5 Ways to Save Money on Entertainment When Living Paycheck to Paycheck

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We have all lived paycheck to paycheck at one point in our lives. But we don’t have to live this way. By saving more, you can increase your financial stability and work toward breaking free from the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Most people fall for the myth that saving money has to be a drastic action, but the truth is that every little bit counts. I’m sure we all would like to save more money, and luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on expenses today and in the future. Here are some effective ways to generate savings today and tomorrow.

1. Utilize Free Community Resources

Visit your local library to borrow books, videos, and other media for free. We also have a free Little Library in our neighborhood where you can borrow and donate books.

2. Use Coupon and Discount Sites

Every time I want to do something fun with my friends or family, I always check out discount sites like Groupon and Local Flavor. You can find discounts on restaurants, local attractions, services, products, and more.

3. Challenge Yourself With a No-Spend Weekend

A no-spend weekend will help you stick to your budget, but it also doesn’t mean you have to be bored the entire time. Get creative with activities in and outside of your home. Pull out old games you haven’t played in a while, make a delicious dinner with food from your pantry, and go on a long hike to explore a new trail or state park in your area.

4. Bundle Streaming Services

Yes, that’s right. While everyone is telling you to switch to streaming services like Netflix, ESPN, and Disney+, I’m actually recommending you limit the number of services you have. If you sign up for multiple streaming services, you could be paying as much as you would for cable. 

Narrow down which service you like best and stick with that or see if you can bundle. For example, Hulu has partnered with Disney+ to offer both services to users for one low fee.

5. Be Open to Sharing

To save even more money, go in on a subscription for Netflix or Hulu with a friend or neighbor. I know Netflix will allow you to stream from multiple devices.

Living paycheck to paycheck can make you feel limited in terms of how fast you can pay off debt and what you can save. The key is to get creative with your budget and how you manage money.

Start with these tips if you’re looking to save and also realize that living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t have to be your future. Take steps to start building up your emergency fund, increasing your income, and taking specific actions to improve your financial situation.

Also, check out my Budget Beyond Your Paycheck worksheet bundle to help you stay on track.