BM Question from a Student...

Luz118 · Post by **Luz118** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 3:23 pm

As a BM virgin, I have been really looking forward to going this August. I have most arrangements figured out (Camp, tent/supplies, etc.) save for a couple of things. However, as a full-time college student, I have increasingly ran into economic problems concerning this trip and worry about not being able to go this year because of rising plane tickets and gas prices. Do any of you have advice as to how to raise this kind of money in just over a month? BM isn't an impossible trip right now, but it is getting to be less and less of a possibility... Should I abort the trip, or keep on finding new ways to try and go?

Any input would be helpful :)

phil · Post by **phil** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 3:40 pm

> I have increasingly ran

"I have increasingly run"

> rising plane tickets

Buy your ticket now and lock in the price.

> keep on finding new ways

Keep on keeping on.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:09 pm

Here on the ePlaya you can always count on having your English corrected well before anyone helps you with your problem.

There are lots of ways to earn money, but it would help to know how much you need to earn. Donating plasma will earn you about two-hundred bucks in a month. Ebay and Half.com are excellent resources for making some quick cash off of electronics, DVD's, games, and books you can live without. Check the "Gigs" section of Craigslist for upcoming opportunities to work conventions, events, and short-term labor projects. Most of those jobs pay daily and all you usually have to do is sit in a booth or something like that.

So... How much money do you need? Where are you flying in from?

hsdavis · Post by **hsdavis** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:47 pm

Your question is a bit vague about how to make money to go. You will need about $200 or so for food and supplies in Reno. In addition to your ticket, you will need to make arrangements for a ride to Black Rock City. You may have parents that can give you airline miles for a ticket. I think 60,000 miles will get you to Reno. One of the tricks that I do every year is go shopping at local stores and make my list of things that I will be buying in Reno. This is great for budgeting as well as making sure you don't forget anything in Reno. All the usual stores are there with no exceptions.
You seem to be asking if it's worthwhile spending the money and going to Burning Man more than how to make it. While this is subjective, I would personally recommend it any one at least once in their lives. Even if you have a crappy time, at least you will know what it's all about.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:08 pm

Do it doit do it figure it out !! work your butt off- beg for x mas money early from parents what EVER it takes...

I come from Hawaii and its all I can do to figure out the money it takes to get to BRC....

This will be my 6th year in a row AND I WILL NEVER EVER miss another Burning man now that I FOUND Black Rock City....

Is it worth it - YEA

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:39 pm

max out your credit cards.......and then jump INTO the fire!!!

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:52 pm

How good are your BJs?

Luz118 · Post by **Luz118** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:51 am

Hey all... thank you so much for your input! I really appreciate it :) To tell you the truth, I'm not really asking if it's worth me going to this event, because I'm psyched about going. The question is more of whether it's realistic of me to think I can raise about $500-$600 in time. I've been paying camp dues right now, and catching a ride is the least of my worries, because there will always be someone who has an extra seat.
So that's why I wanted to know if any of you have come across the same difficulties, and if you have, what you have done to overcome them in order to go... but thanks again, and I'll keep on trying. I think I'll be able to make the decision within the next two to three weeks...

Xx

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:11 am

When I think of the difficulties that burners I know have overcome to make it to this event, it always makes me tear up in appreciation of their efforts.

Financial challenges pale in comparison to what has been faced by people we know and love.

Literally the loss of life and limb have been the real hurdles to jumped.

I cherish their gift - to be there with all of us, to be a part of our community despite very tall odds.

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:21 pm

mojo wrote:When I think of the difficulties that burners I know have overcome to make it to this event, it always makes me tear up in appreciation of their efforts.

Financial challenges pale in comparison to what has been faced by people we know and love.

Literally the loss of life and limb have been the real hurdles to jumped.

I cherish their gift - to be there with all of us, to be a part of our community despite very tall odds.

gosh mojo.

now i'm tearing up.
thanks.

really though, amen.

munney · Post by **munney** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:45 pm

3 Words

RADICAL SELF RELIANCE

I wanted to be a Farmer once, not really, but I did want a Cow, yet I had the realization that I live in a one bedroom Apartment, and since I don't have a farm for a back yard, I could either follow my dream to Get that Cow, and work my ass off any which way 'til the Cow came home.

OR,

Pick a new obsession, so I did, and now I am a Burner. I've taken all my Cow money and bought too much in terms of camping supplies, Fire torches, Deep Cycle batteries, Shade structures, and various towing and trailer hitches.

I hope you can make it, if not this year then next.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:42 pm

My first Burning Man I had to quit my job because they decided last minute that I couldn't have the time off. In order to afford the trip I literally lived off of Ramen, water, and the kindness of the occasional buddy who was scared my liver was gonna shut down if I didn't have some vegetables. I didn't go out, I didn't drink, and I worked every shift I could get my hands on up until the burn, and I was still behind on everything when I got back.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:01 pm

I also sold about 50 of my DVDs on half.com

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:31 pm

If transport is your only problem, you have it easy. Buy now, the airfare is still cheap.

sell something, trade something. Do the rideshare thing.

good luck - have fun

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:13 pm

YOUR FORTUNE COOKIE:

Consider Burning Man to be the reward for making the journey your destination.

*GONGGGggggggggg*

Luz118 · Post by **Luz118** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:18 pm

Hahaha, thanks to everyone's optimism, I'm glad to say that I bought my airplane tickets today.... still looking for a ride though!!! I'm going to be one broke bitch when I get back, lol....

Fried_Eagle_Mind · Post by **Fried_Eagle_Mind** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:25 pm

I was so screwed on how I was to afford my plane ticket, car rental, supplies, ect. Then one day as I was making a U-turn, a woman ran a stop sign and plowed into the passenger side of my tiny kia spectra with a large SUV. I was pissed, but still thankful that I was not hurt. She was at fault so with the insurence money that I got to compensate for my car I just got an old bricky Volvo and used the leftover to get to this years burn! Life sure has a funny/amazing way of presenting it's gifts. :lol:

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:44 pm

I wish some bitch in an SUV would plow into my Saturn. I can bike to work, thanks.

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:09 pm

lotsa bitches in SUVs.....shouldn't be hard. just watch out for that 'death' thing.

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:11 pm

You could have feigned a soft tissue injury and made even more money!! I have a lot of friends that think getting hit in a not-your-fault accident is like winning the lottery.

I on the other hand think we need major tort reform in the USA. I simply want to be made whole if I am wronged. If punitive damages are necessary because of the egregious nature then so be it. If its a true accident - make it right and I move on.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:36 am

Most victims can't get compensation at all.
We do need tort reform.
I am out whenever the big companies and doctors bring it up.
I want to criminalize negligence.
The lobbyists usually turn pale and change their minds when I come out to support them.

The system is weighted to protect the person being sued.

Without prison terms, awards need to be drastically higher or the system needs to be available to the large mass of the country now shut out.

Who do you think designed the system they are complaining about?
It's a rigged game now.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:10 am

Luz118 wrote: The question is more of whether it's realistic of me to think I can raise about $500-$600 in time.

It really depends on your income and expenses. We're all different.

vee · Post by **vee** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 pm

This my first year, I bought a ticket and then wimped out and sold it on Craig's the last two years. This year I wasn't going to go though that same caniption again, but then just recently all these people I know started telling me I should go, cuz it's really cool and cuz of the way that I "am". So I bought a ticket late, for max bucks. Now I need a shade structure etc. etc. and it's gonna cost quite a few more bucks that I don't have, what with my lazy unemployed self. Anyway, here goes it. I will wrangle it up somehow. Thanks for all the great "whatever it takes" rhetoric...

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:20 pm

I've got an 8' dia. tent, with no poles, if anyone wants it.........either to make your own poles or cut it open and make a shade structure from the material.
Is there a place I can post my 'extra' stuff, so I can share if anyone needs?

Ygmir

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:29 pm

The forum is Share Resources if you have things to give away.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:34 pm

vee wrote:This my first year, I bought a ticket and then wimped out and sold it on Craig's the last two years. This year I wasn't going to go though that same caniption again, but then just recently all these people I know started telling me I should go, cuz it's really cool and cuz of the way that I "am". So I bought a ticket late, for max bucks. Now I need a shade structure etc. etc. and it's gonna cost quite a few more bucks that I don't have, what with my lazy unemployed self. Anyway, here goes it. I will wrangle it up somehow. Thanks for all the great "whatever it takes" rhetoric...

"whatever it takes" you wont regret it! or you might ..
Ive almost quit jobs, just to go...

funny thing is, my ex-wife dragged me out their..didn't want to go....
I fucking fell in love with it..and she hated it. Think it was a hair issue..playa hair..
and we separated, because of Burning Man. never cheated, she just hated how involved with BM I was becoming..volunteering and all that shit

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:49 pm

[quote="mdmf007"]You could have feigned a soft tissue injury and made even more money!! I have a lot of friends that think getting hit in a not-your-fault accident is like winning the lottery.

I on the other hand think we need major tort reform in the USA. I simply want to be made whole if I am wronged. If punitive damages are necessary because of the egregious nature then so be it. If its a true accident - make it right and I move on.[/quote]

Hmm...good karma generated there.

LoR

BM Question from a Student...

BM Question from a Student...

3 words

can't afford to go, or can't afford not to go.

Re: can't afford to go, or can't afford not to go.