Living in Las Vegas

I know it’s kind of an oxymoron, “save money in Las Vegas”, but came across a couple of good websites to maximize your dollar this month.  I know it’s tough out there, so I am hoping these might help locals and people coming into town.

Free shows, buffets and vacations for 90 minutes
Call Mike at 702-415-4114 to see if you qualify. We are paying married couples, age 25-72 and making a combined household income of $70,000, to tour our fabulously located resort at 3700 Las Vegas Blvd. If you qualify and are willing to take our 90 minute preview I will give you free shows, Buffets and 3 day 2 night mini vacation for your time. Please call anytime Mike at 702-415-4114.

So what Las Vegas local has not been to at least one of these?  I know I have, and the dinner and show we went to was worth it. Although back then we had no kids and time to kill . . .   Anywho, if you have the time I think it’s worth it.

I found a blog that has some really great resources, Frugally Vegas. It’s geared more toward visitors, but check out this great post on Las Vegas Coupon Sources , which lists all the great Las Vegas magazines that have buffet coupons, show coupons, Lake Mead cruises, and stuff like that. I know they used to always put What’s On in all the hotel rooms.

My best find is Sudden Values.  This website has great deals for restaurants, gyms, salons, pizza, landscaping, computer training, insurance, daycare, you name it, they’ve got it.  And the websites are geared toward local areas, so they have Southwest Las Vegas Sudden Values , North Las Vegas Sudden Values and Henderson Sudden Values .  I can’t wait to start printing and using my coupons!

It’s going to be like 65 this weekend! I really feel for all my friends and family in the Midwest who are getting hit with the 40 below temps. I do not miss it.  Ok, let me clarify, I miss the fun of the snow. I miss waking up in the morning to the whole yard covered by a fresh snowfall, everything just completely beautiful and still and quiet.  I also miss skiing, sledding and ice skating on a real pond.  I do not miss shoveling, scraping, freezing and having to wear a jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, boots, you get the picture.

So, who all jumped on the “I need to lose weight in 2009 bandwagon?”  I am a regular visitor to the gym but my diet plan needed a little adjustment in order for me to reach what I feel is my ideal weight.  I have found our Wii to also be an excellent calorie burner.  Over the holidays I was trying to snag a Wii Fit for the family but I refused to pay over $100 and no one who sold it at that price had one in stock, so I decided to get  a game called Active Life Outdoor Challenge.

Active Life Outdoor Challenge has been a blast.  It comes with one of those mats like DDR and even after being at work all day, it’s no problem for me to pull it out.  It has something like 15 different games such as a mine-cart race, roller blading, jump roping, log jumping, kayaking.  And you can play alone or two-player or two-player team. This has definitely helped me solve my problem of when I get home from work I would like to do some additional exercise, but I also want to spend time with my kids.

I found a friend in the blogosphere at  Losing Weight in 2009 where she is doing the same thing, except she also has the Wii Fit.  The tennis and boxing games that come with the Wii are also a great workout. My arms were seriously sore for like two days after 5 rounds of boxing and then a bunch of tennis matches with my daughter! Finally, video games and working out all in one, I am in heaven!

Who else is a little disappointed by Governor Jim Gibbons’ State of the State budget proposal? I need someone to explain to me why when our state’s education and cultural department are so already so dismal, that this is what the Governor wants cut the most money from?A few excerpts from the RJ’s article I linked to above:

” . . . the governor’s budget also included a 6 percent cut in state worker salaries, including those of teachers . . .”

“. . . the biggest surprise, in the budget plan was the $473 million higher education cut.”

” . . . a typical state worker makes about $50,000 per year. Under the budget plan, that typical employee would lose $3,000 in pay, while paying more than $1,000 a year more for health insurance.”

“The only agency hit harder, proportionally, than the higher education system under Gibbons’ plan is the Department of Cultural Affairs, slated for a nearly 40 percent cut.”

To sum it up, a quote from Clark County Schools Superintendent Walt Rulffes, “The salary cuts, in essence, are a cut in services . . .”

Isn’t there somewhere else we can get the money from? Is it time that we start paying some state taxes?  Do we need a state lottery? Is this something Las Vegas can really afford?

With the holiday season coming up, it’s time for the annual “I am going to lose weight this year” resolution.  Although trying to reach a specific weight is a natural goal, it usually doesn’t happen as fast as you want, and discouragement quickly sets in.  For 2009, try a different approach and say “This year I am going to get in shape.”  Add an exercise program into your weekly routine, cut out extra sugar, and eat a little more fruit, veggies and whole grains.  You will be surprised how quickly small changes can make a big difference.

If you prefer walking, jogging, hiking or biking outdoors, then Las Vegas weather is usually ideal for you.  Weather is pretty non-existent here, meaning except for the occasional heat wave, windy day or half-hour downpour, you can pretty much count on a clear day to fit in your workout. Although during the summer, even at night, the temps can stay in the triple digits.

For those of you who prefer the gym, Las Vegas has plenty of options.  The are the big 3: the Las Vegas Athletic Club, 24 Hour Fitness, and Gold’s Gym.  I  have always preferred the Las Vegas Athletic Club.  They are always running some type of a special to join, $5, Ladies Free or $19 a month are the main ones.  You can go to any of their locations, take any classes and some even have a pool, sauna, steam room and women’s only areas. Plus it’s always getting ranked Best of Las Vegas by the RJ.

If you are looking for something smaller, without all the extra amenities, try Anytime Fitness, Fitness 19 or the YMCA.  All provide you with plenty of equipment, and I think the YMCA even has a few classes.  They also don’t make you sign a contract, which is a must for any of the Big 3.  And for women, there is a Curves around every corner.  Curves is awesome if you haven’t been working out regularly, and need a little extra motivation.

Personally, I am trying to get a jump on my 2009 fitness resolution.  So if there is anyone out there that wants to join me . . . let’s make 2009 the fittest year ever!