Time is money

It's the summer blockbuster movie season. What's the decision -- go to the movies or add to your DVD collection?

Two movie tickets, a large popcorn and two soft drinks can cost as much as $27.50. New movies on DVD typically cost $19.99 at major retailers, but they typically are released six months after the movie hits the big screen.

In the homebound winter months, cable TV seems like a must-have. During the active summer months, it seems like a luxury. In some communities, the standard cable package is $48.99 per month, not including premium channels. At that rate, a year's worth of cable TV is $587.88, so you could go to the movies more than 21 times a year for the cost of a standard cable package.