As inflation consumes us all and rising gas prices put even your commuter friends in a financial bind, it’s increasingly difficult to go out and have fun without counting every penny. 

As a commuter, I am constantly reconsidering whether it’s worth taking mini road trips anymore because of the aforementioned gas prices. You better believe that every time I go to a gas station, I am quick to pull out the Upside app (which is a nifty app for getting cashback on gas and restaurants). 

The art of penny pinching is more relevant than ever now. But as much as it can be a luxury to go out and have a good time, it doesn’t have to be. I’m becoming much better at having fun on a budget. Here are a few of the ways I’ve found to keep my spirits up and my pockets semi-full. 

Movie Nights

Movie nights have become one of my favorite social gatherings and are a great way to spend time with friends or family. As much as I love the ritzy experience of going to an actual movie theater, sometimes it’s just not in the budget for me to spend $15 on a movie I may or may not enjoy. 

Plus, cozy movie nights with good friends have their own special vibe – nothing beats ordering some cheap pizza and picking a zany movie for everyone to enjoy! 

But, if you do want the movie-going glamour, there are cheap options out there! If you’re in the area, I highly recommend going to The Roxy Theatre in Northampton. This old-fashioned, Art Deco joint prices movies at just five dollars and also has live shows; just note that it only plays one blockbuster movie at a time for a week or two. My boyfriend and I went there to see “Superman” and “Hoppers,” and I just loved the experience every time we went  – and the concession stand snacks were fairly cheap, too!

I also like going to AMC theaters for good deals on movies. They often have 15-20% off matinee tickets for certain movies at certain times, so if there’s a movie that you’re interested in seeing, be sure to check for those deals! 

Local Museum Hopping 

When in doubt, go to a local museum! Not to sound like a stereotypical history major, but museums are one of my favorite places to visit. Over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate local museums and the nifty, niche artifacts they often have. 

Some museums in the area that I am particularly fond of (and are free admission!) are the Allentown Art Museum and the Mack Trucks Historical Museum. The Allentown Art Museum not only has enthralling exhibitions and displays from local artists, but it also has free monthly gatherings like Sip and Stitch for those who like to sew, knit, or crochet. The Mack Trucks Historical Museum, also located in Allentown, features a vast array of Mack truck models and vintage memorabilia; all tours there are guided. 

Weekly Trivia and Karaoke Nights

Throughout my senior year, I’ve become a huge fan of bar trivia. In fact, every Wednesday night, Comenian editor-in-chief Liz Kameen and I attend bar trivia at Steelgaarden with some friends. Trivia or karaoke nights at most bars/venues are completely free and are another great way of socializing with friends and establishing a strong team! 

I love the challenge of competing with other teams while having my own team of friends with different areas of expertise, from music and gaming to niche sports facts. If you’re in Easton, I heard Rivals Sports Bar and Restaurant does awesome Tuesday night themed trivia and bingo on Thursdays and Sundays. 

If you’re the social type, grab a friend or two and have some fun rage-quitting at trivia or singing your heart out to your favorite 2000s classic at karaoke! Also, if you’re over 21 but don’t want to spend money at the bar, try pregaming beforehand – just do so safely and make sure you’re not the one driving! 

Arts and Crafts

We, as a society, need to do more arts and crafts. When I was in elementary and middle school, I was the queen of DIY crafts, and it taught me how to make good use of the resources I have at home. Not to brag, but I learned to make a phone speaker with an empty paper towel roll and two paper cups!

I’ve been able to adapt my craftiness into jewelry making; I love taking apart old necklaces or bracelets to make something new. My mom will even give me some of her old jewelry if I want to make a new pair of earrings (thanks, Mom)! I can tell you that this has saved me money on expensive beads and charms. 

See? You don’t need to splurge at Michael’s to get crafty! It doesn’t have to be jewelry making, but turning something old/unused into something new can go a long way.