turned 6- they let her go free for an extra year!) I could take my 3 children to 4 movies for $39 (under $10/movie).

Video shops usually have a half-price night. Our video shop now had Monday Madness where all non-new or recent release movies are $1 to hire for a week. If you watch a lot of movies, you could consider getting them from Fatso. They also have masses of documentaries, and even a section for eco-films. $20 gives you unlimited dvd's for a month, 2 dvd's at a time. If you're quick, you can end up seeing 6 movies a week for less than $5.

Of course there are loads of things you can do that don't cost anything,or much money, but they might need to go in another post.