Question of the Day - 14 March 2018

I used to go to Vegas each year.  My solution to the current gouging in Las Vegas is not to go.  When you have to work hard to save money on a trip that should be fun there is something wrong with the destination.  I now go locally to Reno and enjoy the money I am saving.

1-become a better gambler and more selective wannabe value player
2-use comped rooms and/or rooms with no resort fees, e.g, Boyd's. 
3-use member rewards book
4-use strip only for shows n people watchin n dice. For parking use upgraded rewards club cards tied to credit cards, i.e., mgm pearl & total rewards diamond.
5-when in time shares, enjoy day trips to henderson bird refuge, red rock, valley of fire, & mt C. Use neighborhood casinos.
6-try to maintain habits of moderation from home;limit excess and remember what u do in vegas affects you after.

Stay downtown at the Fremont. It satisfies all my requirements.

Lucky me in that I get to house-sit for friends who live in LV several weeks each year, and have the use of their car.  Nevertheless, since I'm there so long and love going to casinos, I cheapskate as much as I possibly can.  I get coupons (like the LVA book) and especially use the dining and match-plays, plus any others that appeal in the moment.  I also follow Jean's frugal tips and read her blog posts so I can take advantage of what's currently going on.  I also use any Groupon deals that work for me, and check the newspaper casino ads.  Oldies days help, too, since I'm of a certain age.  Cheap, cheap, cheap wherever you can, then splurge when it feels like the experience is worth more than what you spend--e.g., a special meal or some fun shopping.  Oh, and I, too, use the M Rewards credit card for free parking on the very infrequent trips to the Strip.  Boo, hiss on parking fees.

I look in advance for Groupons or Living Social deals and Restaurant.com certificates.  We split meals often for cost-savings, and especially because portions are usually so large.  Economizing financially and calorie-wise.

Las Vegas used to be a city of delights. Interesting. Unusual. My last couple of trips are likely to be just that -- my last trips. The nickel and diming at every stop have drained so much of the fun out of the experience. It's not special anymore. I'm done.

I stay away from the upscale (and semi-upscale - sorry, Guy Fieri, but the only burger worth anywhere near $20 is at Burger Bar) restaurants on the Strip.  Even buffets, I have to think about - is the one at, say, the Mirage that much better than the one at the Fremont downtown, especially on steak night?

We don't give in to the parking, resort fee, high-priced food choices, etc. We usually stay at a Boyd property (Gold Coast usually has good deals) we eat at Station or Boyd buffets, and we frequent the places that don't overcharge, hopefully so that they continue to keep from joining the gougers.