[SCA-AE] reign costs?

[Alexandra]

Andrew and I spent around $9,000 non-reimbursed, but that included around
$500 for our Coronation garb (many buttons and garnet beads and pearls),
$1,500 for a pavilion to camp in at Pennsic (we had a mundane tent prior to
this), about $1,000 on new garb (we had wonderful artisans donate their time
and skill to make our garb, we just reimbursed for fabric), and $1,000 for
our County cornets.  This also included a trip for both of us to both
Estrella and Gulf Wars (about $1,500, airfare was at an all time low that
year).  At the time (5 years ago) the $700 travel fund covered most of our
gas and tolls for in-Kingdom travel (we attended around 3 events a month).
We only stayed in a hotel twice, the rest of the time we stayed with
Scadians, many of whom were strangers.  Although the travel fund is about
double that now, so are gas prices.

Now, on an average Andrew and I probably spend around $100 every time we go
to an event (gas, tolls, food, site fee, does not include hotel).  So in
that same 11 months (from Crown Tourney until we stepped down as King and
Queen), we probably would have spent about $1,000 - $1,500 anyways.

We also had to buy a new car, as our poor old car was not up to all the
travel, nor did it have room to transport all the assorted gear the King and
Queen need to bring to every event.  We would have done this anyway, we just
moved it up a year.

As an aside, another cost came at work.  Andrew had to leave early a lot of
Fridays.  He wasn't able to put in his normal 50hr. week.  It did take a
toll.  He spent the next 2 years making it up, and getting his stellar rep
back at work.

And incase you are wondering; yes, it was all worth it (grin)

Countess Alexandra of Clan Donald
9th Queen of AEthelmearc
>I did have one question/poll/ whatever? I'd be very interest in hearing
from past rulers on out-of-pocket financial costs for an actual reign.