I've been combing through similar threads and decided to make my own here...
I have a really sweet 1.5 year old male Spider bp and my boyfriend has recently decided to enter the ball python world.
We decided it makes sense to invest in a nice baby female with compatible genes because we hope to breed after graduating.
Additionally, I've agreed to go in half. (Christmas present)

Even so, I think we top out around $300 total. We do live in Texas and have access to some absolutely GREAT expos and wonderful local breeders, so I think we can do a lot with that.
From what I've seen we have a good deal of options. Ideally I think we want to try and get a double gene, but we aren't totally locked into that.

He's really interested in pewters, particularly the black pewters. (Hello black widow?)
I love pastaves *cries at price tag*
I also think a pastel het [something-cool] would be a neat idea

(We've eliminated butters, cinnamons, cinnamon pewters, enchis, pastels, and pinstripes)


We are going to the Arlington expo in February, but he's got the bug bad and is searching the internet for suitable BPs.
I'm not sure if I should encourage him to wait until then or not. I feel like we saw amazing deals in San Antonio recently, plus we met a lot of really helpful, friendly breeders that I feel would have been happy to make a deal with us, especially on the last day of the show!

So we like pewters and black pewters for certain.
Any other semi-affordable double gene suggestions would be highly appreciated!
Also, should we wait for the show in Feb.? What do you guys think?
Thanks so much!