Escapade on the cheap…

[escapade_team]

We’ve had comments from people who are looking for ways to be able to keep Escapade affordable, and with that in mind, we’ve drafted this Q&A that we plan to add to the FAQ. Before we do that, though, we want to “crowd source” (by asking our terrific attendees) any more ideas or recommendations to include in the answer part of this. Please reply on the Yahoo group or the various journals or wherever you see this posted and let’s have a discussion!

Escapade on $10 a day (more or less)

Q: How can I keep expenses down and still have fun at Escapade?

A: Good question! There are several pieces to attending Escapade, and each one comes with its own costs.

First, register early for Escapade to get the discounted fee. If you missed the early reg cut-off, find a friend to bring (or if you’ve never been, or it’s been a long time, be a brought friend) and the “bring a friend” deal can also save you money.

Next expense is travel. If you fly in, watch all the bargain flight websites and book well in advance. Use frequent flyer miles or credit card points if you have them. If you drive, see if you can find passengers to help with gas costs, or find someone else you can hitch a ride with to share their expenses.

We work to get the best rate we can for attendees at the host hotel, but we know it’s still an expense. To keep hotel costs down, advertise for a room-mate on the Escapade email lists or LJ/DW communities.

Everybody has to eat, and there are ways to keep that cost down as well.

As part of our convention, we have a Friday night welcome party that includes finger food and one free (alcoholic or not) drink, and on Sunday morning there is a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Both these events are included in your registration.

The hotel restaurant is not cheap, but it is good. If you have transportation (or can get a ride), there is a Safeway/Von’s supermarket nearby, and the good news is that along with the hotel renovations, they’re putting small refrigerators in each room, so your food can be kept fresh. Rooms also come equipped with coffee makers which can be used to heat water for instant cereals (oatmeal, for instance) for breakfast, instant cup soups for lunches or snacks. Within walking distance of the hotel are several local restaurants, some more expensive than others, but most of them tasty. And, as always, during the day, the con suite is stocked with snacks of many varieties.

The very best way to make Escapade affordable is to start saving for next year the minute you get home. Drop pennies in a jar or can or, for a stylish option, come to the con suite and pick up one of the card stock fold-up Escapade banks and stuff that full for next year. If you won’t be at Escapade, a printable bank template can be found here: http://www.snailshellstudio.org/foldybank.htm

Mirrored from Escapade 2013.