Lessons Learned

We've been home from Richmond less than 24 hours, so it seems appropriate to write about my lessons learned. So here they are, in no particular order:

• don't make eye contact with the vendors unless you are interested in their product
• Old Navy flip flops are not good for that much walking (last years Wal-Mart flip flops were better)
• as much as I dislike the "home school" carts you see there, they don't wear your shoulder out while carrying the curriculum you've purchase
• making reservations in January/February ensures that you get an early entrance to the used curriculum sale AND reservations at a close hotel
• know how much items cost, at the cheapest vendor/retailer BEFORE, going down. You can price shop for new/used curriculum being more knowledgeable
• know where you can pick up a free wifi signal, in case you want to double check a price before buying
  
• hit Rainbow Resources early on the second day = not many people or the homeschool carts you trip over
• Yes, just about all vendors have no s/h on items if they have run out of items before the end of convention, so if you don't need an item right away it's no big deal
• remember to drink LOTS of water
• with a hotel room close, with a fridge and microwave, you can eat lunch and dinner super cheap (2 people + 4 meals = under $10.00)

There you have it, some of my lessons learned. Part two of 2010 convention will be items we bought.