Las Vegas for Locals

Retire on a budget in Las Vegas.

Probably the last place you would think to retire on a budget would be Las Vegas (are you listening Mr. President?)

Try telling this to Alan and Cathy, two of my dearest friends here in Las Vegas Nevada, USA.

I am daily bombarded with invitations to enjoy a lower cost of living by retiring to some South American paradise or some Tropical island destination.

Alan and Cathy chose an oasis in the Desert, as in fact did I!

Let me give you an idea of what an average week in Las Vegas entails for my dear friends. On Friday they visited Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall (Casino) to receive their free gift for being a member of their slot club. The Gift in question was a Gents watch and they each received one. They stayed for dinner which cost them about $14.00 each using their seniors members card. This mind you was an all 'you can eat' Sea Food buffet which included Prime Rib, Salmon, Shrimp, Lobster and everything else you can imagine! They lost $20.00 between them playing the nickel slot machines! However there was $5.00 credit on their machines before they started playing (compliments of the Casino) so their total loss was $10.00 for about two hours entertainment.

On Saturday they went to a movie a Bolder Station Casino ($6.00 for seniors). It was Prime Rib Buffet night and cost them $12.00 each with their player's card. By the way they exited the Casino $135.00 richer than when they came in playing 5 Cent machines. Cathy hit 4 aces with a 'kicker' which paid 2000 coins ($100.00)

Sunday evening they stayed home and watched the Olympics.

On Monday it was off to Jokers Wild Casino on the Bolder Highway, about 7 miles from their Mobile Home Park for Alan's favorite Prime Rib and Cathy's Grilled Trout. They used a voucher the Casino had sent them which was a 'two for one' so their meal which included an all you could eat Soup and Salad bar and a free soda or coffee cost them a total of $6.99 (that's not each - the bill was $6.99 for both of them!) Did I mention they received a free gift here too - Two 'Snuggies'; you know those wrap around blankets with sleeves for watching television on a cold night. The temperature here in Las Vegas was in the mid 50's that evening. The Obama family by the way were digging themselves out of the snow that surrounded the White House!

Tuesday is Seniors Movie Night at Sam's Town casino so they took in another movie for $3.00 per ticket.

On Wednesday they were back at Joker's Wild. By playing their favorite slot machines (5 cent) they earn points on their 'slot club card' which entitles them each to a free dinner off the senior menu valid for 6 days.

Thursday was a stay at home night and Friday there would be $5.00 credit on any slot machine for each of them at both Sam's Town and Jokers Wild.

There is no limit to the number of 'slot clubs' you can belong to here and provided you contribute $10 or $20 dollars into their machines, the gifts and free offers continue to flow. And contrary to popular belief you can win!

Video poker is the way to go, and if you leave your machine after a reasonable win (4 of a kind) and quit after you double your money you will almost always come out ahead!

OK so you transformed $20.00 into $40.00 - big deal - but how many banks do you know that will give you 100% return on your deposit!