DVDs

I had a conversation with a friend this week that reminded me of this topic. Our daughter is a Kindergartener and gets bored of movies. I used to use the library exclusively and that is a good, cheap option. However, I've switched to Netflix this winter & feel it's a better deal for us.

The library DVDs were too often scratched & disappointing, plus you have to wait for them & pay for the gas to get them there & find them quick when they fall through the seat & land underneath (OK, maybe that part is just me) and you're accruing fees . . .

Redbox and Blockbuster Express both have free codes regularly posted on mysavings.com (you have to sign in & you will get spam/cookies. These just don't work for me - I don't like paying even $1 and/or having to get them back the next day . . . I have friends that use these with great satisfaction, though, and I'm sure it's cheaper than buying DVDs

If you like to buy DVDs and have Disney movies, you get points for every DVD & theatre movie you see, as well as their music CDs that can be used towards Snapfish items, Disney movies & items (we have a "Tangled" insulated lunch pack on the way). I'd love to refer you and get a bonus, if you're interested. It's called Disney Movie Rewards - the info is on inserts in all of their materials, and easy to find if you look at the papers included.

Swagbucks (link on this page) has a deal right now - & usually on the special offers in some form - where if you sign up for a free 1-month trial of Netflix through them you get 1000 Swagbucks, which can be used for any number of things - I would use the swagbucks to get 2 $5 credits to Amazon (thanks for bringing that to my attention, Kira) and have 100 points left. You need to put payment info on the Netflix trial, but I'd recommend keeping it, anyway. I'd be surprised if eBates (linked here) doesn't also offer something for Netflix.

We have the package that gets you unlimited streaming - it works through our computers & our Wii, and my parents have the TV that they stream Netflix through. We also get 1 DVD at a time - no time limit & the discs have been in great shape. The shipping both ways is free, and they have a quick turnaround - you set your list of requests & they send you your top priority available. This week, our daughter requested Over The Hedge & we had it 2-3 days after her request, as soon as we returned the one we had. We pay $10.70 per month, and use paypal, so my garage-sale activity on eBay has covered it every month.

Once you have Netflix, you buy fewer videos - it's just not as worth it. We are also more willing to give up videos, so get the most for your dollars. I recommend Second Spin - linked on the side. They tell you what they'll give you for your DVDs (and BluRays and CDs) before you sell them, and if you have a certain number (5?), they reimburse you for media mail postage along with your payment for materials.

Trading DVDs with friends is a fabulous option, as well. Half Price Books will buy them, but they give you very little. I've heard the same of Toys R Us. I sell some on eBay, but am not convinced that it gets me any more than Second Spin most of the time - I'm just on there anyway, so it's convenient.

You can donate DVDs and write off the donation, which often will get you more for the disc, but you'll have the delayed gratification & it's not as visible, which is difficult for me ;-) The libraries take donations, as well as many charities.

Enjoy and see if you can save on your entertainment with any of these ideas!!