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Money-saving hacks for summer entertainment

U.S. News & World Report

July 15, 2017, 5:21 AM

It seems like summer offers up endless possibilities to travel, attend concerts, see shows, try new restaurants and more. You don’t want to miss out on the fun, but many of these seasonal events can put a serious dent in your wallet.

There are a few creative ways to get the best in summer entertainment without going over budget. Sometimes, you don’t even have to spend a dime. Read on for hacks to save money on summer fun.

Movies. If you have any children and are looking for an excuse to get out of the house and into the air conditioning for a few hours, the movie theater is the perfect destination. Fortunately, movie theaters know this and offer up cheap movies for kids during the summer. Regal Cinemas offers $1 tickets beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Cinemark charges $1 per showing for films included in its Summer Movie Clubhouse — or you can pay $5 for all 10 movies. Check your local or regional theater to see if it has any summer programs for kids. (Thinkstock)
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Friends eating popcorn at the movie theatre
Movies. If daytime or weekday movie showings are not convenient, you may want to try mystery shopping or “in-theater checks.” You can sign up with a mystery shopping company and get paid to watch movies and report on trailers, audience reactions and more. So not only are you getting into a movie for free — you can get paid, too (Thinkstock)
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Movies. Depending on where you live, you may be able to see a cheap movie and experience the outdoors at the same time. Drive-in theaters are typically a lot less expensive than movie theaters (and so are their concessions ), and many parks and outdoor event spaces host free movie screenings. Hit the dollar store for some candy, grab a picnic blanket and enjoy the show. (Thinkstock)
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Summer concert season is just around the corner, and Live Nation is turning up the heat by offering fans concert tickets for around $20 starting 8 a.m. May 2. (Thinkstock)
Concerts. Summer is definitely concert season, especially at outdoor venues, stadiums and parks. Before you spring for a pricey ticket, consider a few ways to make it cheaper. If a concert venue offers lawn seating, read a few reviews first to see what the experience is like. There may be a great view with well-placed speakers, or it might not be worth your money, so do your research first. (Thinkstock)
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Concert. If a band or artist you want to see is coming to your city, but the ticket prices just aren’t affordable, check out the tour schedule and see if the band is making any other stops in the area. For a smaller venue outside of town, you might find a much more affordable price. Just make sure you’re weighing in the cost of transportation. Also, if your favorite band is so popular that it is performing multiple nights, try getting tickets for the last night or a weeknight — those tend to be cheaper. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)
AP Photo/Jens Meyer
Concert. Bring an empty water bottle to the show that you can refill to avoid paying the high markup. Try to eat before you go to the concert, or bring in a snack, such as a protein bar, which will keep you full. (Thinkstock)
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Theater. Hoping to see a show on the big stage? Many famous Broadway or off-Broadway shows tour the country during the summer. The best way to get inexpensive tickets to these shows is the lottery system. Most shows will offer online or in-person lotteries to fill remaining seats in a show. For an in-person lottery, you have to be willing to show up to the theater a few hours before the show starts and put in your name to see if it gets drawn. Digital lotteries can be accessed via apps such as TodayTix or the show’s website. (Thinkstock)
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Many consumers either love or hate credit cards. They can be extremely helpful if used responsibly, but they can also hurt you if you don't use them right. (Thinkstock)
Theater. There’s one place you might have already earned discounts for entertainment and not even know it. Look into your credit card rewards and see if you can use points toward discounted movie or concert tickets. As long as you can always pay off your balance in full, you can get a lot of benefits and perks from using credit card reward programs. (Thinkstock)
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Think food critics have the life? If you’ve ever had the desire to drop in on some of the region’s best restaurants and rate the ramen or critique on consommé, now’s your chance. (Thinkstock)
Dining. When it’s hot outside, and the last thing you feel like doing is turning on the oven to cook, the lure of an air-conditioned restaurant or outdoor patio is strong. Try to visit a restaurant for lunch instead of dinner — lunch menus are often much less expensive. Check out the website or social media pages of the restaurant you’re hoping to try, as it might share upcoming deals, weekly specials or even give away gift certificates in an online contest. You can also look at Groupon or LivingSocial for local dining deals and significant discounts. Just make sure to read the fine print to see if there are any limitations for your voucher. (Thinkstock)
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Hopefully these tips have you on your way to fun and frugal summer entertainment. (Thinkstock)
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(1/10)
Friends eating popcorn at the movie theatre
Summer concert season is just around the corner, and Live Nation is turning up the heat by offering fans concert tickets for around $20 starting 8 a.m. May 2. (Thinkstock)
Many consumers either love or hate credit cards. They can be extremely helpful if used responsibly, but they can also hurt you if you don't use them right. (Thinkstock)
Think food critics have the life? If you’ve ever had the desire to drop in on some of the region’s best restaurants and rate the ramen or critique on consommé, now’s your chance. (Thinkstock)

[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]

[See: 10 Foolproof Ways to Reach Your Money Goals.]

[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]

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Money-Saving Hacks for Summer Entertainment originally appeared on usnews.com

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