by Claire
Of course my husband’s company sent him to Vegas for company business. This was the first time we decided to add a short vacation to a business trip. Please know I am not trying to throw my shoulder out patting myself on the back on this trip–but I am excited to share how this all went on the money front.
First, we are not Vegas people. No offense to those who are but it has never been a destination that we even discuss going to visit. We do enjoy spending time together though without the kiddos and if the travel gods make it happen for very little out of pocket cost, we probably are not going to pass it up. I realize that will open me up to criticism and that is okay–time with my husband is worth it.
Now–the breakdown of things…hubby’s airline ticket was, of course, paid. My airline ticket was also paid because of the travel points I’ve built up through my work travel so airline was $0. Hotel was covered for Tuesday and Wednesday. We gave Priceline “name your price” a whirl for Saturday, Sunday and Monday and managed to get The Wynn for a total price at 70% off the regular price. While we did book and pay for that hotel stay before I started this blog, I still could have walked away from the money already spent but I didn’t. While I didn’t walk away, I DID leave on that flight the morning of March 3 knowing in many ways that I should not be flying to Vegas…that I should be cancelling the entire thing and not spending a penny more. While I did not cancel like many of you absolutely positively think I should have done…I did carry your voices with me as I spent 5 days in Las Vegas! And I do not think it was an accident that I found myself in the city that is DESIGNED to get you to spend money as I kicked off this blog and my “attack on the debt.”
I’ve only been to Vegas twice before and definitely did not have spending limits when I went! This trip I had some serious self imposed spending limits. I was completely prepared to read my book in a gorgeous hotel room or by a pool while spending quality time with my husband. Honestly–those were my only expectations. Good news is I did not exceed my usual weekly budget that I would have had at home AND thanks to a slot machine at the airport, I managed to come home with only spending $70! How did I do that? Well in addition to some good fortune, I also followed some tips that you guys have already given me on this blog. I bought all the fixings for PB&J and avoided even fast food low prices while there—I easily battled through the voice inside of me wanting a lavish meal reminding myself that I cannot afford a lavish meal. I created a spreadsheet where I input every single penny spent each day of the trip so I could take a complete look at it at the end of the day and make appropriate decisions on the next day. I did Vegas on a budget.
I never ever gamble (there’s a great story to share of me at the craps table breaking every rule they have in a matter of about 60 seconds and just for your future reference…they are very serious about those rules!!) I don’t know what possessed me to put all of $2 in that airport slot machine about 15 minutes before my flight left b/c WHO wins at the slot machines at the Vegas airport?!? But I did and hit for $137.00! I promptly took my money and RAN to my plane! 🙂 Meanwhile, hubby was doing that networking thing in the casino after work stuff and while he is definitely not a gambler either he has definitely figured out the statistics behind the craps table. I told you he did numbers well and he managed to turn $20 into near $400. The good news is we’ve used that $537 toward debt reduction and savings. No, we do not have plans to pay $100,000 in debt off with gambling but as people who do NOT gamble, it was a nice little shot in the arm to make good decisions as we won the money (not ride the wave to nothing) and then manage to get home with the money and make good decisions again. I won’t apologize for taking this trip–it was a wonderful time with my husband and we learned so much as we were cautious and thoughtful through the process. It was helpful in many ways to hold on to all of the moments of this trip and embrace them because we recognize that we won’t have these trips after this year…for a very long time–until the debt is paid off.
Now…talk amongst yourselves. 😉
