Monday, November 8, 2010

Entertainment On A College Budget


As a college student, staving off bordem with a small amount of cash is a constant battle. If watching movies is what you're into, here are a few ways to fill in all that free time without breaking into your party fund.

Netflix
Let's just say that I've had NetFlix for almost a year now, and I've never looked back. For $8.99 a month I get a new release DVD in the mail and access to their huge online streaming database of movies and TV shows. We're talking entire seasons of Rocko's Modern Life, The Deadliest Catch, Family Guy, American Dad, The Office and Futurama (pinch me I must be dreaming). I barely even watch regular TV anymore, to be honest.

Redbox
Blockbuster (in brick and mortar form) is done for and redbox is the reason. How can it compete with something that doesn't have to pay rent and dispenses movies automatically? Find the closest redbox nearest you and for only $0.99 you can rent a new movie for the night. I specifically remember paying $4.99 for a new movie at BlockBuster. Those were dark days; dark days indeed.


Hulu
Always miss your favorite shows? No problem. Hulu to the rescue! Hulu is an online content provider that lets you watch new episodes of show's like The Office, Family Guy, Modern Family and 30 Rock the next day after they air. FOX, NBC Universal and ABC are just a small portion of the over 225 content providers for the site and best of all, It's FREE.

Bring Your Own Snacks
If after all these other choices you still decide to go to the movies, bring in your own food. I know it's usually forbidden by the movie theaters, but if they've got the nerve to charge you $10 to see a movie, then bringing in a bag of skittles shouldn't be a crime. My girlfriend and I use to buy the big bags of cheap popcorn at the grocery store and put it in little plastic Ziplocs to bring in. It was way cheaper then buying it there, and it kept us from being elbow deep in a gallon-sized bucket of popcorn. So hide a few drinks and snacks in your girl's purse the next time you go see a movie and save a yourself a couple bucks in the process.