COUPON QUEEN: Cutting costs when going to the movies

This weekend, my family had a delightful time watching the new movie "Inside Out 2." There's a unique joy in experiencing a movie on the big screen, with a large tub of popcorn to share. While going to the movies can strain the budget, especially for a family of five, we've discovered some smart ways to cut costs without compromising on the fun! Opt for smaller theaters Depending on the time and theater you choose, a movie ticket can easily set you back $15 for each ticket. To keep your budget in check, seek out theaters that offer lower weekly prices. We visited the new Phoenix Theater at Great Northern Mall, where tickets are $10 each for evening movies and $8 for matinees, with even lower prices for children and seniors. Amherst Cinema offers $5 tickets and concession prices almost half that of larger theaters. Oberlin's Apollo Theatre presents matinee showings for only $5 a ticket, $6.50 tickets for their evening shows, and $5 tickets all day for seniors and children. Lastly, Hickory Ridge Cinemas in Brunswick offers $9 general admission tickets and $8 for seniors and children. While these theaters may not have the same variety as larger ones, the savings on the movie and concessions more than compensate for it. Advance screenings To build anticipation for new releases, movie companies often offer select advance screenings before the official theater release. Even better, you can attend these screenings for free. I often provide passes to these screenings on my blog and social media pages. You can also be invited to these special screenings at gofobo.com. Join the club Regal Theater and Cinemark offer loyalty clubs. By being a part of these clubs, you can earn free refreshments and movie tickets once you've accumulated enough points. Signing up for their email club might also get you a freebie with a select ticket purchase or other exclusive offers. If you frequent these theaters, your savings can accumulate in no time. Summer movie deals Regal Cinemas returned the Summer Movie Express series, where select theaters offer $1 tickets to specific kids' movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. All Summer Movie Express guests can purchase a specially priced $5 Snack Pack, which includes a junior-sized drink, snack-sized popcorn and fruit snacks with an optional $3 Dippin' Dots add-on. Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark is also great for some cheap big-screen entertainment. Through Aug. 15, families can watch a movie for only $1.75 per ticket on specific days and times. The times and days can vary by theater, so it's best to check their websites for the schedule. Please note that the movies offered during these events have been released a few years prior. Pick your day wisely If you plan, you can watch a discounted movie weekly. Some theaters offer special pricing on specific days of the week. For instance, Oberlin's Apollo Theater and Hickory Ridge offer $4 Monday movies. In addition, both Regal and Cinemark offer Tuesday discount day, where screenings are about 50 percent off. There have been more than a few times we've opted to skip a movie's opening weekend to see it instead on a discounted day. Drive-in If you can stay up late, drive-in movies can be a big money saver as you get to see two movies for the price of one. On top of this, I've found that their concession prices are also reasonable. These movies are even more fun with friends. Pack up the car, call your friends, and enjoy a summer movie or two under the stars. The drive-in experience is nostalgic and unique, offering a different atmosphere than traditional theaters. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at Walgreens. Bounce, Downy, Gain or Tide Simply Laundry Products= $2.50 each when you buy 4 Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.