I personally research the snake species/morphs I am interested in first and save up for whatever my target(s) is/are for that particular event.....

for BPs and most of the morphs I am into are $100-850$...I would usually bring another 200-400$ for "Opps too much fun stuff" money....the show I went to where I got my first BP I set a limit of 400 for...and hit that limit not including gas $ to get there and back....