Frugal and fun...sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? But it's not at all. You really can have fun without blowing your budget within a couple of hours of cashing your paycheck. And the thing is, when you have a great time, without feeling guilt over spending a lot of money, it feels like twice the fun.
Today, I'd like to suggest a couple of options for going out to the movies. The first is the local Enumclaw theaters, the Enumclaw Chalet and the Enumclaw Cinema. They show new releases as soon as the larger theaters, but at frugal-friendly prices. Both are owned by the same people, and while the pricing is the same at each, the show times vary, as well as the decor and atmosphere. The Chalet is my favorite. You can still see many of the old Art Deco style features in the historic building, and while it's not huge, it is large enough to seat several hundred people in what really feels like a theater. The Cinema is much newer and is similar in seating to most of the chain theaters, although smaller.
Both theaters show movies nightly and also have matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Regular ticket prices are $6.00 for adults and slightly less for kids and seniors, and the matinees are $5.00. A real bargain compared to the prices at the large chain theaters. The other big saving is in the pricing on snacks...about 1/3 to 1/2 that of other theaters...and that means you can sit back and enjoy the movie without thinking about the price of each popcorn kernel you crunch. In addition, if you live in or very near Enumclaw, you will also save on gas and travel time by patronizing a local business, and you will be financially and environmentally frugal.
Another option is the Federal Way Gateway Theater....or, as we call it, "The 2-dollar Theater." Tickets are $2.00 every day, except Tuesdays, when they are only $1.00! Even 3-D movies are a bargain at $4.00. The movies they show are generally still in the other theaters, or were within the last few weeks; so if you're feeling like you missed out because it would have been too expensive previously, this is the place for you.
Most snacks are a little less than the larger theaters, and hotdogs are only $1.00. My daughter took her two kids to a movie the other night and paid a total of $6.00 for all three of them for tickets and a hotdog for each. Another nice feature is that they have booster seats available for the younger kids so you won't have to be worried that someone 6'6" will choose to sit directly in front of your child.
At these kinds of prices, you can probably afford to go out occasionally and enjoy some great entertainment with family or friends. In fact, on a Tuesday you can probably find enough change in your couch or spare change jar, so you won't be putting any kind of pressure on your budget. So go on...have some fun and no need to feel guilty!
Enumclaw Chalet Theater - 1721 Wells St, Enumclaw, WA 98022 360-825-3881
Enumclaw Cinema - 258 Roosevelt Ave E, Enumclaw, WA 98022 360-825-3888
Gateway Theaters - 2501 S. Gateway Center, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-946-9224
http://www.starplexcinemas.com/subpage.php?subpage=locations.php&theaterid=1012 for showtimes
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