I love movies. Unfortunately, having three little ones means that we rarely get to go out and see new movies in the theaters. It’s not that dinner and a movie for two cost so much. It’s that you have tack on that additional $40-$50 in babysitting fees. To spend $100+ on an overpriced dinner, an “eh, it was ok” movie, and someone to watch our kids….well, let’s just say that we’d usually rather cook dinner, curl up on the couch, and save that money for more pressing uses.
Getting away
On occasion, that one movie that we’ve been waiting on comes out or we just need to get away. If we are lucky, we can get family to watch the kiddos and save those few extra bucks to spend on a nicer dinner. Either way, we know that, whether we are paying for it or not, that time away from the kids is precious. We do not want to waste that little bit of time by waiting around for a movie to start. The best way to avoid this is simply to do your homework and plan out your evening a little.
Avoid the wait
You can easily go online to check out cinema times and buy tickets online so that you can avoid standing in line for tickets. Once you have your tickets, start planning backwards. Account for some time waiting for concessions, calculate out your travel time from the restaurant, approximate dining time, and travel time from home to the restaurant. Then you can plan on a time for your babysitter to arrive so that you can make your movie.
For example, we know that it will take us about 30 minutes to get to whatever restaurant we are going to. It will take us about an hour at the restaurant, 10-15 minutes to travel and park at the theater, another 10-15 minutes getting concessions, and about 30 minutes to get home. If the movie runs about an hour and a half, we know that we need about 4 hours for the evening.
Other options
We usually think about going to dinner and a movie. One great way to save some money, though, is to flip this idea around. Why not go out a little earlier to see a matinee and have dinner afterwards? This can definitely save you a few dollars on tickets and snacking on popcorn during the movie just might keep you from buying as much when you get to the restaurant.
How often do you get away with your significant other? What do you do? Dinner? Movie? Something else altogether? Do you get a babysitter or does family help you out? How do you save money? Leave us a comment and let us know!
I love watching movies and I love popcorn. Enjoy the night out.
I agree. Going to the movies can save you bucks for a nicer dinner when you want to go out with the whole family. One thing more I like about going out to theaters is that, killing time is easier since a movie can be enjoyed for long hours. Boredom is definitely not a part of the scene.
We don’t get out nearly often enough. Babysitters are expensive! I am excited to say that we DO have a date scheduled this Sunday afternoon (what a hot date, right?) to go see the Hunger Games!
I think the last time hubby and I saw a movie in a theater alone was probably when I was pregnant with my now 8 year old son. we usually only fork out cash for a sitter for a not to be missed event