Tips for you and your budget to survive festival season

Five Financial Tips for Festival Fun

It’s officially festival season! And whether your idea of a good time is a muddy mosh pit or an exclusive VIP suite, festival scan take a toll on your budget. But with a bit of planning, you can make it through without breaking the bank.

Here are a few tips: 

Buy your tickets early

Many festivals offer early bird ticket prices months in advance. If you know you’ll be attending, buy your tickets early to save some money.

Bring a reusable water bottle

A lot of places won’t let you bring in full beverages, but clear and empty reusable water bottles are usually fair game. BYOB (bring your own bottle) to avoid paying big bucks for the pre-bottled stuff. 

Pack your own snacks                                                                        

Depending on the festival, you might be able to bring snacks with you. If you can, this is a great way to save a few dollars on meals. Just be sure to check the guidelines before you pack a gourmet feast—you wouldn’t want to have to abandon it at the security gates.

Check the weather

We live in the Atlantic provinces, which means the weather can go from bright and sunny to dark and stormy in an instant. Check the forecast and pack accordingly. Chance of showers? Buy a small, packable rain poncho to avoid an impulse buy at triple the price when you’re already soggy. Nothing but clear skies? Bring plenty of sunscreen, some shades, and a hat.

Plan for comfort

Sure, tenting alongside of 1,500 of your new best friends might sound like a good idea, but sometimes the cheapest option for accommodations isn’t always the most comfortable. Be honest with yourself and your desired level of comfort—sometimes it’s worth it to shell out a bit more to get a good night’s sleep. That way you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day and not like you need to drink your weight in coffee.