2018 - A Reflection of my BEST in 2018

2018 was grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!  This year started quiet, then got nasty, and ended up FANTASTIC! So, 2018 was really a great year. I decided to skip the Year-In-Review with all the photos. That seems too much like bragging and boasting.  I am not into that nonsense... anymore.  LOL!

This is my BEST of for 2018. My "BEST" reflects being strategic and commitments.  Here are my bests in 2018:

• Sam's Club- for sensible and frugal shopping.
• Sam's Club gas station- Best competitive gas prices.  Long lines move fast.
• Raj - my Amazon Locker
• My fantastic new Facebook Friends from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Summerlin and other states who share a passion for Las Vegas.
• My decision to take an unplanned 6 month respite, as a commitment, to relax and chill.
• Thoughtfulness in doing online comparison before grocery shopping:  FairPlay Foods, Food4Less and now Pete's Fresh Market.
• Creativity in operationalizing Central Chicago Events Page on Facebook. Lots of fun stuff in the central area of Chicago.
• My favorite show- Ancient Aliens.
• My favorite celebrity chef cooking shows.
• My commitment to fitness and health... daily powerwalks.

Wishing every reader a Happy New Year in 2019!!!!  Cheers!!

FOLO on Christmas

A new FBF just posted a comment about the differences between being alone and being lonely.

I assume the comment was related to Christmas Day as this is the ONLY day when most merchants and businesses are closed.  So, such feelings can happen easily, leading to sadness.  Here's my take:
There is a difference between being alone and feeling lonely.  I think everyone understands that point, if not Google the definitions.

Lonely:
Since nothing is open on Christmas, the best thing to do is PLAN for this day.  Even if venues are open, who would want to being out all alone on such a festive holiday?  Not me! This is what I recommend:
#1. Go to church in the morning. Churches are usually open, so it will not be a whole solitary day.
#2. Plan to cook your favorite meal at home, nothing major, just something enjoyable.
#3. Select your favorite movies... DVD's, Netflix, Amazon Prime movie, or Google Play.
#4. Grab your preferred bottle of wine.
#5. Have some popcorn to snack while enjoying your favorite movies.
#6. STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA!!  Folks are inconsiderate and will be posting photos of get togethers. No need to get caught up in FOLO... "Feelings Of Losing Out".

That's a plan that will work for being lonely on Christmas Day.

Alone:
Now, for those who enjoy being alone, Be Careful!!!  Being alone, can easily transition into feeling lonely on Christmas Day.    My advice is to avoid doing anything that will result in awkward feelings of being alone on this holiday.  Hence, I recommend doing the following:
#1. Plan the day for staying at home.  No need to go out and end up feeling awkward being alone on Christmas.
#2- Have your meal planned out with your preferred bottle of wine.
#3- Plan for your favorite TV, cable, streaming movies.
#4- STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA!!!  No need in risking a transition into loneliness.

In either case, make sure to have a plan on Christmas!!!

Living the Frugal Lifestyle in 2018

I have enjoyed a nice 6 months of relaxing as a retiree.  This was my very first time EVER of relaxing while not working.  In order to do this as a retiree, I had to cut spending and live a very FRUGAL lifestyle for the past 6 months.  

A person has to be very mindful, strategic and smart to live a frugal life.  Being frugal does not mean being cheap.  Frugality reflects critical thinking to successfully cut unnecessary material costs.  Here's what I did during the past 6 months:

• Take the bus instead of driving.
• Created social media activities that kept me busy and away from the local casino.
• No dining out.  Low cost healthy meals are planned and prepared every week.
• Grocery shop carefully at Food4Less and FairPlay Foods.
• Always prepare a grocery shopping list and stick to it. Target generics to save money.
• No more Binny's!   I purchase my wine and vodka at Sam's Club.
• Sam's Club is big time for me with purchases of soaps, water, wine and paper products.
• Take the bus Downtown and engage in free events that I promote.
• Purchase gasoline at Sam's Club.  Long lines, but cheap!!!  Worth the wait.
• Stay active by powerwalking and treadmill at fitness center.
• For holidays, go to my preferred meat market for low cost meat, poultry and fish.

Alas, my 6 month respite is over and its back to work in less than 1 month.  However, I learned a lot during this time. I will continue my frugal lifestyle.  But, life is for living and I do plan to continue my Las Vegas visits... but not as often.  Casinos are too tight, but I love that entertainment city.

Reflections from My 2018 Las Vegas Visits

I just love Las Vegas!  I just got back from my last Las Vegas trip for 2018.  So, its time for me to reflect on those travels.

Total Count:I traveled a total of 9 times to fabulous Las Vegas in 2018. My trips were a combination of fun getaways and conferences.  Here's the count:

• January       Caesar's Palace
• February     MGM Grand
• March         Cosmopolitan
• April           Harrah's
• June            Encore
• July            Wynn
• August       MGM Grand West Wing
• October      MGM Grand
• November  Planet Hollywood

Comped Stays
I believe that my 7 fun getaway trips were comped stays.   I do not get good plays, jackpots, handpays and bonus rounds at slots, but I do invest in my stays, I accrue and earn points and get rewarded with comped room stays.  So when I do my hilarious Facebook Live at a slot machine, don't look for a jackpot.  HA!!!  I'm cool. Its fun.

Early Travel
I'll continue my early morning travel.  It worked, no cancellations or delayed flights.  However, there is a cost... of course early arrival to Las Vegas will result in an early check-in fee. 

Frugal Spending
I spent very little money.  I take an empty glass bottle, fill with water and packaged tea.  I prepare turkey and cheese sandwiches for the airport and hotel. I also take snack crackers.  Folks seem to like the "Chicken in a Biskit" crackers... so, I'll continue with that.  LOL! 

• Purchase bottle water from the ABC Store, CVS or Walgreens.
• Breakfast- Egg McMuffin at McDonald's.
• Lunch / Dinner- Asada taco at El Buen Pastor in Fremont.

Slots
Amazing!!!  I think I have fallen in love with video poker.  I had a very LONG play time at O'Sheas' playing video poker at the bar.  Will do more in 2019. I like Deuces Wild... but I can also play regular video poker.

Shuttle
Up until December 2017, all of my transportation service was booked through Airline Shuttle for many years, from their start of business until they closed down. I tried Bell Airport shuttle, but they were LOUSY!!!!! They did not pick me up from CP. So, I started with SuperShuttle and they are great!!!  All contact is electronic.  Hence, it is efficient and excellent.  The actual vehicle can be tracked online. They are great with they text notifications.  SuperShuttle is great.

Casinos
I just started going to Fremont in 2018.  So, I will continue to share my play time on The Strip and now Fremont.  My $20 bill lasts longer in Fremont.  But, I love the jazz-ma-tazz of The Strip.  Plus, MLife and Total Rewards give me good room comps.  My Total Rewards is Platinum and my MLife is Pearl.  So, I'll work on keeping those levels.

So, that's a good map for 2019!!!

Feel free to join my Facebook group, Adults In Las Vegas and keep up with my Las Vegas travels in 2019!!!

Adults in Las Vegas

Adults In Las Vegas Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/543277526065798/

Complexities of Grocery Shopping: 15 Helpful Hints

Grocery shopping. Most of us have shop for groceries at least once a week.  It should be easy, but its not. Preparation for grocery shopping has to take place before your stepping out of your door.

Just this week, posted:  Green onions at 2 bunches at 0.89. No problem. Once home, I noticed the cashier charged me $1.89 instead of 0.89! Cashier rung up each bunch separately at 0.89 instead of 0.45 each.   I  suspect this happens a lot.  Cashiers are ignorant and know no better. So, here are some steps I recommend before grocery shopping to prevent getting "robbed at the cash register"!

1. Plan out your meals for the week. Have an idea of what needs to be purchased.

2. Do an inventory of your pantry. See which food items are near depleted.

3. Make a shopping list. You can be flexible. But at least you will have purchased what you needed.  Its cool to also purchase what you want AFTER essential food needs are cared for.

4. Use the notepad on your cellphone to enter your list. Paperless lists are nice... as long as you do not mess up the entries. Otherwise, stick to paper and pen.

5. Check the online grocer circulars.  I have two favorite low cost grocers. Store circulars will show which store has the best bargain and that will be the store I select.

6. Determine the best time of day. I prefer mornings... but not too early. Baggers do not arrive until late.  Cashiers are too lazy to help with bagging.  I actually prefer stores where I do my own checkout and bagging.

7. Avoid grocery shopping on the 1st day of the month.  Usually too many folks there.

8. You may want to avoid the days when senior citizens are bused in.  No shade to our seniors.... I'm just saying.

9. Eat before you leave home!!! Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach!!! You have been warned!!!

10. Don't be lazy!!!  Park at a remote spot in the parking lot. Folks are inconsiderate,  rude and vicious!  They will damage your car with carts or their own piece of junk!  Most fiends will park close to entrance. Stay clear of that area.

11. Cashiers do not know the different types of veggies and fruits. They will over-charge. So, always place complex items on the conveyor belt LAST when you can identify the produce and verify the charge. NEVER place produce items first, you will miss the cashier's incorrect price.

12. Bring an ink pen or fine tip felt marker to write price on bags and labels, but do not write on food! You can't remember every price, but you can record as you shop.  This is important until such time grocers devise methods where customers can track real time price to verify with cashiers.

13. Cashiers are tricky and sneaky. Shoppers need to be able to view prices at time of checkout. So, always get in line where at least 1 or 2 shoppers are already in line. Hurry and place items on conveyor belt so that you will be positioned to see each rung up price. 

14. Do not get distracted while transacting with cashier.  Beware of crack heads, meth-addicts and other fiends are on the prowl to steal your paid items on conveyor belt.  Always keep you eyes on items that you paid.

15. If you are computer competent, always do the self-checkout. You can verify your prices.  There is always an attendant assigned to self-checkout stations.  They attendant will NOT assist with bagging, but they can do overrides.

Happy Grocery Shopping!

October 2018 Las Vegas at MGM Grand - Highlights

I just completed a fabulous 3-night stay at MGM Grand in fabulous Las Vegas. This trip was an offer I could not refuse!!!! I received a comped offer for 3 nights in Vegas at MGM Grand during Southwest's annual Fall sale.  So comped nights and reduced airfare was an offer I could not refuse!  Hence, that made of a nice October getaway in fabulous Las Vegas!!

From Sunday to Wednesday, I shared many many photos, videos, posts and Facebook Live. So, members received some nice types of trip reports during my October 2018 stay.  Instead of doing 3 trip reports, I am writing about 10 highlights of my October stay.

1. Wonderful travel day, thanks to Southwest Airlines.  The plane had a mechanical issue, so we had to deplane BUT, another available plane pulled up to another gate and I was off to Vegas in 1 hour.  Southwest has a large fleet of planes, so I continue to LOVE Southwest Airlines!

2. Age of Automation!!!  My entire travel arrangement was essentially electronic! This age of automation reduces wait time in lines.  Here's how...

• Air travel - booked online.
• SuperShuttle- booked via their app.  Long line at McCarran's kiosk, BUT, no wait for me.  I checked in via the SuperShuttle app..... YES!!! I went immediately to the van!!!
• MGM Grand- Pre-checked in right at MDW. Notification sent to me 15 minutes  before I arrived at MGM.... like 30 minutes as soon as my flight landed... YES! Nice representative at the Mobile Check In.  I was in my room in about 45 minutes of landing at McCarran!!

3. RTC 3 Day Pass! This express bus got me to and from Fremont fast on each of my 3 days!

4. Excellent Play Time at Slots!  I am a realist. So, my play time was long, controlled and focused on play time, not hand pays.  It works for me!!!  YES!!!  Best casinos were MGM Grand, El Cortez and Downtown Grand!

5. Commitment to Fitness!  Able to complete 10,000 powerwalk steps every single day.

6. Good Social Media Engagements!  I really enjoyed the real time photo-sharing, video sharing, posts / replies and Facebook Live.  I enjoy sharing my Las Vegas experiences with others who are passionate about Las Vegas.

7. Ancient Aliens and Chopped Marathons!  I love those shows... I watched the marathons via MGM Grand's cable/TV/satellite.  Nice receptions!!!

8. Frugal Spending.  I took my tea packs, water bottle, snacks, ate at McDonald's for breakfast and Subway.  Everyday was lunch at El Buen Pastor in Fremont.  Hey, I cook big time at home, so I do not seek to eat in Vegas.  I do fine dining in Chicago... not in Vegas.  I do gaming in Vegas, not dining. I'm just saying how I roll...

9.  No spending at MDW and LAS.  Listen, purchases at any airport is expensive.  BUT, I was ready! Zero "0" spending!!!!

10. Empty Middle Seat.  Yes!!! Yippee!!! The middle seat on my return flight home was empty!!!!

In conclusion, I love Las Vegas!  But, I do more than simply traveling to Vegas.  I have my own Las Vegas Group page, come join!!!  Its a  bit different, its more like my Las Vegas blog.  Come check it out.
I cook and enjoy cooking.  I have a nice group called Cooks Who Host.  Just regular folks who cook and we are called to host dinners and casual events.  Come check out that group.  Really wonderful members there.
I am also a lifelong, native Chicagoan and I love my city.  I promote local events in the central downtown beautiful area of Chicago.  If you ever visit Chicago, you will want to check out this Page.

Here are my links:

Adults in Las Vegas
https://www.facebook.com/groups/543277526065798/

Cooks Who Host
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1077807192386917/

Chicago Speaks Local Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/222182274466496/

Central Chicago Events
https://www.facebook.com/centralchicagoevents/


Thank you again!!!!

Frugal Airport Planning

I have been a air traveler for many years going back to about 1979 for professional conferences. In recent years, my travels have been predominately from MDW to LAS for my Las Vegas getaways! So, I know a whole lot about have expensive time can be in airports.

For my many travels to Las Vegas, I know that a lot of money can be dropped in an airport. However, I do not factor associated airport spending in my travel plans.  Today, I am more frugal that ever with travel costs.  So, I am always engaged in critical thinking and planning to keep travel costs as low as possible. Just last month, while in line to board at McCarran, a guy was in front of me and displayed a fantastic idea!  On the sides of his backpack, he had 2 water bottles filled with tea!  Apparently, he saved his empty water bottles for entry through TSA.  Once past security, he filled his bottles with water and added the tea mix!! How smart!!!  I will start doing the same, from now on!!

In the meantime, here are some frugal airport travel tips:

• Purchase snacks before travel day.
• Purchase tea packs before travel day.
• Secure empty 8 ounce water bottles before travel day.
• Prepare favorite sandwiches morning of travel. 

Hence, once I arrive at Midway, there is no need to spend money unless I want a cup of hot coffee.

Going to McCarran on the way home, well, there is nothing much I can do. The only thing I can do is pack my empty bottles for TSA, then fill with water and mix with tea.
For snack, I'll just pick up something from Walgreens, CVS or the ABC Stores before travel day.

I think this is a workable, practical and frugal travel plan.  Yes!!

Happy travels!!

1st Summer in Retirement

Summer 2018 was my very first full season in full retirement. June 12, 2018 was my last day. THANK GOODNESS!!

The summer of 2018 was a very busy and full season for me. On my very last working day, I strategized my full retirement plan, celebrated my birthday the next week, then flew to fabulous Las Vegas.  Nice start!!  This is how I spent my summer of 2018...

Created a fantastic Facebook Page (@CentralChicagoEvents) where I promote and share events in the central area of Chicago.  This has been a major business effort!!!  Searches, evaluation of venues, creation of databases, redesign of a Facebook Group and design of this Facebook Page have taken a lot of time!!

My condominium community now has a website were events can be submitted.  So, I submit all of my targeted events to this website with the utmost professional appeal.

Because I promote events, it is important that I attend many of them, take photos and promote on my Central Chicago Events Page. Here are the events that I attended:

• Taste of Chicago
• Toast of the South Loop
• Humana Rock & Roll Marathon
• South Loop Beer & Cider Fest
• Windy City Wine Festival
• American Dream Reconsidered: Eric Holder
• American Dream Reconsidered: Common
• Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Fest
• Annual Senior Fest
• Bronzeville Echoes at the Chicago Cultural Center
• Folded Map exhibit at Loyola Museum of Art
• Shopping Spree at Niketown

There were other nice things that I did this summer, beyond my promotions which were:

• Las Vegas with stay at Encore in June
• Las Vegas with stay at the Wynn in July
• Las Vegas with stay at the MGM Grand in August  (Yes, I love Las Vegas!)
• Big Greek party at former worker's place... always fabulous
• End of Summer condominium party

As soon as I fully retired, I increased my powerwalks from 30 minutes to 1 hour... practically every day.

I even got time to relax at the swimming pool!!!!  So relaxing!!

I have done a lot with my Facebook Groups!  One is growing by leaps and bounds!  So, I have to do regular surveillance to ensure proper posts by members.  This is a lot. Another group is Las Vegas focused, so it requires regular updates to ensure interest of members.  I also created a brand new group for folks who cook and host dinner events. That group requires a lot of attention to ensure members who post recognize that I appreciate their contribution.

Finally, I love Korean food. I located a nice vendor in the Thompson Center in downtown that is in a food court.  I enjoy this!!!

I also remain professionally active by attending local conferences.

As you can see, I had a very busy, BUT cost-effective, low cost and extremely active 1st summer of retirement.  A lot of thinking, planning, strategizing and engagements have been required. No way do I intend to sit at home.  I have more information coming up for the Fall season, but stay tuned to my blog as I will be doing more!!

7 Success: Seven Points for a Holistic Retirement

7 Success!  Seven Points for Achieving a Holistic Retirement!

YES YES YES!!!    I FULLY retired in June 2018!  Retirement has been a progressive process for me over 7 years. I believe I worked harder during my early retirement years. I reflected on full retirement during those years; as a result, I created the following 7 points to enjoy retirement. I'll just list the points for now, and will blog later on each point. 

Folks in their mid-50's should already be engaging in retirement strategies. Folks should NOT retire, then try to figure out what to do with free time. That will not work. I speak from experience!  I have been active in every single point for at least 15 years before I fully retired. 

Hopefully, my following 7 Success points will be of benefit to you before you retire!

                          7 Success!  Seven Points for Achieving a Holistic Retirement

• Physical Fitness
• Prudent Diet
• Stress Management
• Financial Management
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Social Engagement

Retirement - August 2018

Yes!!!  I am officially retired!  Just think, I used to say, "Oh, I'll never retire!"  Just remember... Never say never!

My path to full retirement has been progressive since I VERY early retired back in 2011.  In 2011, I resumed working full time in 2 weeks, but in the private sector.  In 2014, I had enough so, I started teaching once a week.  After 3 years, I noted very dark nature of students in the for-profit sector.  Very dark and menacing.  Totally beneath my standards as an educator who upholds quality education.  

My last day to teach was in June 2018.  I rejected an offer to teach in July 2018.  I am happy with my decision!  Never compromise quality standards!!!

Now I am fully retired and enjoying it. Listen, at some point, we all must retire, but we better have a good plan to enjoy retirement.  Hence, my subsequent blogs will be about what I am doing during my very welcomed retirement.

Right now, let make clear what I plan on NOT doing during retirement:

• Volunteering- those days are over!  I did a lot of volunteering when I was working.  Organizations tend to "use" good volunteers.
• Sit around the house- got to stay active.

What I plan to do?.... Stay tuned to my upcoming blogs!!!!