The Costs of Events & autocrating

[Annejke@prodigy.com (MS MARTHA L WALLENHORST)]

Poster: Annejke@prodigy.com (MS MARTHA L WALLENHORST)

I understand the pricing structure of events.  I have autocrated or 
cooked more than I can count using both hands and feet twice, however,
 my main problem with the pricing is not the price per couple but the 
price per family, in most places it doesn't exist.  I agree that to 
go out to dinner and a movie with my husband is at least $20 and a 
matinee with the kids is $24, but when that is just the site fee for 
the day, that is all that we can handle.  My children have been in 
the SCA longer than most active people (having been born to it) and 
have the right to go to events the same as anyone else.  It's the 
price that gets in the way.  If I go to an event that doesn't have a 
family cap, like the upcoming 12th night, the day price alone for the 
entire family is $50 out of Christmas funds and higher if I take it 
off the next pay check and pay it at the door.  That does not include 
gas, food or the 12th night gifts, and after the event we turn for 
home because a motel room is right out.  My husband gets a lot of 
criticism because he will stay home from events to help save money, 
my son does also by choice, that still leaves my daughters and I 
going to an event and another $30 in day trip fees (if the site is 
expensive).
  People often ask me why I don't eat at events, I can't afford it.  
I try to make the SCA fit the budget so we can go at all.  It was 
easier when the kids were little, fees were cheaper for kids, you 
could feed them off board and lay them in a corner to sleep while you 
danced.  We even brought our babysitters (one of whom is now a 
baroness).  You just have to make things fit the budget and choose 
carefully where you go and what portions you partake in.
  I hear a lot of underground rummblings that if I am an Atlantian 
Cook than I should eat at every event I go to.  It's not that I don't 
want to!!!  It's just that bread, cheese and kilbasa on the way home 
is about all I can afford right now.  So that's what we do.  I have 
other SCA expenses that have to come first, the three funerals we 
have had this year, as well as three hungrey teenagers to feed.  When 
that changes, we shall be back to every event we can and eat our 
selves sick like we did in college and as a young married couple.
  Please remember that this is my solution.  I am not suggesting that 
it should be this way for everyone.  I have a tendency to go to 
events where there is a family cap because it is more like going to 
the movies that the Met.  As an autocrate, (and I have been 
autocrating since before rocks were invented) your first in price 
setting is to make sure expeness are covered, then my rule of thumb 
is add a dollar for profit (family prices include $1 for the both 
adults and I ask no profit on children).  But your first job OVER 
EVERYTHING else as an autocrate or a cook is to have fun helping 
others have a good time, not to go grey from stress, or bald from 
pulling your hair out.  Don't do it if you are not going to have fun. 
 Assitant autocrate a time or to to see if you like it and to make 
sure that you understand how every thing works.

Thanks my 5 cents worth,
   Annejke
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