Let’s be honest, not all movies are worth seeing in the theater or purchasing on video. Many factors determine whether or not a person enjoys a particular movie and everyone’s opinion and perspective differs. Sometimes the plot line leaves something to be desired, the acting is below par, or maybe you just don’t find the movie captivating. One thing is almost certain, you will not like every movie you watch. Conscious shoppers have learned to watch or rent any movie before deciding to purchase it.

Renting and Borrowing

-Join Netflix

As of this writing, you can rent unlimited movies without any late fees or shipping costs for less than $10 a month. In addition, you will have access to thousands of movies instantly from any computer with an Internet connection.

-Public Libraries

Libraries and Universities often offer free movie rentals to their members. Take advantage of them.

-Start a Movie Club

Share movies with your friends. Develop a checkout system and keep track of who has what. Organization is essential in making a movie club successful. If you don’t trust

Everyone, whether young, old, inexperienced, or shindig connoisseur, must adhere to a few rules when attempting to host a successful party. The most important of rules is to plan ahead. Make sure you have all of the necessities beforehand; toilet paper, plastic cups, ping pong balls, kegs, etc. Also, be sure to get an estimated body count for the party so you can plan accordingly. Remove any valuables from the common areas and lock the rooms you would like people to stay out of. Also, don’t be afraid to say “no” when females or friends ask for special treatment and want access to your private bedroom or bathroom. Once you let one person do it, you’ll have to tend to every other friend’s request for the duration of your party. That being said, never throw a party without these five party essentials.

1. Alcohol

Whether you drink or not, every party should at least offer alcohol. A little bit of booze can go a long way when it comes to getting your guests to relax and make new friends.

2. Music

If you don’t keep up with the latest music trends, get a friend to act as DJ or bring an iPod. If you have any musical instruments make sure they are accessible. Impromptu jam sessions can be key to a killer bash.

3. Activities

Make sure there is always some sort of entertainment or activity that your guests can participate in. No one likes to stand in a room full of strangers and feel forced into potentially awkward conversations. Games like beer pong, flip cup, dice, and cards can overcome any problematic guy to girl ratios and are great ways to help your guests interact with each other. Competition and teamwork will bring your guests together, allowing them to interact without much effort or personal disclosure.

4. Bathroom Accessibility and Other Necessities

Bathroom lines can put a major damper on any party or gathering and so can a lack of toilet paper. Make sure you have both of these covered well before hosting a party somewhere. Also, try and keep an eye out for vomiting guests. They can not only cause a serious mess, but can potentially hold up your bathroom for lengthy periods of time.

5. Snacks

Even if you can only serve saltines, snacks are a must have. Snacks will not only keep the designated drivers occupied, but will provide intoxicated guests some much needed sustenance. It’s also a good idea to pick up some kind of non-alcoholic beverage for those who don’t drink or are trying to sober up.

Honorable Mention: Party Themes

Some people will argue that having a theme is a necessity for every successful party. Many will agree that some of the most momentous parties are themed; however, not everyone likes to play dress up.

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MOVIES ON A BUDGET:   PART II

Hopefully by now you have already read PART I of this series on how to save money on going out to the movies.  If you haven’t… CLICK HERE

“Why do YOU like/go to the movies?”  This was the question that I asked our B.O.B. facebook and twitter communities and I can’t say I was surprised by the responses.  The majority of people said they went to the theatre to escape.  At first I thought this was kind of a sad reason.  Were their lives really so bad?  Well maybe not. After further thought I realized these people have simply figured out that movies can be a great outlet for relieving stress, sparking their imagination and can even add a little excitement into their otherwise mundane and repetitive work schedules.