Entertainment Book - How a $20 Investment Saved Me $195 in 1 Week!

It all started with a fundraising drive at my daughter’s school where I purchased the 2009 Entertainment Coupon Book for a mere $20.  I love the fact that not only will this coupon book help me to save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars, but a portion of the proceeds go to my little girl’s school.  

In fact, Entertainment.com has helped schools and groups in the U.S. raise more than $90 million since they started 40 years ago.  (Diner Dave Tip: if you are interested in selling Entertainment Books for your school or group click here).

How to Get the Most Out of Your Entertainment Book

Now you know why I purchased it, now let me outline how I used this hotel bible sized book filled with coupons for dining, shopping, movies, travel and other local attractions.

1. After receiving the book I activated the Entertainment.com Membership Card online.  Then I purchased another card for my wife for an additional $15.   This is a great option if you want to use the special Entertainment.com discounts at restaurants, but don’t want to lug around a 300+ page book.   I can use my membership card at 170 restaurants AND it contains codes for discounts on rental cars and hotels.  Plus, once you activate your membership, you also receive emails with the latest special offers in your neighborhood.
2. Then I put the Entertainment coupon book in the glove compartment of my Diner-Mobile (kinda like the Batmobile…but not nearly as cool and lined with hundreds of food wrappers and discarded drink cups).
3. Lastly, I pull out the Entertainment book when I’m hungry and get a “buy one, get one free” coupon for lunch or dinner at a nearby restaurant.  I generally use the dining out index of the book where I can search for the restaurants by area of town.  Houston is a big city so there are 22 regions from which to choose the perfect place to dine. 

Savings from ONE WEEK of Using Entertainment Book B1G1 Coupons

I saved $195 in one week using the Entertainment Book for every lunch and dinner (I probably would have saved more than 40%, but I’m a big tipper)!  Not a bad return on a measly $20 investment, eh?  Just  think how much I could save if I ate out this much for an entire month!   That would be a savings of almost $800…which would be enough to buy several pairs of bigger pants from the weight gain of eating out like this every week! 

Now granted I do not eat out for lunch and dinner EVERY day for a week, but I could easily recoup my $20 purchase price using the Entertainment Book coupons for 1 lunch and 1 dinner!

Of course with me being Diner Dave I used my Entertainment Book and Membership Card mainly at the restaurants.  But remember, restaurant coupons are just half the fun.  There are also HUNDREDS of coupons for movies, shopping, sports events and so much more!

Diner Dave Tips for Using the Entertainment Book and Entertainment.com

1. Make sure to bring a friend with you when you use the Entertainment Book coupon or membership card at a restaurant or other attraction.  Most of their coupons are ”buy one, get one free”.  
2. Register your Entertainment Membership Card immediately.  You can use this card in lieu of carrying around the Entertainment book.  It fits neatly in your wallet or purse!  Plus, when you register your membership number online you will receive special email coupons from restaurants, shops, movies, and attractions in your area!
3. You can also print coupons for restaurants and attractions in other cities.  You just change the zip code for coupons in other areas.
4. The Entertainment books go on sale in August or September of the prior year for $20-$45, but will usually go on sale for half that price or lower during early summer in the following year since most of the coupons expire on November 1st.  
5. Go to the Web Discounts page of Diner Dave for updated discounts on the Entertainment book.  It’s June 1, 2009 now and you can purchase the 2009 Entertainment Books for FREE when you reserve the 2010 Entertainment Book!
6. You can plan an entire fun weekend with your family using the Entertainment book.  Choose from dozens of attractions in your city (zoos, museums, paintball, sporting events, etc…).  Then use a coupon for a nearby restaurant or movie! 

There are sooooo many coupons in the Entertainment book that you will NEVER be able to use them all….but it sure is fun trying!