As you know I am a penny pincher. But penny pinchers still like to have fun, eat out and go to BlogHer’12. I know that sometimes you have to pay to play the game. The name of the game this summer was BlogHer’12. I bit the bullet and looked at BlogHer as a business opportunity and not a party. I was investing in not only myself but my blog, my business.
Here is how I pinched:
- Bought the Early Bird Full Pass. ($203)I squeaked in under the cut off by 45 minutes. Not only am I penny pincher but I am a procrastinator!
- Took the Boltbus.com See my blog post about my ride HERE. ($45 round trip)
- Found a roommate through twitter. I would recommend calling and or emailing your potential roommate before any money exchanges hands. I was sure to get a copy of her hotel conformation information and lay out specific parameter like:
I would pay 50% of the room rate (Radison $250 for 2 nights)
I would only be sharing a room August 2 & 3, 2012.
It would be just you and me for those two nights. ie. no other ‘roommates’.
I would only be sharing a room August 2 & 3, 2012.
It would be just you and me for those two nights. ie. no other ‘roommates’.
- If anything else mattered to you be sure to put it out there and ask. Don’t assume.
- I didn’t do either of the Pathfinder or Health Minder days. Not only was it more money for the days, it meant another day in the hotel.
- I left Saturday night before the parties started. I am not a big party girl. Never have been. Just not my scene. I enjoy a good Dj and a drink in my hand but at the end of this action packed weekend I knew I was going to want to be on my way home to ‘normal’. This saved me another night in the hotel. Even if I were paying 1/2 a rate because of the room sharing, it was money I didn’t ‘need’ to spend.
- I didn’t worry about what I wore. Yes I did my best to dress professionally but I didn’t go out and buy 6 pairs of shoes and 8 new outfits. The clothes I own are good enough for me. I am not a fahionista. I am not a fashion blogger. I think I looked respectable and represented my brand (me) as well as I could with the clothes hanging in my closet.
- Business cards. I did the Vistaprint business cards. I did ‘splurge’ and get double sided cards and I uploaded my own design. It was worth the extra $10 to me. I used my business cards as a mini bio, they had my face on them and I designed them myself. It was a conversation starter well worth every penny spent. Want to see? HERE is a link.
- I also took advantage of the Moo.com offer for BlogHer participants. 100 mini cards for $3 delivered to the conference. I have to say I was IMPRESSED with the quality of the cards. I will be checking them out for my future printing needs.
So here is my cost breakdown:
- Early Bird Full Conference pass: $203
- Boltbus fare: $45
- Business cards: $21.48 (250 double sided, impage upload, free shipping) Vista Print. 100 mini Moo Cards $3 delivered to BlogHer.
- Hotel: $250 (Shared with a roommate. Only 2 nights at the Radison)
- Subway Card: $10 ( I didn’t take a cab and I was NOT going to be walking with my HUGE suitcase to the hotel)attended
- Grand Total: $529.48
How did you pinch pennies going to BlogHer ’12?
