We were expecting to lose all our money in Vegas, not the currency exchange counter.

I'm not a gambler but love free drinks so to get your money's worth I sit at the bar and play machine poker. That way my glass is filled the second it's empty and I spend about $5-$10 on about $50-$75 worth of alcohol. The waitresses are told NOT to make regular rounds while you gamble at a table so you don't get drinks as fast as you gamble away your money.

when we went to Canada, my money grew ;) you should try! i was so rich.

and so does the cost of the merchandise you purchase.

Brutal hey? Makes you think twice about what to spend your dough on when state side.