Cash Money

[LeonardPotato]

Question about cash. How much do you bring to spend at the event?
Ice could be a big expense, but since there is really nothing else to buy.
I am sure there are some "recreational substances" that cash would be needed for...
I am thinking about $150 to be safe.

Thoughts?

[EGAZ]

Ice and coffee is all you need it for. Anything else would not be a good life choice.

[TT120]

I bring about $250 cash for the trip. That would include anything I might need cash for on the way there and back. I spend about $50 or so on ice while I'm there. I like to keep a little extra cash on hand just in case of emergencies. (hookers, blow, bribes.....)

[Chowski]

Ice - 24 bucks every other day or so.

Coffee at center camp, $4.00 a few times.

[spacetime]

You shouldn't be bringing cash into BRC for anything other than ice or coffee.

You actually don't have to bring any as you could just work a shift at center cafe. It isn't well known, but crews do get tipped out for this and it is enough for a few days of ice. Sometimes there is literally free money in center for coffee.

[LeonardPotato]

You shouldn't be bringing cash into BRC for anything other than ice or coffee.

You actually don't have to bring any as you could just work a shift at center cafe. You get tipped out for this and it is enough for a few days of ice. Sometimes there is literally free money in center for coffee.

When is it appropriate to tip at Burning man?
Is it just for the ice and coffee people?

This is something I did not consider.

[AntiM]

Just the coffee people in Center Camp/cafe. Tip the ice people with beers.

[Token]

Cash cash cash.

You are going to butfark nowhere.

Make sure you have cash on hand when you pull off the main highway and hit tribal territory.

Flat tires happen, you pull over on the soft shoulder, fix your flat and are now stuck - Enter local with a BIG ASS TRUCK who towes you out. Cash lubricates that.

INDIAN TACOS !!!! Best meal you will ever have. Stop on way in and on way out. Cash only.

You spot someone selling that blinky light gizmo with spinners at the Empire store - must have that! Cash.

For everything else other than ice and coffee in center camp, small flasks of good whiskey, pint sized, will go a looooong way as gifts, bribes, shortcuts.

"I don't often go to Burning Man, but when I do, I cut every line with a pint flask of good whiskey".

You have been educamated.

[lucky420]

Just the coffee people in Center Camp/cafe. Tip the ice people with beers.

Ummm we like cash too

I either donate my tips to local charities (Lovelock/Gerlach) or use it to help buy my ice.

[spacetime]

Token's right that outside BRC you may want cash for road problems. I also think we've stopped at a local food along the highway after exodus every year except my first on BxB.

Actually, I recall when BxB used to stop in Gerlach, I picked up an inflatable solar lantern for cheap from a local and I still have that thing. You probably don't want to stop locally on your way in if you can avoid it, but if you did you may want to spend cash there.

I maintain that cash shouldn't be spent on other things in BRC besides arctica and center cafe though. I also usually stuff most my tips into burners without borders buckets and the general tip redistribution pool. The rest goes to arctica and their tips. Frankly, tip outs are kind of like monopoly money out there after all the costs of participation. Because they can only be spent on a few commodities, it creates unique, if temporary, capitalistic restraint. You can help maintain this by doing our best to stick by the de-commodification principal.

I think there is some leeway for on-site payment for pre-agreed upon transactions. For example gas money in exchange for help with hauling equipment. This can be a slippery slope so I think even that is discouraged, and whenever possible business should be handled outside BRC.

[Token]

I am sure there are some "recreational substances" that cash would be needed for...

Thoughts?

And for this - just fucking say NO. Don't do it.

It can ruin your life for fucking ever.

There are so many under cover stings out there ... Cops have UCs running around half naked all looking like regular BM attendees, have cool mutant vehicles and are just itching to bust your ass for whatever reason they can muster.

Cleanse that thought outa your head right now.

[spacetime]

Cleanse that thought outa your head right now.

This was my message as well. Don't mess yourself and the event up by being a part of this in any way.

[Thecatman]

Be careful how you handle and hide the money.


In 2010 I found ten cents near the mant farm

[BBadger]

I am sure there are some "recreational substances" that cash would be needed for...

Yes, this will be helpful, though not right away.

It'll help to pay for your $500+ fine, all the stuff ruined by the cops when they pull apart your camp belongings to search for more contraband (they don't help you put them back you know!), and maybe your short stint in jail when the undercover cop dressed as a panda bear supposedly selling cheap pills busts your dumb ass. Hey, maybe they'll even confiscate that cash too.

[Savannah]

I am sure there are some "recreational substances" that cash would be needed for...

Yes, this will be helpful, though not right away.

It'll help to pay for your $500+ fine, all the stuff ruined by the cops when they pull apart your camp belongings to search for more contraband (they don't help you put them back you know!), and maybe your short stint in jail when the undercover cop dressed as a panda bear supposedly selling cheap pills busts your dumb ass. Hey, maybe they'll even confiscate that cash too.

I would like to echo this.

The odds are decent that someone who tries to sell or trade you something illegal is an undercover cop.

And if you ask to buy, folks may assume *you* are the cop, and be irked.

Just bring a selection of nice alcohol (if you drink) and figure that you may go through three $4 bags of ice at a time for a regular cooler (I like to buy a block and 2 crushed bags every 2 or 3 days).

. . . Plus any automotive cash you deem necessary as outlined by the others.

[Sham]

I would suggest to keep enough money with you on the playa (like $20 in smaller bills) for ice and coffee. Leave the rest of your money secured back in your camping area. There will be nothing else to buy (as others have said).

What is being said about buying or selling illegal substances on the playa is NOT being said with a wink. Burning Man is in some ways a training area for law enforcement. They practice entrapments and stings. Keep in mind that BM has a very peaceful and easy going arts crowd, so there is no real threat to police. This makes the drug bust training drills nice and easy.

Do NOT come to buy or sell anything stupid. The best we can do as a group, is to have law enforcement leave the event with very low numbers for busts, fines and so many failed entrapments.

What I've personally seen on the playa is very little illegal drug use. I'm sure it happens, but my feel over the past 15 years is that it may be less than in real cities. The weather conditions are extreme and there is so much to see and do, that spending the week zoned out just doesn't make a lot of sense.

So back to the topic, $20.

[LeonardPotato]

Thank you all for the replies.
Gives me much to contemplate.

I clearly have no idea what I am getting into and I can't wait to get there!

[Eric]

I am sure there are some "recreational substances" that cash would be needed for...

Everyone else has this covered, but for any doubters, just remember this bit of old playa wisdom: the cops have been going longer than you, they have better costumes than you, their art-car is cooler than yours. They absolutely will bust you. Always keep this in mind.

[Jose Wales]

i suggest you just bring what you need with you for self medication. if somethin comes yer way, and it will, just ask yourself, what would brian boitano do if he were here right now.

[Ratty]

i suggest you just bring what you need with you for self medication.

I suggest you think about how it will look on the evidence table.

[lucky420]

i suggest you just bring what you need with you for self medication. if somethin comes yer way, and it will, just ask yourself, what would brian boitano do if he were here right now.

[ACfromSAC]

I am sure there are some "recreational substances" that cash would be needed for...

maybe your short stint in jail when the undercover cop dressed as a panda bear supposedly selling cheap pills busts your dumb ass. Hey, maybe they'll even confiscate that cash too.

This. If someone randomly strolls up to you on the playa & offers to sell you anything.... JUST SAY NO. It's a cop.

[Sham]

I've seen some of these undercover people during the day, and they could be the sons and daughters of the police. They look 100% burnerish.
One of these underage young 'uns strolled into our camp several years back and was looking to bum a beer from us in the morning. I offered water, juice and even a soda. He left pissed and moved onto the next camp to see about setting them up. YES, that shit is real and it really happens there.

Keep in mind also that text and voice messages can easily be monitored by law enforcement. With this entire remote city, far removed from civilization, it's excellent practice to zero in on particular people with questionable messages. A perfect and fertile training ground to test GPS and all the other fun tools that LEO's now have in their bag of tricks.

[Savannah]

i suggest you just bring what you need with you for self medication. if somethin comes yer way, and it will, just ask yourself, what would brian boitano do if he were here right now.

That's an interesting first post.