For many of us, a night out entails spending a sizable sum of money on such amenities as tickets, dinner, and possibly new clothes. Even a movie night can be expensive—tickets and popcorn can set you back close to $40!

But what if we looked at the whole idea of entertainment differently? My brother and his wife have perfected  seizing the moment and enjoying things that other people might ignore.

For instance, not too long ago they were driving along the waterfront in Buffalo and saw a lake boat being towed out to the open waters of Lake Erie by a tug boat. Ho-hum, you say? Well, not to them. They stopped and watched the whole maneuver and reveled in the excitement of seeing something new to them.

Another time, they went on an overnight to a hotel using a Groupon coupon. They enjoyed a half price meal at a nice restaurant and then walked around Niagara Falls, appreciating the scenery. To top their evening off, they went and played Skee-ball. While there was a basic cost to the weekend, of course, they used money-saving coupons and then enjoyed inexpensive or free entertainment.

My hubby and I love sit on the beach and bask in the warmth of the sun while listening to the soothing serenade of waves on the shore.  Other than the cost of the gas to get to the beach, this is an almost free day—our state parks don’t charge admission and we bring our own cold drinks, chairs, and umbrella. By the time we leave the beach, we are relaxed and rejuvenated. So much cheaper than a spa or a weekend at a fancy hotel!

Another favorite thing we like is to drive around and enjoy the lights and decorations during the Christmas season. We live near Disney World, and one of our favorite traditions is to visit the hotels during the holidays. The lobbies are decked out in an array of Christmas decorations, including gingerbread houses. The best thing about this is that there is no cost to it.

Another favorite, when we lived in Buffalo, was to take a ride away from the city to enjoy the spectacular fall colors on the many trees that lined virtually every road.

There were roads I loved driving over—especially ones that went through one of the historic Olmstead parks that encircle the city of Buffalo. Each of those roads provided a visual treat at every turn and bend.

Everywhere you look, there are opportunities to savor the moment—to do something that is entertaining and either low or no cost.

So live each day to its fullest—you may discover a way to have fun and revitalize yourself just by seizing an opportunity.