5 Ways to Entertain and Still Live Debt Free

Saving money and being mindful of your expenses is hard, and for sociable people, it can be even harder. The urge to want to entertain and be entertained with friends can often be the biggest temptation in falling off the financial health wagon. Make your time with your friends and loved ones a time of happiness and not regret. Use these 5 tips for entertainment on a budget, so you can still be a little foot loose and fancy free and live debt free at the same time.

Sharing is Caring

Don’t let your pride get in the way of having a nice get together; try to share the responsibilities with another friend or two. Sure, in your head you see yourself as the host of all hosts, but there is no shame or loss of fun in making the gathering a joint effort. Assign duties to other friends so that all of the expense—and pressure—isn’t on your shoulders. Plus, this is a great way to make others feel important. It’s a win-win.

Be the Borrower

There’s no reason to break the bank by purchasing extra party décor or dishes. Simply ask a family member or a friend for the use of some of their items. Most people would be flattered as asking to borrow something suggests that you like their taste. Just make sure you return the items when you’re done, as a good host should. Borrowing can add that touch of fun or elegance that you wanted, while helping you live debt free.

Potlucks Without the Bucks

This might seem old fashioned, but vintage is in, isn’t it? Potluck lunches or dinners are a great way to save on costs, while also getting a chance to try everyone’s favorite dishes. If you desperately wanted a dinner party, but just couldn’t find a way to justify the expense, a potluck is a can’t-fail option that gives everyone a chance to shine. Also, one thing is for sure: No one will go home hungry.

At-Home Movie Nights

Most everyone likes some kind of movie, so it’s safe to assume that with the right mixture of like-minded friends you could get a cheap movie rental that several people would enjoy. Throw in some popcorn and soda, and make a fun night of it. Don’t be afraid to let people add their own commentary and really make it fun at-home experience. After all, you aren’t allowed to do that sort of thing at the theater. At the end of the movie, you could also lead a critical discussion of the movie to encourage more conversation; but be sure to make it fun and not too heated.

Game Night

This one could have a couple of meanings, both for card and board games, or an athletic event. You could easily host a televised sporting event party at your house, while still asking everyone to bring one of their favorite snacks to share. Also, plenty of people love playing or learning new games. Either pull out the old card or board games, or make it as simple as charades. You could even make everyone feel included by having each person share a game they know with the whole group.

As you can see, there’s no reason to stop entertaining just because you’re saving. You can live debt free and have a social life. The possibilities are endless and inexpensive!