How much will DefCon "really" cost me...

[cinus]

I notice that a lot of people talk about having money shotages. How much do you usually end up spending excluding airfare at defcon? This will be the first one for me and im just wondering what kind of expenses i am looking at so i can start saving.

[KeLviN]

i can get away with a full budget of less than 200$. but you miss out on alot and you dont have as much freedom.

[blackwave]

Originally posted by cinus
How much do you usually end up spending excluding airfare at defcon?

I like material things, so a whole hell of a lot. I shop once a year, it is called Defcon. :) Chances are if it fits, I will buy it. :)

Originally posted by cinus
This will be the first one for me and im just wondering what kind of expenses i am looking at so i can start saving.

Start? A little late to start I would say... You should have started the day defcon went to hibernation! MuHaHaha... <that was an evil laugh>

[GodMinusOne]

Originally posted by cinus
I notice that a lot of people talk about having money shotages. How much do you usually end up spending excluding airfare at defcon? This will be the first one for me and im just wondering what kind of expenses i am looking at so i can start saving.

A big factor in this is how much alcohol you consume...

[EeeekPenguins]

I will be brining alot of money this year for booze and strippers. It just depends on what you want to do. Oh yeah free alchohol and strippers in my room.

[octalpus]

The biggest losses can't be measured in financial terms. Pride, dignity...

[Chris]

The cost? Merely your immortal soul....and well worth it.

[renderman]

Originally posted by Chris
The cost? Merely your immortal soul....and well worth it.

I keep going back year after year to try and win mine back but keep losing :)

Seriously, you can get by cheaply if you don't drink, don't eat fancy, don't hit the casinos, strippers, or vendor tables. But where's the fun in that?

Like Blackwave, It's my once a year shopping trip. If they sold pants at Defcon I'd never shop anywhere else.

Last year I came back with 7 t-shirts, stickers galore, a couple books, a mug, magnets, 2 computers and a case of penguin mints. (That's not including the $200 in booze we bought for the weekend that was finished sunday at noon.)

It's worth the money.

[Grifter]

Originally posted by renderman
That's not including the $200 in booze we bought for the weekend that was finished sunday at noon.

Only $200, pffft, and you call yourself a Canadian.

[renderman]

Originally posted by Grifter
Only $200, pffft, and you call yourself a Canadian.

I forgot to include the case of Canadian Beer I brought with me across the Border. And that was $200 of just booze for myself, no Mixes.

I just realized how much I do spend in just that weekend. So that's where it all went...

[Chris]

Originally posted by renderman
I forgot to include the case of Canadian Beer I brought with me across the Border.

Renderman...the Al Capone of DefCon.

[telco88]

my expenditures last year

Hey,

I spent 800 bucks total for the trip.

This included:

1. Nonstop RT airfare from PDX to LV
2. 1/2 the cost of a Monarch for 4 days
3. 4 t-shirts
4. A lot of booze
5. food
6. 1/2 the cab fares wherever
7. $75 DC reg
8. i cant remember what else (oh yeah Star Trek the exhibit at the Hilton )and a bunch of other stuff.

i had a hell of a time on that budget

can't wait for this year

[Rob]

Know what burns through a good chunk of budgeted cash, that just builds up and you don't even notice?

Those damn cabs.

Of course, I'm a lazy bastard and don't walk anywhere. :)

[urban]

Yep. I've spent as little as $500 at a DC. I've spent as much as $3k (though most of it was gambling losses).

I tend to live it up at DC: that means cabs everywhere, a few shows, lots of booze, and really good food (even sushi, as -- believe it or not -- there's some decent sushi over in Caesar's).

Last year, I had a blast on only $1.3k (of course, that doesn't include food, room, or travel). This year I'll probably have a similar budget, but since I'll be in the AP this year, I'll be saving a few hundred on cabs and such. Not being in a gambling hotel should cut down on the spending a bit as well.

[PoT]

Shit, I think I blew $300 in booze and I had a roommate supplying me booze too. But then again, I think it was worth it!

I didn't even end up picking anything much up down there.

After travelling expences you should probably be prepared to blow $300-$400, without going too nuts even.

-PoT