Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I probably spent no more than 100 bucks last year.
Festival merch isn't for me. The most I'll buy is a sticker or two.
Find the Grilled Cheese stand. . . also, one of the asian places at What Stage had a coupon for buy one get one spring rolls that they'd give you with each order. Two were almost a meal!
Are you including the cost for your transportation too? Or are you just counting what you spend on booze, food, "things" and vendors? Im not on a budget but I would like to spend no more than $500 but still enjoy myself without having to count pennies...is that possible?
If I didn't enjoy various types of corn I could easily live comfortable for less than $100.
Just try not to buy any merch OR vendor food for every meal. Also, don't buy beer in Centeroo, and if you have to maintain a buzz sneak in airplane bottles.
"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made." Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Soul of Man Under Socialism
"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Ken Kesey
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
The first 3 years, I actually spent nothing at Roo if you exclude the ticket and party supplies. I did buy the ticket but bought in line for under $100. And party supplies vary with taste. I could have lived on $30-$50 but usually buy a $100-$200 to bring some home.
The way I spent nothing on essentials was by bringing all my own food and drink which I still do. I freeze a few gallons of water for the cooler, cook and then freeze all meats before hand, and drink whiskey so I need no ice. And of course I bought no souvenirs.
I always cook one large pot of food a day and have enough to share (spaghetti, jambalaya, chili, etc.) And It's easy to sneak whiskey into Centeroo so...
This year I have $218, this is including any food, gas, toys, etc. I want. Well over half of my money is gonna be for gas, unless I carpool last minute, most of the rest is gonna be food and drinks I bring myself.
I'm forgoing a cot, extra tarps, any vendor food, and extra batteries for my fan. It'll be a rough 4 days, but I'd rather go cheap than not go.
I'm with you on the need for a budget.We are so broke... I had even considered selling my ticket to give my kids some spending money but I just can't make that sacrifice. Husband has been out of work for 3 + years, we have renters (from our previous residence) that left us high and dry so now we have plenty of expenses in that arena. Trying to sell that house but in this market it may take awhile.
my plan is lots of cheap food, (samosas and dollar grilled cheese) PBJ at camp along with apples and diet cokes. Won't be buying any beer in Centeroo, probably no merch.
Thankfully I have basic camping eqpt already , just need batteries, sunscreen, etc. and food.
the worst part is seeing all the other people on here that really need help and knowing that I can't help them, and not wanting to seem like a miser.
But you don't have to have a ton of money to have a good time. It's all good. I'll share anything I have, because I do believe in karma and helping others out.
My Bonnaroo savings is currently $860 and still growing, I hope that I have enough left over to buy a couple of round trip amtrak tickets to PJ20 in September.
Post by thebigbuddha on May 31, 2011 14:07:51 GMT -5
I always squeeze by on about 200 dollars (spending money) but spend every cent. Most of it goes to festival food and "treats." I bought a t-shirt my first year in '05 but otherwise never buy any merch.
Post by pondo ROCKS on May 31, 2011 14:18:20 GMT -5
The key to saving money is to
A, Eat a big meal for breakfast at camp. Not only will this keep you going throughout the day, it also saves you money. Pop-tarts are usually my meal of choice but if you bring a stove, you can cook and really chow down for WAY cheaper than food in Centeroo.
B. If you must drink beer, drink your own. Nothing against setting aside a few dollars for the Brooer's Festival, but that tends to get pricey quick if you are not careful.
C. If you wanna buy a t-shirt, there are ALL kinds of knockoff "unofficial" shirts running around. Now I am not necessarily endorsing these efforts, but they usually are at least 10 dollars cheaper.
D. Hit up the Dollar Tree (or similar dollar only store) before you head to Roo. This can save you tons of money! I usually set aside 10 dollars and easily find everything I will need at camp and even sunblock!
E. If you can stand the smell of sulfur, the water at Bonnaroo is not that bad and is ok to drink,,,however, if you bring battles of water, FREEZE a few in advance, this will help your items stay cold in your cooler and you can drink it on Friday or Saturday after it thaws.
F. Compare prices of food in Centeroo. Some vendors give you more or are cheaper than others. Take that into consideration before buying a meal in Centeroo.
Hope some of these ideas helps...see you at the Roo!
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
Post by Vw'ndeadchick on May 31, 2011 14:19:54 GMT -5
i plan roo a budget every year, mainly to make it as affordable as possible due to the fact that roo is just one of a fests i try to hit. we leave from Harrisburg Pennsylvania
depending on the size of our roo crew, last year we brought 8 people in 3 cars. everyone purchased their own ticket, i pick up ahead of time all the food we need for the weekend including grilled cheese supplies and we make all our own food. we freeze 3 gallon and 1 gallon water containers and pack down our coolers on the way to roo with nothing but ice with exception of our food cooler, of course, before we enter the venue.
so last year everyone showed up with their own alcohol/beer selection (approx. $40), plus price of ticket (approx. $250), plus $125 per person group fund (this covered cost of gas, ice and food). total roo cost before spending money = $415. last year i bought a t shirt for $10 making my total roo spendings $425.
hoping to do as well this year too, gas cost went up and we're taking a bigger crew but i don't expect it to much of a difference.
My Bonnaroo savings is currently $860 and still growing, I hope that I have enough left over to buy a couple of round trip amtrak tickets to PJ20 in September.
Did you get tickets to PJ20? If so, see you there ;D
Post by stephiejane on May 31, 2011 15:51:36 GMT -5
never underestimate the power of being nice to your neighbors!! i'm not saying to a-begging but in 09 we had the nicest guy next to us and he would make hot dogs and breakfast tacos for pretty much anyone within shouting distance as long as you were nice and maybe shared some corn. we weren't on much of a budget that year but will definitely be this year so maybe we should be so lucky again...always be kind to your neighbors maybe even hit up that dollar store for fun things to barter!
"Walk tall, kick ass, learn to speak Arabic, love music and never forget you come from a long line of truth seekers, lovers and warriors" - Hunter S. Thompson
well i get food stamps so i'm thinking about loading up on grilled cheese and hamburger stuff and selling those in the camping area to make some extra money. has anyone done this?
well i get food stamps so i'm thinking about loading up on grilled cheese and hamburger stuff and selling those in the camping area to make some extra money. has anyone done this?
...
From what I know and have heard, selling anything if you're not a vendor is pretty frowned upon.
Post by Dave Maynar on May 31, 2011 17:03:49 GMT -5
I have went on $100 both years I have gone. It's not hard if you budget out your money by day. I am not a corn/booze enthusiast, so that really helps keep the cost down too.
Post by grizzlepickle on May 31, 2011 17:10:30 GMT -5
Less than $500 has always covered my gf and I for gas from Louisiana to the farm and back, plus food (Spicy Pie, corn dogs, and curly cheese fries mostly), a few sweetwater's, and different varieties of corn every year... My gf and I are going to splurge for a screen printed festival poster this year if we can find one, but being cash-conscious we usually have entirely too much money leftover after the festival between the two of us and we usually use the excess for a fancy post Roo (and shower) dinner.
In 2009 I took $200 total (gas money coming from Cincinnati) and came back with like $60 bucks. I drink but not dumb enough to spend the days and nights drinking in that heat, eat maybe twice a day, only drink water, don't do any of the you-know-what kinda stuff. I wouldn't recommend taking that little though, you never know what could happen and if you need a tow or car parts or whatever.
From what I know and have heard, selling anything if you're not a vendor is pretty frowned upon.
I guess I was more concerned about the idea of someone using their taxpayer funded food stamps to load up on a certain type of food to turn around and sell for a profit at Roo. Pretty disgusting.
The first 3 years, I actually spent nothing at Roo if you exclude the ticket and party supplies. I did buy the ticket but bought in line for under $100. And party supplies vary with taste. I could have lived on $30-$50 but usually buy a $100-$200 to bring some home.
The way I spent nothing on essentials was by bringing all my own food and drink which I still do. I freeze a few gallons of water for the cooler, cook and then freeze all meats before hand, and drink whiskey so I need no ice. And of course I bought no souvenirs.
I always cook one large pot of food a day and have enough to share (spaghetti, jambalaya, chili, etc.) And It's easy to sneak whiskey into Centeroo so...
Yes I camped with him...he comes in like a small army unit and sets up a small base... The whiskey part is true or should i say troo...
From what I know and have heard, selling anything if you're not a vendor is pretty frowned upon.
I guess I was more concerned about the idea of someone using their taxpayer funded food stamps to load up on a certain type of food to turn around and sell for a profit at Roo. Pretty disgusting.
Yeah, I was gonna say the same thing. I frown upon anyone getting to take a vacation on someone else's dollar.
Also, no one is gonna buy your grilled cheese. Everybody with a dollar knows where the best place to go, and it's located on Shakedown St.
well i get food stamps so i'm thinking about loading up on grilled cheese and hamburger stuff and selling those in the camping area to make some extra money. has anyone done this?
yea i know people still do it. and i know they have them on shakedown, but i also see people selling them in the camping areas so i was just wondering if anyone had done this. maybe i could whip up a better grilled cheese for a dollar and then 2 dollar burgers. i'm desperate for money!
Do you have a job? I hear that's a good way to make money if you are desperate for it.
Sorry, but I really think this is a bad and shady idea. It's people like you that make food stamps for people like me unavailable, when I was a single mother, working full time.
Note to self...do not buy grilled cheese in the camp grounds.
I'm with you on the need for a budget.We are so broke... I had even considered selling my ticket to give my kids some spending money but I just can't make that sacrifice. Husband has been out of work for 3 + years, we have renters (from our previous residence) that left us high and dry so now we have plenty of expenses in that arena. Trying to sell that house but in this market it may take awhile.
my plan is lots of cheap food, (samosas and dollar grilled cheese) PBJ at camp along with apples and diet cokes. Won't be buying any beer in Centeroo, probably no merch.
Thankfully I have basic camping eqpt already , just need batteries, sunscreen, etc. and food.
the worst part is seeing all the other people on here that really need help and knowing that I can't help them, and not wanting to seem like a miser.
But you don't have to have a ton of money to have a good time. It's all good. I'll share anything I have, because I do believe in karma and helping others out.
Bonnarooooooo
I'm buying you beer at the Broo'ers Fest so that you can give drunken tips and motivation for getting into NP school
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
^^ sweetie, you don't have to buy me a beer for me to do that. I will help you regardless. and be forewarned...beer tends to cause a drop in my IQ...however wine increases my genius potential. Vodka or tequila...the same. Corn....well, I may find the Unified Theory. of physics...lol
maybe even hit up that dollar store for fun things to barter!
