I'm usually on a tight budget most of the time and have to limit my fabric/pattern addiction, so when I know that I am going to a quilt show (such as the Pacific International Quilt Festival next month) I start saving months in advance so that I can shop to my hearts content, and since I saved for several months I know that I'm not sacrificing paying my bills or having gas to get to work, etc. And, I can only go to 1 or 2 quilt shows in a year; I mean, what's the point in going if you can't shop? for me, that's the best part about going to a show.