Category Archives: Entertainment

Going To 3D Movies Are Worth It, Sometimes

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Last year, I discovered that I enjoy going to see some of the recent movies, especially the relatively new 3D movies.

 

Initially I resisted going to see the newer style of 3D movies since in the past when I went to 3D movies they always gave me a headache both during and after the movie was over.  With the new 3D style of glasses though, it’s different!  The visual effects are much more real and for once I actually enjoy watching 3D movies.  While my eyes are tired (that’s the best way that I can describe it) after the 3D movies end, I don’t have the piercing headaches like I did in the past.

The costs of going to see a 3D movie (with your significant other) can run you over $40.  However, it’s worth it if you keep your visits out at the movie theater to only a few times a year.

Today, I’m going to reveal the process that I follow to pick a movie to see for the best bang for my buck.

My Steps to Pick a Night Out At The Movies

  1. First the movie has to be a movie that either my spouse or the entire family would find interesting (although, I do occasionally go with my friends to have a guy’s night out, especially when it’s a testosterone packed movie)
  2. I always consult the most excellent website called “Internet Movie Database” at www.imdb.com.  What’s special about this site is the fact that regular people like you and I go and rate the movie.  So as you can imagine, I only go see a movie after it’s been out a few week.  That way the ratings at www.imdb.com is a decent average of all of those who saw the movie and left a review.  If the movie isn’t rated at least a 7, we don’t go to see it in the movie theaters.
  3.  I prefer to go to late in the day matinée movies.  This enables me to get out of the movie theater when it’s starting to get dark.  Then we go to a nice dinner to cap off the evening.
  4. If possible, I try to see movies during the weekdays during matinée times.  This doesn’t happen often, but we do find that movie theaters are less crowded, and especially when going out to dinner afterwards.  I hate to wait in lines for dinner, generally it’s a waster of time.
  5. Generally, we like to go to the movies during the winter seasons.  The summer seasons are too full of kid’s sports activities and enjoying the great weather.
  6. We have been known to sneak food into the theater occasionally.  Keep it a secret though, I don’t want people to think I’m cheap… or do I?  We do this about 50% of the time.
  7. If the kids aren’t going, we usually schedule the trip to the movie theater while the kids are on a sleep over at the grandparent’s or a friend’s house.
  8. And finally, sometime we wait a few months for the movie to come out at our local dollar theater or drive-in.  This is truly the best bang for the buck.

And there you have it!

Cheers,

MR

Frugally Having a Dad and Daughter Day

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Every so often, my daughter and I have a “Dad and Daughter Day“, where only my daughter and I do things.

This past Sunday, we had one scheduled and so we were going to hit the town.  Now since my daughter is only 7 and actually had a soccer game in the middle of the day, we didn’t have much time today.

Here is what we did.

First, after eating both breakfast and lunch at home, we packed up the car and traveled 45 minutes south to play in a soccer game.  We lost, but at least my daughter was awarded the MVP award (this is her second time getting this award).  It was a close game, but the other team cheated pretty badly.  I’ve never seen little girls stiff arm other girls until this game.  It was like watching football instead of soccer…

After the game, we decided to celebrate her award, by going to a local ice cream shop, where I bought the traditional “mint and chocolate chips” ice cream (single scoop of course).  Since I didn’t get one, it only cost $2.00.

Next we went out for dinner, instead of buying 2 meals, I bought one and split it with my daughter.  We both drank water, so the bill only came to around $12.35.  Since my daughter is still pretty young and doesn’t eat all that much, this was the perfect amount for both of us (a win-win)!

Time was slipping, so we cut out the movie that she wanted (hooray, that would have been pricey!).  Instead we went to a local cafe and I got a latte and I bought my daughter a hot chocolate.  Then for the next hour, we drank our drinks while she read a book that she brought and I worked on the computer (or is it played on the computer?).  Ever now and then we would stop what we were doing and talk a bit.  It was very enjoyable and most likely a tradition that we will continue until my daughter goes off to college someday (let me tell you…, I’m in no hurry for that to happen).

After driving home and the shower that my daughter took (because of soccer), my wife tucked her in bed, then I visited for 5 minutes talking about how much fun we had.  I was one of those rare, great days, that didn’t cost a lot, but we got a lot of value out of it.

I hope I remember this day forever, and if not, at least I have it saved in this blog post!

MR

Multitasking And Keeping Your Family Happy

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This past labor day, I took my wife and kids out to a little place called Rinky Dink Family Fun Center.  Basically it was an activity place that has what seems like a ton of fun stuff for kids (and to a lesser extent adults too).  It has three putt-putt golf courses, an arcade, a go-kart course, bumper boats, a bouncy inflatable to jump in, a batting cage, food, ice cream, etc.  Pretty much it’s basically a kid’s paradise, but not for me.

 

putt putt golf

putt putt golf

 

I decided to take the latest book that I borrowed from the library along with my new laptop and was going to go to town and crank out a few posts for my blog.  Once I got there, my daughter convinced me otherwise (yeah, she’s got me wrapped around her little finger).  So, I bought 4 rounds of golf (at $6 per person) and we played putt-putt golf.  We all had a great time, and the kids, wife and I were heading to the arcade portion of the family center, when I noticed something very unusually.  There, in the room where they hold birthdays, tucked out-of-the-way sitting by a small table, was a man with a book and a laptop.  I thought, “he stole my idea“, but good for him!

As I stood there in disbelieve, a party of four young teenagers went over to him, asked for their dad’s credit card, then got in line for some food (ice cream I believe).  Apparently, he was multitasking by taking his teenage kid(s) along with some friend to the Family Fun Center.  You see, the Rinky Dink center has a pay one price and the guests can do anything that they want all day long, and I’m betting that is what the guy decided to do.  In my head I was clapping and congratulating him for living what I preach and multitasking to get more done.  He’s being a great dad, by letting his kids have a great time, while doing some serious work while keeps a close eye on them or at least know where they are at and what they are doing.

I was going to do the same idea as he was doing, but my daughter’s wish to have me participate in put-put golf, won out (and always will).  But in this guy’s case, his teenage kids and their friends would have a better time goofing off around in the park.  So for this man, he had a win-win scenario!  He got his work done and scored big points with his kids (and their friends).

I have to admit, I was dumbfounded to see my idea being practiced by another person.  And I thought I was so clever…  I believe that I just saw what I will be  doing and look like in another 3 to 5 years from now.  I heard the twilight theme sounds in my head as I left the future version of myself back at the Family Fun Center, very weird experience!

Do you multitask in cases like this one, effectively creating win-win scenarios for you and your family?

MR

 

Yoda Is The Ultimate Frugal Jedi Minimalist

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Think about it!  The Ultimate Frugal Jedi Minimalist was Yoda!

Yoda

Yoda

Yoda was so good with money that not only was his thumb green, his entire body was green (as far as I know).

And as for Yoda being a minimalist (I’m not ragging on his size), he lived in a swamp using candles as lights!  You don’t get more minimalist than that my friends!

He had a cane, but I don’t remember him having his own car (or spaceship)…?

And as for his clothes…  If he did buy them new, the store must have been called “Rags R Us”.  I mean geez, the towels that I use to wash my car look better than the ones Yoda would wear…  Plus, I don’t really recall much of a variety in his wardrobe either.

And as for his shoes…  Yoda didn’t even have shoes!  Now that’s frugal!

Let’s talk about Housing now!  First, check out the model of his house in the picture below:

Yodas House

Yoda’s House

 

This house wasn’t very big huh!  I would guess that it’s the size of a six man tent.  I’m willing to bet that it was an abandoned house or a house that Yoda built himself.  This means that the costs to purchase or build the home would be incredible cheap!  It’s obvious that Yoda didn’t have any running water or any other type of utility either.

So in conclusion, Yoda was the first modern minimalist.

If you made it this far, thank for reading my silly spill about Yoda.  And now for my favorite quote from Yoda: “Do or Do not, there is no try”!

May the force be with you!

MR