The Money Crunch - What to spend, Where to find it...

I know that I'm really lucky that this trip was mostly covered by the grant, but like most anything in life, the added expenses have started to pile up. The only required costs have been the $1200 program administration costs and my $300 flight to Chicago (where our flight originates), but I'll certainly need some supplies and will want some spending money.

As many of you know, I was told at my Christmas party that I'll almost certainly be laid off at the end of the school year. Looking at the packing lists, I figure there are a lot of things on there that can be obtained from my family's camping supplies or at thrift store, but as I look at my list, I feel like there are a few things that I definitely need to purchase:

• Laptop battery: I'm taking an old Gateway 200ARC that my husband Frankensteined, but the battery is shot. I think I can get mine refilled for about $70.
  
• Camera batteries: I've found some off-brand replacements cheap. $10.
• Hiking shoes: I'm thinking about a pair of nice trail shoes that are stylish enough to go anywhere. I have a pair of Merrell sandals that I love, but this brand has really cute stuff. If I'm only going to wear one pair of shoes for a month, they should be comfortable and cute, right? $80
• Mosquito net: Unless I can find someone to loan me one, I think I'll need to purchase one, but they're only about $30.

I'm sending out few letters to a few local groups that support educational causes and the like and hopefully, that'll help, but I'm definitely open to suggestions.