We’ve all been there, we love comic cons, anime and fan conventions but we fear that we are just too poor and broke to make going a to a con a reality. Believe me I know firsthand how the love of the comic con draws you in and the reality of the comic con , that it takes all your money!
But fear not! Here are some tips and tricks to keep you from spending your hard earned nerd money from a your boring a desk job on a convention.
Before the Con
Saving money actually starts before you even step foot through the door in your amazing cosplay outfit.
#1 – Your tickets
Take advantage of early bird ticket prices! Most cons have early bird pricing that can give you up to $20 off the ticket price. These early “nerd” tickets are usually very limited but if you know you’re going to go to a particular convention anyway then take advantage of the savings!
Some conventions even offer pass discounts if the convention is a multi day event. If you plan on attending multiple days then take advantage of the 2, 3, or 4 day pass discounts. Also check out group rates if you plan to take a large group with you.
#2 – Travel Expenses
Now that you’ve bought your tickets it’s time to save for your trip.
I recommend making a budget for your trip expenses when you purchase your tickets, or if you plan on purchasing your tickets later at least 3 months in advance of the trip.
In your budget include the following
Lodging – take advantage of maybe staying with relatives or friends if you have some living close to the event. If you don’t check out websites like Priceline or Expedia to see if you can get a good deal. The earlier you book, the better the price will be. You could also check out hostel or airbnb prices if you want to save money and are ok staying in a non-conventional hotel room. Just be aware the lodging for the bigger conventions like San Diego Comic Con can sell out up to 6 months to a year in advance of the event so you’ll have to get on it pretty early to be guaranteed a room.
Travel Tickets (plane/train/bus) or Gas and Parking – if you’re not driving to the event try and book your lodging with your hotel (if you are forgoing a hostel or airbnb) as bundled deals are often offered through travel websites which can save you up to $500 dollars if you book on the right day! (Remember the middle of the week is the best time to book online!)
Food
Autographs/Meet and Greets/Photographs and Signings
Memorabilia – such as signed books, comics, funkos, new cosplay pieces, and whatever else could catch your fancy in Artists Alley or the Show floor.
#3 – Parking
If you live close enough to the event that you are going to drive then you might want to look into parking apps such as SpotAngels or Way. These apps can show you where available parking is and possibly help you shop for the cheapest rate.
If you are going to a smaller con it is likely that they could have free parking, in which case WOOT! you’ve just saved money! But most bigger cons in cities like Seattle or Portland are going to require that you part in a parking garage or at the convention center. These can cost a pretty penny per hour or up to $50 for the day! Ouch! SpotAngels was amazing when I was driving up to Emerald City Comic Con this year. I was arriving in downtown Seattle really late and I was worried that the parking garages would be closed. This app told me which parking garages where open, where they were located, if their were spots available and parking prices. Take advantage of apps like this to help save you money and adhere to your budget.
#4 – The Convention Website
The con website can sometimes offer vendor deals and coupons. Last year Geek Girl Con had a page dedicated to deals that were being offered by vendors in the Exhibition hall. If these deals appeal to you take advantage of them and save more money! Make sure you check out these deals before you leave for the con just in case you have to print out a coupon or voucher. Some vendors just need you to show the deal on your phone but others might require a coupon or voucher be surrendered at time of sale to get the deal.
#5 – Prepare Your Food in Advance
If the events center allows outside food and drink (some do and some don’t so check out the convention website for rules) save money by bringing your own!
The concessions center usually sells average, and lets be real, overpriced fair like pizza, soda, chips, and water. You’ll pay extra for healthier options such as salads and sandwiches.
If you bring your own you can plan your meals, bring extra snacks, and use water fountains to refill a reusable bottle or hydroflask. Don’t be caught having to buy water from the concession stand for over $3 a bottle! It’s not worth it!
“But what if I want to eat out?”
If you want to eat out but not spend a lot of moolah at the convention center, pull up Google maps and do some sleuthing. Look for restaurants around the convention center or within walking distance (because unless you’re in a less densely populated city you probably won’t be able to drive there) and check out restaurants and their websites. Check for happy hour or late night specials on food and drinks. This way you can experience a new place and still save money and stick to your budget.
P.S. You could always hop on Groupon.com and check out which restaurants are offering deals. This would be a great way to save up to 50% on a restaurant trip! #notsponsored
At The Event
Saving money for anything takes a lot of pre-planning, especially if you want to do the thing right. But what about saving money when you actually get to the con?
Make sure to read the program that is provided. Sometimes there will be events like badge scanning Scavenger Hunts (Emerald City Comic Con) that could be fun, help you explore the con, and potentially win you some cool prizes. You never know, you might even find coupons or deals in the program! You’ll never know unless you read it.
Don’t buy anything on your first pass through Artist Alley or the vendor floor! Take a mental note, write it down, or take picture and keep going. If you’re still thinking about that special item on your 2nd pass through or the next day then go ahead and get it! If, of course you have the budget for it. Don’t forget to stick to your budget! It’s when you let your pre-planning go out the window that your money starts slipping through your fingers.
Have in mind something that you REALLY REALLY want. That item that would cause you to stop in your tracks, cause you to drool uncontrollably, or cause you to fangirl so hard you scare the person behind you.
Keep that one thing in mind as you go through the show floor. Think of it like a treasure hunt. You’ll be so busy looking for that one treasure that you’ll be less likely to impulse buy on the really cute stickers, plushies, or other small things that you don’t really need.
Plus, if you find that treasured item you were looking for it’ll be like you’ve hit the JACKPOT!
Take advantage of free panels, gaming tables, and film viewing rooms. Sometimes there may even be free meet and greets! Remember to read your program! Take advantage of these free events and have fun! Remember conventions are not just about what you can buy on the show floor. You can learn and experience so many cool things, that don’t even cost you more than the price of your early bird ticket that you already paid for.
Check out the cosplay areas, either to show off your amazing character cosplay or to take a selfie with your favorite character. Lots of people go to these events just to meet other people who love a certain fandom and to show off their cosplay. Take advantage of these places and have fun seeing all the amazing cosplay!
Last of all –
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE!
This is an event where people just like you come together to have fun, experience a convention together, and learn new things. Enjoy meeting new people, seeing the sights, and experiencing all that the convention has to offer! Remember, you can have fun at comic con on a budget. It just takes a bit of pre-planning and impulse control.
I hope that this post helped you realize that comic cons are not just for people who have money to make it rain at a convention. If you are broke AF, you too can go to comic con! It just takes some planning, budgeting, and the will to make it happen.
As always, live long and nerd on!
~ Sara
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