Budgeting for a Convention Part 3
Attending multiple conventions and events in a year is expensive, I have a Part 1 and Part 2 of this guide if you're interested in more budgeting and finance tips for attending a convention. I hope Part 3 can help you save even more money and maybe make you money when attending events. Read until the end for a chance to win a 4-day badge for Anime Expo 2023.
Volunteer Opportunities
Conventions require a lot of staff to run. These can range from organizers, cleaners, security, and volunteers. Volunteers are non-paid positions that do a lot of the menial tasks during a convention. The can do things like checking badges, doing check up with exhibitors, or just holding an end of the line sign. While these are unpaid positions they do offer some perks and typically includes a badge. A free badge means a lot, especially when you're on a budget. It means more money for merch and access to all the freebies the convention has to offer.
Another benefit of volunteering is getting into sold out conventions like San Deigo Comic Con or Anime Expo. SDCC gives you a day badge for volunteering three hours and Anime Expo gives you a 4 free 4 day badge for the following day.
Sell to Booths
This might seem weird but some booths do more than just sell to you, they buy collections at conventions. The type of item then buy and how much they buy may differ but during multi day conventions I suggest asking one day and bringing your item for sale the next day. I have sold a variety of stuff to booths, like comics at Pasadena Comic Con, trading cards at WonderCon, and figures at Anime Expo.
I do some research before going to a convention with my collection, seeing if they make a social media post about buying or just messaging them beforehand. You might not get full market value but you will get cash in hand to buy some new things you really want. I have left events with more money than I had when I entered.
Sell while you Declutter
Similar to the above advice but instead of selling at expos you can sell your collections online. Maybe you no longer collect a certain thing or maybe a piece just doesn't fit your aesthetic anymore. You could be moving and have less display area, or just want more cash for the some new merch. There are a lot of options to sell online or in person. You can sell online with websites like eBay or Poshmark, or you can sell in person on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace.
Whatever you choose make sure you stay safe and sell in a well lit public space, I tend to make my in person sales in a Starbucks. Shipping can be expensive so make sure you charge adequately, including all the shipping supplies you'll need. USPS provides free flat rate priority boxes that I recommend if you're going to sell small items. Media Mail is the cheapest option for selling manga, books, cd's, or movies.
Use Credit Cards Rewards
While I think having cash in a convention is essential, having a credit card for most of your life's purchases is even more important. If you are good at paying your credit card balance then I highly suggest getting one. Having a good standing credit card is basically the bank throwing money at you. These come in way of points, points that can be used for flight tickets, hotels, or just cashback in general. There are ways to maximize the amount of points you get but that would be topic for a different date. I have met people at conventions who flew and got a hotel all covered with points from their regular credit card usage.
Another method to utilize credit cards is to exploit the account opening bonuses. Companies like Chase and Wells Fargo give you free money when you open an account and spend x amount within the first x months. If you know you're going to spend a lot soon, like in conventions, then this is another way for you to get some extra cash.
Do you shopping at the end
Thank you for reading until the end. I hope the advice helps you save money and makes it possible for you to attend more conventions you want to. Below you will find more information on a sweepstake I am having!
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