Discussion on "Tips For Congoers on Strict Budgets"

Perhaps a note could be added about volunteering this year to help with expenses for next? I mean, if your budget is tight one year, chances are it will stay tight for a while.

Granted, i'd rather have folks volunteering just b/c they love the gather and want to help. But i'd rather have them volunteer for selfish reasons than not volunteer.

Also, should there be a note in there about not paying for a hotel room with a debit card?

For those on a budget, making your own trail mix is a good way to keep fueled between sit down meals or on the train/plane/car ride. it keeps really well! Also makes a good breakfast.

Don't buy the premade mixes. They're usually laden with sugar and salt.

Basic components:
Cereal- something unsweetened you can eat with your hands, such as cheerios or chex. This makes up the bulk of the mix. Go whole grain if possible. Avoid crumbly items like flake cereal or rice crispies.
Raisins: good source of quick energy and good for you.
Peanuts: mmm, protein! This is the "main" component you should go lightest on.

Extras!
You can dress it up with a few of these items.
More fruit!- you want it sweeter, add more fruit. Craisens, banana chips, apricots, apples, mangos, dates. Cut larger dried fruits into finger sized pieces. Bad choices are gooey items or ones that are too small to be easily picked up like dried coconut or currants.

Something salty- it's hot, you want a little salt, but not too much. Add a handful or two to a large bag. You can go with something like salted nuts or pretzel nuggets. Bad choice: sunflower seeds. they're too small to pick up.

Other nuts If you're allergic to peanuts or don't like them, try some other large nut. Good choices: almonds, cashews. Bad choice: walnuts, pecans. They tend to crumble into hard to eat pieces.
You may also be able to get dried, roasted peas if you'd prefer. Or wasabi peas. http://www.amazon.com/Ayhans-Famous-Green-Peas-Wasabi/dp/B000BTBQTE/ref=sr_1_18/002-0452298-8216805?ie=UTF8&s=gourmet-food&qid=1178760226&sr=1-18

Other sweets: some people like to add chocolate covered raisins, marshmellows, or M&Ms. Adding more fruit is probably better for you, but you may want to add a few if you're a chocaholic and would eat them anyway.

Trail mix is often shared. To avoid the con crud, pour trail mix into friends hands or a cup, don't let them stick their grubby paws in the bag. They'll just share germs.

Also be sure to warn new pals you're going to share with that there's nuts in there. Some people have severe peanut allergies and the last thing you'd want to do is have your poor pal keel over. Most of them should be aware of this and pay attention, but younger furs that are used to being chaperoned by parents may not be so careful about checking first.

Peanut butter and bread for teh win!

Though, there should be some common sense here. There is a fine line between wanting to save money, and barely scraping by at a con. I hate to be the one to say this but...

Do not go to a con without first knowing you have room, food, and registration taken care of. Even if its two bags of bread and a jar of peanut butter (under 5 bucks).