Whoa!

So much for dreams of attending the Rose Bowl to see the Illini take on USC in the Grandaddy of all bowl games. Even though I checked my finances to make sure I could go I did not anticipate the price of each piece of the puzzle being so high. There is no freaking way I, cheapskate that I am, will spend the kind of money it will take to go.

$135 - Ticket to game (ok, a little higher than expected but not by much; it is the best bowl game around after all, so far so good)
$499 - Price for 1 adult for the alumni 2 night tour package including hotel and transportation to the game, but not airfare or transfers from/to airport and hotel
$700 - Best fare to be found right now on any airline for the dates of travel (and yes I know I can keep checking and maybe get something better)
$1,334 - Total cost for just me to attend the Rose Bowl game only without costs of incidentals such as, oh little things like meals and such. Plus if I want to go to the Rose Parade (and truly I care as much or more about that than the game) add $85 to the total. Then to take the Super Shuttle from the airport and back would be $15 each way.
So let's just say a round total of about $1,500 for me, by myself, to fly to LA, spend 2 nights in a hotel and attend the parade and game.

Now, I don't really want to go all alone so if I take N with me let's add up his costs.
$135 - ticket to the game.
$85 - parade.
$209 - child price on the 2 night tour.
$700 - airfare
$30 - round trip Super Shuttle
$1,159 plus whatever dining costs are while we're there plus a souvenir or two so probably around $1,300.

Total this up and you have $2,800 for N and me. Egads. That's much more than I expected. Ain't happenin'. Holy cow. Fun truly is only for the rich or those willing to mortgage their future.

Oh well, it was a nice dream while it lasted. Guess I'll be watching on TV. Sigh. . .