How to do Vegas on the Cheap!

 

Las Vegas is the only place I know where money really talks–it says, “Goodbye.”

FRANK SINATRA, The Joker Is Wild

 

Las Vegas rocks.  My wife Casey took me on my first trip to Sin City a week ago and we had a fabulous time.  Landed at 10pm local time amidst an ocean of bright, glowing lights that had my adrenaline pumping before I could step off the plane!  

Anything you want is possible in this city…fine dining at the Mesa Grill in Caesar’s Palace or Tao in the Venetian…shopping for Armani, Coach, and Gucci at the Forum…a little day drinking at the pool at Luxor.  Now that I’ve wetted your appetite it’s time to come back down to Earth: all this luxury comes at a cost.

Money doesn’t need to come between you and a rockstar Vegas adventure if you come prepared.  Check out these tips to save some green (you know, so you can blow it all at the blackjack table):

Make a trip to the local CVS or Walgreen’s after your plane lands.

Nothing irks me more than paying $5 for a bottle of water or $10 for a beer.  My wife and I stocked up on those and other essentials like King Size Snickers bars for normal, non-hotel 600% mark up prices.  Mmm, Corona!

Drink a Few on Their Dime…at the 25¢ slots or the $5 blackjack table

Did I say nothing is free?  Well, that’s only half true.  Casinos spot you free drinks when you’re gambling, so Casey and I waved down a few of the roaming drink waitresses during our hugely fun, but totally unsuccessful, play at the 25¢ slots and $5 blackjack tables at Excalibur.  You can drink five or six Coronas, Pina Coladas, whatever blows your skirt up, and toss only $10 at the slots or about $20 at the tables. 

Visit … the … FATBURGER!

Treat yourself to a wonderful meal along the strip, it’s worth every penny.  For the day (or days) you get a little tipsy off those complimentary adult beverages, hit up the Fatburger, it’s awesome.  Located right next to the McDonald’s by the MGM Grand, this place has huge burgers with anything you like to top them off (think Chili, Eggs, or some mayo, mustard and bacon).  Grab some steak fries and soda and its like you’re at a 50’s diner.  The afternoon I went there was a tour group of Asian teenagers, someone wearing enough gold to open a jewelry store, and a couple of midwesterners wearing fanny packs.  Surreal.

Go forth and prosper, It’s Vegas Baby!  Put the money you saved into a Roth IRA (more on that another day).

 

To Your Success,

Joe