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!