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8 Ways to Score Deals on Summer Blockbuster Movies

By U.S. News & World Report

Summer blockbuster season is in full swing. Make the most of these movie theater deals so you can catch all the big releases — and still have money left over for snacks.

When you think of the summer months, you probably think of graduations, weddings and summer vacation. They’re all events worthy of celebration, for sure, but there’s one other thing to be thankful for. Now is the time when the major movie studios roll out their frothy summer releases. Think big stars, big budgets and lots of action.

Even if most of these films aren’t exactly Oscar material, it’s still fun to sit in a cold cinema, drinking fountain soda and eating candy on a sweltering summer day. So here’s how to take in a fun flick every weekend without going broke.

[See: 6 Ways to Treat Yourself on a Budget.]

1. Buy tickets in advance: At Costco, you can get four-packs or 10-packs of tickets to major theater chains, such as Regal Cinemas and Cinemark Theatres, at discounted prices. For example, 10 prepaid tickets to Cinemark cost $8.49 per ticket. You can even print at home, so you can get (and use) them instantly. No wait, no shipping fees.

2. Nab discounts: Obviously, if there’s a student, senior or military discount that you’re eligible for at the box office, take it. But there are others to be had, too. AAA members, for example, can get movie tickets at several theater chains through the association’s website (or at any of its brick-and-mortar locations) at up to 30 percent off. The AARP offers its members print-on-demand tickets to any Regal cinema at up to 25 percent off.

[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]

3. Get rewards: Most theaters offer rewards programs, which allow loyal moviegoers to earn discounts or upgrades. Some programs are free. In fact, at Carmike Cinemas, you get a free small popcorn just for enrolling, and Bow Tie Cinemas will send you a free movie ticket on your birthday. Others come with an annual fee. AMC’s Stubs, for example, costs $12 a year, but you get $10 back for every $100 you spend (on full-price tickets and snacks), plus free size upgrades on concessions. Ask your local theater if it has a program, too.

4. Go early: If you’ve got a flexible schedule or are willing to play hooky, oftentimes movie theaters, including many Cinemark franchises, will discount the first matinee of the day. Those showings are also rarely crowded, so it’s like having your own personal screening room.

[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]

5. Go on a Tuesday: That’s the day many national chains, including Bow Tie Cinemas, Cinemark, Showcase and Regal, deeply discount their ticket prices in order to drive midweek traffic into the theater. Consider swapping your date night from Saturday to Tuesday, and use the money you’ve saved to buy your honey a bouquet of flowers.

6. Share snacks: Most theaters post signs that say “No outside food or drinks,” so if you feel like living on the edge and sneaking in your own, know that you may be asked to leave if you get caught. There’s no rule, however, against bringing in your own empty cup and bag. One tub of popcorn, which often comes with a free refill, is usually cheaper than buying two smalls, and if you happen to have an extra brown paper bag in your pocket or purse, you can easily share the buttery stash. Same with the sodas. Order the jumbo size, and pour it between empty cups so everyone has their own. Or, if you’re feeling romantic, just share the straw.

7. Hit the drive-in: Yes, they still exist, and while you pay for admission per person, not per car, most still offer double features, which means two movies for the price of one. Find one near you at driveinmovie.com.

8. Watch them outside: Most major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Austin and Denver, offer free outdoor movies in parks during the summer. To find out if your town does, check with your local chamber of commerce or parks department. Then invite some pals, grab a blanket and pack a picnic. Watching a free movie with friends under the stars is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. Don’t miss it.

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8 Ways to Score Deals on Summer Blockbuster Movies originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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