Family Budget Breakdown: Going To The Movies Versus Satellite Tv
If there is one good thing that has come out of this recession, it is that many American families have learned the importance of budgeting. While in the 90s and 2000s many people simply racked up credit card debt without giving it as much as a second thought, there is a new emphasis on fiscal responsibility in todays culture that can definitely be a good thing. It could mean keeping families out of debt and ensuring this countrys economic future.
But while cutting back and trimming the fat are certainly admirable goals, implementing outright austerity measures is not necessarily the best idea, especially when it comes to your own life. You are an American: if you do not treat yourself to a little luxury every once and a while you will go crazy. Living comfortably is practically your birthright! The goal, then, is not to eliminate every indulgence from your life, but to make your choices about entertainment and leisure wisely so that you can kick back a bit without going broke!
One of the biggest places where many families blow their budgets is entertainment. They spend significant portions of their salaries on vacations, hobbies, and activities, not thinking about how this will impact their overall budgets. When you are looking to entertain yourself, one thing you should consider doing is a cost and value comparison of two similar experiences. For example, you might consider whether it is wiser to go to the movies a few times a month or simply invest in a satellite TV package.
The first fact you might consider is enjoyment how much subjective value will you get out of each experience. It can be fun to go to the theater: everyone likes a night out on the town. There is also something almost magical about that experience of munching popcorn inside of an auditorium and watching your favorite stars act out fantasy worlds on the silver screen. But staying in and watching satellite TV can be a great experience, too. With massive flat screen high definition televisions and surround sound systems, it can sometimes feel like you actually are at the movies! Plus, you get a huge selection of different titles to watch. At a movie theater, you might get anywhere from six to 15 choices, and even less when you consider that at least two of them will be childrens movies and another half will belong to genres that you do not enjoy. With satellite TV, the options are limitless.
Next, you want to consider the real cost of each possibility. Going to the movies can add up. You have to pay for your ticket, often $8-14 a pop depending on the hours and what kinds of discounts you apply for (student, elderly, etc.). Then, of course, you must consider how much it costs to drive, park, and pay for snacks. With satellite TV, you get your entertainment right in the comfort of your home, without having to get to and fro. And if you get hungry, you can check out what is in the fridge!
But while cutting back and trimming the fat are certainly admirable goals, implementing outright austerity measures is not necessarily the best idea, especially when it comes to your own life. You are an American: if you do not treat yourself to a little luxury every once and a while you will go crazy. Living comfortably is practically your birthright! The goal, then, is not to eliminate every indulgence from your life, but to make your choices about entertainment and leisure wisely so that you can kick back a bit without going broke!
One of the biggest places where many families blow their budgets is entertainment. They spend significant portions of their salaries on vacations, hobbies, and activities, not thinking about how this will impact their overall budgets. When you are looking to entertain yourself, one thing you should consider doing is a cost and value comparison of two similar experiences. For example, you might consider whether it is wiser to go to the movies a few times a month or simply invest in a satellite TV package.
The first fact you might consider is enjoyment how much subjective value will you get out of each experience. It can be fun to go to the theater: everyone likes a night out on the town. There is also something almost magical about that experience of munching popcorn inside of an auditorium and watching your favorite stars act out fantasy worlds on the silver screen. But staying in and watching satellite TV can be a great experience, too. With massive flat screen high definition televisions and surround sound systems, it can sometimes feel like you actually are at the movies! Plus, you get a huge selection of different titles to watch. At a movie theater, you might get anywhere from six to 15 choices, and even less when you consider that at least two of them will be childrens movies and another half will belong to genres that you do not enjoy. With satellite TV, the options are limitless.
Next, you want to consider the real cost of each possibility. Going to the movies can add up. You have to pay for your ticket, often $8-14 a pop depending on the hours and what kinds of discounts you apply for (student, elderly, etc.). Then, of course, you must consider how much it costs to drive, park, and pay for snacks. With satellite TV, you get your entertainment right in the comfort of your home, without having to get to and fro. And if you get hungry, you can check out what is in the fridge!