This actually got me thinking about spending money and the notion of value where nobody wants to be ripped off per se when it comes to things like tickets for events. A person was telling me how for a high profile event here recently he got some great near front row seats for about $1500 or so which is a lot better than the $5000 asking that many people were trying to sell them for. Understandably, he was saying there was no way was spending more than $1500 for the show.
There was then another event at a different province where he found tickets for about $1000. So, it’s a way better deal in comparison to what he paid and so he travelled to see the show. That’s what was odd as he ended up probably spending over $2000 for the event when you factor in the flight tickets and hotel. But I suppose it was more worth it to him because he separated the expenses as their own item versus as part of the experience.
I tend to think you should factor in the actual total. If you rare telling me he was able to fly there and still have great seats at that same $1500 he was good with before then why not if he has the budget? But since it is way over budget to me it would be no different than paying $2000 for the ticket locally. Or imagine having to pay $200 in parking and travel to get to the event. I would count that as the total expense in attending the event.