game nights

Easy Ways to Rein in Your Spending Without Sacrificing Fun

David Ning — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:36:08 +0000

If you are like most people, you may find it difficult to save money because you feel like you will miss out on all the good things in life if you are pinching your pennies. Sure, fabulous meals out, exotic vacations, stylish clothes, and cool gadgets are nice to have, but they can really rack up the bills. The good news is that by making a few small changes, you can enjoy the same quality of life you have always had without giving your wallet a beating. Here are a few examples. (See also: 25 Frugal Changes You Can Make Today)

Set Up a Card-Less Bank Account

ATM cards are ridiculously convenient. They allow you to take out money any time of day or night, whenever and wherever you need it. However, this also makes it tempting for you to spend that money wherever and whenever. There are many banks that allow you to operate on a no-card basis, so you can only deposit or withdraw money directly from a teller or, in the case of a high-yield online savings account, only via an online transfer.

With these accounts you must physically go in to a bank to withdraw money, or wait a few days for the transfer to go through. This makes it more difficult to withdraw the funds, so it may prevent you from making impulse purchases. In addition, many card-less bank accounts have lower withdrawal fees and offer higher interest rates, so you may actually save more.

Host Nights in Instead of Going Out

A night out could cost you an arm and a leg in restaurant bills, movie tickets, overpriced drinks, taxis, or cover charges. On the other hand, staying in can be very inexpensive and just as fun. Invite people over to your house for a movie night, throw a BBQ or a potluck dinner, or just relax with a bottle of wine and good company. There are plenty of things you can do in the comfort of your own home that are enjoyable, yet cost next to nothing.

Get Fit Without the Gym

We all know that going to the gym is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy, but gym membership fees can also be wildly expensive. Besides, who wants to stay cooped up in the gym when you can be enjoying the great outdoors? Think about ditching the gym membership and taking up cycling, walking, or hiking, especially if you live in a walkable neighborhood. If the weather is not great, invest in a yoga mat and some exercise DVDs that you can do at home. The amount you save on one month of gym fees will easily cover the costs of the DVDs and mat.

Scour Your City for Free or Discounted Events

There is nearly always something cheap to do if you know where to look. Search online listings or in your local papers for interesting events that do not cost anything to attend. Many festivals, outdoor concerts, and cultural events do not charge admission. In addition, many museums, art galleries, and theaters offer special deals on certain days of the week. For a completely free outing, take a trip to your local park for a picnic or an afternoon gathering instead spending money in restaurants and coffee shops.

Cutting back on spending does not mean you have to cut back on fun as well. There are many ways you can have a good time without spending a cent. All it takes is some creative thinking and slight lifestyle changes, and you can enjoy life while watching your savings grow.

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

Play On: 5 Great Card and Board Games

Thursday Bram — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:48:18 +0000

If you walk down the board game aisle at any department store, it can seem like the number of games available just keeps going up. It can be tempting to grab the first game you see, especially if you’re in a hurry to start up a family board game night. But there are some games that are better than others.

The games below are from my personal favorites — you may find that you have to play through more than a few to find the ones you and your fellow players will particularly love. It’s worthwhile to find a local game store that offers you the chance to play through games at a in-store game night before making a purchase. Plus, this list includes a few board games that probably aren’t going to be at a department store. (See also: Score! How to Host a Great Game Night)

Settlers of Catan

Settlers of Catan has been paving the way from more traditional board games, like Monopoly, to less-well-known alternatives for years. It’s for good reason, because the game, which lets you trade resources and build towns and roads, is a ton of fun.

Dominion

This card-based game is officially meant for ages 13 and up, but we’ve played it successfully with younger kids. Dominion’s mechanics make it different every time you play by including different sets of cards. There are also several different expansion packs available.

Citadels

Looking for something quick and easy to pick up? Citadels is a great game that can be played by up to seven players if you have a big group. It’s also particularly easy; you can master the game in just a few minutes.

Robo Rally

Ever wanted to play with robots of your very own? Robo Rally lets you and your fellow players pit robots against each other and against a very unforgiving board.

7 Wonders

You can build the wonders of ancient civilizations in 7 Wonders, along with discovering new technologies and competing with militaries. If you’re a fan of computer games like Civilization, 7 Wonders can provide a nice transition.

Got a few favorites of your own? Please share them in the comments — personally, I’m always looking for the next great board game.

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

Score! How to Host a Great Game Night

Mikey Rox — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:36:24 +0000

When it’s cold outside, all you want to do is stay inside.

I do, at least. I hate the cold weather. I live in New York City, but I long for Los Angeles. I say bring on global warming. Al Gore and Mr. DiCaprio will just have to deal with that statement.

In the winter, there are few things to do inside besides cook, clean, and watch movies. The problem is, the comfort food makes me fat, the constant cleaning makes me tired, and I’ve seen just about every movie playing On Demand that I want to see (plus, it’s not cheap).

Game night, however, is another way to pass the time (and have fun) while others are shivering their butts off on the slopes or whatever else people do outside when it’s below freezing.

Hosting a good game night isn’t an art form, but there are certain criteria you need to follow to ensure a great one. Here are my tips on making the night one to remember. (See also: 5 Fun Family Friendly Games)

Invite Your Guests According to Games

Personally, I pick the games that we’re going to play according to the guests I’ve invited. Some of my friends are wordsmiths, so Scrabble may be in order, while others like video games. Even still, you may be inviting over guests whose preference in games you don't know. In that case, if you're unsure of the players' skill levels at certain games, choose games that are based primarily on luck, like Yahtzee, or at least have a wide selection on hand so the group can make the decision on what to play together. The point is, you want to choose games that everyone will have fun with — and have an equal chance of winning. Also, some games are good for small parties, like Scattergories or Taboo, while other games, such as Apples to Apples, are much more fun with a big group. I once played the latter in a group of 12 one Thanksgiving night, and I don’t think I’ve had so much fun or laughed so hard since then.

Send an E-Invitation

I’m a big fan of Evite. I like that it gives your gathering — large or small — a semi-formal feel even if it’s super low-key; it just seems more organized than an e-mail exchange. Your guests will know the time, place, and theme instantly, and they can visit the link at any time to find out the information, which means that you won’t have to field e-mails or phone calls asking for updates.

Prepare the Food

Don’t spend too much time in the kitchen on game night unless it’s dinner and game night. There are two reasons for this: 1) If you spend all day cooking for your guests, you’ll be tired by the time they arrive, and 2) it’s game night — guests expect junk food. Pick up some frozen appetizers, a few bags of chips, and soda, or order pizza or Chinese from your favorite restaurant. If you want your guests to pitch in on the food costs, let them know ahead of time in the invitation. I generally pick up the tab for the food, but I did ask my guests to pitch in $5 each for pizza and drinks for an Oscar party once. They weren’t offended at all, and I saved some cash.

Provide the Booze

Game night is never fun if it’s alcohol-free — at least for me. The fun and laughter (and ridiculous answers) increase when everybody’s had a few. Provide the booze yourself or ask your friends to BYOB; that's totally an acceptable request. Most of your friends will probably arrive with a bottle of wine anyway (a small gift is protocol when inviting someone to your home for an evening that would otherwise cost them more money than a bottle of wine), but suggest in the invitation that if they want something special, they should bring it. I always have liquor, mixers, and wine on hand, and I’ll pick up beer for a game night. Be sure to tell your guests what will be available, so they’re not left dry because they don't like what you provided.

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

There’s competitive, and then there’s over-competitive. I’m competitive — I enjoy winning — but if I lose, I don’t throw a tantrum. Nobody likes that guy who gets pissed because he lost. A night can go down hill very quickly if anyone in the party is aggressive about winning and not a team player. Game night should be an occasion to relax and have fun. Keep that in mind, and don’t be afraid to calm down a guest who may be on the edge. You’re in charge, so there’s no harm in reminding everyone that this isn’t a game show and there’s no pot of gold at the end. Likewise, just because you’re the host of the party doesn’t give you authority to make up rules in your favor. Play fair and honest and have an excellent time — especially if you ever want your guests to come back again.

Have other game-night tips to share? Let us know is the comments below.

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: