Conventions on a budget! 10 February 2022 at 1:30PM in UK holidays, days out & entertainments 11 replies 174 views

Chloboshoka_2

Hello,
I am going away at the weekend to an anime and gaming convention at one of the Novotels in London. I have set a challenge to myself to spend as little as possible. 

These conventions have some nice stuff there, but are overpriced. Drinks will be expensive there too. 

I have been signed off sick for two weeks. The company I work for only give me 8 days sick pay before SSP. I may have already lost these days due to COVID isolation. So that’s why I’m trying to keep the budget strict at the convention. 

Ideas I have in mind to keep costs low include: 
* bringing my own alcohol.
* bringing my teabags.
* bringing snacks with me.
* keeping an eye out on vouchers.

If anyone has any other ideas I may have missed out on. 

Thanks

sheramber

Have you read the event rules regarding alcohol , as advised in the terms and conditions?

9. You agree to abide by the Event Rules for the convention surrounding members laid down by the Event Staff. Note these rules are not comprehensive, are intended as a guidance and may be subject to change at any time.

jon81uk

Just consider where you are planning to consume the alcohol, in your own hotel room should be fine, but you probably won't be able to bring your own drinks to the bars and similar.

Brie

Most venues will allow you to bring in your own food & drink if you have dietary concerns like allergies, perhaps also for religious reasons.  Not saying you should lie about it of course.  But if you go for good healthy food - like orange juice instead of coke, carrot sticks instead of crisps, then you are likely to be believed.

It's easy enough normally to have a sandwich from Tescos before you go in and something similar after you leave.  Or if you go into a restaurant of any sort pick your items carefully - soup and bread, not a main course or chips only, not fish and chips (was shocked a few years back to find a back street place not far from Covent Garden charging £20 per person).

Chloboshoka_2

jon81uk said:

Just consider where you are planning to consume the alcohol, in your own hotel room should be fine, but you probably won't be able to bring your own drinks to the bars and similar.

We will be drinking at the hotel room mainly, 

martindow

Chloboshoka_2 said:

jon81uk said:

Just consider where you are planning to consume the alcohol, in your own hotel room should be fine, but you probably won't be able to bring your own drinks to the bars and similar.

We will be drinking at the hotel room mainly, 

Of course there is an obvious money saving strategy of not buying alcohol at all ...

heatherw_01

Is there a reason you want the alcohol so much? Not having any will save you a lot!

Chloboshoka_2

martindow said:

Chloboshoka_2 said:

jon81uk said:

Just consider where you are planning to consume the alcohol, in your own hotel room should be fine, but you probably won't be able to bring your own drinks to the bars and similar.

We will be drinking at the hotel room mainly, 

Of course there is an obvious money saving strategy of not buying alcohol at all ...

I’m not buying any. 

I already have two bottles from Christmas that I haven’t touched. 

Emmia

Won't booze though make you more likely to spend? 

DCFC79

Emmia said:

Won't booze though make you more likely to spend? 

Depends when its consumed, drink at night it shouldn't lead to spending.

martindow

DCFC79 said:

Emmia said:

Won't booze though make you more likely to spend? 

Depends when its consumed, drink at night it shouldn't lead to spending.

It might encourage going out on a kebab spree