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!!
When I went to Roo in 2009, it was right after I graduated nursing school. I was completely broke, debated whether I should even go, but I figured I was better off getting my deposit back and I needed an adventure. The post nursing school high gave me the courage to go it alone, I felt like I could do anything after getting through that damn program. I already had camping equipment, a camelback, etc... so here is what I did to save money.
1) Look for a carpooler. I picked up a nice lady in Nashville on my way down and shared the expense of the gas with her. She knew I was short on cash and helped me out a little more than I asked for. She gave me money for a nice breakfast on the way home :-) 2) Plan your meals and snacks carefully. I still brought too much food, but less than I had in past years. I mostly lived on sunflower seeds, beef jerky and oatmeal cookies, but I had a few meals at camp. 3) Buy one souvenir. I always buy a t-shirt. Budget money for that and then window shop the other vendors. 4) Dollar Tree- Already mentioned by a previous poster. You'll find all sorts of camping supplies and snacks at the Dollar Tree. I always check here first before I buy something from Walmart. This goes for day to day life, not just roo.
If you do it right, you really don't have to spend a whole lot of money while you are down there. I know I spent less than $200 all said and done.
As far as vending, I think your best bet would be to bring a carton of cigarettes if you want to sell something in the campground and make some extra cash. It's still risky and they've cracked down on this stuff in recent years, but it wouldn't take you too long to sell a carton and you could probably double your money.
yes. corn is not usually referred to as the type on the cob. the boards censor it so it automatically says corn.
I'm talking about good old Silver Queen Southern corn. Lots of complex carbohydrates and good old vitamins, and low sodium content. Forget what they say about bananas. It's the true "perfect food". So I AM referring to the type on the cob...
Hey, I'm not trying to sound all doom and gloom here btw. Lots of people are suffering with the economy right now. I am very blessed to have what I have and to have family and friends. And truly blessed to be able to enjoy a wonderful time in a few days, hopefully with many of y'all. Life is good indeed. Who needs a bunch of material crap.
Hmmm.. Bringing your own food is always a good way to save some cash.. And the cheap vendors like grilled cheese, but bringing your own stuff gives you variety. I don't really drink alcohol, so I don't have any expenses there or from NO NO WORD!!! usage. I am more of a photo girl than I am a merch girl. One of my favorite keepsakes from a show is a photo of my fiancé and me outside a Wilco concert, and the photo was slightly off center, so in the empty space I added text on the computer that said Wilco Clearwater 2010. It sits in a nice frame on top of one of our many record shelves. The unofficial shirts are a good way to save money, but I do feel a little bad about money not going toward the festival.
As for supplies from the dollar tree.. I totally buy the heck outta stuff there, but do your research and make sure that you aren't over paying.. Some things end up being cheaper at Walmart, and be careful with sunscreen there. Not all sunscreens holdup to their SPF claims after getting wet and sweaty, so you may be better off with a trusted brand. Consumer reports listed four they liked.. Aveeno was one and is my favorite.. I'm crazy sensitive to the sun, but target's brand was actually one of the four.
Anyway, if you lay off alcohol you will save a ton. Drinking free water instead of softdrinks helps, bring your own food, but make sure that it is easy to fix and that you will actually eat it or else you end up wasting more money than just going with the vendor thing. Try to spend less on merch.. Especially if it is something you can pick up later. Volunteering could get you a free ticket, and my least favorite idea is to look for something at the merch tables that you could sell at a considerable mark up later. In general I'm against buying something just so that you can sell it, but if you limit quantities and don't try to totally rip someone off, there is an upside to people who sell stuff like that. I know I have gotten limited albums and things from time to time when I couldn't get one myself and wa glad that someone was selling theirs.
Also.. Road trips end up costing a good bit when we stop at gas stations and fast food along the way. Try and take advantage of the fact you have a cooler and eat snacks and meals that weren't purchased at convenience store marked up prices.
I'm bringing my broke ass friend along with me so I need to factor in additional expenses like probably covering all the gas, our cheap-o $50 hotel room in Murfreesboro, and the majority of our corn supply. I know the rental car is going to be $300 which we are thankfully splitting. I have $1450 set aside in my Roo fund as of today but a large portion of that is going to the corn supply (as we dont really get down with anything else party favor wise, but sure can eat a lot of corn, which isn't very cheap where I live).
SO I'm not really doing Bonnaroo on a tight budget technically, but factoring in covering stuff for my bum-ass friend all weekend and most of our expenses then I assume I'm going to be somewhat tight. Quack it though, this only comes once a year and I wouldn't let my best friend miss it for the world even if it meant the shirt off my back. He was having a terrible year and I couldn't find anyone to go with, so I called him and told him I was buying us both VIP tix with my entire tax return. He's never been before, this dude has no idea whats in store for him, and thats so beautiful to me. I cant wait for him to look at me when we get there and give me the most genuine "thank you" I'll probably ever hear in my life, and it will all be worth it.
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.
Before we judge too harshly, let's think about the system that creates a situation where someone has to sell their taxpayer-funded grilled cheese in order to have a vacation, while amoral thieves take all the money, destroy the economy, dodge taxes, and take away the jobs that force people onto food stamps in the first place. Maybe someone making a few dollars to have some fun isn't the most disgusting thing. Perhaps it's not even the worst way to have a negligible amount of our tax dollars spent.
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.
Before we judge too harshly, let's think about the system that creates a situation where someone has to sell their taxpayer-funded grilled cheese in order to have a vacation, while amoral thieves take all the money, destroy the economy, dodge taxes, and take away the jobs that force people onto food stamps in the first place. Maybe someone making a few dollars to have some fun isn't the most disgusting thing. Perhaps it's not even the worst way to have a negligible amount of our tax dollars spent.
Nicely put. We shouldn't judge someone based on the fact that their trying to "make it" in a different way than us. It's not like their making hundreds... people still would buy the Leno outta 1$ grilled cheese. And how do you know the shakedown vendor isn't doing the same damn thing? Let's all come together this bonnaroo and support each other as well as the festival.
Its only right to use tax payer money on billion dollar bailouts for big corporations like the banks or auto manufacturers that ran their greedy companies into the ground.
You poor little guy thats just scraping by...shame on you. I can't believe you would spend $10 of tax payer funded food stamps for a loaf of bread, some butter, and some slices of cheese, just so you can help pay for gas (which is rediculously high right now despite record profits and...gasp! tax payer subsidies to oil companies) for the one vacation you'll get all year. HOW DARE YOU MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM!!!
Sorry I stand by my thought process. I think it's wrong to use food stamps in that manor.
I didn't accuse you of not having a job. I asked if you did have a job. So I was in the process of getting my facts straight.
We can afford the vacation, we just can't afford all the luxuries we'd like. We have multiple jobs but apparently not enough
Apparently not enough. I live my life without luxuries. It's not that hard.
You poor little guy thats just scraping by...shame on you. I can't believe you would spend $10 of tax payer funded food stamps for a loaf of bread, some butter, and some slices of cheese, just so you can help pay for gas (which is rediculously high right now despite record profits and...gasp! tax payer subsidies to oil companies) for the one vacation you'll get all year. HOW DARE YOU MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM!!!
So just because someone else is doing it that makes it ok? I'm pretty sure when I was 4 my mother told me "two wrongs don't make a right."
All I know is what I see first hand. When I went into the SS office I was surrounded by people in nicer clothing than me, with fancy phones, with their nails done and whatever else. I watch them get their benifits, and when it was my turn I would get turned down.
I was also told by a SS worker that I would have been better off if I never worked. But because I was working and have had the same job for a decade that I wouldn't get approved. This was all while I was a single mother fighting to get the 30 grand in back child support that was owed to me.
I think it's wrong to take more than you need from a system. I don't care who you are. You shouldn't be given that extra 10 dollars. It could be used on someone else.
Many people on here have valid points and many are passing judgement on people they dont know, very unfair guys. I know that the job situation is still very tough for many people in the states, especially compared to us norht of the border, who luckily, werent hit as bad as you guys. Lets not compare apples to oranges when comparing someone who wants to make a few extra bucks by selling grilled cheese to those in the auto industry who got bailed out.....NOT QUITE THE SAME!!!! I also believe in the saying "if you cant afford it, dont buy it"...but lets be honest here...Everyone deserves a break and especially those of you who are busting your hump, have kids, work more than one job and are simply down on your luck! I hope that you can scrape together a few extra dollars to make your Roo experience AWESOME! I know that I will buy a grilled cheese from those who are in need.....I will also be happy to open my cooler, give you a beer and share a story or two with you. Dont let the "debbie downers" and their negative comments get you down....... Also.....these people who are planning to sell "food stamp" food will be working for their money by cooking for you....and most likely missing a few great bands in order to share the Roo experience with all of you...so lay off them and buy a grilled cheese for a buck...jeez! People from all walks of life will be at Roo...aprreciate it for what it is!!!!
1karen1 I think your problem is not with the said gentleman here, but rather the state you live in.
I never had a problem with this person. I don't think its right to use a system this way. No matter what state you live in. I stated why I don't think it's right based on what I saw.
Before we judge too harshly, let's think about the system that creates a situation where someone has to sell their taxpayer-funded grilled cheese in order to have a vacation, while amoral thieves take all the money, destroy the economy, dodge taxes, and take away the jobs that force people onto food stamps in the first place. Maybe someone making a few dollars to have some fun isn't the most disgusting thing. Perhaps it's not even the worst way to have a negligible amount of our tax dollars spent.
Thank you very much. This is exactly my thought process. Like I mentioned in previous posts, me and my girlfriend work our donkeys off at multiple jobs all year and use our food stamps for exactly what their for, to feed our children. We aren't disgusting people, and what's so wrong with wanting to have some extra money for a 4 day vacation?
No problem. I feel your pain. My mom and brother are currently homeless and living in transitional housing. My job is just good enough to take care of my needs, but I try to help them out by taking my bro to the Mayhem festival every year or show him other good times they can't afford. Occasional recreation is absolutely essential to some quality of life. Have a great Bonnaroo!
Okay and that's fine. But why air you grievances here. That's not what Bonnaroo or Inforoo is about. I apologize for cursing but really man, the assumptions you're making aren't necessary.
I wasn't the only one that that said something about your plan.
But I have my valid reasons for the way I feel about SS systems. When I needed them I was let down and turned away while I watched undeserving people fill their pockets. It's not ok. I don't agree with it and when I hear about people using the money for person gain I will say that I don't agree with it.
Keren...give it a rest. Your personal issues with your gov are bleeding through everything you say! She is just going to sell bread and cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RELAX!!!!!
This time next week we'll all be on our merry way to Roo for the time of our lives! Let's be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bansheebeat - hey guy just wanted to let you know that i feel where your coming from on this one, i live in canada where things are slightly easier but a lot of times not by much. if you're selling food make sure you hit up the rv camping where i'll be with my posse and we'll be sure to buy some of what you've got... just look for the hello kitty rainbow pride flag and you'll find myself my girlfriend bestfriends and sister ^_^
So just because someone else is doing it that makes it ok? I'm pretty sure when I was 4 my mother told me "two wrongs don't make a right."
All I know is what I see first hand. When I went into the SS office I was surrounded by people in nicer clothing than me, with fancy phones, with their nails done and whatever else. I watch them get their benifits, and when it was my turn I would get turned down.
I was also told by a SS worker that I would have been better off if I never worked. But because I was working and have had the same job for a decade that I wouldn't get approved. This was all while I was a single mother fighting to get the 30 grand in back child support that was owed to me.
I think it's wrong to take more than you need from a system. I don't care who you are. You shouldn't be given that extra 10 dollars. It could be used on someone else.
My point that one guy trying to sell some grilled cheese is the least of our worries when it comes to people abusing our system. If the dude wants to do it, so what? Do people abuse the system yes, is this guy one of those people? Doesn't really sound like it. Its the one time he gets a vacation all year, the guy sounds like he works very hard to take care of his family, why can't he make his situation a little better?
Just because you didn't get help, no one else should?
Weren't you the one that kept getting upset because random strangers were telling you it was stupid to go to roo 7 months pregnant? People need to mind their own business and keep their opinions to themselves wouldn't you agree? What if someone came on here and said your broke ass shouldn't have gotten pregnant, or partnered up with such a deadbeat father, or you should have taken your education more seriously so you could have gotten a better job? You'd be pissed. They don't know you or your situation. They have no right to criticize you for doing what you had to do. Just like you have no right to criticize somebody who you don't know, just cause your bitter you didn't get help when you needed it.