Video games are a huge part of the market today, but with the economy down it might be a bit stressful trying to keep up with the market. Gaming consoles are constantly upgrading and there seems to be a never ending supply of games that your kids have to have. Videogames don’t have to control your entire entertainment budget though. There are a few simple tricks that can keep your family playing without losing so much money. With these ten tips you will provide the family with a fun pass time while still being able to get out of the house and enjoy part of your entertainment budget on other things!

1. Buy Used
Buying a used game is easily one of the best ways to save money on your family’s gaming habits. There are so many stores offline and on that specialize in providing you with high quality games that have been used. Whether your looking for a game from quite some time ago or one that came out this year, chances are you’ll find it in a used store. The best thing about used games is most stores won’t even consider buying them unless they are lightly used, which means you’re practically getting a new game for a pretty low price. A lot of gamers who have money to spend on their hobby will buy the game as soon as it comes out, beat it and trade it in for the next big thing. This is a huge advantage to you because it means you won’t have to wait very long to get the newest releases. You can also buy consoles used. No matter what platform you prefer a used console can save you hundreds of dollars and will run just as well as a new one. This is also a great way to keep up with the constant advancement of the gaming world without losing a lot of your spending cash.

2. Sell Off/Trade Ins
The beauty of games being so popular is the fact that you can walk into so many different gaming stores and sell your items without a lot of hassle. This works great for people who are looking to buy different games with the money they earn from their old games. Many stores will even give you extra in store credit for games you turn in, so you can turn around and buy a game from them during the same visit. This is a great way to keep up with your hobby without having to spend extra money on your purchases. You can even do this consoles. A lot of people will upgrade and have an extra console lying around the house collecting dust. If you turn in this console you can get quite a bit of money that help you buy new games. Of course, you could always take the console in to help earn the money, or at least reduce some of the price, of the new console you’ve been wanting.

3. Patience
You’ve probably always heard that patience is a virtue. Well, when it comes to videogames you will quickly learn that nothing can be more true. When a new game comes out it is pretty expensive and can really wipe out your account faster than you think, especially if you have a household that needs more than one copy. Instead of spending hundreds on a brand new game try waiting a month or so. Not only will the price of the game go down when you buy it new, it will also be available to you used. You will be so surprised at how much you can actually save this way. Consoles are another item that you should really be patient with. Most of the time companies will release a new product for a few hundred more that actually has very few new features. Instead of going out and buying it right away wait until your current console breaks, or until they are getting ready to release a new console. Usually after six months to a year the prices drop significantly on the the console, especially if it is around the holiday season.

4. Rent
If you don’t like to hang on to games for very long then you might want to look into renting. There are many services available now that allow you to pay a monthly fee which gives you access to the latest games as well as some older names. Typically, you can keep the games as long as you want which will give you ample time to finish out the game and choose what game you will play next. Many of these services also include a movie section, so even if you don’t have time to play games for a certain period of time you can still enjoy renting some of the top movies. If monthly services aren’t really your style then you can also rent the games from other players. Many kiosk will provide you with the top videogames on the market, but watch out as they will charge you each day you have the game out.

5. Trade with Friends
Most people who play videogames also have friends that share the same hobby. This can be one of the biggest advantages when it comes to allowing you to play the top games. If you have a buddy you can trust then strike up a deal with them. If a large number of cool games come out at the same time the each of you can buy one of the games. Keep the game a week and then trade with your friend for the other game you wanted. You can keep trading off like this until one of you is tired of the games. You can also gather up a bunch of your older games to barter with a friend that might have something you want. Of course, one of the best things about having friends with the same interest is sharing the interest together. So, if you can afford a game and your friend can’t then let the friend come over and play with you. This can be reciprocated too, that way everyone gets to play the games they want without having to purchase every new release.

6. Free Online Games
One of the best things about the internet is you can find just about anything to entertain yourself. So, if your budget is a bit tighter than normal and you’re bored with the games you own, try looking online for something that will interest you. There are a lot of online sites dedicated to providing users with free to low cost games. In fact, you can find just about any kind of game online that will keep your entertained until your finances are looking a bit healthier. If you aren’t into committing money into online gaming then there is a wide selection of shockwave games and free hour long trials that are perfect for a bit of relaxation time after school or work. Plus, if you really fall in love with a game it typically won’t cost you over ten dollars.

7. Family Shopping
Your family can be pretty diverse, especially when it comes to the games they like to play. While one child might enjoy war games another might want to build cities. This difference can cost you a lot of money. So, when you decide to buy a videogame look around for games that the whole family will enjoy playing. There are some games that are designed to be primarily multi-player games which will keep your children occupied for hours. You can even choose game show inspired games that are not only perfect for kids, but make a fun weekend game night idea. If you have trouble picking a game that everyone will like then make the family sit down and have a compromise meeting on the game they choose. Some family members might not be entirely impressed with the choice, but when the budget is tight it will help you keep entertainment in the home for less.

8. Test Out Games
A lot of people will blindly buy games that they aren’t sure about just because of the hype surrounding them. If you aren’t sure about a game then try to test it out in a store before you decide to buy it. A lot of stores, particularly ones that specialize in gaming, will put most of the big name new releases out in a display area. This will allow you to test out the game without having to buy it. There might be a lock down on a few of the special features, but you will able to experience the game without having to give up the money to play. A lot of stores will even put a game into a tester for you if they think they might make a sale out of the deal. If you can’t find the game you’re looking to test in a store test area then try an arcade or ask a friend who owns the game to let you give it a try. A lot of the times you will find that its not really a game you want to keep playing. So, by taking some time out to test the game you might actually save yourself a good chunk of cash.

9. Follow Promotions
A lot of games will have some promotions that can save you money before they release. Simply putting $5 down to preorder a game can help you unlock a lot of extra features that could cost you quite a big to buy later on. Of course, there are other promotions that will allow you to save big on games that might not be doing too well in sales. Sometimes you hit a great two for one sale that can get you some newer games without charging you a lot cash. During the holiday season there are usually a lot more promotions available because businesses want things to fly off the shelves. One of the easiest things to do is wait around for an item to hit a promotion so you can enjoy the savings you deserve.

10. Take Care of the Equipment
Gaming equipment and games are expensive, which is why you should strive to take care of your gaming gear as much as possible. If you having a gaming console then it is important to make sure that the device is in a cool environment, especially when you are running it. You should also refrain from leaving your console on all night or for long periods of time. If you can put a reminder near the device to turn it off, this way you can keep your device running much longer. Unplugging the device can also help out quite a bit and will even allow you to save a little on your electricity bill. Wiping down your game disc after use and making sure to store them in a safe case will keep them working for longer without any glitches. Doing routine maintenance on your gear is one of the best ways to save some cash as it will prevent you from having to go out and buy new things.

With gaming being one of the biggest pass times in the country, especially among children it is important to try to save as much money as possible. With these ten tips you will be able to get a little more for your money while still enjoying the games you love. You might even get to spend a little extra time with your family doing the things you love thanks to these savings.

Author: Chelsey McQuitty