Chicago

I chose to have LASIK Surgery on January 12, 2008 at the LASIK Vision Institute (44 E Grand Ave) in downtown Chicago. After three months, I can say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

The Experience: I didn't know much about LASIK surgery, but a co-worker had it in January 2007 and mentioned that they had used their Flex money to pay for most of the surgery. This throw away comment planted a seed in my mind, and I began planning and budgeting for the surgery almost a year before I underwent the laser.

In November, when I had the opportunity to re-set my FLEX withholding for 2008, I started talking with co-workers and friends. The general consensus was that there were two really good options in Chicago.

The first option, for those who had the cash, was the Kraff Eye Institute. Kraff is significantly more expensive than most options, but they throw in things like a limousine to ferry you to and from the procedure, and a hotel stay for the night after.

Not being made of money, and also living less than a mile from the doctors' office, I didn't value either the limo or the hotel. In hindsight, I would have valued them more, but I'm still glad I didn't pay for them. (My motto for this situation is: Pain, Discomfort, and a mild panic are temporary, $2,000 can be used better.)

Anyhow, for those of us earning less than $100K, the LASIK Vision Institute of Chicago is a good alternative. It combines low cost without the strip-mall sketchiness of some of the other LASIK providers. Located at 44 E. Grand Avenue, the LASIK Vision Institute shares space with Eye Glass World, a quality-looking eyeglass store. It is next door to a Homewood Suites hotel, across the street from a Jimmy Johns, and about a block away from Nordstroms. (The importance of this will all be explained later.)

So where were we? Right, it's November and I'm trying to determine how much Flex money I should set aside so I can pay for the LASIK surgery with pre-tax money. (I ended up saving $600 after tax just by paying for the surgery with Flex money.) Well, I called the Lasik Vision Institute, and they explained to me the basic process.

In February, I took a trip to Cancun. It was one of the more relaxing weeks of my life. I stayed at the Solymar Resort, in a private condominium managed by Peter and Michelle Hermick. They have a website (Cancun Resort Condos) that describes their rooms.

The Condo I stayed in was pretty much as promised. It was clean, large, air-conditioned, and had a magnificent ocean view. There was a small kitchenette that included a refrigerator, a hot plate, dishes, and an electric skillet. They did not have a microwave or an oven, which limits your ability to cook much. There was also a kitchen table and a few stools to sit on.

The beds were firm, but comfortable. They had a night stand between the two double beds, and a few desks that provided nice surface area to put things. There was also a sofa-sized seat (it wasn't a sofa, but pretty much a sofa), and a comforable chair.

The balcony overlooking the ocean was probably four feet by ten feet. There were two uncomfortable plastic chairs that I neglected in favor of dragging the comfortable chair out onto the balcony when I wanted to sit out there.

The bathroom had a large fashionable shower area and the toilet in one room, with the sink just outside in the common areas. The whole condo area had tile floors, which you want because you can track in sand and water from the beach without worrying about ruining carpet.

The balcony overlooks the pool area and has a phenomenal view.

Solymar Beach Resort in Cancun Mexico - Paradise!

I felt the price was an excellent find. I paid $90 a night, and could have easily put four people in the room.

Do:
• Use Kayak.com to book your flights to Cancun. I tried every conceivable website and Kayak was the cheapest.
• Go and see an Atlante FC soccer game while in Cancun. Atlante is the local team, and the people watching and atmosphere at the games are definitely worth it.
• Bring more money than you think you'll need. Everything's more expensive in Cancun.