WOW!!! There really is a lot more to Vegas than gambling!

Having a long time to plan a trip isn't always a good thing. It also means you find more ways to spend money before you even leave your house. This trip is definitely no exception.

I originally started this blog with the intent of sharing anecdotal tales of scrimping and saving, but the more I look into the things that we can do in Vegas I think this blog should be about spending!

For example, my husband and I aren't huge gamblers. I figured if we had $1000-$1500 to gamble and some spare change for spending and clear credit cards for charging meals and those "I HAVE TO HAVE IT" items. We would get out of vegas having had one hell of a time and some really great memories.

There is so much to see and do in Vegas and the surrounding area, the shows, the hoover dam and gran canyon tours, casinos...bla, bla, bla....

However... I decided to investigate some of the more unusual things to do in Vegas...aside from the bunny ranch, or the "free" tours of the swingers clubs I didn't think there would be much to surprise me. I have to admit, I couldn't have been more wrong.

My husband has always wanted an Astin Martin, I didn't say he believed he would own one, but he figured he could dream. Well now he may actually get his chance to drive one in Las Vegas at http://www.supercarlife.com/experience.aspx

OH, and he has always wanted to try shooting firearms. So we may also visit http://thegunstorelasvegas.com so he can try his luck with these babies.... a H/K MP5 SMG w/50 Rds, Semi- Automatic Rifle w/10 Rds, 12ga Shotgun w/5 Rds, and that also includes Three Targets & Package T-Shirt.

I hope it doesn't give him any ideas!!! Shooting up Las Vegas in an Astin Martin, all he will need is a martini -shaken not stirred, and a Tux and I might find my self being seduced by a 007 wannabe!

As for me, the excitement of traveling, being somewhere different and doing different things is enough of an aphrodisiac. This time Mr.Bond may have met his match!!!

OH.....Give me a home, where the VAMPIRES roam...

Since my general idea is to cut down as many expenses as possible I thought I would go after the vampires next.

NOT the garlic hatin', stake through the heart, crusifix fearin', mirror avoidin' type vampires.

I am looking for electrical vampires also known as vampire power or phantom load.

This  refers to the electric power consumed by electronic appliances while they are switched off or in a standby mode. Individually the load is insignificant but all told the amount could be about 5% of your yearly electrical costs.

Typical offenders are

• Power supplies, transformers and inefficient electronic devices.
• VCRs, DVD players and some audio systems.
• TVs and Set-top boxes
• Microwave ovens
• Computers, digital monitors and printers
• Air conditioning systems with remote control.
• Devices with "Instant on" functions, with remote control receivers, or waiting for the user to interact.
• Devices with a stand-by light or clock.
• Power adapters (such as wall warts), whether they are powering a device or not.
• Some home video game consoles (e.g. Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360 & Sony PlayStation 3)

 
I know 5% is not much, but even if its only $60 saved in a year, that could be an extra night out with pizza and beer or in my case a few more pulls on the slot machines.....


Hhhhmmmm I wonder how much vampire power is lost in Las Vegas with all those slot machines and video poker displays on just flashing away waiting for some hopeful to drop in their coins? Now that would be some coin I would like to pocket!!!!

Not spending = Not saving.

Its not easy to save money when you aren't spending money. Although technically I am saving money by not spending it, I am not putting any money aside because of this.

However this weekend is a 20X points weekend at Shopper's Drug Mart so I will be spending and saving money there for sure. Tomorrow I will likely go and get a $50 gift card. I will get 500 optimum points for that alone, Then on Saturday I will hit up the sales, use up some coupons, cash in some freebies and basically stock up on a bunch of stuff and hopefully only spend around $50, giving me 500 regular points (at least) and another 10 000 bonus points!!! I should be set for the next bonus redemption then netting me $200 in free stuff and 10 000 points back to start the savings cycle all over again!!!

I love Shoppers!!!

I used $22 in coupons at Wal-mart today!

I used $22 in coupons today and my favourite deal (besides the free 12 pack of pepsi max) was Gillette shaving gel. It's regularly $3-4 each, it was on sale for $1.98 I bought 3 for $5.94 I had a coupon that said buy any three gilette products and save $5....so I got 3 shave gels for about $0.32 each!!!

Just like Jesus, I am looking for followers

Unlike Jesus, I want them to follow my blog.

I really would like to encourage you to share this blog with your friends and family. I want you to share your Vegas experience with me and help me avoid the pitfalls. So please follow my blog and add some comments. Tell me what you love/hate about Vegas, or love/hate about this blog.

If I am able to get 10 followers by the end of April I will hold a draw for a $10 gift certificate. (I will give you a choice of a few different certificates.) And I will post the draw details on May first.

So get out there and follow my blog, help me out with comments about Vegas or my blog, and very possibly win yourself a $10 gift card.

You KNOW you wanna!!!

Hells Ya I'm there!!!

One of the places I really want to check out is the VooDoo Lounge and 

I have found the perfect package for me!!! 

I think we would probably go on Sunday night because the music is more geared towards my generation

(That means I am old, and I am just as likely to bust a hip as I am to bust a move.)

 

Solid Gold Sundays @ The VooDoo Lounge features the best of music of the 80s by some of the best DJ's in the Business! Come out to the VooDoo every Sunday & Party on the Best Rooftop Venue in Las Vegas!!!! Enjoy live music, cocktails and dancing underneath the stars while looking at an amazing, panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip!

 

Sounds good right!!!

 

here is the package I found that makes it even more amazing

VooDoo Open Bar package: 

$60, per night (Sunday - Wednesday), $100, per night, (Thursday - Saturday). Includes front-of-the-line admission and open bar at VooDoo. Starts at 9:30 p.m. NO shots. Table NOT included - bar only. The open bar at Voodoo includes domestic and imported beer, wine, basic liquors (SKYY vodka, Cruzan rum, Salsa tequila, Jack Daniels, Crown Royal whiskey, bourbon and Christian Brothers), bottled water, soda and juice. Includes Red Bull. 

Would you just look at that lounge!!!

Its like a rooftop fricken patio 50 floors up. With that package we get VIP admission and and open bar for $60 each, you better keep your eye on youtube for videos of me at VooDoo, who knows what I will do! 

 And I really want to try a Witche's Brew

(its the red one that is the size of a fish bowl with fog coming out of it)

Another mail in rebate cheque

I just received another mail in rebate cheque, this time for purchasing Fabreeze. I can't believe more people don't just go around and getting all the try me free stuff!!! It boggles the mind!!!

$200 of gift certificates---for $24!!!

You read that right!

I read on a message board that you can get restaurant.com gift certificates at a very reduced price. These certificates are already a great bargain, the usual price being $40 for a $100 certificate. I found a coupon code ( DISH ) that got me an extra 70% off...so $100 gift certificate for $12.

What's the catch...weeeelllll

These are not straight forward "gift certificates" exactly... that is to say I can not use $100 to pay a tab of $100. Each participating restaurant has criteria set out for their use. I may buy a $25 gift certificate for the house of blues...I would still have $75 left on my restaurant gift certificate and I would have a $25 voucher for the house of blues, but there may be restrictions like total bill must exceed $50 to use the $25 voucher. At that point I would have paid $25 out of pocket and $24 for my certificates for a meal that cost $50, so after one use I have recoverd the cost of my original $24 investment. After that, the rest is savings.

I spied a voucher  for 50% off  Ben&Jerrys that costs $5. I think that might come in handy in the heat!

There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from for Vegas and the best part is they are also good for restaurants all across the United States. So If I only choose $125 to use in Vegas, I will still have $75 that never expires to use any time I am in the States.


I will let you know how this actually works in practice, but in theory, I think I did good!

The art280 sandwich

The start of an exciting sandwich making career???


The art280 sandwich

The art280 is a sandwich encompassing the tastes of 4 friends.

sky likes crispy things
sarah likes spicy things
mackenzie like walking on the beach
benny likes watching pro football

I had a number of different ideas as to how to incorporate these themes into a sandwich that would reflect these individuals.( Unfortunately people frown upon killing sea gulls while others are enjoying the beach so I will have to save that idea for another time...)

The runners up included a hot dog (beach and football) covered with chili (football tailgate, spicy)  further topped with crushed doritos (football, spicy and crispy) and finally Jalapano jack cheese (spicy), and a very close first runner up to the sandwich I made was a thinly sliced bbq'ed steak (football tailgate) sandwich served on a cornbread bun (often served at clam bakes at the beach) smothered in a zesty chipotle bbq sauce(spicy), with French's french fried onions perched on the top! (crispy)

But the sandwich that started out as little more than a few ingredients in my pantry and forevermore shall be known as The art280 sandwich is a sandwich consisting of toasted pumpernickle rounds (crispy) topped with a smidge of miracle whip and then a freshly prepared salmon cake (beach) garnished with a bed of spring mix lettuce and a second salmon cake which is further topped with a spicy mango chutney (spicy) finally this awesomeness is then topped with kettled cooked chips (great when watching a football game and for extra crispiness)  the final piece comes into place when the second piece of toasted pumpernickle that has a light speading of miracle whip on it is ever so gently lowered into place.

   
I opted to make this a "hot" sandwich, but if you prefer your sandwiches chilled a tasty salmon salad could have been used in place of the salmon cake.

The salmon cake

you will need

1 can of salmon drained and cleaned (unless you like the salmon bones and stuff)
1/4 of a cooking onion minced (or 1 green onion thinly sliced)
1/4 of a red pepper minced
salt and pepper
1 tbsp. flour
approx 1/4 c. of crackers crushed fine.
1 tsp parmesan cheese
pinch of red pepper flakes

two eggs beaten

Combine the first 4 ingredients and mix. sprinkle with flour and then add the cracker crumbs, parmesan and pepper flakes. Mix once again and slowly add the beaten eggs until you get a mixure that binds together well.

Fry the salmon cake in a non stick pan over medium heat for approx. 5 mins per side.

Enjoy it on The art280 sandwich.

ORDER UP!!!!

I told you earlier about my attempt to "earn" money on fiverr.com. Today I got my first order!!!!

This is the "offer" I submitted...

I will name a sandwich after you and send you the recipe for $5

 

I will name a yummy sandwich after you.
I will take a picture of this sandwich I have created so you can share your namesake with your friends and family, I will also give you the recipe for this sandwich so you can share how amazing you really are.
I will take any special dietary concerns into account!

 In case you don't know I went through school to be a chef and passed with flying colours, however I didn't write the ministry exam to actually get my cooks trade papers. So for me this is an amazing opportunity to share my love for food in another way.

 I have until Monday to create and photograph this sandwich which,  from henceforth shall be referred to as

“The Art280 Sandwich”

and here is the order

hello we just ordered a sandwich to be designed after us. we are a group called art280. there are 4 of us.

sky likes crispy things
sarah likes spicy things
mackenzie like walking on the beach
benny likes watching pro football

please include but do not limit yourself to at least one ingredient that represents each of us.
the name of the sandwich must be “The Art280 Sandwich”

We look forward to seeing the photo and using the recipe in our own kitchen.

Check back Monday to see my creation!!!
 

Hold on...I think I have a coupon for that!

I have a new found interest in couponing. Previously I didn't give much thought to coupons, or using them....and certainly not saving  and collecting them, that is just sheer madness.

But there is method to that madness and I would like to explain it to you.

Manufacturers have hundreds and thousands of coupons distributed offering from a few cents to a few dollars off of a specific product. Here is an example.

Secret Flawless Deodorant.

These are regularly priced at about $4.
Wal-mart had them on sale for $1.64...amazing deal right, well not quite. There were coupons available that saved you $1.50.
Secret Flawless Deodorant at Wal-mart with the coupon. $0.14.

My point is I would have never known the best price for Secret Deodorant. I would have never paid attention to the coupon, and I would have never known all the ins and outs of couponing and other really great deals for stuff that is free, or nearly free if it wasn't for the web site www.smartcanucks.ca

Not only is smartcanucks.ca an amazing couponing site, it is a great social site too! And our fearless leader, Boo Radlely has once again come up with another amazing site www.flyerscoupons.ca

This site has been set up so that as a member, when you share a deal or coupon, you are eligible to get paid to post. I won't go into the details here, but it is legit! So that is yet another way I am hoping to build our Las Vegas slush fund.

(...and I am hoping there is enough slush to fund many margaritas!!!)

Well the long weekend is almost upon us!!!

It shouldn't be too hard to save some money this weekend. The stores are closed on Good Friday, so there really isn't much opportunity to spend. I was out with my folks again today picked up something for my dad and put it through with my stuff and gave mom the cash he gave me. It wasn't a lot but every bit helps.My hubby even threw in  a few bucks, so our plucky little pot keeps on growing!

Here kitty kitty kitty....

Got the money for my kijiji sale, and skipped going to Tim Horton's with my mom for a coffee and had one at home instead. That my friends is another $20 for the kitty...MEOW!!!

SOLD!!!

I made my first sale on kijiji! Well, the transaction will be completed tomorrow! but it's a start!

I got a little change in my pocket going ching a ling a ling.....

I have been asking friends and fellow forum members on smartcanucks.ca for some creative suggestions to save or earn money and I just had to share this one.


It was along the lines of  "don't forget a free sample of KY massage oil to take with you."

And every time you become intimate before you leave, put a toonie in a jar and then count them up before you go."





Hmmmm...If I know my husband he will want to use a credit card if he doesn't have any cash on him, and I have no idea how to swipe it!

kijijijijijiji?????

KIJIJI (click this to check out what's for sale)

Kijiji is Canada's most popular free, local classifieds site. Kijiji offers a convenient, fun, and easy way for people in the same city to buy, sell, trade and help each other out in areas such as goods, cars, services, housing and jobs.

The word "kijiji" (pronounced like key-gee-gee) means "village" in Swahili. This name was chosen because it captures the essence of what we are creating - a site where people can connect with others in their community.

Kijiji sites are currently available in dozens of cities around the world. Kijiji was launched in Montreal and Quebec City in February 2005. In November 2005, Kijiji expanded across rest of Canada and is now in over 100 cities coast to coast.

Over eight million Canadians use Kijiji each month.



Well I hope kijiji can help me unload a few unused household items and put some money back in my pocket for my Vegas trip. I'll let you know how that goes.

How to save money paying your bills.

With my easy program you too can save money paying your bills!

Well, not exactly but if you pay extra and forget about it, when the next bill comes in you have less to pay. Its not REALLY saving money, but its less money for me to put out and for that reason, mom will get an extra $20 when I see her tomorrow.

I will have to do the kijiji thing tomorrow too. I didn't get around to that today!

Money money money, must be funny, in a rich man's world!

OK, I gave my mom $20 last night ( for coupons I had used while shopping) and another $20 today and I put some of her shopping through with mine because she was just getting a few things and I told her to put what she owes me into the pot.

I have also posted things that I will do for $5 on www.fiverr.com believe me, I am pretty cheap and easy *lol*

Tomorrow I think I will start the kijiji thing, and I plan of having a yard sale in April or May.

So far, so good!

Coupons coupons!

Today I am going out shopping. I intend to be using coupons so I will tally them up at the end of the shopping day and give the "savings" to my mom! Check back later and I will tell you how I did!

Now that's a good girl...

My husband and the boys are having fish and chips tonight...a moment on the lips forever on the hips!


So, in an effort to save money (and to hopefully lose some weight before we go) I am forgoing the fried fish and chips and will look for a healthier alternative.

Let's hope my resolve holds out!!

Try me free!!!

Not like that!!!

I just got a rebate cheque in the mail that I forgot I even sent away for!!! BONUS $10 into the kitty!!

There's GOLD in them thar hills...

I did have an idea to get some extra dosh.


Sell my scrap gold!!

Unfortunately, I have always worn silver and don't have any scrap gold to sell, but I still think it would have been a good idea!

How have I saved money so far...let me count the ways...

OK, I haven't really "saved" any money yet, but so far I have given my mom an additional $20 Canadian, and $100 American to hold on to.

My husband and I tend to use our debit cards a lot so I rarely have cash on me. So when I went to pick up some bread and milk yesterday with my mom I got $20 cashback and gave it to her. I figured most times that I pop into a store for one or two specific things I buy stuff I don't need, a magazine, a pack of gum, a toy for the kids. This time I stuck to my list, and instead of wasting a few bucks I thought I might as well take it out and set it aside. If I didn't take the money out, it wouldn't be saved, I would just spend it on something else, so for me this was the best way to "save" money yesterday.

The Quest thus far...

OK,  Our trip has been booked for 1 full day now. I have given my credit card to my mom to hold on for me. Hopefully this will prevent me from doing any splurging before we go. That right there could save hundreds a month but I am not going to count that as an actual savings.

I have also given my mom $60 to hold onto, not a great lot but it was all the cash I had on me. The bonus about this is it gives me 4 days grace while I still figure out my best course of action.

How would you go about saving $7.50 a day (each for 2 people) or one better, earning an additional $7.50?

I would love to hear your suggestions, no matter how strange and wonderful they may be.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!!!

Well, now that I have the Vegas trip booked I have a lot of decisions to make about what to see and do. I figure I might as well chronicle some of these thing in my blog so I don't forget about them over the next 6 months or so.

Some good sites I have found so far are

LAS VEGAS ADVISOR    http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/index.cfm

AND

VEGAS.COM

 http://www.vegas.com


One deal I have read about in more than one place is the Steak and a beer at Ellis Island. I think this will be on our to do list! its as simple as it sounds a 10-ounce steak at Ellis Island. Includes potato, bread, green beans and a beer for only $6.99


Well I will keep you posted on my savings...and my planning every step of the way!

WHY $7.50???

I have been hassling my husband for 12 years because I wanted to go to Vegas. I have finally wore him down so much that he is relinquishing his stead fast NO WAY to a "just book it and lets get it over!"

I have looked online and found a deal that I think is acceptable, and have calculated that the trip and spending money should cost about $2800.

In the past I would have just put it on the Visa and not really worried about how and when it would get paid but this is the new responsible me...I am still going to put it on my Visa, but this time, I have a plan to pay it off!!!

My plan is simple, yet brilliant. I am going save the money! If I am able to sock away $7.50 a day for each of us ($15 in total) I will meet my goal right on target.

My intention is to SAVE money everyday, and to blog about it to keep me on track. I do have some cash stashed away and I will use that for days that I just can't squeeze $7.50 out of the 24 hours allotted.

Some of the savings will come in the form or coupons, I am going to put away dollar for dollar the coupons I use. I am also going to try to sell a few things on kijijji. I will keep any deposit on alcohol bottles (that alone might pay for the trip) and I am sure I will come up with new and creative ideas along the way.