Necessary Funds

CornStar · Post by **CornStar** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:29 pm

Hi All!
So Ive got a ceiling on my budget for the trip, and I've already rationed my funds accordingly. But on a curious note, I was wondering what kind of a budget you repeat burners tend to work with. I imagine with art & gifts it could be real intense, but just how REAL is real intense? Thanks

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:38 pm

What are you wearing?

CornStar · Post by **CornStar** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:42 pm

HA! what are YOU wearing? Needle your geech, five dollars each!

Token · Post by **Token** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:46 pm

LOL, sometimes Eplaya is like watching Family Guy.

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:30 pm

It depends on your whole life. Louise and I are amateur radio operators, so much of what we have for that carries over. We camp several times a year, so much of what we have for that carries over. We plan on a big earthquake here in the San Francisco Bay Area, so much of what we have for that carries over.

We have a shade structure that we use several times a year. We have big deep cycle batteries that we use when we volunteer as radio operators at bike-a-thons, walk-a-thons, and the like. We have a good tent we use in Death Valley over Thanksgiving as well as other camping trips. We have food stocked up for earthquake rations, and we cycle through it so it doesn't expire - and it mostly canned goods that don't need refrigeration. We bring our bikes. So there's not much that's a special purchase each year for the Burn, the way we do it. Other people's mileage varies, as they spend for special stuff they use one year, then re-do everything for the next Burn.

Louise and I have a rhythm that we live all year long, and this fits in so that there's no special budget.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:48 pm

You can spend a lot of money on little items that you can use next time.
It really depends on your comfort level and what you want.
The headlamp I use cost $30.
The digital one I want is about $100, but more useful.
At the high end they have lithium batteries too.

A good tent can cost a lot.
I have a trailer, but can't afford to haul it that far.
Some people bring million dollar RVs.

chiefdanfox · Post by **chiefdanfox** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:16 pm

2006 ticket: $250
Personal Booze for the week: $400
Gear, bike, clothing special things for the playa: $1,000
Wearing a boat on your head in BRC: Priceless

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:19 pm

If you're serious about being a "repeat" burner a good way to go about it is to volunteer. The work is hard but the rewards are worth it. One is to get in early.. sometimes a whole week before hand to help build some really cool stuff. Whether it be art, a major themecamp, or even to help build the city you will appreciate the experience for life.

On the other side of the spectrum you could always camp really small and do the whole minimalist thing. As mentioned some wind up spending tons of dough and others wind up spending very little to no money for participation. It all depends on what yer wearing or how hard you are willing to work.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:31 pm

I always say Burning Man is cheap or expensive depending on just how comfortable you want to be.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:40 pm

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:56 pm

Kenny Z · Post by **Kenny Z** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:37 pm

Because Burning Man is the most important time of the year for me, I usually reserve a couple thousand (this year I am being a little tighter).

I live in Reno so getting to BRC costs me practically nothing, however, we do set up a bar and like to have open BBQ's. Usually we buy like 50-60lbs of carne asada along with burgers, hot dogs, etc. We have a mutant vehicle that we update every year and I always buy a few new costumes. Things add up quickly so I make sure to start putting funds away early.

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:50 am

about 2k

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:56 am

$800 plus for personal stuff...Now that Im off the road, I can hold on to alot of that stuff. another $500 for booze next week..

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:58 am

$800 plus for personal stuff...Now that Im off the road, I can hold on to alot of that stuff. another $500 for booze next week..

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:38 am

chiefdanfox wrote:2006 ticket: $250
Personal Booze for the week: $400
Gear, bike, clothing special things for the playa: $1,000
Wearing a boat on your head in BRC: Priceless

....junkhead

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:41 am

...i'm still trying to smash my record, even with a 17mpg truck and do it from north idaho for under a thousand.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:32 am

I drive from Michigan, and spend $600-$800 on gas. Between $50-$100 on Playa Beverage, Refreshing (or "PBR"). Another C on food for the playa and trips both way, ANOTHER C for Shower, Snooze and Swim at Days Inn Wendover on the way out. Another unknown quantity on postcards, rubber alligators and jackalopes as I pass through Nebraska and Wyoming.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:05 pm

$1000, just for propane.

Karma · Post by **Karma** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:22 pm

Budgeted... $1,500.oo
$1,000.oo for fuel (I'm pulling a 27' trailer from Orange County, Ca this year) Part of that fuel budget is 35 gals for Onan Microquiet gen.
$150.oo alcohol
$150.oo water, juices, gatorade, Dr.Pepper!
$150.oo toward food.
$50.oo for morning Mochas at center camp and Ice for the week.

Everything else I bring carries over from year to year.
Just gotta remember to clean it all after each trip b/4 storage.

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:47 pm

Typically I spend about $2200 per year, although it varies a lot from year to year. All the costs below are rough estimates and the multi-year items are amortized.

$ 500: tickets (2)
$ 300: shelter + gear
$ 300: food + drinks
$ 700: gifting (stuff+art+donations)
$ 200: gas
$ 200: other (costuming, ...)

$2200: total

This is an expensive year because I put out extra for new shelter, but it should last at least 5 years and I've already used it for a different event. I have the suspicion that the "other" category is up this year as well.

I'm ignoring some costs, I suppose, but I'm also ignoring the some of the costs of off-playa life (like food and commuting).

I don't consider the above budget to be very high. I know people who spend a lot more, and some who spend a lot less.

DoriumLux · Post by **DoriumLux** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:25 am

I live 4 hours away from the event and will be taking a CRV. We will split this out between three people, but I typically spend $400-$700. I'm not a huge drinker. In fact, I don't even typically bring alcohol at all. It also depends on which gear needs replacing. I try to shop through out the year so I can get good deals and I am not hit with a lot to do come August. I'm sure I could do it much cheaper, but I do spend some money of fun stuff. However, I do most my shopping at thrift stores. If I didn't own any camping gear and it was my first time, I'm sure it would cost several hundreds more.

This Year so Far my boyfriend and I have spent...

$150-Food/Ice/Beverages
$100-Gas
$200-Random Necessities and Fun Stuff
$30-Propane
$250-Car Repairs/Tune Up/Trailer Hitch
$50-Tent off Craig's List
$20-New Water Containers

Everything else I pretty much have. Some years are definitely more expensive than others.