Think As Inc

Inspiration On A Budget

May 31, 2010 on 1:45 am | In life coaching | 1 Comment

Dreaming is good for everyone, and regular bouts of inspiration are a prerequisite.   Yet, shows, movies, books, museums, and other creative outlets can seem like unnecessary splurges.  Here are some tips for inspiration on a budget:

Buy theater and movie tickets at a discount.  Check out www.playbill.com or www.theatermania.com for discounts to Broadway, off-Broadway, and other shows.  TKTS booths in NY sell Broadway tickets for half price; there are typically similar outlets in other major cities.  Audience Extras and Theater Development Fund are additional sources for cheap tickets.  Visit the website of your favorite movie theater chain for info on discount movie tickets or other specials.  AMC has a Moviewatcher club to earn points towards free tickets.  If your office doesn’t offer corporate discounts on movie tickets, ask your friends because someone’s office probably does. 

Borrow books instead of buying.  For NY libraries, visit www.nypl.org, where you can search on titles, subjects, keywords and authors, reserve books, and designate the branch where the books should be delivered.  You will be emailed when they are ready for pick-up.  Other cities might have a similar set-up.

Visit museums on the free day.  Many museums and cultural institutions offer blocks of time when you can pay what you wish or even enter free.  Keep a log of these free days, skip the Starbucks, and instead meet with friends in these climate-controlled, non-caloric, creative atmospheres.

Audit classes for free inspiration pick-me-ups.  Most acting schools let you audit one class for free.  Neighborhood colleges sometimes offer classes at no or low cost.