Hi! I missed everyone, but I was at the Unity Convention in Chicago. I went to workshops, receptions and parties with some of the best and brightest journalists in the country. I had a ball, but it came at a cost! Take a peek at what I spent and what I saved!
Convention costs (not on the Frugalista plan)
Registration: $375
Air Fare: $300
Parking at McCormick Place: $64
Hotel with Roommate $300
Meals at Chicago Restaurants: $125
Total: $1164
Actual Expenses (Frugalizing)
Registration $275 (filled out the paper work for a $100 stipend from The Miami Herald)
Air Fare: Mama McNeal let me use a frequent flier free airline ticket.
Parking: I didn’t spend to park at McCormick Place but I spent $36.55 for train fare
Hotel: Free! I stayed at the McNeal Bed and Breakfast a.k.a My childhood bedroom! 
Meals: $40 I only ate out a few times. I did eat at the McNeal Bed and Breakfast and crashed many a reception for free nibbles and drinks.
Clothing: $66 I bought two dresses
Night parking: $55 Downtown Chicago parking is out of hand. ‘Nuff said.
Total: $472.55
Savings: $691.45! Yippee! Frugalista for life!
How do you think I did with expenses? Do you have any suggestions for ways I can save more next year? Was it even worth it to go to a career convention? With the economy being bad, are conventions a money drain?
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW….great saving Nat!!! Hope you had a great time in Chicago
Love the city!!!
As for ways to save….the only two I can see are the clothes and the night parking…but it’s totally offset with all your other savings! Good for you!
Oh, and as for going again. Definitely! Networking is priceless!
I think networking in a bad economy is essential. In a bad economy, there are so many skilled people out of work, it’s not about skills as it is about who you know. Employers can have their pick of talent. It’s the talent they know and like that they will hire.
Glad you’re back and posting. I can’t even be mad at 2 dresses for $66. You did the convention on the cheap and got to spend time with family.
I think you did awesome — how was the convention?
Kudos for staying with family and combining personal and business — and then getting clothes for $66 — wahoo!
I’m impressed by how much you saved. Hope you had fun at the conference.
Twiggers- You are so right. I loved my two dresses, but if I wasn’t such a fashion fiend, I could have worn dresses from my closet. And I’m still a bit bitter about parking. It happens.
Luvadeal-I met some great bloggers and got feedback on the blog. It was worth it, I think.
Coco-Is that you?
Natalie- I did video training and a blogging seminar that were AWESOME. Some of the other programming, eh, not so much. The convention was a little sad, too. A lot of out-of-work journalists.
Michael-I had fun. And thanks for the love!
Welcome back Frugalista
You did a great job at saving money. I think networking is almost priceless so the convention was WORTH IT!!!!
I get the impression that you had a great time so that is wonderful as well.
Oh and the workships are great, you will add so much to what you do based on what you learned.
YAY to having you back on the blog though
Nat you killed it!!
I went to anything with free food. Good thing I had a roommate in sports business. On that, I had three roommates.
I didn’t shop so much, I did a lot of sight seeing though. Any cab rides were shared. And we had a few bottles of liquor in the room to sip on before going out.
Also, I got my dad to pay my registration as a birthday present. And bless him, he gave me $150 more to spend and mom and aunt paid for half of the plane ticket.
You did great girlfriend! $66 for two outfits, now that’s being a Miss Fruglista to the nth degree. Good job!