having fun

8 Clever Ways to Sample the Good Life

Mikey Rox — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 10:30:09 +0000

Want to live like a prince on a pauper's budget? Enjoy some of the finer things in life without spending a fortune with these hoity-toity hacks.

1. Make Friends With People in High Places

Oftentimes, getting ahead in life is all in whom you know. You've heard it before. Perhaps you've even experienced it — and if you have, good on you, because the outcome of such a situation is, by definition, a positive one.

As such, getting to "know" people is a solid practice to pick up. For instance, whenever I've moved to a new area I make it a point to introduce myself to the bartenders in my neighborhood when I visit a bar or restaurant. I go so far, in fact, to write down their names plus a few defining characteristics so I can remember them next time. After a while (and this never fails) we're on a first-name, "How's your day?" basis, which almost always turns into free drinks or other discounts regularly. I've saved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the years by doing this, and I always repay that courtesy in my tips, as should you.

2. Crash Convention Receptions for Free Drinks

I hated attending conventions and making useless small talk with strangers when I worked in corporate America, but I rather enjoyed the open bar. Turns out I was doing it all wrong anyway — I didn't need that stinkin' job — according to Dr. Murray Grossan, a doctor who attends his fair share of conventions. He suggests crashing the party by grabbing a name tag at the entrance to look official so you can throw a few free ones back before anybody's the wiser.

3. Attend More Gallery Openings for Culture — And Booze

I enjoy art, and I'm an avid supporter of local artists as I've bought numerous pieces over the years to decorate my homes. Enjoying art also comes with perks, like attending gallery openings in your area while enjoying free snacks and wine. Get on the list by visiting a few of your home favorites and provide your email address in their guest book or another place where they cultivate visitors' information. You'll be in like Flynn for the next exhibition.

4. Rent a Luxury Vehicle

I would probably never rent a luxury vehicle myself — I'd be way too afraid that I'd inadvertently destroy it, and I don't feel the need to impress anybody with a flashy car. But if you're a luxury automobile super fan who balks at the idea of a luxury automobile payment every month, renting isn't a bad idea.

"Cars — brand-new — cost an average of $25,000 to $30,000, not including maintenance, fuel, and insurance, and then sit in your driveway 22 to 23 hours a day, typically," says Bradford Hines, personal finance expert and author of AutoProfitz, a book on how to make money buying and selling cars. "This amount of money easily is tripled for a high-end auto like an Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, etc. I use rental car service Turo, a peer-to-peer rental car company, to indulge in the occasional driving of a nice car to get it out of my system, cost effectively letting me not care about driving a 15-year-old Jetta the rest of the time. I recently rented a two-year-old Mercedes E-class for $125."

5. Order Apps for Dinner at the Fancy Restaurant

I enjoy dining out, and for me fancier is better for special occasions and the like. Sometimes though, I can't or won't let myself afford the high menu prices at some establishments. To settle on a compromise between my belly and back pocket, I often pop into higher-end eateries, grab a seat al fresco or at the bar, and dine on lesser-priced apps and salads to curb my hunger. By doing this, I'm able to enjoy the ambience and delicious cuisine without having to forage for my food the rest of the month. You also may even find a night at a multi-star joint that offers discounted specials, which is happening more and more as the restaurant wars continue to heat up.

6. Travel During a Location's Offseason

Frequent leisure travelers know that jet-setting during the offseason is where it's at. That's how I've gotten some of my most memorable vacations to places like Iceland and Costa Rica, and pet-insurance CEO Nick Braun is wise to that tactic, too.

"My wife and I like to take little two- and three-day trips together to have some fun and set the reset button," he admits. "Our favorite thing to do is book rooms at a fancy hotel, like Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons in the off season during the week. Rates are super low and you can pick any table at any restaurant while you're visiting because nobody else is there."

In addition, I highly recommend checking daily-deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial for excellent vacation packages — that Costa Rica trip was a steal — as well as visiting the websites of the airlines you like to travel or the one based at your destination. They may have discounts that aren't publicized anywhere else.

7. Daily Deal Your Way to Finer Dining

If you want a heartier meal than appetizers at finer-dining establishments, daily deals also are good for shaving a significant amount off the bill.

"I like to cook food, and I avoid fast food and midlevel restaurants as well for health reasons and their typically uninspiring food," Hines says. "Pricier restaurants with incredible cuisine are something I like to do at least a few times a year to get to 'live.' What I do then is go to Groupon and LivingSocial monthly, look for steep discounts (my most recent was half off) at expensive restaurants, and I let the discount dictate which high-end restaurant I go to, which is fine with me since they all are a fun treat."

Restaurant.com is another great restaurant-savings resource, but by my own estimation it's slim pickins to find buzzed-about eateries on there that people are clamoring to get into. Still worth a look though.

8. Shop for Designer Clothes in Thrift Stores in Wealthier Areas

You may think all thrift shops are created equal, but they're not. Visit a secondhand store in an affluent area and you'll notice the difference. I've been to thrift stores that routinely stock designer brands like Ralph Lauren and Kate Spade, among others — you just have to know where to look.

Frugal-living expert Nedalee Thomas says, "I love expensive designer clothing and shoes but I don't like the price tags that go with it. For that reason I have made a habit of shopping in thrift stores located in wealthier areas. I've made many amazing finds, and the only thing better than knowing how good I look is knowing how little I paid."

Try it out for yourself and see what designers you can bring home at bargain-bin prices.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

15 Free Ways to Spend Your Summer

Andrea Cannon — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 15:00:15 +0000

As the temperatures rise, many people feel that their spending needs to as well. However, with so many great outdoor options available, there is no reason that you should have to spend any extra money during the season. That's why we've found some of the best ways to enjoy your summer, without spending a dime.

1. Explore Your Neighborhood

The weather and time of year is perfect to explore your neighborhood so you know exactly what it has to offer. There may even be free walking tours of your city, so check your city's event calendar. Whenever you're exploring the great outdoors, don't forget to slather on the sunscreen to protect your skin and face from sun damage.

2. Look for Free Events

Museums and art galleries tend to offer free tickets on certain days of the summer, so check your community calendar to see if they will be hosting any free events. You may even be able to find a free comedy show or open mic night near you for endless free entertainment.

3. Look for Free Factory Tours

Many restaurants, toy stores, breweries, candy factories, and other factories will offer free tours, so find out what's available in your area. This can be a fun, educational experience for the whole family.

4. Get Creative

Maybe you have an inner artist or writer in you? There's no better time than now to explore your creative side. Find paper, pens, colored pencils, and whatever else you may have around the house to draw, paint, sculpt, write, and let your creative juices flow. This may also be the perfect time to explore photography and discover what types of photos you can master. Give yourself a photography challenge every day to improve your skills in no time.

5. Take Advantage of Outdoor Activities

If you live near a park, check their upcoming events calendar to find out which free events will be available to you. There may be free food festivals, film festivals, concerts, plays, and other events at your local park or nearby. You can also visit any of the 400+ national parks, many with free admission days.

6. Go to the Beach

Going to the beach is one of the best free activities. You can enjoy all the beach activities, the sun, and the endless people watching, all without spending anything.

7. Get Sporty

Outdoor activities like camping, hiking, volleyball, fishing, biking, boating, surfing, swimming, gardening, and other outdoor sports are all great ways to spend your summer days and won't cost anything. As an added benefit, you can also lose weight and tone your body, all while having fun outside.

8. Host a Party

If you've never hosted a party, summer is the perfect time to practice before the holidays roll around. Plan an outdoor barbeque, a pool party, or an indoor gathering to beat the heat.

9. Host a Clothing Swap

A clothing swap is a great way to clean out your closet, add items to your wardrobe, and bond with your favorite people. You can trade unwanted clothing with your friends and family, and can even throw in a potluck where everyone can bring one of their favorite recipes.

10. Relax With a Good Book

Just because you don't need to worry about studying and homework over the summer doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good book. Spend some time working on your tan while reading a new bestseller. This is the best way to relax and expand your mind at the same time. Visit your local library to rent books, ebooks, audiobooks, and DVDs. Your library may also offer free events that you can take part in, so make sure to check their upcoming calendar.

11. Improve Your Cooking Skills

If you've wanted to master the art of the perfect burger, then there's no better time to hone in on your cooking skills than now. Learn to make homemade ice cream and you'll have the most visited house on the block all summer.

12. Take up a New Hobby

Experiment with new hobbies or perfect your talents. Take up an instrument, learn a new language, or train your body to complete a marathon.

13. Work on Your Fitness

Now is also a great time to get into shape. If you aren't in beach body shape yet, it's never too late. By working up a sweat, you'll look better, feel better, and help release harmful toxins from the body.

14. Volunteer

Volunteering your time can be very rewarding, help others, and provide a fun experience. You can also meet new people and feel good knowing that you helped contribute to your community. You can even think outside of the box and do things like cleaning up trash at your local park. Not only will it help your community, but it can also provide a great example for your children.

15. Pamper Yourself

What better way to relax on a hot day than by giving yourself an at-home spa day? You can enjoy a mask, manicure, pedicure, and whatever else you find relaxing, without paying someone else to do it for you. You can even ask your spouse to give you a massage to complete your relaxing day. You can also just relax in a hot bath, jacuzzi, or pool. Whatever it takes to leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed, you deserve to be pampered. (See also: 10 Spa Treatments You Can Do at Home)

How do you get the most out of your summer? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Ways to Save Money on Entertainment

Kate Lister — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:00:17 +0000

Sure, times are tough, but that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Here are eight ideas that will allow you to enjoy some entertainment and save money, too. (See also: 47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend)

1. Discount days, or even free admission days, are a great way to save money on entertainment at zoos, galleries, museums, and even some theaters. Check your local venues for specials.

2. Are you a theater, concert, or sports lover, but can't afford the steep ticket prices? Consider a part-time job or volunteer position at the event. You may find yourself doing some menial work, but you'll also probably have the opportunity to catch most of the event -- and get paid for it!

3. Our neighborhood Ultrastar theater has "Cheapskate Tuesday." Most theaters also offer discounts for seniors and kids, but everyone can save money on certain days and certain times, usually in the afternoon on a weekday. If you go with a group of friends or co-workers, you can usually get a group discount, too.

4. Speaking of movies, do you know if you have a Netflix subscription you can watch thousands of movies and TV episodes free on your computer, Blu-Ray DVD player, Wii, PS3, XBox, or the new Apple TV? Yup, they have a huge collection of movies that they stream over the Internet. You can watch anytime you want for no additional charge while you wait for the next Netflix DVD to come in the mail.

5. You'll find movies at your local library, too, as well as music CDs, video games, and, by the way, books — all for free. They also offer lectures, music, and other library-sponsored events that are all free, too. While yore there, the Friends of the Library bookstore is a great place to buy books for pennies on a dollar.

6. If you're going out, babysitting can cost as much or more than your tickets. See if friends, family, or neighbors will trade babysitting responsibilities — you watch theirs one night, then they watch yours another.

7. And if you're out for an afternoon of fun, consider visiting that new restaurant you wanted to try. Lunch menus are priced lower than dinner menus. Look for coupons, too. Two-for-One deals are common.

8. Finally, if you're a student, military service member, or a senior, be sure to ask for discounts. For that matter, don't forget to ask for AAA, AARP, or other membership discounts. Even some clothing retailers, for example, offer AAA discounts.

This article is from Kate Lister of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Financial Balancing Act: Musings on Balancing Being Responsible with Having Fun

Sarah Winfrey — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:32:49 +0000

Sometimes, balancing debt (or staying out of it) with fun things we really enjoy brings up hard questions. You know that you need to pay down debt or that you're barely making ends meet as it is, yet you want to see that movie, buy that purse, or take that vacation. How do you decide what to do?

Ramit, over at Iwillteachyoutoberich, provides a great illustration for this question. Yesterday, he posted about a friend of his who was going to charge an international trip in spite of having over $6000 in credit card debt. When he talked to his friend about not going and instead putting the money toward the debt, his friend replied that the debt had been there for a long time, so it didn't matter when it got paid off. Ramit found that fascinating.

I'm not sure it's fascinating so much as it is normal, at least for those who live with debt or who can barely make ends meet. Living with debt (even "good" debt, like student loans or a good mortgage) can be draining. The debt starts to haunt many of your financial decisions. When you have to get the car fixed so you can go to work, you think about how you could be paying extra on your loans. When you get your hair cut, you wonder if it's wrong for you to go to the stylist you've seen for years because there's a cheaper place down the street. It can get into your life and make everything a little less brilliant, a little darker and more discouraging.

One way to counteract that seems to be doing something that makes you feel like you have the money to do what you want. For some, that's a new pair of shoes. For others, it's a spa day. For others, it's a trip around the world. When you're in debt or struggling financially, that tendency is always there. "I'm not rich," we think, "and that's hard. I would feel so much better if I was just free to buy that X." And instead of paying off the debt so that we can actually be free, we often choose to enslave ourselves more for the false feeling of freedom that comes from doing or buying something we really want.

I don't think that those of us with debt need to be reclusive, never going out unless it's free or close to it. I don't even think we need to stay home, to not take vacations, to never get out and get away. But we need to monitor WHY we want those things, and we need to take care of our responsibilities first.

When I think about it, this is what I come up with: If I ponder for a while and realize that I HAVE always wanted to see Thailand and the perfect time to do it is coming up, I think it's fine to make minimum payments for several months so that I can save the money I would have put toward debt for a trip. The payments are made, I'm on top of it, but I'm also responsibly heading towards a goal. On the other hand, it also seems fine to realize that Thailand is important and redouble my committment toward paying off my debt so I can go on this tour the next time it comes around. What wouldn't be fine would be for me to hear that my friends are going to Thailand and put a deposit on my credit card because traveling makes me feel better, before I even think about whether it's important to me to go.

And yet, I'm sure that what I've said above is only the beginning of my thoughts on the subject. I might change my mind later. And what about little things? Is it different if it's a $10 movie rather than a $2000 plane ticket? And I'm sure you don't all agree with me. So tell you think? How do you balance debt and fun?

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This article is from Sarah Winfrey of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: