Tips for a frugal Vegas Adventure

I can't figure out how to get the text and the picture together in one blog entry, so you will have to bear with me.....

There are many ways to enjoy a trip to Las Vegas without breaking the bank. I think this was the first trip we've ever taken that did not cause feelings of worry or depression for me, because we were robbing Peter to pay Paul back home. Because we are in control of our finances, we were able to plan, save, and enjoy.

Here are a few of the things we did to make this trip affordable:

1) We flew on a "budget" airline. Allegiant Air flies every day out of Des Moines to Las Vegas and back. There is no "First Class" with Allegiant. Everyone is in the economy part of the plane. The drinks and snacks are not free, but you don't have to buy them if you don't need to. I did indulge in a Starbucks Light Iced Coffee for $4, but it was a choice, not a necessity. I also took snacks in my carry-on. But be sure to buy those snacks *after* getting through security at the airport. You will pay more for them, but if you don't do it this way, you'll have to throw them away before getting through security. You can only take on the plane items bought after security.

2) We also booked an air/hotel package through Allegiant. I believe it is a savings for us, plus our hotel bill was paid in advance and we didn't have a big hotel bill facing us at check-out. We also arranged for transportation through Allegiant from the airport to the hotel and back. All paid for in advance, and no worrying about getting ripped off by a taxi driver.

3) We took advantage of every freebie we could get our hands on. We bought an entertainment coupon book on the plane for $20 that had tons and tons of coupons for free meals, or buy 1 get 1 meals and snacks. We knew we'd have to spend a fortune on drinks and snacks, so we might as well try to get some savings out of it. We did think that the coupon booklet paid for itself and that we got more than the $20 cost out of it. Plus it pretty much "forced" us to get out there and see as many places as possible on the strip.

4) We went on a time-share presentation. Let me tell you....this is not for the weak of heart. This is a high-pressure sales presentation and if you say "no" and keep saying "no", they treat you like CRAP and you have to almost get nasty to get them to give you your free gifts so you can get back on the bus to go back to the hotel. Our 2-3 hour presentation turned into a 4 hour ordeal, but honestly, 4 hours was worth it in order to get all the gifts they offered. We got a free dinner show (tickets cost $50 apiece for that); free $50 in gaming at our hotel (we played on that $50 forever and made HUNDREDS of dollars off that money); free cruise for two (some obscure 2 night cruise on a cruiseline I've never heard of -- I'll believe this one when I see it); free lunch while we were at the presentation (nice cold sandwiches, and cookies, and drinks). So, we ended up getting two meals out of the deal and money to play dollar slots with. I'd say 4 hours well spent, wouldn't you? But like I said, it is hard to get through it. If you're a wimp, don't go on a time-share trip.

5) Tip generously. This might seem *not* frugal, but in the end it really is. You get better service and have a better time overall if you are generous in your tipping. one example is this: the lady bus driver that took us to the time-share presentation was getting ready to leave to go back to the hotel and we had no idea how long before she'd come back for another group to take back and we'd already been there 4 hours. Jerry gave her a nice tip and she waited for us. PLUS a little later in the day, she saw us waiting for another bus to go down the strip and she recognized us, opened the door and told Jerry a better way to get a bus and where to go for it. That help alone was worth the tip he'd given her earlier in the day. So, be generous in your tipping. That is these people's income. If they are helpful, they earned it.

6) If you want to drink, do it for free. If you are playing at the casino, the drinks (both alcoholic and soda) are free. if you go to the bar and ask for one yourself, a bottle of beer is $4.75. So, play your slots slow, and drink for free. If you give the cocktail waitress a tip every time she brings you a drink, then she comes around a lot more often to do so. Yes, that makes the drink now NOT free, but which is better, tipping a dollar to the waitress, or paying $4.75 to get your own?

There are many more ways to enjoy Las Vegas in a frugal way. These are only the tip of the iceberg. I'll add more when I think of them. These are the things that stand out in mind right now.