Are you searching for things to do that are affordable and fun? Here are a few low-cost activities for an entertaining evening for less than ten dollars.
Visit a Bookstore
While there were more than 12,000 bookstores in the U.S. in 1997, more than 10,000 locations remain. An estimated 20% of those are independent bookstores.
Reading helps to exercise the brain. It also improves literacy, sleep, motivation, and knowledge.
Most bookstores allow customers to browse their selection of books in genres like fiction, current events, art, philosophy, and more.
You can visit a bookstore near you free of charge. You might even find a used bookstore with books ranging from $0.50 to $2.
Watch a Movie
The average price of a movie ticket in the U.S. steadily rose over the previous decades. Streaming services for movies also continue to get more expensive. However, you may find basic plans for streaming services under $10.
Options include Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu (without ads). You could also browse movies on Amazon or YouTube for options for less than $10.
YouTube also offers free movies with ads.
Listen to Music
Amazon offers its music streaming service for about $10 per month. If you’ve got nothing to do, the Amazon Music Unlimited streaming service offers 100 million songs without ads.
Genres include:
- Classical
- Rock
- Classic Rock
- Country
- Hip-hop
- Jazz
- Pop
- R&B
- Indie
- Caribbean
Other digital options for listening to music include Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. You may find streaming plans for $10 or less, while YouTube gives access to seemingly endless music options (with ads) free of charge.
Listen to a Podcast
Amazon Music also gives listeners access to 70,000 podcast shows. Topics include health and fitness, true crime, education, comedy, history, and news.
For way more options, there are more than 4.5 million podcasts on Spotify and 2.5 million on Apple. Top genres include:
- Society & Culture
- Education
- Arts
- Business
- Religion & Spirituality
- Comedy
- Health & Fitness
- News
- Leisure
- Music
Users get access to these podcasts for free with ads. A small monthly fee removes the ads to enhance your listening experience.
Social Gaming and Online Casinos
Lost-cost entertainment grew in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. With lockdowns in place and people unable to go to school or work, billions worldwide needed something to do.
Movies, music, and podcasts became a top source of entertainment, just like playing video games. The video game industry released dozens of new mobile apps to meet consumer demand.
Social gaming also grew in scope for games like bingo, slots, and blackjack. Real money players may also find a variety of $10 deposit casinos.
Online casinos may also allow players to try free demo versions of their games.
Take a Walk on the Beach at Night
Nearly 40% of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas. That means more than 125 million people around the country get direct access to beaches and coastlines.
For millions of Americans, it’s free to take a walk on the beach at night. Usually, that’s when temperatures cool down, too. It’s a perfect way to experience nature, which helps to improve your mood, reduce stress, and to relax.
Hawaii, Florida, California, and South Carolina are some of the most popular states with beaches in America. There are also well-known beaches in Oregon, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.
Enjoy a walk under the starry skies on a sandy beach on a clear night that doesn’t cost a thing.
Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
The U.S. has over 35,000 museums and nearly 27,000 art galleries. While most locations may charge more than $10 for admission, you can find affordable options.
For example, your local museum or art gallery might offer discounts for children, those under 18, students, or elderly patrons. Memberships may also give you access to free admissions.
Some museums and galleries designate specific days with free admissions each week at night. For example, the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers a ‘Pay What You Wish’ promo on the first Sunday of the month and every Friday night from 5:30 – 8:45 p.m.
You can check the websites of museums and art galleries to see if they have free admission days.
Spend Time with Family
If you’d prefer to stay in rather than go out, you could spend time with your family at home. You could create a game night or watch something like your favorite sports team on TV.
Combine any previously listed options and include your family members to enjoy a night with those you love.
How to Save Money for Entertainment
On average, Americans worked between 34-35 hours per week from 2021 to 2023. Much of that labor goes to monthly spending on housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation.
With economic downturns, people need more money to spend on entertainment. Thus, saving money to set aside for things you enjoy is crucial.
Low-cost entertainment like reading, watching a movie, or listening to music or podcasts is an excellent way to reduce spending.
When you simplify your life and learn to appreciate what you have, it goes a long way to ensure your future is affordable and enjoyable.
