gaming, streaming and concerts: spend on what you love, on purpose
Cutting out everything fun isn’t a plan, it’s a countdown to burnout. Build the fun into your budget so you can spend without guilt.
- Give yourself a set fun budget each month.
- Audit your subscriptions every few months.
- Know the all-in price before you buy tickets.
- Skip buy now, pay later for entertainment.
the fun budget
One popular framework splits take-home pay into about 50% needs, 30% wants and 20% savings and debt payoff. You don’t have to follow it exactly. Pick a monthly number for games, streaming, going out and shows, keep it in its own account or card, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
the subscription audit
Every few months, scan your bank and card statements for recurring charges. Cancel anything you haven’t used in a month. Rotate streaming services one at a time instead of stacking them. Annual plans can save money only if you’ll really use them. Family or household plans are fine when the terms allow it.
concert and event tickets
- Look for the all-in price. Since May 2025, an FTC rule requires ticket sellers to show the total price, including mandatory fees, up front. Taxes and shipping can still be added at checkout, so compare the final total.
- Buy from the official seller or a verified resale marketplace. Scams spike for big shows.
- Don’t pay strangers through methods you can’t reverse for tickets you haven’t verified.
- Set your max price ahead of time, because prices can jump in a rush.
- Budget for travel, food and merch too.
gaming
In-app purchases and loot boxes are designed to make spending feel easy. Turn on purchase passwords or limits, wait 48 hours before non-essential buys and set a monthly cap. Gift cards and saved cards make spending feel less real.
buy now, pay later
Splitting a ticket into payments makes it easy to overspend, and missed payments can bring fees and affect your credit. If you can’t afford it today, save for it first.
mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting free trials that convert to paid plans.
- Paying for several overlapping services.
- Treating all fun spending as shameful, then binging.
quick answers
How much should I spend on fun? Whatever fits after needs and savings. The 50/30/20 framework suggests about 30% for wants, but your number may be lower or higher.
Are subscription bundles worth it? Only if you’d use the included services. Add up what you’d pay for them separately.
What if I overspend on fun one month? Look at what triggered it, lower the cap or change how the money is set aside, and adjust next month. One bad month isn’t a failure.