Entertainment Book (Discount vouchers)

Two types of people will like (and use) this book:

• You like eating out and are willing to try out new restaurants
• You are new in town, have regular visitors or simply like visiting places of attraction and experiencing new activities

The Entertainment Book is filled with coupons and is a "is a local restaurant and activity guide providing hundreds of 25% to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from the finest restaurants, cafés, attractions, theatres and accommodation."

The Book is not terribly cheap, but does pay for itself fairly quickly. You can save about $10 per meal (based on two people using a 25% off voucher), and many entry fees to places of attraction have 2-for-1 deals.

The Book is sold as a fundraiser and so can only be purchased through charities, schools or non-profit organisations (the organisations get a certain cut for every book sold).

One other thing, the businesses featured in the Book are not dingy, out of the way, unknown businesses. A good number of them are fairly popular and a large majority of the restaurants serve really good food.

I found it helpful to keep the book in my car so when I'm out and feel like going to a restaurant for a meal, I can simply browse through the suburb list and decide where to eat. It's also really helpful that the list tells you what kind of cuisine the restaurant serves.

Website

Cost: $65 a book

Areas: Three Sydney books available - Sydney, Sydney North and Parramatta, Hills & Greater West ($60). Books for other major Australian and New Zealand cities also available (cost varies).

Validity:  From the date of purchase (usually in April) till June 1 the next year.

To buy: Check with your local school or non-profit organisation.