Thriving on a Tight Budget: How to Enjoy Festivals without Breaking the Bank
Do you love music festivals but want to enjoy them while being financially conscious? As much as you and I love the experience, the associated costs can quickly add up. With some thought-out planning and strategies, the cost of festival tickets, travel, accommodation, outfits, food, and drinks, doesn’t have to put a strain on your bank account. Today, I will share with you some practical tips and budget-friendly ideas to help ease some of your worries so you can still enjoy your next festival!
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
If you have a specific festival you know you would like to attend soon, it’s time to sit down and sort out some logistics. I also recommend you take some time to look far ahead into the next year as to what festivals you want to attend. Doing this allows you to start financially planning and saving. If you are on a tighter budget, try choosing a local festival where you are located to save on travel expenses. Before purchasing your ticket, set a budget on how much you can comfortably afford to spend on both the ticket and other expenses– try your best to stick to this budget.
Once you have picked out your festival(s), follow the festival’s social media platforms. This would allow you to take advantage of early bird ticket sales, promotional discounts, discounted ticket options, and even group deals. If you decide to attend a festival, look around on Twitter or ticket swap apps for people trying to sell their tickets at the last minute. Just remember there are scammers out there, so make sure the ticket and individual you buy from are legit!
Pro tip: set a calendar reminder for 15 minutes before the tickets go on sale to ensure you don’t miss tickets when they drop; ticket tiers go by quickly, and the earlier you are in line, the cheaper the ticket.
Now that you have your ticket let’s talk about the next significant expense, accommodation. You can opt for camping options provided by the festival and share a campsite with friends to help split the cost. While camping may not be for everyone, I love it, and it’s an experience you won’t get if you stay at a hotel. If camping is a BIG no-go for you, consider renting an RV or splitting a hotel room with friends.
As for traveling, I highly recommend coordinating with friends or other festival attendees to carpool or split ride-share prices. This would help cut down on transportation costs and fuel expenses. When looking at buying plane tickets, if your festival is further away, look for plane tickets on budget airlines and far ahead of time. Most festivals occur on the same weekend every year, so you can start purchasing tickets once you know you are attending. I also recommend tracking if the airline you are looking at has any discounted rates or deals.
Food and drinks at festivals can be expensive, so here are some tips to save. Pack snacks such as granola bars, trail mix, and non-perishable snacks, and ensure you know the festival’s guidelines regarding outside food and beverages. Budget for your meals and allocate a portion of your budget specifically for meals; if you camping, split the cost of some hot dogs and burgers with your group. If the festival does not allow for outside food, look for local eateries and food trucks on the festival grounds, they tend to have more affordable options.
Finally, for festival outfits, you can get creative by exploring thrift stores, second-hand shops, and who knows what you can find that is both unique and affordable. Another option is to bring out your DIY skills and create your own festival outfits and accessories. Sometimes festival outfits can be pricey on websites, borrow or swap clothing and accessories from friends! This allows you to spice up your outfits without breaking the bank.
