I heart discounts!

Attention!!  Attention!!  Really cool idea for when traveling found below. 

I have a wonderful tip that I'd like to share with all of you.  It is along these lines of getting a discount, but it is not one that is readily thought of.  A HUGE amount of credit goes to my sister Lori for letting me know about this spectacular idea.

Groupon and Living Social are two companies that offer deals on all kinds of things (restaurants, events, attractions, exercise classes, merchandise, etc) local to the city you live in.  The offers are usually 50% or more off and a new deal gets emailed every day.  You purchase the deal up front at the discounted rate, print out a certificate and then can use it for the full value.  There is an expiration date, but in most cases it is good for at least 6 months.  For example, a local Italian restaurant we go to the all time might be offering $30 worth of food for only $15 and you have until October 31, 2011 to use it.  Since we would go to this restaurant anyway and always spend at least $30 when we are there, it is a no-brainer and I would purchase it for our next visit.  Or, these deals give us the opportunity to try something new without feeling like we are spending a million bucks to do it. 

Now, here's the new angle that my sister came up with.  It is brilliant!!  Lori was traveling to San Francisco a few months ago and signed up for the Groupon and Living Social deals for that travel destination.  She was able to monitor the deals as they were being advertised and take advantage of some wonderful savings for when she and Ben arrived in the city.

I kept this idea in the back of my head and recently was able to put it to use.  Jeff and I are planning a trip to Las Vegas over the summer.  I know, 105 degrees is really pushing my limits of being ok in heat, but the timing of the kids going to my parents in Florida was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.  So, I signed up for Las Vegas on both the sites and have been having so much fun watching a new opportunity come in my inbox each day.  It is like I get to have a little fun planning and exploring Vegas without even leaving my house.  I've already taken advantage of two Groupon deals.  The most awesome one was a day trip to the Grand Canyon.  Jeff and I wanted to do this, and now we are doing it to the tune of 50% off.  Woo-hoo!!!

And when the trip is over, I can easily opt-out for these specific cities' emails.  It is a win-win all around.

Now I just need three other people to purchase the deal too and I get it for free.  Anyone else planning a trip to Vegas?