Adding up the cost of Burning Man

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:14 pm

No more espresso camp? Does this mean I will actually have to pay for coffee?

thisisthatwhichis · Post by **thisisthatwhichis** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:58 pm

My first year, it was no more than the cost of the ticket and just essential supplies in the back of the truck, which I slept in..... about like a camping trip. So, it's a lame excuse.........

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:31 pm

Shit! I forgot to get back to See Espresso Dude for my 10th coffee ever last year. Goes to show you how if you don't take the opportunity now that it may not happen in the future. Damn.

**burn** · Post by **burn** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:30 pm

And on those sweet beaches in Hawaii, no one is bothered by bikinis and blunts!

hollywallydoodle · Post by **hollywallydoodle** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:59 pm

i like the benefit analysis by flammepus. when i tell people i'm going and they ask how much the ticket is, they always say 'jeez, for what?'

to me $295 is worth it for the art alone. i saw some broadway shows in nyc for $100-200...and that's just for a couple hours of entertainment in which you are supposed to be quiet. add alien landscape, interesting people, commune-environment, camping, photography, interesting people, new relationships, plus self-sufficiency and that equals a natural high for me. and if you're feeling crappy, you can self-medicate or take a nap until you feel better.

so far i've spent $295 (ticket), $10 (pool chair) and i plan to spend $300-500 (car rental), $25-100 (shade), $200 (gas), $100 (food and water), $100 (miscellaneous supplies), and $50-100 (bike) with a total of $1405 if i hit the maximum. that is a lot of money, but i'd rather spend it on burning man than clothes, electronics, or even art supplies (which is my favorite thing to buy).

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:45 pm

Between vehicles and trailers, fuel, booze, equipment, etc., I put up plenty of $$, but here's how I look at it: It's LIFE, and you only get one!
Burning Man is an investment in life, and I like mine a lot better for it.

hollywallydoodle · Post by **hollywallydoodle** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:10 pm

yeah goddammit! i like how you said it better.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:02 pm

it is easier for an art car to pass thru the center cafe during a mid-day yoga session than an investment banker to enter the kingdom of early retirement.

(translation.....you cant take it with you hippy, so quit yer whinin' about the ticket price)

honestly, how many people have SNORTED that much in a weekend....HMMMMMMMM?

you tell me, what's the better "Value"?

and in today's economy, it's all about "value", and these suckers here at burning man let me into a wonderful world of creation and destruction and wind and fire and life and love and art and sky and earth....and all for some of this shitty paper currency we "value" so much...

such a deal, what a bargain.

cunfuzelled · Post by **cunfuzelled** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:06 am

i think you can make it man.
i am 22 years old work at starbucks make 8.77 an hour worl about 30 hours a week make 400 more than rent and have already put 3000 into burningman i can still aford to pay for school and going out on the weekends and rent plus everything else.
if you can afford a morgage you can aford to go to burningman.
it just sounds like you are traped in the ratt race

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:05 am

No whining from the west coast allowed.
Fuel costs could keep me from making it at all.
Projects are already going into the tank.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:11 am

Can I whine about having to fly... HNL to SEA ... 611 dollars... drive 20 hours 3rd of gas- who knows how much
(two airlines went Bankrup out of Hawaii-airline tickets use to be like 400 dollars to Seattle)

3rd of rental about another 600...
WONDERFUL lifetime friend coming with me this year... my 6th her Virgin Year... 2 Golden tickets...

Year before last my bike was stolen.....soooo last year I borrowed bike from above mentioned hottie redhead lifetime friend.....And guess what I need this year....
2 bikes with LOCKS, ohhh and GOOGLES the were in my basket...ohhh and 2 baskets.....

this does NOT include outfits, FOOD, BOOZE, PArtY Favors....
SOOOOOOO what are we up TO $$$$$$$$ WAY TOOOOOO MUCH FUC%***##* Money to add up and think about... and I can't WAIT !!!!!!
I say spend it ALL what the heck are ya doing with it any WAY...

LOVE AND LIGHT TILL WE IGNITE!!!

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:08 am

Barbie, didn't JR remind you of the $50 camp dues in addition to all that other crap you mentioned? And what does that money get you? Well, not much really. We do have a nice shower in BDC&WB (electronic pump!), all the wine you can drink, and a sofa to hang out on. Oh, and the art truck. Sadly this year we won't be passing the hat to help pay for the fire cannon and after the Pershing County sheriffs got through with me last year we're not springing for fireworks either. Turns out they really do get mad and will arrest you for setting off skyrockets. But I digress.

nogganoodle · Post by **nogganoodle** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:11 am

My first year '06 cost me about $3000 what with flights from the UK, car hire, motels, driving up from Vegas etc.

Was I back in '07? Hell Yeah!

**burn** · Post by **burn** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:15 am

Most vakays center around tourists traps with expensive shows and restaurants.

Send me to the harsh hot desert!

Are we there yet??

burnbaby

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:32 am

Barbie, for all I know you're on the east coast of Hawaii!!
I hate to think what gas is there right now.
On the other hand, I don't guess long road trips are an issue.
I'm glad you got tickets before they get worse.
I have a feeling fair prices at the last minute won't be available this year.
They are cutting a lot of flights.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:39 am

Let's see, cost of the burn:
1 ticket -- $145.00 (I qualified for low-income this year)
Gas -- $100 because I'm carpooling and I live in Reno
Gear -- about $300 or so
Food/h20 -- about $100 to $150. I mostly make stuff like fried rice and curry and chicken tikka masala at home, freeze it in Zip-locs, and reheat it on the playa. Cheaper and tastier.
Bike -- around $35 (I get em from either the pawn shop or garage sales over the summer). So far I've been going since 2002 and I've never made it the whole week without my bike getting stolen.
Non-essentials (i.e. costume stuff, party favors, fun playa toys) -- I'm budgeting about $400, but we'll see what happens.

So that equals $1,080. That's really super cheap for a week long vacation. Shit, I went to NYC for my birthday a few years back and after plane tickets, food, drinks, and seeing the sites I probably spent twice that. Plus I know that once I get there I'm not gonna blow a bunch more money. Just ice and maybe the occasional center camp coffee.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:37 pm

The name of the Park is Malaekahana State Rec. Park.
I think they also go by Friends of Malaekahana

Its amazing... kinda Windy sometimes...

You've been to BRC you know how to tie down your stuff

Summer is better to Camp around here than winter, and expect rain.

Ohhhhh and the little town next to Malaekahana is Laie and its a Mormon Town.... sooooo this means you have to get any liquor or coffee at the town called Haleiwa...

Ken AKA Dr Pyro,
I didn't forget about camp dues...
I just didn't think it wise to whine,about camp dues before you've camped with A Theme Camp LOL

CLARKcon · Post by **CLARKcon** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:47 am

Cost of tickets (x 4): $1180
Cost of costumes: $380
Cost of fuel needed (come August): $God?
Cost of mentally, emotionally, and creativly dissappering for a week:
Mother freakin' priceless...

In life, nothing is guareenteed. For everything else, there'sMasterHeartTM

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:10 pm

Well I've got this boat... (real one, not the Land Yacht).
Everyone in the Pacific Northwest is required to have a boat.
THOSE goddamm things use way more fuel than motorhomes do.

Well, except for blowboats.

For the most part, Burning Man costs more or less depending on how comfortable you want to be and how big and heavy your art is.

DragginLady · Post by **DragginLady** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:55 pm

How can you really add up the price of going to Burning Man... are all those garage sale finds factored in? The irresistable Joanne fabrics and the astronomically priced faux fur?
The "perfect" Playa gift found while surfing the net?

I ask myself this while working double shifts and extra week-ends to cover the booze and bling

hah! who cares....

This morning I paid $4.85 a gallon for gas for the car....
I figure riding my bike to work is a good alternative so I do not cut into my Burning Man budget too much!!!

gidget · Post by **gidget** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:09 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote: Everyone in the Pacific Northwest is required to have a boat.

Do kayaks count?

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:50 pm

gidget wrote:
Captain Goddammit wrote: Everyone in the Pacific Northwest is required to have a boat.
Do kayaks count?

If it floats and moves on water, it's a boat!

Remark · Post by **Remark** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:22 am

I don't think about the money while I'm there, so it is still a good price.

Hey Ummm...Captain Goddammit

What is a blowboat? (They sound freakin' awesome.)

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:42 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:For the most part, Burning Man costs more or less depending on how comfortable you want to be and how big and heavy your art is.

You nailed it.

scotto · Post by **scotto** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:14 am

'You can vacation in say Jamaica and see things that millions have seen before you and millions will see after you...Or you can trek yourself & stuff to BRC and see things that will only be available for one week to see'

gidget · Post by **gidget** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:35 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:
gidget wrote:
Captain Goddammit wrote: Everyone in the Pacific Northwest is required to have a boat.
Do kayaks count?
If it floats and moves on water, it's a boat!

Sweet, so I won't get kicked out then?

lurker · Post by **lurker** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:51 am

Burning Man is free.

All that money you spend is to get the default world to take it's stinking claws off you.

Greenblazer · Post by **Greenblazer** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:48 am

Last year Burning Man cost me over $4000.00 in stolen possesions plus all the other stuff. I had accumulated a bunch of gear over the years and built an awesome art bike, but my ex friends/camp mates decided to throw, and give away most of my belongings after the burn instead of delivering them to my home as agreed. Unfortunately there are scumbags who pretend to be your friends that attend Burning Man. Be careful who you trust, not every burner is a good upstanding citizen, some are lying scumbag theives. There is a lot more to the story, but I shouldn't even had said this much.

The worst part was loosing my bike to those scumbags.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/ ... per050.jpg

honeyfire · Post by **honeyfire** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:36 pm

It's not the "feeling like one can afford it" or "feeling like it's worth it",
it's having the fuckin' dough to actually shell out.

I don't have $$$ to spend on Acapulco or Hawaii either...
:sigh

honeyfire · Post by **honeyfire** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:57 pm

And hey, sorry to sound so cranky.
No burn for me this year, my own sweet doggie managed to rack up $4400 in vet bills with maybe 30 seconds of chewing on an electrical cord.
I'll be lucky to spend a week backpacking with gear i already have.

Adding up the cost of Burning Man

No sympathy for people crying about spending 5 grand...

No way i can do it for under a grand, i don't think....