To be honest, last gameday we ended up out a LOT of money. Now, we certainly don't expect to make any money or even break even but the expensive of that almost made us not have another gameday. We really had to think on whether we could afford to do that again. And we really can't.
So, we're going to discuss with you guys the best way to work the food situation.
You know we have tons of grocery and fast food places all over. In the interest of saving time and sanity, we don't mind arranging the food. But, we also live in a very expensive area of our country and maybe some don't realize that. For example, bagels and donuts and other breakfast items, juice, coffee, etc probably cost at least $100 for the weekend, maybe $130. For breakfast! We also got pizza and hero Friday night and provided the dinner on Saturday night to everyone, plus the snacks and sodas and beers. Now, people definitely helped put money towards this and some were more than generous. But we somehow still ended up way under.
So we need to come up with a plan and because you all are sharing the game day with us we thought we would throw this out for discussion.
Some ideas:
Coming up with a suggested donation amount for food for the weekend. Think about it, if you were home and feeding yourself, how much might you spend on food? Of course, we would never turn anyone down who couldn't pay whatever the suggested amount was, it would be just that, suggested. Still, it might help to have that amount out there. Don't ask me what that would be though.
Going out to dinner Saturday night. This may alleviate some of the money stresses. However, again, we live in an expensive area and also a very crowded area. You're not going to find a restaurant on Saturday night to hold 15-20 people that easily. And if it's empty there is probably a reason for that. Our local diner would work. They have a private room I could probably reserve. We could probably even walk in there without reserving it and still eat together. They have a huge menu, their' breakfast stuff is delish and 24 hours, most of the food there is good, though I have not tried everything. I have been going there for more than 30 years so it must be okay However, it is not cheap. Probably cost you $10 for breakfast stuff or a burger and fries. Dinners might be $15ish. Another issue with dinner out Saturday night is that our games tend to run late. We'd be heading out for dinner probably 8-8:30pm. This is fine for me but may not be for others. Will also cut into some late night game times.
I like getting pizza and hero Friday night but of course we could do something different with that too. I could possibly cook then if we go out to dinner Saturday night.
Usually we end up eating the bagels, leftover pizza and hero's for lunch. But we can do like we usually say and send everyone out to fend for their own lunch.
We could also say attendees are responsible for breakfast and snacks and sodas. I just hate to do that and leave everyone with that - I'd rather do it myself but again, it's up for grabs.
Also, we may have to do a BYOB. I mean, usually that is what we do a couple of guys do a beer run and that is totally fine and easy enough to do.
So, ideas? Any suggestions? We totally don't mind getting stuff like we always do, we just have to figure out a way that will work for everyone.
And don't take this as we're pointing anyone out because we're not. We really don't know what went wrong though we have a couple of ideas - hence this thread.
Yeah, that BITES that something didn't work out. If anyone didn't contribute last time, or gave less than $40 or so (come ON people, it's food for the entire WEEKEND), I hope they feel guilty.
Anyway, what everyone else said. Maybe the easiest thing would be to tell people they need to shell out $X, but that only works if we have someone willing to corner the shady ones.
What do you guys think is a reasonable / fair amount? Like what would you be willing to pay for the weekend? Then we will try our best to stay within that amount when we spend the monies
I don't know much about money and cost of living and stuff, especially where you guys are, but I'd say $45 is reasonable, for the weekend. Maybe $20-25 if you'll only be there Saturday?
I'll do a bit of research this weekend and come up with a price per day... that way we can break it down however we need to break it down. ie: Friday is X, Saturday is Y, Sunday is Z.
If we go this route, any ideas what we want to have for Saturday's dinner? Queenie was originally thinking a Thanksgiving style feast, you know Turkey, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, etc. Sound good?
Hm, I know if dinner is Thanksgiving stuff, I'll probably run out and get something myself or maybe just be smart and bring a frozen dinner to throw into the freezer/microwave if that's ok...seriously, I don't understand people who would voluntarily eat Thanksgiving stuff any other day of the year...or maybe I'm just weird?
$40 seems about right for the whole weekend I think
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Hm, I know if dinner is Thanksgiving stuff, I'll probably run out and get something myself or maybe just be smart and bring a frozen dinner to throw into the freezer/microwave if that's ok...seriously, I don't understand people who would voluntarily eat Thanksgiving stuff any other day of the year...or maybe I'm just weird?
$40 seems about right for the whole weekend I think
Yes, you are weird. I love Thanksgiving stuff!
You also mentioned not wanting Thanksgiving stuff before but Turkey is fairly non offensive and we need something easy to make that can feed a lot of people and not too costly. And if you take the train you won't have a car... but bringing something or eating something else we have here would be fine or getting something at lunch for later when someone goes out would work too. We also have extra sandwich and bagels and stuff. Saturday night gets a little crazy around here with dinner.
You also mentioned not wanting Thanksgiving stuff before but Turkey is fairly non offensive and we need something easy to make that can feed a lot of people and not too costly. And if you take the train you won't have a car... but bringing something or eating something else we have here would be fine or getting something at lunch for later when someone goes out would work too. We also have extra sandwich and bagels and stuff. Saturday night gets a little crazy around here with dinner.
I know I'm weird, I can't stand turkey!
Like I said my thought would probably be to bring a Weight Watcher's Smart Ones to throw into the microwave...I'm sure I'll be snacking and not watching what I eat super carefully the rest of the day!
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*I don't suffer from insanitiy. I enjoy every minute of it*
Setting a donation amount ahead of time sounds good to me. Pizza and bagels sound good and a Thanksgiving style thing on Saturday night is fine as long as there's enough non-turkey stuff. Going out to a diner should also be ok.
As for beer, perhaps all the beer drinkers (if it's not everyone) can get together and chip in for beer run and give preferences and such at the same time. We might also combine it with a soda run. But I think we'd probably want to share different beers anyway so doing it communal sounds good. But BYOB with a beer run is ok too. Same issues with soda.
Like the others, I'm sorry we were so short on donations last time. I think with a standard donation people will be able to give enough to cover costs... and please let us know before we leave if things aren't adding up! I had no idea you guys you were short before.
Yeah, if you find that the amount you decide on it's enough, just let us know and we'll be happy to chip in more.
As for drinks, I think we should have a separate fund for alcohol, since it's generally more expensive and not a necessity (I know, perish the thought).
Yeah, alcohol is definitely separate, because it's optional and not everyone will drink it. We'll do a beer run on Saturday or Friday if people are here early enough and we'll make a list for those not going or everyone who wants can just go. The place is right around the corner.
Soda we can buy, because we wait until it goes on sale like 5 for $11 and then we stock up big time. So it's much cheaper for us to do it that way then to just go out and buy it when we need it.
I don't want *anyone* get screwed, you know? We're not looking to make any sort of money either we just can't be $300-$400 in the hole after the weekend is over Plus we don't want like 5 of you to have to cover the costs for everyone, that isn't fair either. So we'll make something work here.
We also don't want people to be like "WTF $40 bucks???" which is why it would only be suggested.
I'm not good at figuring out budgets so someone with better skills with that will have to figure out a good number
I really think $40 is not at all unreasonable. If there are people who can't afford that or think that's terribly unreasonable, it should be done on a case-by-case basis. I am perfectly willing to be the artibrator if no one else is willing.
Trust me, I can be nice if that's what required, and I can be all "get the heck out" if that's what's required.
That being said, if you can't contribute at least $20 for the weekend, I'd say you probably shouldn't be at the game day, much less partaking of the food and drinks . . . And I'm perfectly willing to say that to anyone's face, should they need it!
That being said, if you can't contribute at least $20 for the weekend, I'd say you probably shouldn't be at the game day, much less partaking of the food and drinks . . . And I'm perfectly willing to say that to anyone's face, should they need it!
I hear ya and have no issue kicking in again/more.
I thought that there was plenty and we seemed to all be queried when someone went on a run.
Other than the $$ you guys were out, I liked that way it went last time I was there.
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However, it is not cheap. Probably cost you $10 for breakfast stuff or a burger and fries. Dinners might be $15ish. Another issue with dinner out Saturday night is that our games tend to run late. We'd be heading out for dinner probably 8-8:30pm. This is fine for me but may not be for others. Will also cut into some late night game times.
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