The Coming Con and the Crappy Economy

[caramida]

I've seen and heard of many friends and acquaintances who have been directly hurt by the current mini-Depression, and everyone, it seems is affected in some way. I am curious to understand how much this will affect people when it comes to spending money on luxuries.

Each year, I have the opportunity to catch up with friends at the local gaming conventions. There are three I try to attend each year, on each of the three big 3-day weekends. DunDraCon on President's Day weekend (also it's often on or near Valentine's Day), KublaCon on Memorial Day weekend (which generally conflicts with university graduation and/or miriammiriam's birthday), and Whatever They're Calling It Now on Labor Day weekend. I look forward to each of these (some more, some less, but all are on my calendar one way or another).

Now the economy is tanking. Banks are unwilling to loan money. Employers who wanted those loans are unable to buy/hire/expand/build. Consumers (you and me) have to tighten our belts, which consequently kills sales for stores which cut costs (aka workers) who stop spending... you see where that goes. Heck, you know where that goes. We can see it all around. What I'd like to know, in an admittedly unscientific fashion, is what is the concrete effect this has on people around me.

To that end, here is a poll. I've opened the poll to everyone, and the numbers will be freely available, but only I will see individual answers. I may anonymously re-post responses to the last question.

Please tell me, what are you doing this weekend, and how has the economy affected your plans?

[Poll #1346997]

In general comments, if you care to share outside of the private poll, how is the economy affecting you and yours?

Comments

[baronlaw.livejournal.com]

I attend two out of the three events you listed. In the past I've gotten my own hotel room (or a single roomie) and ate at the hotel mostly. That is far too expensive for me currently. Luckily DunDraCon has many cheaper food options nearby the hotel and I will be taking advantage of them. I will definitely be doing a little pre-positioning room mate wise for ConQuest09 and plan on bringing an ice chest to that Con due to a lack of readily available cheaper food sources. Other then wandering through the vendors room I doubt I'll be making any purchases. The hotel bars are completely out of the question for even a single beer. Also I expect to not see several friends I would normally see there as their financial situations are even worse.

I'm still going for the games and the friends, but other activities are getting scaled way back.

[thistleingrey.livejournal.com]

I'm not much for con-going but will buy a one-day pass for a specific session this time.

[genobeba24.livejournal.com]

Your second question could use another answer: I had no plans to go to DunDraCon. That's the answer I'd choose, since I hadn't planned on going, but do enjoy it when I do go.

DunDraCon and nostalgia

[mr-pandakun.livejournal.com]

I used to be a regular DunDraCon goer; since 2006 I'd only ever missed one DunDraCon since 1992. I *love* the hotel, the staff these days (post 1995) are awesome, and I generally get to run into friends from way back that I only see when I'm there.

That being said, it pains me not to go to DunDraCon as I can't really afford it. KublaCon has a lot going for it and many of my Humboldt and local gaming friends go there more regularly now. Hotel-wise, DunDraCon has it better (better food, better rates, nicer staff). Unfortunately, I don't think the Con has organized as well to accommodate its population growth. The last few times I'd been, it lost its old shine - though that could be personal as well. KublaCon has organization down very well and although I think it's still getting some of the kinks worked out. For example, I'm not too thrilled with the two-games-per-room thing as it makes for difficult communication. And the hotel breakfast deal isn't.

Ah, but I veer way off topic - sorry. The economy, in my personal life, hasn't been horrible. One of our housemate's job prospects had been made more difficult, but I haven't had any job-related problems myself nor any problems with my various creditors. I count myself lucky.

[miriammiriam.livejournal.com]

well, as you know, the economy has affected both me and darkcryst as we've both been laid off last week. It also seems to just have a whole gloomy air about it in general, which I think is hurting everything more. Hearing about the horrible economy on the news, and just how everyone and their mother is talking about it is sure to cause some extra panic. I've been laid off at nearly every job I've ever worked for, and every time, it sucked, but this time, there's definitely more of an ominous feeling to it.

[sylphslider.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear you both got laid off. I hope you can find jobs quickly.

[miriammiriam.livejournal.com]

thanks...me too! I've been applying to lots of things I feel I'm qualified for...but still no responses :( My husband has had better luck getting interviews though.

[sylphslider.livejournal.com]

I went to DDC every year until I started back at school full-time, and then I couldn't due to course work. Also, most of my friends who go to cons started going to KublaCon instead of DunDraCon, so there was that, too.

I'm going to KC this year. The economy isn't affecting that. Ben quit his last job because he wanted to and he has a current job. The economy might affect him being hired on permanently, but otherwise it hasn't touched us at all. Paul might not get a raise this year, but he's not required to take any furloughs or anything - unlike his mom, who is on furlough 1-2 days a month. Still, she's doing just fine financially because she paid her debts before the recession hit.

I'm getting paid $600 at the end of term for my work as a grader and part of that money is going to KublaCon. With or without the recession I'd still be in the exact same place financially.