GUEST COLUMN: How to Pay for Your Tickets to the Movies

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How to Pay for Your Tickets to the Movies 

by Kevin Gardner

While streaming services are popular, seeing a movie in theaters is still one of the best forms of entertainment. However, due to an increase in everything from concessions to ticket prices, you might be among those who do not want to go to the movies as often as you would like to. However, there are ways to pay for your tickets without having to break the bank. Consider the following suggestions for how to pay for your tickets to the movies.

Establish a Rainy Day Fund

While you may not want to dip into your savings just to have a fun day out, you may want to think about establishing a rainy day fund. Such funds are not always for emergencies, and a lot of people have taken advantage of this method to set money aside for their own fun activities. Any time you have some change from a transaction, or a few spare bills, you can put them in that rainy day fund. Soon enough, depending on how many people you plan to buy tickets for, you will find yourself able to pay for your tickets. 

Use a Credit Card

Although the idea of paying for movie tickets using a credit card seems counterintuitive, they are an ideal thing to use your credit card on for a number of reasons. Even if you have a high credit limit, you should ideally refrain from using all of it. Making small purchases, such as movie tickets, on an american express credit card, are the most ideal purchases to make. WIth some credit cards, you have the potential to earn money back on your purchases, and if you pay off the small purchases in time, you can manage your balance and improve your credit score. If your card has a rewards program, you can earn points with each purchase toward new things, and depending on the rewards program, you might be able to get free movie tickets from it. 

Go Dutch

If you are like a lot of people, you probably go with a group of friends to see a movie. A lot of times, there is one person in the group who pays for all of the tickets. However, if you are that person, and nobody else is taking a turn, you might find yourself not wanting to go with your group anymore. It might be time for everyone to take a turn paying for their own ticket. Doing this saves everyone money in the long run, and it gives everyone a reset, so the next time that someone pays for all of the tickets, there is an established system and you will not feel your wallet draining every time.

Movie Rewards Programs

While not every movie theater has one, there are some that have rewards programs that you can use to get free items at the movie theater if you rack up enough points. If you do not have a theater in your area that has a rewards program, you might be able to find one online. 

Go to a Matinee

If you are looking to save money but still see movies frequently, matinees are your best bet at getting what you want. Matinees are movies that are shown during the day, usually in the morning or in the afternoon, and they frequently occur during the week. Because of this, a lot of matinee showings have cheaper tickets. You can see all of the movies you want for a cheaper price, as long as you are willing to go during the week and see the films that have been out for a while. There will be occasions where the most recent and popular movie is chosen for a matinee showing, and it will be worth your while to try and see that one.

Going to the movies is always a fun time, but it can be very expensive. Keep these suggestions in mind and you will be able to go to the movies more often and for a lot less than you are used to paying.