If you missed out on the first wave of LA28 Olympics tickets, brace yourself: the second drop is coming this August. And if the stories from the first presale are any indication, you'll want to prepare your wallet—and your emotions.

Last month, fans logged on to the locals presale expecting excitement. Instead, many got a roller coaster of anxiety, surprise, and frustration as high prices and limited availability turned their dream events into a scramble for anything left. Some lucky fans snagged $28 tickets, but others spent far more than planned—or settled for events they barely cared about.

To help you budget for the next round, we asked real buyers to share what they paid and how it felt. Here are 18 stories from the front lines of ticket buying.

Mixed Feelings, Big Dreams
One fan, who scored tickets to men's water polo, women's diving semifinals, mixed swimming finals, and mixed athletics finals, said: "I went to Atlanta 1996 and Rio 2016. This is my first Olympics with adult income and no kids—disposable income! Seeing women's gymnastics finals has been a dream since 1996. I'm prepared to spend double face value to make it happen."

Family Goals on Two Wheels
Another buyer called themselves "one of the lucky families." They bought seven tickets to women's preliminary volleyball to inspire their middle-school daughter, plus five to the men's mountain biking final. "I mountain bike on weekends and commute past the venue often. Watching the world's best bikers compete there—if Christopher Blevins medals, it'll be unforgettable."

Whether you're chasing a childhood dream or sharing your passion with family, the LA28 Olympics are shaping up to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Just be ready to act fast—and spend smart.