Sometimes factual nuggets can be found in some rumors. Yes, Brad and I have tentative plans to move to Georgia, but details are still very sketchy and no time frame is yet set.
Most everyone is surprised by our decision. Won’t we miss gambling? How will we spend our time with no casinos around? Won’t we get bored?
I can explain, with so many reasons and factors. Our ages – 80 and 87. Our energy levels, decreasing at a fast pace. Health issues – Brad especially has been dealing with serious medical problems.
However, family is a major consideration. Angela, the frugal princess, and her hubby Steve want us to be nearby so they can help out whenever we might need any kind of assistance. And we would like to be able to see more often our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This picture shows Grandson Zachary, just back home from a National Guard deployment to Afghanistan, with 3 of our important “little” reasons for wanting to be in GA!!
As far as missing gambling, video poker just doesn’t have the appeal to either of us as in the past. After 36 years of playing the frugal game in Vegas, we both are ready to retire from chasing positive value. Even Brad, who has been gambling at something for 83 years (started when he was 5), says he is ready to “rest.” Many people won’t understand this, but serious gamblers will – successful gambling takes a lot of “work.” And this “job” is getting harder and harder. “Retiring” sounds very relaxing to both of us.
As I said at the top, we are still in the planning stages. There may be a transition period when we keep our home in Vegas and spend longer periods in GA. In fact, we are leaving for GA soon, staying for several weeks.
Furthermore, we aren’t leaving gambling completely right away. We still have at least one comped Harrah’s Seven Star trip on tap that we will use on this next GA visit. Angela and Steve like to take us on that 4 1/2-hour road trip from Columbus up to beautiful Harrah’s Cherokee. And when we are back in Vegas, you might see us at times taking advantage of a multiple-point day at a local casino.
And don’t worry about not hearing from me – I will continue writing blogs as long as I find useful hints for frugal gambling and my fingers can still work a keyboard.
Wow, this RUMOR finally caught up with me as well. What a surprise but understandable. At our ages 80 and 85 (she is the young one) doctor visits seem to be becoming more frequent than casino visits. Our kids are actually starting to and/or making plans move closer to us to get away from the cold winters where they work and live.
Best of luck health and happiness to you and Brad
George
Wishing both of you all the very best Jean! Oh the memories….we were part of the Skip Hughes group at the beginning; we visited your home while in Las Vegas; saw you often at Barbary Coast and Orleans when the video poker was so lucrative; have all you books….autographed!; had high tea with you at Bellagio. But time marches on, we get older, and we eventually know what is REALLY important in life…..Family, Faith, Friends. God bless both of you always. Thanks for the memories!
“Joan and Tom from Wisconsin”
We truly wish you and Brad the very best in your upcoming move . . renewed strength and the joy of being with family always trumps anything else this world has to offer! We, too, simply love going to Cherokee and will be doing my 7-star trip there this Sept — we spend all day in the beautiful mountains just taking in God’s beautiful creation and then enjoy casino time in the evening; Cherokee is so different from other Harrahs destinations — truly a destination resort even for the family and in the most gorgeous setting. May God bless you both in this next joyous & transitioning phase of your lives. Beverly & Lane Smith
Two earth-shaking retirement announcements at once! Two Q’s! Quarterback Luck and Queen (of Comps) Jean! Both class acts. Both retiring on their own terms.
The VP community will probably miss the Queen more than the Colt fans will miss the Quarterback!
Thank for your many, many valuable contributions. Thank you for showing us the way to become frugal gamblers.
Best of luck and Godspeed.
Congrats to you both and may this new chapter bring you as much happiness and your first Royal Flush did.
Good for both of you. Enjoy GA. Grandkids and greats are the precious results of a life well lived. Many years of happiness outside so much pressure
Congrats for the impending move! I’m late to your writings compared to many of your readers, have enjoyed this blog the last few years, especially the experiences of Brad and yourself as you’ve navigated life and living. Enjoy the family in Georgia.
Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye….go Iowa!
Happy retirement to both of you wherever you may be living! Understanding how much you have done and now you need a time to rest. Family is also so very important and would be wonderful to see you enjoy your great-grandkids and your children as the years go on. God bless you both
Good for you and Brad! Enjoy being near family, especially those grandchildren and great grandchildren! I have followed you from your teaching days, read books, columns, blog,. Thank you for all info and advice.
Do what you need to do. Its time for some one else to step up to the plate and continue your work. Maybe you can select a new queen.
Jean, who would have thought that such a move would spark so much buzz! You and Brad deserve to take the time to heal and enjoy more family time. One of my gambling joys was the day in Hammond at Horseshoe where I got to hang with you guys and enjoyed your friendship and the true warm you feel for people. May God bless you and your family in this time of transition.Hope to see you one last time
In Vegas, although I have really been gambling more in Laughlin the last few years.
I don’t blame you one bit. Our age and no family near by has held my husband and myself back from moving to Vegas. You and Brad are blessed to have family close together in one place! Whatever you decide it has to be best for both of you. Best of luck on this new journey!
Sad to hear, but totally understandable. Thank you, Jean, for so many years of covering the things we love the most. I wish you both the best!
Enjoy your new life! Gambling is like having a job, my hubby retired 4 years ago, and I swear we are more exhausted now then when he worked 60 hours a week. Love your blog, was so happy to meet you one time at the Palms, just dummy me forgot to take a picture:(. Your family will enjoy having you close by. Time to relax a bit. Wishing you only the best always. Gambling will always be there is the bug bites.
Wishing the best of health and happiness to you, Brad and your family. Enjoy!
It does beg the question if living or retiring in Vegas, is worth it anymore?
Happy retirement thank you for all your helpful info over the years
you are one of the best and have had a good run—–have followed your comments for years ,before you started posting blogs here which are excellent—–it was easy to see that you enjoyed what you were doing ——you have left your footprints on the sands of time—–wish you well on your future endeavors——may the winds be at your back—-STO LOT—–
Thanks for all of your tips and assistance over the many years. Your expertise has been deeply appreciated. Live long and prosper.
Thank you Jean, best wishes if and when you guys make the move, being close to family is such a wonderful thing.
Thanks for all your hard work and dedication over the years. We’ve really enjoyed your columns.
Brest wishes and Godspeed.
And to Michael Mueller: I agree completely on the decline of LV gaming. Now it looks like Laughlin may be going down the tubes the same way.
I have been an avid reader for years but rarely comment. Thanks for all the helpful information you have given over the years. Things change and it is good that you adapt and change with them. Family is much more important as we get older. Happy retirement.
Best of everything to you and Brad going forward, Jean. Thanks for all the great tidbits over the years in pursuit of being a low roller. I will continue to read your blog for as long as you write it.
All the best to you both!
WOW this news brings tears to my eyes. You are blessed that you have a wonderful family that you and Brad can share with, in your later years. Vegas has changed so much that only the old Vegas is worth remembering. You and Brad have brought so much pleasure to your loyal fans/reader. God Bless and Thank you!
Do it. Time waits for no one. You’ll love mini-retirement. Angela can get you set up with healthcare practices nearby–primary care, geriatric, other specialists; have appointments made before you move (new patient appointments take longer). Ask your Vegas providers to send letters of referral once you have that info. Sign ROIs everywhere before you go. Confirm insurance coverage/network issues. Don’t want to be new in town, sick and waiting for an appointment; them waiting for records, etc.
Good for you! Make the move. You deserve it. Sooner the better. Spend as much time enjoying your family as you can. You just never know what’s around the corner. Your LVA family will miss you but we will survive.
You’re leaving Vegas at a point when being there is no longer nearly as attractive as it used to be. The cost of living is skyrocketing, traffic is LA-esque, and of course, there are hardly any decent gambling opportunities any more. That’s a blessing, in a way–you might find it harder to leave if the casino goose was still laying golden eggs for you.
I’ve mentioned opportunity cost in the past. You see a good promotion, and it takes six hours to play (such as “play X, get Y”) and in that time, you can’t be doing anything else. Therefore, the real value of the promotion is its net positive EV MINUS the opportunity cost of the time you spend exploiting it. For me, the epiphany came when I spent two solid weeks chasing promos (I won a decent amount) and I read in the paper how the waterfalls in Yosemite were at their highest volume in 50 years. I sensed right then that I was trivializing my time on earth. (I didn’t drop everything and go there, however–rats!)
So now you’re on the verge of choosing life and family over Vegas, and I think it’s a very wise choice, and frankly, would have been twenty years ago. I doubt that ANYONE will ever say on their deathbed, “Gee, I wish I’d played more video poker.”
I retired from my regular job @ 62 1/2 because my feet “gave out”.
SS didn’t kick in until 2 1/2 years later. That was tough on finances.
I guess that now I do have limited mobility,so I stay & play downtown- MUCH less walking.
Please find me a machine so I can just sit down!
Family is important. You 2 will be happy there.
Best of luck to you on your new adventure. Sounds like you will both be very happy in Georgia. I have enjoyed your writings for years, thank you for sharing your adventures and of course gambling tips.
Congratulations on your plan to eventually retire from serious gambling. Best wishes for an enjoyable final chapter of life filled with great memories playing with and teaching your great grand kids important life lessons. Life is short. Spending time with family is priceless.
Good for you! It will be nice to be near family. LV gambling has gone so far downhill that you won’t miss much.