Blog Viewer

ASHP Midyear is a blast.

New places, food, attractions, culture, music (and this year = casinos). ASHP knows how to pick a location.

Maybe you’ve already noticed, but all those things can cost MONEY.

For many of us, Las Vegas isn’t the closest destination. In fact, from my house, Las Vegas is 2,124 miles, 34 hours by vehicle (Good luck guessing where I live). The miracle of flight is my only realistic option. Most likely, it is yours as well (unless you live in Nevada…lucky dog).

The following are a few recommendations to save CASH while you experience Midyear.

1. Book your flight and hotel TOGETHER!

This year I almost signed up for the VIP (Very Important Pharmacist) hotel section. While my view of my importance is diminishing as time moves on, my view of saving money increases. I’m not suggesting you don’t sign up for the VIP section, there are some extra benefits to this deal, including wireless internet, cardio center admission, and no resort service fees.

I found out that if I bought the cheapest room in the Luxor (including 12% hotel tax) and a flight from Tri-Cities, TN to Las Vegas 11/30 – 12/6, it would cost me over $1000.

Nah. Go for simple

BUT if you’re after saving your dough, book both the hotel and flight together on a website such as Priceline. The famous “Negotiator” saved me over $300 ($680 total). Plus I got to “Watch [him] flex [his] bargain Maximums”. Love it
Other services you could try include:
Orbitz
Expedia
Travelocity

2. Budget ahead of time

Have you ever gone shopping for a friend and come back with 3 new shirts… for you? Once, I wanted to buy my friend a book for Christmas and instead came home with 2 books for me. Ironically, one book’s main message was the importance of generosity…

The point is this: if you don’t plan on spending a certain amount, you’re more likely to spend more. Allocate monies (which I love saying) to meals each day.
USE CASH, and try to avoid your credit card. You will feel a difference in your will if you buy something for $100 with cash compared to a credit card. Handing over a hundred dollar bill makes me double think my purchase. When I use my credit card, I’m as happy as a teenager with daddy’s card to buy anything, no matter what the price.

The conference center is surrounded by restaurants. Do some research to find which ones you want to visit. Find meal pricing to plan ahead.

3. Don’t Gamble (too much)

“If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.” 
-Epictetus

Everything should be in moderation. This is true for many parts of life, career, vacation, alcohol, friends…
If you work too hard at your job for a long time, your family life suffers. If you take a 6 month vacation, you will get fired. If you drink too much alcohol, your liver goes on strike. If you hang out with your friends every night for 2 months, they start asking you to leave and never come back.

I admit there are some gambling games that I enjoy, namely Texas Hold ‘em. The exhilaration of winning is enticing for someone who believes they’re good (pokerface :|) 

Can you guess how much money I’ll use for gambling?
$0.
Now I’ve lost a lot of people. But hear me out.

My competitive personality wouldn’t stop at losing $100. I could easily spend $1000 at Vegas. Despite what advertisements tell you, what happens at Vegas WILL follow you home. Losing hard earned money is not acceptable in my family.

However, enjoy yourself! This is a once a year experience that you won’t forget.

If you do gamble, make sure you have a stopping point. Set that dollar amount soon, because when you’re in the heat of the moment after losing all your cash on hand, and you just need $20 more to continue playing, you’ll grab it. And you'll regret it later.