Written by: Rachael Thomas
I have had the unbelievable opportunity to attend 15 festivals and 4 shows this year, and it isn’t even over yet! Those who know me question how I do it, and to those who don’t know me, you’re probably wondering the same. As a full time student with no job, and to never have another promised day on this Earth, the answer is always full send! Because money comes back, but time doesn’t. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’ve only paid for one festival this entire year.
The way I do this is by hard work, time management, side hustles, lots of planning, and budgeting. To be completely transparent, I do have to pay for my own food, travel, and lodging.
Starting with my side hustle: once or twice a month, I am a secret shopper for different store locations to check their customer service. This makes me around $200 a month, while only taking a total of 4 hours of my time, and also provides me with free meals from time to time. Being a full time student takes up most of my time, but luckily I am fully online. Which allows me build my own travel and personal schedules. This takes time management and discipline: staying on top of lectures and making sure all my work is finished before traveling and attending festivals.
Looking deeper into self-discipline and festivals is the biggest way I’m able to make this all happen. I work within the festival industry and collaborate with brands. Many festivals have amazing volunteer programs, such as Shift Happens, where in exchange for a few hours of work you get festival entry and sometimes a camping spot. The best way I’ve found to go to festivals is through content creator programs, such as The Festival Babes. Being one of the selected few gives you the opportunity to join a group of influencers promoting events by creating content in exchange for your festival ticket. The catch? You must follow an agreement and meet deadlines. This doesn’t just apply to festivals and shows, it also applies to outfits and other essentials. By doing this, you’re building your own network that will lead to more opportunities.
But when you do have to spend money, you don’t have to break the bank. Make yourself a budget and use your resources. This is where planning comes into play. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone—split the costs with friends. You can go in on lodging, transportation, and food together. You have options: bundle packages, camping, hotels, Airbnbs, shuttles, Ubers, rental cars, and parking passes. When it comes to flights, you can track them and find the best price to book, which is typically around two months prior. The next money saver is to pregame and eat outside the festival, which can save you from those insane festival prices. And never forget to check for deals and your friends’ discount codes.
I know this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but it isn’t impossible to do. With prioritizing, planning, and a little research, going to festivals can be budget-friendly. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there—the worst they can say is no. Everyone deserves to have fun and do what they love, to escape from reality for a little while.