Entertainment at home?

[KatieNK]

We rent movies from the $1 box at the grocery store. As long as you return it by the next night at 7, you are only charged that $1.

We play card and board games and we play the Wii. We also walk the dogs, work on the house, bake/cook.

[freesamples]

Most of the time I browse internet and spend time at home after my office hours. I like to know things from forums like this.

[leighangela]

I got one of those cookbooks where all the recipes use like 5 ingredients or less, so I try new recipes, cut coupons, plays lots of board games, read magazines and do LOTS of internet research on politics, finance, history, and job improvement. I also look at craigs list.

[FrugalTexan75]

I read books, watch tv online, surf the net, do ChaCha (earn money and entertain myself at the same time!) cross stitch, talk with family/friends, figure out new ways to save money, research new ideas for different foods to eat/ways to make food, etc. I also have an elliptical and free weights at home, along with plenty of exercise videos - so if I'm really bored, I can always do that!

[biff]

We rent movies from the $1 box at the grocery store. As long as you return it by the next night at 7, you are only charged that $1.

We play card and board games and we play the Wii. We also walk the dogs, work on the house, bake/cook.

I just got a Wii...So much fun, and I think I am addicted!

[PetMom]

Husband purchased chuzzles an online game and we are just addicted to that and it is very relaxing and entertainment. We have gotten hours and hours of entertainment from this.

We have kept the premium channels on our cable but to do this got very strict with movies out in theaters and purchasing any DVD movies.

Library now - no Barnes & Nobles - no exceptions.

We did last year have grilling out as an expense. I did the numbers and quickly realized this was not us cooking for the week and inviting a few people over. This was moved to the entertainment category from the food category. It was fun, but not worth the money - this year we hardly did this at all to save money.

We really cut the entertainment category this past year as that is so easy to overspend in. When we do have an entertainment purchase we make sure we enjoy it and will use it.

[KatieNK]

I like to go to Barnes and Nobles just to browse. I think it is fun even if you don't buy anything!

[biff]

Missouri has had a great conservation department for decades. There is a program through which the state stocks ponds on private land as long as the owner allows others to come fish in that pond! Some ponds will never get fished by strangers/neighbors, others will.

I have subscribed to a free Missouri Conservation Department magazine since I was a child in Tennessee (!) and I guess I'd have to add that to my list of at home entertainment. I read a lot.

Oh here's an at-home entertainment I use the internet for. Both before and after traveling, especially on local rural roads or by boat, I like to study the area on Google earth. That helps me figure out some of the terrain I have seen and I get clues to the history of the place. Next time I go out I have more things too look for and questions to ask local people.

Joan,
Good point about the Google Earth...I use google maps a lot as well, and use it for trip planning, etc...I love how it does the street view option, and traffic now too!

[CrazShop]

board games, watch dvd's instead of going to the movies, read and read some more.

[cicy33]

I use Netflix as well. I just have the one disc at a time, and use a lot of the instant viewing. Blockbuster is great as well. A lot of the same titles, same service, and after you watch the movie you can take them to any blockbuster store and get another movie...You just have to return the store one back to the store, and not in the mail.

Not really on the subject but I heard from someone that the dvds they are getting lately are in bad shape. some are broken. is this a problem? I had considered joining them but don't want to if that is the case

[disneysteve]

Not really on the subject but I heard from someone that the dvds they are getting lately are in bad shape. some are broken. is this a problem? I had considered joining them but don't want to if that is the case

I think I've had 2 discs arrive cracked in all the time we've been members, and neither was recently. If you do get a broken disc, you just report it at the website and send it back. They send out a replacement right away.

[biff]

Not really on the subject but I heard from someone that the dvds they are getting lately are in bad shape. some are broken. is this a problem? I had considered joining them but don't want to if that is the case

I have been a member on and off for about 6 years, and have only had about 2 or 3 not work. I have even lost a few and they did not give me a problem. Their customer service has been great, and IMO, they would not hesitate to refund your money if you were not satisfied.

To add to the topic, I used an unused VGA cable that came with my computer, and hooked it up to my TV, and watch the Netflix instant viewer from there.

[disneysteve]

I used an unused VGA cable that came with my computer, and hooked it up to my TV, and watch the Netflix instant viewer from there.

I keep meaning to figure out how to do this. We watch one ABC show on the computer because we're never home when it's on. I'd like to be able to do that on the TV as well as the Netflix instant stuff.

[MoneyTrev]

I'm not keen on advertising my website instead of writing a reply but it can probably answer this question better.

Planning Frugal Fun

You might find activities of interest there =)

[biff]

I keep meaning to figure out how to do this. We watch one ABC show on the computer because we're never home when it's on. I'd like to be able to do that on the TV as well as the Netflix instant stuff.

Steve,
Essentially you are using your tv as a computer monitor. Or think about how a computer works with a projector. You can also use computer speakers for the sound via headphone jacks.
You can connect a variety of ways, s video, VGA, DVI.... Picture quality varies with DVI being the best, I think, but it depends on what ports your tv and computer have.
Good luck...
I have been watching a lot of the nature documentaries on Netflix... Awesome!