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Saving Money at the Movies
I am a movie nut. Yep, I love to go to the movies. I love it all---the huge screen, the surround sound, and even the smell of fresh popcorn. Some films can be just as happily enjoyed as DVD rentals on your home television, but some just really need to be seen at least once on the big screen. I can’t imagine not seeing Star Wars for the first time on a full-sized theater screen, can you? The special effects alone were worth the price of a ticket. But goodness, it sure can be an expensive thing to do sometimes, can’t it? I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a lot of cash to just toss at the theater window. However, my years of being a moviegoer have taught me a thing or two that I’d like to share with you.
No matter what kind of theater you go to—IMAX, multi-plex, small-town, or drive-in (yes, they still exist)—the most expensive part of the whole experience tends to be the refreshments. There’s nothing like spending $10, and all you get is a bag of popcorn and a drink. And that’s pretty much “per person.” Personally, I adore movie popcorn. For me, it makes the “going to the movies” event complete. I love the way it tastes, the way it smells, and just the whole crunchy experience! Sprinkle on some white Cheddar or toss in some Goobers, and I’m happy. But, I’ve learned that eating before I go to the theater is a wise move, and I recommend that you do the same unless you just have to have that popcorn. Have dinner, have a snack, just do anything to take the edge off of your appetite before you leave home. You’ll be far less tempted by those lovely nachos or Raisinettes, and you’ll have saved yourself quite a bit of cash (and calories!) by not buying them.
I also like to go to the theater at the “off” times, particularly the matinee show times. The admission rates are usually much lower. Additionally, those times are earlier in the day, before 6:00 PM at most theaters, which means there will be fewer teenagers there. Don’t get me wrong--I love teenagers. But, they sure can be a bit rambunctious sometimes.
If your town has a discount theater, patronize it. This type of theater typically shows films after they’ve made their first major run, or they’ll show older films or films made by independent producers. The prices are excellent. I’ve seen them as low as $1.00 for admission, although I think the average is anywhere from $3.00 to $5.00. The film quality usually isn’t as good, and the sound may not be top-notch, but these theaters are still worth checking out. If I’ve seen a really good movie first at a good quality theater but would just like to see it on the big screen one more time before it hits DVD, I don’t mind watching it at a discount theater. I get a similar experience as the first time around, but I save a chunk of change. However, remember that the refreshments are often just as expensive at discount theaters as at regular theaters. So unless you want to blow the money you just saved on admission at the refreshment counter, eat before you go!
Do a little research about the film you want to see. Just because it’s being hyped as the film of the century doesn’t mean it’s good. The critics aren’t always right, but your friends might be. Talk to people who have seen the movie. Of course, not everyone has the same tastes in movies (which is why the critics aren’t always right), but if just about everyone who’s seen it thinks it’s awful, don’t waste your money on a ticket. Or at least, wait until it comes to a discount theater or out on DVD.
Watch for freebies. Yes, some theaters show free movies. These are often children’s films—although not always—and, at least, in our area, are only shown during the summer months. But still, if you like movies like Ice Age or Shrek, why not see them for free? These make great family outings, too.
Some theaters have memberships or will allow you to purchase tickets in bulk. It’s a fairly substantial initial expenditure, but if you go frequently enough, the savings will be even more substantial. With memberships you may even get coupons or can earn points toward additional savings. If you go this route, be sure to double check about expiration dates and if these tickets or memberships exclude certain shows or show times. You can also purchase coupon books at sites like http://www.entertainment-savings-offers.com/guide/movie/.
Oh, one more thing—avoid those online reservation sites. They tend to charge a fee for reserving your tickets.
What about watching movies at home? There are ways to save there, too, and it’s not just the cost of refreshments!
If you are into renting films frequently, consider joining a through-the-mail program such as Netflix or Blockbuster or an online company like iTunes. For a monthly fee, you can rent movies much more inexpensively than from a regular video store.
Believe it or not, you can check movies out at your local library, just like checking out books. And, get this—it’s free!!! Libraries do not usually charge a rental fee.
Don’t be a hurry to jump on the HD or Blu-Ray bandwagon. Yes, HD is super nice, and so is Blu-Ray. The picture quality is incredible. But if you wait until the price goes down a bit, you’ll be able to purchase those technologies for a lot less, and they’ll most likely have all the bugs worked out by then, too. And, you never know—someone may come up with something even better before long. Remember the Beta Max and VHS Tape years? Lots of people rushed out to buy Beta machines only to find that VHS became more popular. In no time, it was nearly impossible to find beta tapes. Technology can change quickly, so be wise and give something time to really catch on before you invest.
If you purchase your DVD’s like I do, consider purchasing used movies. There are certain films that I want new copies of. I bought all of my Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies new, and there are others that fall into that category. However, my favorite way to buy all other movies is used, from pawnshops, yard sales, online, or from movie rental stores “pre-viewed” bins. For example, I went to a local “upscale” pawnshop yesterday and bought 7 movies. I spent only $24.00. The cost would have been less except that three of the movies were two-DVD sets and I was charged for each DVD. The highest-priced movie was $3.00, and I’ve actually found them for as low as .99. However, let me offer a word of warning: Always, always, check the DVD’s before you purchase them, or at least save your receipt. Used DVD’s may be damaged, or the cases may not have the correct movie inside.
Additionally, you can find VHS tapes for a steal. If it’s a movie you’re just curious about and want to put little money into, try a VHS tape. Stores (and yard sales, etc.) are practically giving them away!
If you have a package deal through your cable company that includes a premium channels like HBO or Cinemax, take advantage of OnDemand features. Although the films on the premium channels and their accompanying OnDemand channels aren’t any newer than those you’d find in a video store, they are still part of the monthly fee you pay for cable, so they generally won’t cost extra. I say “generally” because there are a few that do charge a viewing fee, so watch out for that. These channels will often also have good original films and concerts that are worth watching.
I also want to mention one other thing—it’s tempting to want to “pirate” movies for free off the Internet or to purchase bootlegged copies. From a personal standpoint, I’m not comfortable with that idea, and folks, it’s simply illegal. You can get in big trouble (legal and financial) if you are caught. It’s really not worth it, in more ways than one. Legitimate used movies are so inexpensive and a whole lot safer. You might want to keep that in mind.
We movie addicts can still indulge ourselves, but we don’t have to spend tons of money doing it. Just a little thought and careful shopping can let us enjoy our little escapes from reality without feeling a bit guilty!
Sherry
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