The idea of going to a festival often comes hand in hand with the preconception that it’s an expensive affair. From the costly initial ticket to the tents, supplies and money that you’ll need for the event itself, it’s no surprise that festivals have a reputation for being overpriced.
So, in today’s post, we’re offering a number of tips on surviving festivals on a budget, proving that cheap festivals do exist by exploring how to save money (and even earn money!) while you’re there.
Save on the essentials
When it comes to the gear, planning ahead and buying in advance could save a lot of money on the essentials. If you’re planning on heading to a festival this summer, look out for sales or cheap deals in sporting or outdoor shops and invest early on.
If rain is forecast but you can’t afford a good quality tent, consider borrowing one from a friend, or renting from a shop for a cheaper alternative which won’t leave you soaked in a muddy field. If you think the initial investment would be worth it, purchase lightly used gear from a retail shop, or from a second-hand website which sells second-hand sleeping bags, tents and other camping accessories. Not only will this give old items a new lease of life, but it also ensures that you’re doing your bit for the environment, while also being a great budgeting tool.
Consider your food and drinks
After a couple of drinks, the stand which sells a cone of chips for an extravagant sum of £5 is going to seem very appealing. If you repeat this habit every day that you’re at the festival, the costs will soon start to rack up – and this is only for one meal. Alternatively, you could split the cost of a camping stove with a few friends to have something a little heartier (and cheaper) when you’re hungover. Depending on how much you can carry, you’ll never have too much stuff – this is one way to save yourself a shuttle bus to the nearest shop when you could be partying at the main stage.
The smart ones will bring their own booze (within the festival regulations, of course), as prices at the arena are likely to be little short of extortionate. On the same note, ditch bottled water and other disposables. While it’s tempting to bring a case of bottled water into the festival, to save money and protect the environment, bring a reusable water bottle.
Plan travelling ahead
If you’re in a large group, travelling by car is an efficient way to cut train ticket costs. However, if you’re going on your own, the earlier you book, the cheaper that your travel will be. By putting off booking that train, you’re most likely going to incur greater costs later on, as everyone often has the same idea that prices will fall as you get closer to the event.
Booking your travel early will also mean one less thing to think about later on, and is a great budgeting tool to help you see exactly what you have leftover to spend at the festival itself.
Think about your ticket
Volunteering at a festival could mean as much as a free ticket to the event – or even earning while you’re there. Festivals may require you to work a certain number of hours each day, however when this is complete, you’ll have the freedom to party with your friends, all at a significantly lower cost!
The benefits don’t stop there – with access to staff facilities such as showers and often even electricity, you’re likely to have a cleaner and easier festival experience. You may even get the chance to see how backstage works, and gain valuable on-site experience. Giving out a few wristbands at the entrance or selling programmes is a small price to pay for the potential of free access to a festival. So sign up early to make that budget more manageable than ever!
Make your money back
If you want to stretch your budget even further, try your hand at some cup recycling or litter collection schemes so you can go the extra mile for the environment, while taking a few steps towards maintaining your budget. As more festivals are striving to protect the environment during and after the event itself, this is one of the easiest ways to earn yourself a few extra drinks or some cash towards your budget.
We hope that with our budgeting tools, tips and tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy your festival guilt free and within your budget, so that you can have an amazing experience without breaking the bank.