A little secret to getting into an event FREE...Volunteer!

New Year's Eve tickets would have been $120 bucks. Tickets to one day at the Basilica Block Party cost $40, Attending the Walker After-Hours party will put you back $35 for non-members, Taste of MN gate prices were $10 (which included $10 worth of food and drink coupons). All of these activities add up, usually. Here's a concept for you--sign up to volunteer at the function and you're in for FREE (including the food and drink coupons at the Taste) because I put in a little time and effort volunteering!

I know what you're thinking..."Sure, Maureen, you got in free--but you didn't get to enjoy the event because you were working." Not true!!! You don't slave away at these events! Most of the volunteer coordinators understand that you are trading a little of your time for a free ticket and they respect that by scheduling blocks of time for different shifts, allowing you to enjoy yourself as a regular ol' patron before or after the shift. And you typically have flexibility in which task you do as you are working.

An additional perk to the free ticket is the company you keep and people you meet as a volunteer. Most people volunteering are like-minded folks who want their free pass, too. Sign up with a few friends and it's easy to forget that you're on the other side of the ticket counter because you're hanging out with each other the whole time. Just sayin'... :)

Or check this out: Ask your local gym about a free membership in exchange for a few hours of your service on a weekly basis. I know a few folks who clean the yoga mats and in return get an all access pass to as many yoga/pilates classes their bodies can take. Nice, eh?

Just think of all the fairs and events and fundraisers out there...New Year's Eve parties, Art Exhibit openings, Taste of Minnesota, Minnesota State Fair, Film Festivals, the MN Fringe Festival, Extravagant fund-raising events, Fashion Shows, Basilica Block Party, Gym memberships, Golfing fundraising events, Como Zoo, Community Classes, Conferences...I think the list is endless. Imagine, you can fill your schedule with all these activities and they won't cost you an arm and a leg. Think about it...

How to find these opportunities

• Ask! Find an email or phone number on the promotional information and contact the event coordinator or promoter. Go to the facility and ask an employee who to talk to about possible volunteering opportunities.
• Look on Craigslist.
• Talk to friends about volunteering. You may be surprised to find out how many of them have volunteered. Find out what they know and how they got into contact with the right person.
• Online--Many websites now have links for volunteers, especially if they're an establishment that has many events or fund-raisers. 

So, what are you going to sign-up for this year?