21 guilty pleasures that are hurting your bank account

Going to the Movies

If catching the latest flicks in theaters is your guilty pleasure, the cost is going up. The National Association of Theatre Owners reported that movie ticket prices went up almost 4 percent in 2017 to $8.97, even though some tickets in big cities cost double that. And if you do end up buying a ticket, don’t let the smell of popcorn lure you into purchasing unnecessary movie snacks. The website Movie Theater Prices said you’ll pay about $20 at one national chain for a large soda, large popcorn and candy.

Movie rentals are a good alternative. Redbox is your best bet, offering one-night rentals for as little as $1.50. Amazon has movies available starting at 99 cents. iTunes also has some rentals as low as 99 cents, though most cost between $3.99 and $5.99. At that rate, you can afford the microwave popcorn to enjoy while you watch.