Are you getting priced out of some of your favorite sources of live entertainment? The bad news: "Funflation" is real, with prices up sharply on many activities since the pandemic.
The good news: There are still ways to have fun without breaking the bank.
Pam Wills was wearing her reindeer hat and watching the grandkids enjoy ice skating on an outdoor holiday rink. She likes that it's still an affordable family holiday event.
"It's time together, very affordable at just $10," she said.
But many other activities are not so affordable. Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance editor at NerdWallet and has been tracking the rising costs of fun.
"Everything from concert tickets to going out to the movies, everything is costing more," she said.
Music concert tours have made a huge splash in 2023
The appetite for big live music is big and getting bigger as 2023 is shaping up to be a record year for concert-going.
The most recent consumer price index shows tickets for concerts and sporting events up nearly 20% from 2022 to 2023.
According to a Wall Street Journal/Credit Karma survey,56% of Americans have been forced to cut back on live entertainment this year as a result.
Ways to find cheaper holiday activities
But Palmer says there’s hope.
"It just means that we have to put a little bit more effort into finding the good deals," she said.
While 1 in 5 people say they are willing to take on debt to experience their favorite activities, she says it’s still critical to budget first.
Palmer recommends using the 50-30-20 method.
"That means that 50% of your take-home pay is going towards needs, 30% towards wants, and then 20% towards debt payments and savings," she said.
Using the money in your "wants" budget, she suggests you then look for deals. Apps like Gametime will show you last-minute discounted tickets to live events, and you can also find sales on activities on Groupon.
Finally, she says to consider what you can access for free in your community.
From holiday parades to New Year's Eve fireworks shows to ice skating, you might be surprised by how many affordable activities are available near you, especially this time of year when everything is lit up for the holidays.
"You kind of have to be imaginative, maybe do a little homework, but there are things out there you can definitely do," one man watching his kids skate said.
