Audio By Carbonatix
Independent Journalism in Dallas Needs You
We need to raise $12,500 by August 9 to support the reporting our community depends on. Reader support keeps us independent and is playing a larger role in funding local journalism and shaping what comes next. If you believe independent local journalism matters, make a contribution today.
With the music industry, print media and the economy all struggling (to put it mildly), I imagine there are a lot of people in Austin trying to pinch pennies however they can. At least, I am. Now, I don’t want to be a piker when it comes to bringing home music and souvenirs, but as for the essentials–beer, food and parking–I’m going to pretend my expense account doesn’t exist. Because it doesn’t.
It’s too early to tell how realistic a goal it is to be thrifty. Music festivals are usually a great way to hemorrhage money, but there are several parties offering free beer and food in Austin during SXSW, and this year is no exception. If nothing else, I’ve got a few energy bars and my swag bag included a snack-size “nutrition bar” and some gum.
Earlier in the evening yesterday I lucked out of paying for parking while I picked up my badge. A line of cars were parked along the I-35 northbound on-ramp at 6th Street. It looked completely illegal, but I was optimistic that if I got back fast enough I could get away with it. Sure enough, no ticket an hour and a half later. Didn’t manage to find any free food, so I splurged on East Side Pies for myself and the friend who’s putting me up for the festival. They serve amazing crispy-crust pizza that was worth every cent.
Later I found a spot off 7th Street a few blocks east of the highway. Totally worth the hike. So far so good. Today, my first full day here, I begin foraging.
Total spent: $24.75 on a large pie plus tip.
