By the end of the spring semester, my bank account is deep into negative digits and I cannot help but wonder how I am going to pay for a four-day festival with my minimal funds from my nannying job in the summer. After attending for many years, I have learned what is worth it to pay for and what is quite a waste of money.

First, if you cannot stand the thought of no shower for four days straight, like me, I suggest you invest in a hotel in Lake Geneva. They are not cheap, but I promise it is worth it to have your own kitchen and hot water. It was nice not to be surrounded by trailers all hours of the day. We spent one day laying out at the Geneva beach, ate lunch on an outdoor patio, and looked around at the unique shops.

Second, purchase the shuttle pass that takes you from Lake Geneva directly to the entrance of Country Thunder. It was $50 well spent. I had a few friends that did not buy the pass on time and had to take cab rides back and forth each day, which was such a hassle. The bus is always a great time, too. Last year, my friends and I made friends with a couple of 60 year old grandmas who offered us their Limeritas.

Third, wait to buy your ticket until the week before. My mom claimed she had bought me a ticket as a birthday present in November and then suddenly remembered the day before Country Thunder that she forgot to press accept credit card at the very end of the purchase. Frazzled, yes, but I quickly learned Stubhub had much cheaper prices as it gets closer to the concert date.

Last, bring extra cash when you are actually at the concerts. All of my friends who had campsites only had Cheerios and bread to eat for four days. After hanging out there for 12 hours, we needed something else.