So just WHAT kind of cost am I looking at? And other stuff..

[TheEnglishButterfly]

I hope this is in the right subforum, but my year to go will be next year. No doubt about it. I was supposed to go this year but my health sucks too much to go.

SO! Tell me, what do you spend on average for everything, tickets included, to spend your week at BM?

I have a lot of the camping stuff I need. Multiple tents, canopies, nice sleeping bag, I want to get a free-standing hammock (point me in the direction of some good hammocks if you wish!) I have all the smaller stuff like flashlights, lanterns, all that fun stuff. I camp a lot so the camping side of stuff I really have covered. I want to get a solar shower though.

I waver between the idea of bringing an RV an then bringing an SUV with a trailer with all my gear. I know an RV would be nicer, but the cost of bringing one there could be the deciding factor.

The food... I'm a 100% vegetarian so I wouldn't be bringing any meat stuffs. But what do you all usually bring to eat, and what is the best foods to bring that aren't going to go bad over the week?

Costumes... my Mom makes stuff so I am covered on that I have an older bike I'd use as I don't want to muck up my new one. But it has gears, it's a mountain bike, so it should suffice fine.

Oh, and serious question on this. I flip my lid when stuff is on my glasses... it just drives me batty. I don't wear contacts, but would you all recommend wearing them for the week so Im not going insane with the dust, but I can actually see, and I can wear goggles too.

I just want some real experiences on what you all would recommend for the first timer (yup Ive read the first timers guide too) but I want some input from you lovely people. Additionally, Id really love to know what you all spend each year and get an average amount, tickets included. Tell me what you drive there in (like car vs RV) so I can see where any vast differences in price may go. I won't be able to be the kind of person to spare no cost and go all out but I DO want to go comfortable. I have a teaching degree but cant find a teaching job, and even if I did, teachers dont get paid for shit So I cant go too "all out" and I also have a kid that doesn't need to go without just so I can feel like a Queen at BM.

I'm starting to make my plans now, save.... and then next year.... have a blast and meet you lovely people!

[playamutt]

Congrats for getting into the community and sorry to hear about your health. i cannot offer much knowledge about the RV vs personal vehicle because I live close to the Playa. If you are traveling a great distance, consider an RV so you aren't wasting money on hotels. Also get insurance on any rentals, I hope someone had told you by now, Playa never comes out of anything. Cars, carpet, electronics, etc. and some rental companies would consider it damage or charge terrible cleaning fees.
Price estimates really quick,

Each ticket $280-500. The high end is for the holiday sale. You can see this years prices online at Burningman.com under tickets. This is by far the most pricey investment.
Solar showers are very cheap.
and you said you have tents and the sort so you should be good on basics of camp (getting an RV can prevent you wanting an air mattress and comforts).
water is a big one. buy some 6 gallon water jugs at walmart for about $10 a piece. recommended about 2 gal a day per person.
Food wise, as a carnivore I can only speak from second hand experience. many vegan/vegetarians enjoy their greens from coolers. A safe bet is to track how much you eat in a week now and reflect that to the playa. While you do not want to go too fancy on food, it never hurts to plan good dinners, or better yet get with a camp where each night someone is responsible for a group dinner. last point on food, you won't eat as much as you think, the playa is a highly active place but it can steal your appetite with the adventure of being a Virgin Burner. I had $250 worth of food between me and my first year partner, and we hardly scratched at it. Things like mixed nuts and on the go food are really good but remember to avoid having more packaging than necessary. Moop (playa trash) is not your friend.

As for glasses vs contacts. Bring both. Everyone has different eyes, some people survive the playa with contacts, other people dry up really fast. you may hate dust on your glasses, but you will hate dust in your contacts more if they go dry. Playa dust can scratch you up bad. best trick I have seen, is glasses with goggles over the top (goggles are a playa must for sandstorms).

My last bit of advice is to get a really shoddy camera you don't mind breaking or a good one that is water/ playa resistant.

Also if I understand correctly, you have a child to bring as well? be extra mindful of kids needs. Extra water, medicines and the sort. Depending on age, kids can have dramatic reactions to the playa from the UV, dust (and this year poor air quality from wildfires). Kids with allergies and asthma in particular may have issues with the first night breathing playa/the first sand storm.
Any ways I am sure there are more experienced people than myself who can be more concise. i ought to return to my ticket scavenging. If you have any further questions, I would not mind helping as best I can, If not, get well so we can meet next year on the Playa!

-Mutt

[gypsy68]

I can answer some of these questions with what I have done. (Have not gone in a few years, hoping to make it back next year)

Cost: My first year I spent between $1800 and $2000. I had the basics, tent, camp stove, camp chair, air mattress, sleeping bag. But I had to buy a shade structure, camp lantern, and a few other things. Money was spent on camp gear, shade structure; throw rug, food, gas and lodging, portable beach hammock. The following year I only spent around $1200. There are people that spent less, and there are people that spend a lot more. There are threads on this, you can do a search.

RV, SUV w/trailer: Can’t tell which is better. I have only used a tent. I am hoping to buy a camper van for next year. (Most likely will be in a tent again)
Food: I am not vegetarian, so can’t help you there. There are a lot of food threads on here, just do a search.

Costumes & Bike: I don’t usually wear costumes, but if you have someone to make you some I say go for it. I have never taken a bike. If I go next year I am taking one. I found mine for about $40.00. I figure that was about right for a playa bike.

Glasses vs. Contacts: I almost always wear glasses at home. At Burning Man I wore extended wear contacts (mine were the ones you can wear for up to a month at a time, I didn't want to deal with taking them out of my eyes. I made sure I had lots of saline solution because I hate when my eyes dry out with contacts) I know that there are some threads on this and what goggles work best with your glasses. I do take my glasses (along with a couple of extra pairs of contacts) as back up.

My first year a friend and I borrowed another friends brand new truck (only had 12 miles on it when we left town). The next time I drove my little Hyundai Elantra. That thing was packed full.

Things I would change: I would make sure I had a better table. I took a little folding table, but my camp stove barely fit on it. I want more room to work around. I would take a bike next time. My shower structure needs more work. It was ok. But I know I can do better. If I can I will bring a little camper van, or even just a van. I don't need a bathroom. If I can't afford a camper van for 2014 then I will bring a tent again. I just want to make sure I can stand up straight in it.

For most of your questions if you go to Google and do a search with eplaya and the topic you want, it should come up.

Hope this helps some.
~hil

[danibel]

I waver between the idea of bringing an RV an then bringing an SUV with a trailer with all my gear. I know an RV would be nicer, but the cost of bringing one there could be the deciding factor.

The food... I'm a 100% vegetarian so I wouldn't be bringing any meat stuffs. But what do you all usually bring to eat, and what is the best foods to bring that aren't going to go bad over the week?

Costumes... my Mom makes stuff so I am covered on that I have an older bike I'd use as I don't want to muck up my new one. But it has gears, it's a mountain bike, so it should suffice fine.

Oh, and serious question on this. I flip my lid when stuff is on my glasses... it just drives me batty. I don't wear contacts, but would you all recommend wearing them for the week so Im not going insane with the dust, but I can actually see, and I can wear goggles too.

I just want some real experiences on what you all would recommend for the first timer (yup Ive read the first timers guide too) but I want some input from you lovely people. Additionally, Id really love to know what you all spend each year and get an average amount, tickets included. Tell me what you drive there in (like car vs RV) so I can see where any vast differences in price may go. I won't be able to be the kind of person to spare no cost and go all out but I DO want to go comfortable. I have a teaching degree but cant find a teaching job, and even if I did, teachers dont get paid for shit So I cant go too "all out" and I also have a kid that doesn't need to go without just so I can feel like a Queen at BM.

I'm starting to make my plans now, save.... and then next year.... have a blast and meet you lovely people!

Starting with RV vs. truck and tenting it; research a monkey hut. They are easy to build and you can make use of your existing camping gear. A lot cheaper/less cleaning issues this way. Though you must know that any camping gear you bring will forever be "playafied." It's just reality. The cost of an RV is more than just $. There is the time to restore/clean the beast.

Food. If you don't already have some good 5 day coolers, invest when on sale. There are plenty of threads in food and drink to research. The great thing is, you have lots of time. I am veg and I eat well. I can't do the no-cooler thing, but if you wanted to try this thread is amazing:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 76&t=35430

Sounds like you are good on costumes. Light up your bike! Decorate it. Get a basket.

My vision is not so bad that I usually go without my glasses out there. I usually wear sunglasses during the day. Many threads on goggles, here are a few:

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 79&t=62405
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 79&t=39138 (goggles for contact wearers)

This will be my 5th burn. I rented a cargo van for the first two years and after the expense and cleaning (OMG the cleaning!), I invested in a used 1998 ford e250 cargo van. The rental was running me about $700 and then it took an entire day to clean it! I paid around $3k for the van and it runs $500 a year in insurance and registration. I hope it lasts a few more years, but at this point I feel pretty even because I use it for camping and even drove to Oregon this summer in it.
I prefer the cargo van because everything fits INSIDE. It sickens to me to see the garbage and crap on the side of the highway leaving from people strapping crap to their car and it blowing away on exodus. My bikes are riding inside but I think an upgrade for next year will be a front hitch bike rack. If I am going to put them outside, I want them where I can see them. The van could pull a trailer, but I am not ready for that much responsibility, yet. I sleep in the van on a futon. I built a bed platform in it that also has room for bins underneath.

This year is the most I have ever paid for a ticket. $380. Since I now have all the camping gear my additional expenses are on bike upgrades, more solar lights, and (whew) a black rock shade structure! I camp with friends and though we do have community shade I stay late and need shade Sunday and Monday, plus it just makes me feel better to have my shade. For food, I would eat anyway and I eat mostly the same on playa as I do at home, minus restaurants of course. I do spend some on booze for the bar and my sweetie and I go in on a LN tank and ice cream ingredients for camp. My camp makes a daily dinner which I do eat sometimes, but I also have a full kitchen. A compost bucket (5 gallon with REALLY tight lid) can help us veggie people deal with the moopy foods (great for rinds, egg shells, coffee grounds, veggie ends, ect.).

I second the above post about a table. Get a good card table. This doesn't mean "light." Costco used to sell these great heavy ones, but I haven't seen them there for awhile. If you take a plastic one, bring a way to anchor it. Shit does blow away! (again, monkey hut could help for more wind/dust break)

[gypsy68]

Danibel, I am jealous.

I have been looking at cargo vans as another option instead of camper vans. I like the idea that I can fix it up the way I want.

Have a wonderful week!

[danibel]

Danibel, I am jealous.

I have been looking at cargo vans as another option instead of camper vans. I like the idea that I can fix it up the way I want.

Have a wonderful week!

Thank you! I love the cargo van. And even though I think it was worth the rental price the first two years, the fact that I own it and can "improve" it as I see fit is a huge bonus. The biggest bummer about renting is the clean up. I realize that for some, rentals are just something they have to deal with. Ugh. I can't even begin to imagine cleaning an RV.

I would recommend the doors that open instead of slide. Just for the easy factor. Mine has a slider and though it wasn't a deal breaker, but I would prefer no slide.

[BBadger]

You know, there are tons of thread topics on preparing for the event and the costs of stuff. Do some research on those for specifics about what to buy.

For what I pay, I spend about $600-800 or so per year including the ticket. The way it works out is that my friends and I cover some aspect of the burn (transportation/gas, food, shelter, etc.). In the process of covering different parts of the burn, by the time the burn is done we've had such a good time we end up forgetting about whatever specific part we covered and debt-forgive each other. As I've traditionally bought two tickets at a time -- one for myself, and another for my friend -- I've ended up just writing off the cost of that second ticket and that's basically why my costs average about 2x the price of a ticket.

These low costs (by my standards) are made possible by our close proximity to the burn (Salt Lake City, UT) and the fact that my friends and I already own a lot of the stuff we bring (truck, trailer, camping gear, coolers, stoves, etc.). Camp dues are relatively cheap too ($50). I've bought new stuff for the burn, but they're multi-use (coolers, carports, camping gear); so I don't consider them entirely BM costs. Last year cost me an extra $120 or so to pay for 3x Monkeyhut materials; only needed two but it was worth the price nonetheless.

[Elderberry]

Costs are directly proportional to the level of comfort you require on the playa.

[theCryptofishist]

Are you flying from England? (Or anywhere, really.) You'll never get your gear and costumes into the luggage allowance.
There are tricks.
Cost of ticket $380, not $280.

[maggsters06]

Just got back from my first burn! It sounds like if you have camping gear, bike, and costumes covered, you're halfway there on expenses - that's certainly where a lot of my money went.

RVs are very expensive - in addition to the afore-mentioned costs, there is also the cost of getting it pumped while on the playa. If you have an SUV and are planning on sleeping in a tent, you may not even need a trailer. I fit all the stuff for two people, plus the people, into my mid-size SUV with room to spare (just pack tight, think Tetris ).

Yes, your glasses will be completely covered in dust, just like everything else. It is unavoidable, but part of being out there is becoming one with the dust and letting go of things that normally annoy you. You could try wrap-around sunglasses, or find a pair of goggles you wouldn't mind wearing as part of your costumes all the time.

Seconding the bike basket, and get a bigger one than you think you'll need. Also, more body wipes, TP, hand sanitizer, and light-up things than you think you'll need.

For a camera, I brought an old Nikon CoolPix S2 that is "weatherproof", and it held up really well (until I lost it at the burn ).

I tried to cut costs by prepping a couple months ahead, so that I could scrounge around on eBay/Amazon and buy the cheapest stuff, allowing time for the free month-long shipping times for stuff coming from China. For stocking up on things like batteries, booze, and other essentials, find a friend with or invest in membership at a Costco/other warehouse store. Also, I saw a great standing hammock at Costco this year with a shade over it for $49.

Food-wise, it's so hot that you aren't really going to want to eat huge meals, and your stomach shrinks very quickly. I ended up snacking throughout the day. Dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, & apple sauce all served me very well, though by the end of the week I was dying for some fresh fruit juice (luckily my camp provided with a huge bowl of fresh watermelon on the last day - BRING A WATERMELON if you have room in the cooler, though in general fruit doesn't last very long out there). Don't bring stuff that needs a lot of prep - I brought some steaks with the intention of eating them the first day, and they ended up being cooked at 3 am and given away to camp mates halfway through the week. Anything with electrolytes or acid/vinegar is great: coconut water, pickles (I brought home-made pickles as gifts for people, they were a hit). Also, food will last a lot longer in the cooler if you wrap your cooler in mylar bubble wrap and put some two by fours under the cooler to elevate it from the ground.

Oh, and BRING VICE GRIPS!!! (for getting rebar out of the ground at the end). Good luck and hope to see you out there next year!

~M

[theCryptofishist]

Note: You don't have to pay for pump outs of your rv if you use the same porto-squats as the rest of us. Being in an RV doesn't have to mean living in your toilet.

[theCryptofishist]

And I forgot contacts. If you're removing and replacing your contacts every day, you will get dust between them and the eye. Try for extended wear and change them just before leaving Reno (or wherever).

[Savannah]

Air 0ptix D4y & N1ght extended wear were absolutely marvelous in 2012. I never took them out; just used a few drops of preservative-free tears (not redness reliever) to moisten them periodically, and all was well. Regular semi-disposable lenses did okay this year (slept in them about every other day) but most contact lense wearers I know suffer at least one bout of discomfort during the week. So lenses designed for the challenge are just especially helpful, as are glasses for backup.

Pardon my spelling with numerals. In the past, mentioning brand names has drawn sales representatives out of the woodwork pretending to be members of the community, which brings me dangerously close to an aneurysm.

Additionally, Id really love to know what you all spend each year and get an average amount, tickets included.

How much do YOU spend on Burning Man?
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=62966

I'm humpbacked and poor... <-- I broke down the costs of my first Burn in this thread.
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?p=657128

It really depends on how far you're coming, & what you're staying in.

[Oldguy]

Spend all your money in America, we need your cash. Tell your friends too. Pack all the things.