Whole novels could be written on how to attend a convention on the cheap. (And probably have been; Google for it if you want.) However, much of any convention-specific wisdom could also be applied to the world at large. The key is to be penny-wise. Some expenses can’t be negotiated substantially reduced, but others can. Here are some basic tips, collected from the METROCON staff and tested by their combined decades of convention attendance.

Pre-register: Sometimes, the obvious ones get past us. By pre-registering online, you save a few bucks. Every dollar counts!

Book early, fly late: The earlier you book an airline ticket, the cheaper it is. Airlines are very aggressive in their pricing in order to sell seats. The earlier you book, the faster you can lock in a cheap rate. Waiting ’til the week before the con will ensure that you pay higher rates. Also, travelers who are more flexible in their travel times – read: are willing to take red-eye flights and/or handle multiple layovers – can achieve a fair amount of savings.

For visitors to the convention from Canada or overseas: Examine your entry port. Tampa/St. Petersburg has two major airports within 30 minutes of one another, and Orlando is 90 minutes away. Many international airlines (especially Canadian ones) offer bigger discounts for flights into Orlando than they do for Tampa, because of the drawing power of the Great Mouse. Don’t be afraid to check these options; frequently, they will save you a significant amount of money.

Bring a friend, or meet one there: While convention hotels usually offer con attendees a special rate, given the two-night stay for the full convention, the total cost could still be alarming. Conspire with up to three other people – the hotel has a four-person maximum for each room – and your total lodging cost is reduced significantly for the entire weekend.

Eat wisely: Obviously, eating three restaurant meals per day can be expensive, and even dropping that down to the one “Red Warrior needs food… badly”  meal per day can still be pricey. For those with fat wallets/purses, food will be available via the convention center as well as the hotel restaurant. Alternatively, aside from the many delivery options available, there are also restaurants in the local vicinity ranging from the ubiquitous Denny’s through more select fare. Stocking up on supplies in your hotel room isn’t a bad idea, either.

“Hey, goin’ my way?”: Aside from airfare and hotel room costs, ground transportation is probably the next most cash-consuming item directly related to convention attendance. If you’ve brought a friend or two, and are renting a car or taking a cab from the airport to the hotel, buddy up and split the expense. If you’re driving directly to METROCON, carpool with your buddies and split the gas money. Every dollar you can save is a dollar you can use later.