While looking at all the awesomeness that is Friends for Life I discovered they're having a conference in Vancouver, BC just next month. I like to think that I'm pretty knowledgeable about all the big diabetes events, but this one I had never heard of. I thought FFL was only in Florida. Vancouver would have been such a good option for me. It's only a 6 hour drive from Portland to Vancouver vs. an 8-10 hour flight to get to Florida. One small problem. I don't have a passport. I know, who doesn't have a passport nowadays, right? Well, it's me. I even have "Get a passport" on my 101 things list, but I haven't done it yet. sigh. I have no one to blame but myself. And of course next year the FFL Canada conference is in Toronto so that's not going to work. It'll have to be Florida for 2013 and hopefully Vancouver 2014 (do they just go back and for between Vancouver and Toronto each year? anyone know?)
Here's the breakdown for what I think it will cost me for FFL 2013 in Florida:
Round trip flight ~$550
Hotel Room for 5 nights ~$810 (or $405 with a roommate, any takers?)
Conference registration $210
Disney tickets (is there really time for Disney at FFL?) $223
Food and spending money ~$500
Total: ~$2300
I have about a year to save, so that means about $200 per month. Whoa. That's
A couple thoughts on the budget from a 3-time FFLer:
ReplyDelete1) You WILL find a roommate. You may not know your roommate, but there is ALWAYS someone looking to share a room. I don't think I have ever met someone attending FFL who stayed in a hotel room alone. Either you're married or you have a roommate.
2) Food budget is a little overkill! Breakfast is covered most days, lunch is covered most days, and dinner is covered most days. There are a few times they aren't, but you will be able to tell from the schedule when those are. Even if you stayed an extra day or two for Disney, that's not even $100 a day for one person. I would cut it back to about $250-$300 MAX.
3) Disney is $122 a day per person. So are you planning to go for more than one day? Just checking because $223 is definitely more than what it costs for one day.
4) Yes, there is time for Disney! Almost everyone stays an extra day or two before or after, and many people go to the park on Saturday. That is basically designated as "Disney Day." So you'll have at least one day, but more if you choose.
5) I don't think I've ever saved more than $1000-$1500 for my trips to FFL. It's expensive, but more than $2K is overboard on budgeting I think.
Thank you so much! I'm feeling a lot better now! I always tend to go overboard cause I'd rather have too much than not enough. I didn't think about all the free food, but do I tend to do a lot of shopping while on vacation so some of that money is for that. I was thinking of 2 days for Disney, but I'll decide once I get there.
DeleteNew budget: $1500 (~$135 per month)
It's on!
Thanks Allison!
It's SO worth it! Save a little every month and you'll make it there. There are scholarships for the conference/hotel costs...not familiar with who qualifies but you might as well look into it!
ReplyDeleteWe'll see you in 2013!!