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!!