Cost

Mojojita · Post by **Mojojita** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:57 pm

I think it might be wise to budget more for gasoline costs. I have heard from sources that I think are intelligent on the matter that gas prices are very likely to be going up dramatically and could be at $4+ by the end of August.

Edana · Post by **Edana** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:17 pm

We spent about $2,000 for a family of 4 to go last year, BUT we already owned pretty much all the camping gear (we're regular campers). The $2,000 was for:

Tickets
Paying for rental space on a truck to bring some of our bigger stuff/teepee poles/bikes to the Playa.
Food
Drinks
Gas
Restaurants and snacks during travel time.
Hotel rooms (pre and post)
Other random stuff - things like eye drops, baby wipes, batteries, lights for the bikes, spare tires for the bikes and kiddie trailer etc. Just the various bits and pieces you need to take with you.

Brittus · Post by **Brittus** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:02 am

I've done quite a bit of research and planning into this as we're taking 10/11 people to BM 2011. We're based in the UK, so the cost-per-head includes:

1. Return flights
2. BM Tickets
3. Ground transport (hire + fuel estimate + cleaning charge)
4. Purchase of accommodation (tents)
5. Advance team hotel accommodation (3 nights)
6. Main party hotel accommodation (1 night)
7. Water and food (with 50% and 20% reserves)
8. Power generation
9. Sanitation and waste management
10. Medical (for 10/11 people as per the BM 'must have' list)
12. A cash reserve for miscellaneous stuff like propane etc.

It comes to approximately UK Â£1,600 per person.

I will be detailing what we get, the costs, the suppliers and so on as I start purchasing things - and will update my profile to include a link to the website where it will all be publicly available.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:10 am

I don't have hard numbers for what we spend each year.

If we ever actually totaled it all up, we'd probably stop going and plan a 6 week globe trotting trip in 5 star resorts instead of 2 weeks in the desert in a school bus.

Ignorance is bliss.

Post by **AntiM** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:42 am

Brittus wrote:I've done quite a bit of research and planning into this as we're taking 10/11 people to BM 2011. We're based in the UK, so the cost-per-head includes:

1. Return flights
2. BM Tickets
3. Ground transport (hire + fuel estimate + cleaning charge)
4. Purchase of accommodation (tents)
5. Advance team hotel accommodation (3 nights)
6. Main party hotel accommodation (1 night)
7. Water and food (with 50% and 20% reserves)
8. Power generation
9. Sanitation and waste management
10. Medical (for 10/11 people as per the BM 'must have' list)
12. A cash reserve for miscellaneous stuff like propane etc.

It comes to approximately UK Â£1,600 per person.

I will be detailing what we get, the costs, the suppliers and so on as I start purchasing things - and will update my profile to include a link to the website where it will all be publicly available.

No bikes?
Lights? For camp and personal?
Hats, work gloves, goggles?
Hydration systems (water bottles, packs, sippy cups?)

Brittus · Post by **Brittus** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:03 am

@antim

The items you list are, excepting "personal" ones, in the master planning list across the various categories. This includes lighting for the camp (and the tents themselves to stop people tripping over guy lines at night) under "accommodation" for example.

Personal bottles, masks, etc are part of a separate list which will be issued to each person attending and it's their job to ensure they are adequately prepared.

Post by **AntiM** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:08 am

LOL, just checking. We list makers can be awfully focused on details.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:17 am

Brittus, nowhere on your list did I see Barbies mentioned. How can one go to the desert without Barbies? Or bacon, for that matter?

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:43 am

I make very detailed list, modifying them as time goes along. These lists include the things I will need to buy as well as things I already own. I keep these list from year to year, very careful to include all the little stuff as well. Absolutely no where do these list include the cost. (like amortizing my anicient motorhome over the years, or its upkeep and storage costs.) I, too, realize I could go to Acapulco in luxury instead. But really don't want to know all the costs. It would scare, not just me, but the all important wife/partner who is my best friend. At this point, all the basics are bought. The new projects are ongoing, as well as food and liquor. Is ignorance bliss?

Rilopie · Post by **Rilopie** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:31 pm

So when my ex and I went for our first time we had to buy ALL the gear we would need for the week. We were not big camping people before that so we didn't have a tent, cooler, flashlight, whatever, so that was a pretty big expense. We drove from sac in the truck we owned and spent a little over $2000 (including tickets).
If you already have all your gear that you would need then your big expenses will be food, gas, and tickets. Hope this helps!

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:37 pm

Much respect to those that travel from so far away!!

I have no clue what I spent and I'm still paying off (credit cards, I started from scratch w/no camping gear!) but yeah, it is well worth it for so many varied reasons.

Agian, MUCH respect for those that travel from far away lands and the Northern California/Nevada locals who do so MUCH for the event also!!

Freesponge · Post by **Freesponge** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:08 am

This year would be close to 15k since we bought a bus.
Our budget for 8-10 people is 4k which includes all fuel food and water. Booze is extra for everyone because not everyone drinks the same amount of booze or the same types.

Personally I always highball my estimates in case we go over cost and since we are coming quite a ways. If there is money left over it gets divided.

From seattle I would set a budget of 2.5k and divide that amount between the amount of people you have going. Simple.

The Hustler · Post by **The Hustler** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:15 pm

tamarakay wrote:kenman took the average gas price from the last five years, then multiplied that by how many miles mapquest said it would be round trip. we are coming from texas. then he planned out menus (i know i know), calculated how much the groceries would cost. Then he figured (i think in this case figured could translate to pulled out of his butt) how much propane we might need, found out costs. But so far the only total he's given me is "boatload of money". this is because he knows i hate math and suck at budgeting. he just tells me no a lot when i want to buy new shoes or something.
I've spent about $75.00 on various garage sale items and fabric and have been making stuff. Another 50 or so at thrift stores.

I'm coming from Texas also and am taking mroe of a "camping" approach with a good tent and decent supplies.

Cheap tents and gear falls apart or doesn't work, it's a huge waste of money.

I'm going light on food and heavy on water. I don't drink or do drugs so there is a huge expense cut right there.

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:10 pm

Brittus wrote:@antim

The items you list are, excepting "personal" ones, in the master planning list across the various categories. This includes lighting for the camp (and the tents themselves to stop people tripping over guy lines at night) under "accommodation" for example.

Personal bottles, masks, etc are part of a separate list which will be issued to each person attending and it's their job to ensure they are adequately prepared.

Brittus

You want a couple copies of my personal list in Excel format? I've done BM in a tent, no A/C and with an RV and have lists for each "style."

Much of it you folks would pare out, but might be helpful. Let me know if you're interested...PM me if ya like with your email addy.

LoR

VeganChoirGirl · Post by **VeganChoirGirl** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:28 pm

Ok...here is what I say, bare minimum, for two people, skip the genny if money is tight:

2 tickets: $600

Getting the truck checked, fluids topped off, oil changed, and a new air filter, (supposing something smallish will need fixin, as it always does): $150

Gas: $200

Food on the Road: $50

Gear (head lamps, multi tools, plates, camping gear, assuming you have some stuff already and look for deals): $200

Shade Structure, (find a used one or make one from scratch cheaply): $50

2 used bikes: $60

Bike replacement parts, extra tubes, repair kits: $50

Play Clothes, Hats, Socks, Shoes, etc: $300

LED's: $30

Personal Items (respirators, goggles, etc): $100

Misc Items: $100

Hygiene, first aide, sunscreen: $100

Food, Water, Boos: $300+

In this scenario I am assuming you'll use things you already have, clothes, blankets, pillows, camping stuff and supplement with things you need.

That's a little over $1k for yourself. Hope that helped a bit.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:38 pm

Super Evil Brian wrote: I don't drink so there is a huge expense cut right there.

Yeah, no shit. We operate a neighborhood bar and bowl on the playa, only open when we feel like it. But I bring a lot of likker and mix and beer.

But I drink some of it...