Money often seems to dictate your Las Vegas experience, and rightfully so, but for those of you that have become a little strapped on cash due to either an impromptu vacation or as a result of some relatively poor decisions on the casino floor (you should have never split those tens), Las Vegas has options that allow you to enjoy yourself without placing additional strain on your pocketbook. So using my knowledge of this city (and my experience of being strapped for cash), I have complied a list of things to do in this city that won't completely emaciate your bank account. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that Las Vegas is only as expensive as you choose to make it - play smart, not hard.

So this list is comprised of activities that appeal to a large array of individual interests. Are there more than 12 things to do in Las Vegas that are free? Definitely! I just chose the ones that I feel are the best ones to do when you're seeking out no-cost options in Las Vegas.

• Bellagio Fountain Show: This is an essential for anyone who makes their way though Las Vegas. The best thing about this show (besides the fact that it's one hundred percent free) is the frequency of the spectacle. You can see this world-famous display of water and light choreographed to music every 15 to 30 minutes, (depending on what time of day it is) from 3 p.m. to midnight seven days a week (depending on weather).

• Bellagio Conservatory: While you're at Bellagio, take a walk indoors to their beautiful conservatory and botanical garden. It's open 24 hours and is a great spot to relax and take advantage of the photo ops. Themes change multiple times during the year, so you can check back.

• Sirens of TI Show: Make sure you get there early to ensure you are able to view the whole show, but the Sirens of TI show is a free show located directly in front of the hotel and can be seen when driving down The Strip. The premise of the show is that it's a clash between a group of beautiful, tempting sirens and a band of renegade pirates who are lured to the Sirens' cove from their powerful song. Shows are every night at 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:30 pm, and 10:30 pm in Sirens' Cove at the front entrance of TI Hotel and Casino.

• Fremont Street: Often referred to as "Old Vegas," Fremont Street is located in the neon center of downtown Las Vegas. A breath of fresh air from the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, Fremont Street is a great way to enjoy Las Vegas for a fraction of the cost. This is also a great spot to consider prior to your night's escapades to help preserve your wallet as long as possible. Fremont Street is a five city block covered canopy of over 2 million lights and a massive 550,000 watt sound system that gives visitors the most spectacular light and sound show on the planet. Shows are 8:30, 9, 10, 11 and midnight.

• Fashion Show Mall: A nearly 2 million-square-foot retail paradise on the Las Vegas Strip, Fashion Show Mall features 250 extraordinary shops and restaurants with eight department stores. Bringing fashion to life, the mall stays true to its name and provides guests with daily house fashion shows as part of the shopping experience. Shows currently run five days a week, up to seven times a day and take place on an 80-foot retractable runway that rises up from the shopping center floor.

• Fall of Atlantis fountain show at Forum Shops: Located in Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the Fall of Atlantis fountain show will captivate you with its stunning special effects. This free fountain show uses lifelike animatronic figures to recount the myth of Atlantis and tells the story of King Atlas as he tries to determine which of his children will rule Atlantis. Show times are: Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight every hour on the hour.

• Gambling lessons: Sometimes you can actually get paid to learn. Not all the casinos do this anymore, but just ask at the front desk of where you're staying at if they offer complimentary gambling lessons. Depending on where you go, some casinos give you a few chips after the lessons to try your newly acquired gaming knowledge on the casino floor.

• Lions at MGM: To honor the lion and help safeguard its preservation for future generations, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has created a one-of-a-kind Lion Habitat as a showcase for public education and appreciation for this majestic creature of nature. The lion has been a part of the MGM heritage for many years, beginning with the legendary Leo, whose roars have welcomed generations of moviegoers to
epics of the silver screen. The lions live in custom accommodations on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles from
the MGM Grand. They are owned and cared for by noted feline expert Keith Evans, who has been training exotic animals for more than 30 years. Hours: Daily 11 am " 10 pm

• CBS Television City: Sometimes the best way to unwind is in front of a television - but doesn't that defeat the point of being on vacation? Well CBS's Television City at MGM Grand gives guests the opportunity to watch and give their feedback on upcoming television shows. This gives you the unwinding element from an afternoon of television watching, but the unique opportunity to be one of the first to view a potentially big hit before anyone you know. Free tickets can be picked up at the research center or at the entrance of the MGM Grand parking lot. The screenings run from about 45 to 90 minutes. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Walk the Las Vegas Strip: One of the best things that you can do to burn some of the calories from your vacation indulgences is get some exercise. There is no better option that provides the ambiance and energy to make the day fly by then by taking a walk down Las Vegas Blvd. People watch, take some photos and just enjoy the beautiful Las Vegas weather (unless it happens to be 115 degrees outside). Just a word of warning though, despite the fact that The Stratosphere looks pretty close while you stare at it from in from of The Mirage - trust me, it isn't.

• Picture of the Las Vegas Sign: Finally despite the fact that I've lived here for years, I still haven't done this yet. The famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign is located at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip and actually sits in the middle of (the very busy) Las Vegas Boulevard. Since it isn't really close to any convenient parking my advice is to park at one of the nearby casinos and walk there. After nightfall, the sign is illuminated and creates a completely different look for photographs - which I personally think looks better for photos.

So the next time you're in Las Vegas and it doesn't seems that Lady Luck shined her fortune upon you, or if you simply want to save up your funds for a big time evening out, this list gives you an array of things you can do to occupy your day that won't make you feel like you're on a budget. Well, that's all for this week.

Till next time!