Coachella on a budget

[djbionik]

If anyone knows me, they know I save all year for Coachella. Thank Goddess that I bought my tickets and camping arrangements earlier, but in the past month, I had to move out, get my own place, totaled my car and had to get a new one (right after getting new brakes for my old one), and got a botched root canal. This year I owe on taxes instead of the sweet $2,000 I usually get and schedule to receive right after Coachella. Needless to say, this year is tight.

Just looking at the calendar, bills and whatnot trying to figure out how to optimize the little $$ I have.. like what to spend on with cash, and credit. How do ya'll do it? Do you use plastic the whole time, or save up all your cash and when it's out, its out?

I took out an extra credit card in case of an emergency, (lesson learned from last year.. got stranded in the camping area with no ride and lugging gear for 4 people), but confused as to which to pay for gas, and what a reasonable limit is.
My only reference is my first year, back in 2002, but I didn't even know it was a festival back then. I went with complete strangers and it was on a whim. I took $150. and one change of clothes and called it a weekend! Now I'm responsible for 3 newbies.. this is going to be interesting.

so any suggestions from those of you in the money business, would be delightfully appreciated.

and for those of you who just can't help but post rude/sarcastic comments ... at least be funny.

[loubque]

Good luck on the humor department.

I am always limited in funds and for me it is usually whats left of my refund. But maybe shop for food before hand and limit to one churro for the whole weekend. Get some bicycle beer and call it a day.

[juloxx]

Beef Jerky is your friend

[M.Romo]

I honestly don't know how much to take since this is my first time. As of right now I only have to worry about gas, food and booze. Since I have two jobs (a full time and a part time) I decided to take my entire part time check with me which should be rougly $200 and some extra cash that I have set aside.

How much would you guys suggest on how much I should take? This is my first time and I don't want to come home broke.

[tessalasset]

If you're the type of person who has to eat a full meal (as in more than just a slice of pizza) for lunch and dinner, you're looking at probably $7-$13 bucks including drink/side per meal. Waters are $2/bottle and if you're good, you can find 10 empty bottles on the ground and trade them in for one new bottle. Beers I think are $8 or $9 a pop. Merch is usually $25-$30 for a tshirt and $50-$75 for a hoodie. If you camp, it's easier to save money cause you can buy all your food from a grocery story and just go back out to your campsite to eat your meals, if you're okay with leaving the festival for an extended period of time (I can't even imagine doing that). Just sit down and think about each individual expense. Gas is anywhere from $4.00 - $4.20/gallon in Palm Springs right now. Ugh.

[Ha.SK]

i dont camp so im not sure how much a person camping can actually spend the entire weekend.
as for taking money while in the festival, i always take $300 for the 3 days and usually i end up with $100 leftover.
Mind you this is me eating one meal and one snack while inside, a coachella plastic water bottle so i can get free refills and about 2 or 3 beers per day. I dont buy merch and i always eat breakfast out side of the grounds before getting in...Keep in mind though with the heat, your not always hungry.

[djbionik]

Thanks, guys. I think the motto this year is minimal.
I usually go stacked to Coachella cuz of tax returns and phat end of season paychecks.
not this time!

Ok, so I guess my big concern is gas to and from Salt Lake. It'll be tricky, because I am picking up 3 girls and all their gear in Vegas, so I can only take a stranger or two from Craigslist or whatever that far, and then I get help with gas there.. stupid turbo engine Forester.... I miss my Civic already. guess I'll use the new credit card for that.

Let's see, then I'm hoping $100 will cover grub for the whole weekend. To include store bought coffee, instant oatmeal, granola bars for the venue, and probably two Spicy Pies, after-hour snacks, booze and mixers. I'm sneaking in booze, so no need to buy expensive beer. Those big ass 5 gallon water things cost what, $10? Four girls will need two of those, right?
I always get merch, so another $100 on that.. jesus..

Can I tell you how happy I am that I already bought all our sweet camping gear so at least we're set there?!

um, does anyone want to buy my locker for face value?

[Mugwog]

Dont get merch?

At my broker moments in life, it was better to get here and jam and not have to worry about a tshirt or a poster etc. That's an extra $60-120 - plus there is the warehouse sale (prepare to rumble) this year so you don't necessarily have to buy something brand new, you could find some good oldies.

Take pictures and videos, fuck everyone who looks at you like you're an asshole. Best time of the year ever.







Yes I am.

[frizzlefry]

Never think you have enough water if you are camping, if end your sentence with "that should be enough" get more. The recycle program was a life saver last year but be weary about doing it later at night. They closed at eight or nine last year, and even ran out of water entirely on Saturday night. Without a doubt it's cheaper to to buy food beforehand and just eat at the campsite, same with drinking your own smuggled booze. You basically have it down, a hundred should easily get you through, maybe cut back on the merch?

[djbionik]

You're probably right about that too, considering I'm bringing a solar shower. but i'm not cutting the merch, I live for that stuff.
dammit.
I did pretty good last year with the water thing in the venue, however. Found the secret hoses back in 2006 and been going back ever since.
Still have some last minute shopping to do, too. Wet wipes, shoes, booze, zip fizz, camera batteries, ... Ay. I hate being poor unexpectedly. Did I mention I will come back home unemployed?! I'm doing a pit stop in Vegas. Learning to play poker so I can win some rent money.

[Radiohead]

Being on a tight budget for Coachella sort of sucks, but the fact that you refuse to not buy merch makes me think that your situation isn't anything to worry about.

[djbionik]

meh. I'm a girl. I'd rather buy a sweet, made-over dress from a past tshirt than eat.

I just hope I don't spend the whole credit card on gas, because that doesn't look hot on anyone.

[Dustin da DnB Soulja]

Make them split gas cost with you. Bring your own food a lot of snacks, peanut butter, bananas, and a bunch of stuff like that. You can do the whole festival on $60 also get some protien bars.

[tessalasset]

plus there is the warehouse sale (prepare to rumble) this year so you don't necessarily have to buy something brand new, you could find some good oldies.

Wait, what?

[Stickjohn]

from the camping page

VINTAGE COACHELLA MERCH WAREHOUSE SALE @ DOWN & DERBY ROLLER RINK
Friday - Sunday 8am - 12p on the Down & Derby roller rink.
Shirts will be $5 and a hoodies will be $10.

You have to skim the website frequently - they're not using the "News" feature to alert people to updates this year.

[rskapcat]

um, does anyone want to buy my locker for face value?

If you haven't already found someone, one of the board regulars was looking for a locker. You can PM him.
http://coachella.com/forum/member.php?u=4084

[tessalasset]

from the camping page


You have to skim the website frequently - they're not using the "News" feature to alert people to updates this year.

Oh man.

[kcreag]

Clif bars, water, booze. They'll get you through a lot.

As a fellow girl I also just dropped most of my food/VIP shower money on clothes for Coachella.

WORTH IT

[rage patton]

um, does anyone want to buy my locker for face value?

I just sent you a PM. Pick me!