I wanna be rich (1 Viewer)

[eaganwildcats]

O, my last idea sucked, but this one is better: we should start a bank. Online only, similar to Simple. The market will be big enough to support multiple players.

 

[Otis]

O, my last idea sucked, but this one is better: we should start a bank. Online only, similar to Simple. The market will be big enough to support multiple players.

Woah. Love it. What do we need to do here?

I'd get an outfit like the guy from Monopoly.

 

[NutterButter]

If I retired early, I'd just sit at home all day, watch terrible TV and garden. I don't need to travel.

Man, you can do that with a pretty basement budget.

Might as well just go on welfare and do that

I think you overestimate welfare. Or underestimate my mortgage.

Or property taxes for that matter

 

[Politician Spock]

O, my last idea sucked, but this one is better: we should start a bank. Online only, similar to Simple. The market will be big enough to support multiple players.

Woah. Love it. What do we need to do here?

I'd get an outfit like the guy from Monopoly.

See post #135 in this thread.

 

[eaganwildcats]

O, my last idea sucked, but this one is better: we should start a bank. Online only, similar to Simple. The market will be big enough to support multiple players.

Woah. Love it. What do we need to do here?

I'd get an outfit like the guy from Monopoly.

See post #135 in this thread.

Exactly.

 

[eaganwildcats]

O, my last idea sucked, but this one is better: we should start a bank. Online only, similar to Simple. The market will be big enough to support multiple players.

Woah. Love it. What do we need to do here?

I'd get an outfit like the guy from Monopoly.

See post #135 in this thread.

Exactly.

My link

As an aside, I do work for a company that develops and sells bank software. I have been working toward pitching spinning off an actual bank. If they don't go for it we can just do it ourselves.

 

[Zegras11]

I hear ya. I got out of court yesterday and was proud of myself for making a grown man cry as I obliterated him on cross. And after being all super cool awesome lawyer guy and patting myself on the back I felt like crap. This is what I do for a living?

I want 2 million. Pay off all debt and put money away for kids college with the first million. Buy anywhere from 5 to 7 properties with the other million and live off the rent paid by tenants. Supplement with a very small law practice focusing on one thing and work no more than 20 hours a week.

I'd sign for that now. No debt, kids taken care of and about 10 grand coming in a month. Sold. I'd buy that for a dollar.

Just finished my tax work for 2013 two weeks ago. $142k. Should hit $2mil in equity in 5 years and then I'm going to travel for a year.

 

[Zegras11]

Wife and I have talked at length about investing in a McDonald's franchise. A friend of ours owns a couple and his dad owns something like 10. But I am concerned about the direction of fast food in this country - may end up a bad long term investment.

Yeah, I would be wary. Fast food is the next tobacco. Lawyers, doctors and the government are not your friends here. Probably not the most socially-conscious investment either.

Good points all.

Buy rentals in Texas

 

[Christo]

No ####? You want to be rich? Well, it's good to have goals.

 

[Zegras11]

Serious response: get an investment group together, find a couple partners and get in real estate. As an atty that already reduces a lot of your costs. Put together a "fund" of qualified investors and partner with a good local builder with good ties. Start small and go from there.

Fwiw, can't wait to do this on my own at the right time either regionally or if biz keeps going the right way on a more national scope.

My best man's dad was an attorney that put together numerous RE deals. :boatloads: He never put a dime in. Just did all the paperwork.

 

[Gopher State]

Buy farm land in southern MN it rents for 350 an acre in Iowa about 550, my in-laws have purchased 1000's of acres in IA and life is good for them

 

[Zegras11]

Buy farm land in southern MN it rents for 350 an acre in Iowa about 550, my in-laws have purchased 1000's of acres in IA and life is good for them

Probable the same here in Idaho. Farm towns 20 miles from Boise and so many of these ranches have very nice, new, large homes on them.

 

[bigbottom]

Wife and I have talked at length about investing in a McDonald's franchise. A friend of ours owns a couple and his dad owns something like 10. But I am concerned about the direction of fast food in this country - may end up a bad long term investment.

Yeah, I would be wary. Fast food is the next tobacco. Lawyers, doctors and the government are not your friends here. Probably not the most socially-conscious investment either.

Good points all.

Buy rentals in Texas

Yeah, this may end up being the way to go. Tenants can be a pain in the ### though.

 

[Frostillicus]

Maybe you could save some money by skipping lunch?

Already on it. I have a jug of protein powder under my desk. Mix with work-provided milk. Profit.

Your work provides milk?

 

[Mark Davis]

I had the rich or levels of assets conversation with a buddy of mine about 15 years ago when we both started with the same company. $1MM is a big milestone for sure but you are far from set. $3MM and you can get by the rest of your life on what it makes if you're solid with how you invest it and live within the means of it. Once you get to $5MM it's a little bit different and obviously can indulge a bit. Once you are $10MM and up I'd say you can park the bus and do what you want. Granted it all depends on where you live and the lifestyle you are accustomed to or want to live. I also view these numbers through an after tax prism. It's the old CPA in me, but I have a tax rate input on my asset sheet that deducts tax liability for asset sales or cashing in of retirement accounts to give me a true after tax net.

interestingly enough this is pretty much the way I see it... 3MM and i think you can get by in a low cost area like the midwest and live a very adequate albeit not fancy life

5MM and you can retire and enjoy some swanky stuff

10MM and unless you live on the coast and couldn't see yourself driving anything other than an italian luxury car you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want, when you want.

Unfortunately as inflation hits someday I expect 5MM to be the new 3MM so that's my goal.

I've accomplished a lot of the financial goals I set out for myself but at this point if I packed it in, I honestly don't know what I'd do. I run my own business and work a lot of hours, but love doing so. I'll be 40 next month. I figure the day I no longer love it and all the work with it, I'll sell it. As for now I take the time I need to spend with my daughters but there may be a day I need more and that will tell me it's time to pull back and maybe sell and pack it in.

 

[bigbottom]

Seeing the country in a small RV sounds pretty cool actually. I'd wait till my kids were out of the house. But I'd like to do that. Haven't seen much of the country.

Do it with the kids. They'd probably like to see the country too, and you'd be creating some pretty awesome memories.

 

[Zegras11]

Seeing the country in a small RV sounds pretty cool actually. I'd wait till my kids were out of the house. But I'd like to do that. Haven't seen much of the country.

Do it with the kids. They'd probably like to see the country too, and you'd be creating some pretty awesome memories.

Right before 9/11..... seven weeks, 15 ball parks, Carlsbad Caverns, Johnson Space Center, New Orleans, Poconos, Cooperstown, Niagara Falls, week in Chicago, St. Louis Arch, Estes Park... Best trip ever.

 

[datonn]

I had the rich or levels of assets conversation with a buddy of mine about 15 years ago when we both started with the same company. $1MM is a big milestone for sure but you are far from set. $3MM and you can get by the rest of your life on what it makes if you're solid with how you invest it and live within the means of it. Once you get to $5MM it's a little bit different and obviously can indulge a bit. Once you are $10MM and up I'd say you can park the bus and do what you want. Granted it all depends on where you live and the lifestyle you are accustomed to or want to live. I also view these numbers through an after tax prism. It's the old CPA in me, but I have a tax rate input on my asset sheet that deducts tax liability for asset sales or cashing in of retirement accounts to give me a true after tax net.

interestingly enough this is pretty much the way I see it... 3MM and i think you can get by in a low cost area like the midwest and live a very adequate albeit not fancy life

5MM and you can retire and enjoy some swanky stuff

10MM and unless you live on the coast and couldn't see yourself driving anything other than an italian luxury car you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want, when you want.

Unfortunately as inflation hits someday I expect 5MM to be the new 3MM so that's my goal.

I've accomplished a lot of the financial goals I set out for myself but at this point if I packed it in, I honestly don't know what I'd do. I run my own business and work a lot of hours, but love doing so. I'll be 40 next month. I figure the day I no longer love it and all the work with it, I'll sell it. As for now I take the time I need to spend with my daughters but there may be a day I need more and that will tell me it's time to pull back and maybe sell and pack it in.

I started my own business 14 years ago, and as part of the deal (my wife and I were having our first child at the time), we relocated from Saint Paul to a small town in SW Minnesota. Sold our 1,400 sq. ft. home for a 3,400 sq. ft. home that we were able to pay cash for (no mortgage). A home that would have cost us about ten-times what we paid for it in our small town, had it been in our old neighborhood. So we could raise our kids...instead of a daycare.

Folks from the city we knew asked us how we could do it. Move from a great house, in a great neighborhood, in a great city...to the "middle of nowhere." But what most folks don't realize is that it's not where you live...as much as who you live with, and what you have time to do. Cost of living here is a fraction (a small fraction) of what it costs to live in Saint Paul...which is a fraction of what it costs to live out on the coasts or in cities such as NYC, DC, or San Francisco. And I get to travel now, almost as much as I want. Travel the country (meandering in a car...rather than rushing around from airport to airport). Travel to Europe, the Middle East, SE Asia. I've seen and experienced so much the past 14 years...and I could have never afforded to do that had I not been willing to live deep into the rural areas of "fly-over country."

But you know the best part of it all? I get at least 2-3+ hours of quality, fun time with my daughters...every day. Time at the park, time at the pool. I work my ### off running my company! But I get to be the Dad that my Dad never was for me. While my wife gets to be a full-time Mom...while pitching in with our business on a part-time basis. Our quality of life almost makes me feel guilty...and if we net even $100K/year after all our taxes are paid? It was a good year.

All four of us love to travel, so what we're morphing our lives into is criss-crossing the planet via housesitting gigs. Seeing the world. Our business can be run from literally anywhere with electricity and internet access. So we'll be headquartered in Philadelphia for 3-4 weeks, then hop over to France for 2-3 months (<90 days, so we don't have Visa issues). Then out to California for the holidays, with a Spring stay in Australia or New Zealand, back over to Spain in the Summer. Again, on less than $100K/year. It's not how much you have! It's how far you can stretch what you've got...as well as how much choice you have to change things up from time to time. Carrying a five-figure car lease/loan, a 6-7 figure mortgage, filling your rooms and closets with five-figures of stuff you really don't need? It's a recipe for unhappiness. A lack of fulfillment. You can live in the best house, in the best neighborhood, in the best city/state, with all the best toys...but if you're going to be a slave to your debts for the next 30+ years of your life...what's the point? It's a big, beautiful world out there. And if more people in our situation would choose rural, choose "fly-over country," I can all but promise that their quality of life would skyrocket.

 

[Frostillicus]

I had the rich or levels of assets conversation with a buddy of mine about 15 years ago when we both started with the same company. $1MM is a big milestone for sure but you are far from set. $3MM and you can get by the rest of your life on what it makes if you're solid with how you invest it and live within the means of it. Once you get to $5MM it's a little bit different and obviously can indulge a bit. Once you are $10MM and up I'd say you can park the bus and do what you want. Granted it all depends on where you live and the lifestyle you are accustomed to or want to live. I also view these numbers through an after tax prism. It's the old CPA in me, but I have a tax rate input on my asset sheet that deducts tax liability for asset sales or cashing in of retirement accounts to give me a true after tax net.

interestingly enough this is pretty much the way I see it... 3MM and i think you can get by in a low cost area like the midwest and live a very adequate albeit not fancy life

5MM and you can retire and enjoy some swanky stuff

10MM and unless you live on the coast and couldn't see yourself driving anything other than an italian luxury car you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want, when you want.

Unfortunately as inflation hits someday I expect 5MM to be the new 3MM so that's my goal.

I've accomplished a lot of the financial goals I set out for myself but at this point if I packed it in, I honestly don't know what I'd do. I run my own business and work a lot of hours, but love doing so. I'll be 40 next month. I figure the day I no longer love it and all the work with it, I'll sell it. As for now I take the time I need to spend with my daughters but there may be a day I need more and that will tell me it's time to pull back and maybe sell and pack it in.

I started my own business 14 years ago, and as part of the deal (my wife and I were having our first child at the time), we relocated from Saint Paul to a small town in SW Minnesota. Sold our 1,400 sq. ft. home for a 3,400 sq. ft. home that we were able to pay cash for (no mortgage). A home that would have cost us about ten-times what we paid for it in our small town, had it been in our old neighborhood. So we could raise our kids...instead of a daycare.

Folks from the city we knew asked us how we could do it. Move from a great house, in a great neighborhood, in a great city...to the "middle of nowhere." But what most folks don't realize is that it's not where you live...as much as who you live with, and what you have time to do. Cost of living here is a fraction (a small fraction) of what it costs to live in Saint Paul...which is a fraction of what it costs to live out on the coasts or in cities such as NYC, DC, or San Francisco. And I get to travel now, almost as much as I want. Travel the country (meandering in a car...rather than rushing around from airport to airport). Travel to Europe, the Middle East, SE Asia. I've seen and experienced so much the past 14 years...and I could have never afforded to do that had I not been willing to live deep into the rural areas of "fly-over country."

But you know the best part of it all? I get at least 2-3+ hours of quality, fun time with my daughters...every day. Time at the park, time at the pool. I work my ### off running my company! But I get to be the Dad that my Dad never was for me. While my wife gets to be a full-time Mom...while pitching in with our business on a part-time basis. Our quality of life almost makes me feel guilty...and if we net even $100K/year after all our taxes are paid? It was a good year.

All four of us love to travel, so what we're morphing our lives into is criss-crossing the planet via housesitting gigs. Seeing the world. Our business can be run from literally anywhere with electricity and internet access. So we'll be headquartered in Philadelphia for 3-4 weeks, then hop over to France for 2-3 months (<90 days, so we don't have Visa issues). Then out to California for the holidays, with a Spring stay in Australia or New Zealand, back over to Spain in the Summer. Again, on less than $100K/year. It's not how much you have! It's how far you can stretch what you've got...as well as how much choice you have to change things up from time to time. Carrying a five-figure car lease/loan, a 6-7 figure mortgage, filling your rooms and closets with five-figures of stuff you really don't need? It's a recipe for unhappiness. A lack of fulfillment. You can live in the best house, in the best neighborhood, in the best city/state, with all the best toys...but if you're going to be a slave to your debts for the next 30+ years of your life...what's the point? It's a big, beautiful world out there. And if more people in our situation would choose rural, choose "fly-over country," I can all but promise that their quality of life would skyrocket.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you've had post after post here talking about how your marriage is miserable. I hope this means things have gotten better. If so, congratulations.

 

[datonn]

I had the rich or levels of assets conversation with a buddy of mine about 15 years ago when we both started with the same company. $1MM is a big milestone for sure but you are far from set. $3MM and you can get by the rest of your life on what it makes if you're solid with how you invest it and live within the means of it. Once you get to $5MM it's a little bit different and obviously can indulge a bit. Once you are $10MM and up I'd say you can park the bus and do what you want. Granted it all depends on where you live and the lifestyle you are accustomed to or want to live. I also view these numbers through an after tax prism. It's the old CPA in me, but I have a tax rate input on my asset sheet that deducts tax liability for asset sales or cashing in of retirement accounts to give me a true after tax net.

interestingly enough this is pretty much the way I see it... 3MM and i think you can get by in a low cost area like the midwest and live a very adequate albeit not fancy life

5MM and you can retire and enjoy some swanky stuff

10MM and unless you live on the coast and couldn't see yourself driving anything other than an italian luxury car you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want, when you want.

Unfortunately as inflation hits someday I expect 5MM to be the new 3MM so that's my goal.

I've accomplished a lot of the financial goals I set out for myself but at this point if I packed it in, I honestly don't know what I'd do. I run my own business and work a lot of hours, but love doing so. I'll be 40 next month. I figure the day I no longer love it and all the work with it, I'll sell it. As for now I take the time I need to spend with my daughters but there may be a day I need more and that will tell me it's time to pull back and maybe sell and pack it in.

I started my own business 14 years ago, and as part of the deal (my wife and I were having our first child at the time), we relocated from Saint Paul to a small town in SW Minnesota. Sold our 1,400 sq. ft. home for a 3,400 sq. ft. home that we were able to pay cash for (no mortgage). A home that would have cost us about ten-times what we paid for it in our small town, had it been in our old neighborhood. So we could raise our kids...instead of a daycare.

Folks from the city we knew asked us how we could do it. Move from a great house, in a great neighborhood, in a great city...to the "middle of nowhere." But what most folks don't realize is that it's not where you live...as much as who you live with, and what you have time to do. Cost of living here is a fraction (a small fraction) of what it costs to live in Saint Paul...which is a fraction of what it costs to live out on the coasts or in cities such as NYC, DC, or San Francisco. And I get to travel now, almost as much as I want. Travel the country (meandering in a car...rather than rushing around from airport to airport). Travel to Europe, the Middle East, SE Asia. I've seen and experienced so much the past 14 years...and I could have never afforded to do that had I not been willing to live deep into the rural areas of "fly-over country."

But you know the best part of it all? I get at least 2-3+ hours of quality, fun time with my daughters...every day. Time at the park, time at the pool. I work my ### off running my company! But I get to be the Dad that my Dad never was for me. While my wife gets to be a full-time Mom...while pitching in with our business on a part-time basis. Our quality of life almost makes me feel guilty...and if we net even $100K/year after all our taxes are paid? It was a good year.

All four of us love to travel, so what we're morphing our lives into is criss-crossing the planet via housesitting gigs. Seeing the world. Our business can be run from literally anywhere with electricity and internet access. So we'll be headquartered in Philadelphia for 3-4 weeks, then hop over to France for 2-3 months (<90 days, so we don't have Visa issues). Then out to California for the holidays, with a Spring stay in Australia or New Zealand, back over to Spain in the Summer. Again, on less than $100K/year. It's not how much you have! It's how far you can stretch what you've got...as well as how much choice you have to change things up from time to time. Carrying a five-figure car lease/loan, a 6-7 figure mortgage, filling your rooms and closets with five-figures of stuff you really don't need? It's a recipe for unhappiness. A lack of fulfillment. You can live in the best house, in the best neighborhood, in the best city/state, with all the best toys...but if you're going to be a slave to your debts for the next 30+ years of your life...what's the point? It's a big, beautiful world out there. And if more people in our situation would choose rural, choose "fly-over country," I can all but promise that their quality of life would skyrocket.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you've had post after post here talking about how your marriage is miserable. I hope this means things have gotten better. If so, congratulations.

No...it's a very fair point! I'd ask the same question, if the situations were reversed.

Marriage has been great for quite a while now. We really turned a corner after I finally "let it all out," cleaned the skeletons out of my closet and told her what I was really struggling with. What I was really disappointed/frustrated with. And while it's not all ducks and bunnies, it's ten-times better than it used to be. We're finally on the same page with things. And she's really stepped up her game to help in areas where I needed her help.

Still far from "perfect!" But I've been very happy for a long time now. WE'VE been happy. And me being able to figure out a way for us to travel the world without having the last name Rockefeller? Let's just say I got nominated for Dad/Husband of the Year around the family...which had made things that much better.

 

[Frostillicus]

I had the rich or levels of assets conversation with a buddy of mine about 15 years ago when we both started with the same company. $1MM is a big milestone for sure but you are far from set. $3MM and you can get by the rest of your life on what it makes if you're solid with how you invest it and live within the means of it. Once you get to $5MM it's a little bit different and obviously can indulge a bit. Once you are $10MM and up I'd say you can park the bus and do what you want. Granted it all depends on where you live and the lifestyle you are accustomed to or want to live. I also view these numbers through an after tax prism. It's the old CPA in me, but I have a tax rate input on my asset sheet that deducts tax liability for asset sales or cashing in of retirement accounts to give me a true after tax net.

interestingly enough this is pretty much the way I see it... 3MM and i think you can get by in a low cost area like the midwest and live a very adequate albeit not fancy life

5MM and you can retire and enjoy some swanky stuff

10MM and unless you live on the coast and couldn't see yourself driving anything other than an italian luxury car you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want, when you want.

Unfortunately as inflation hits someday I expect 5MM to be the new 3MM so that's my goal.

I've accomplished a lot of the financial goals I set out for myself but at this point if I packed it in, I honestly don't know what I'd do. I run my own business and work a lot of hours, but love doing so. I'll be 40 next month. I figure the day I no longer love it and all the work with it, I'll sell it. As for now I take the time I need to spend with my daughters but there may be a day I need more and that will tell me it's time to pull back and maybe sell and pack it in.

I started my own business 14 years ago, and as part of the deal (my wife and I were having our first child at the time), we relocated from Saint Paul to a small town in SW Minnesota. Sold our 1,400 sq. ft. home for a 3,400 sq. ft. home that we were able to pay cash for (no mortgage). A home that would have cost us about ten-times what we paid for it in our small town, had it been in our old neighborhood. So we could raise our kids...instead of a daycare.

Folks from the city we knew asked us how we could do it. Move from a great house, in a great neighborhood, in a great city...to the "middle of nowhere." But what most folks don't realize is that it's not where you live...as much as who you live with, and what you have time to do. Cost of living here is a fraction (a small fraction) of what it costs to live in Saint Paul...which is a fraction of what it costs to live out on the coasts or in cities such as NYC, DC, or San Francisco. And I get to travel now, almost as much as I want. Travel the country (meandering in a car...rather than rushing around from airport to airport). Travel to Europe, the Middle East, SE Asia. I've seen and experienced so much the past 14 years...and I could have never afforded to do that had I not been willing to live deep into the rural areas of "fly-over country."

But you know the best part of it all? I get at least 2-3+ hours of quality, fun time with my daughters...every day. Time at the park, time at the pool. I work my ### off running my company! But I get to be the Dad that my Dad never was for me. While my wife gets to be a full-time Mom...while pitching in with our business on a part-time basis. Our quality of life almost makes me feel guilty...and if we net even $100K/year after all our taxes are paid? It was a good year.

All four of us love to travel, so what we're morphing our lives into is criss-crossing the planet via housesitting gigs. Seeing the world. Our business can be run from literally anywhere with electricity and internet access. So we'll be headquartered in Philadelphia for 3-4 weeks, then hop over to France for 2-3 months (<90 days, so we don't have Visa issues). Then out to California for the holidays, with a Spring stay in Australia or New Zealand, back over to Spain in the Summer. Again, on less than $100K/year. It's not how much you have! It's how far you can stretch what you've got...as well as how much choice you have to change things up from time to time. Carrying a five-figure car lease/loan, a 6-7 figure mortgage, filling your rooms and closets with five-figures of stuff you really don't need? It's a recipe for unhappiness. A lack of fulfillment. You can live in the best house, in the best neighborhood, in the best city/state, with all the best toys...but if you're going to be a slave to your debts for the next 30+ years of your life...what's the point? It's a big, beautiful world out there. And if more people in our situation would choose rural, choose "fly-over country," I can all but promise that their quality of life would skyrocket.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you've had post after post here talking about how your marriage is miserable. I hope this means things have gotten better. If so, congratulations.

No...it's a very fair point! I'd ask the same question, if the situations were reversed.

Marriage has been great for quite a while now. We really turned a corner after I finally "let it all out," cleaned the skeletons out of my closet and told her what I was really struggling with. What I was really disappointed/frustrated with. And while it's not all ducks and bunnies, it's ten-times better than it used to be. We're finally on the same page with things. And she's really stepped up her game to help in areas where I needed her help.

Still far from "perfect!" But I've been very happy for a long time now. WE'VE been happy. And me being able to figure out a way for us to travel the world without having the last name Rockefeller? Let's just say I got nominated for Dad/Husband of the Year around the family...which had made things that much better.

That's fantastic. Congrats.

 

[James Daulton]

I had the rich or levels of assets conversation with a buddy of mine about 15 years ago when we both started with the same company. $1MM is a big milestone for sure but you are far from set. $3MM and you can get by the rest of your life on what it makes if you're solid with how you invest it and live within the means of it. Once you get to $5MM it's a little bit different and obviously can indulge a bit. Once you are $10MM and up I'd say you can park the bus and do what you want. Granted it all depends on where you live and the lifestyle you are accustomed to or want to live. I also view these numbers through an after tax prism. It's the old CPA in me, but I have a tax rate input on my asset sheet that deducts tax liability for asset sales or cashing in of retirement accounts to give me a true after tax net.

interestingly enough this is pretty much the way I see it... 3MM and i think you can get by in a low cost area like the midwest and live a very adequate albeit not fancy life

5MM and you can retire and enjoy some swanky stuff

10MM and unless you live on the coast and couldn't see yourself driving anything other than an italian luxury car you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want, when you want.

Unfortunately as inflation hits someday I expect 5MM to be the new 3MM so that's my goal.

I've accomplished a lot of the financial goals I set out for myself but at this point if I packed it in, I honestly don't know what I'd do. I run my own business and work a lot of hours, but love doing so. I'll be 40 next month. I figure the day I no longer love it and all the work with it, I'll sell it. As for now I take the time I need to spend with my daughters but there may be a day I need more and that will tell me it's time to pull back and maybe sell and pack it in.

I started my own business 14 years ago, and as part of the deal (my wife and I were having our first child at the time), we relocated from Saint Paul to a small town in SW Minnesota. Sold our 1,400 sq. ft. home for a 3,400 sq. ft. home that we were able to pay cash for (no mortgage). A home that would have cost us about ten-times what we paid for it in our small town, had it been in our old neighborhood. So we could raise our kids...instead of a daycare.

Folks from the city we knew asked us how we could do it. Move from a great house, in a great neighborhood, in a great city...to the "middle of nowhere." But what most folks don't realize is that it's not where you live...as much as who you live with, and what you have time to do. Cost of living here is a fraction (a small fraction) of what it costs to live in Saint Paul...which is a fraction of what it costs to live out on the coasts or in cities such as NYC, DC, or San Francisco. And I get to travel now, almost as much as I want. Travel the country (meandering in a car...rather than rushing around from airport to airport). Travel to Europe, the Middle East, SE Asia. I've seen and experienced so much the past 14 years...and I could have never afforded to do that had I not been willing to live deep into the rural areas of "fly-over country."

But you know the best part of it all? I get at least 2-3+ hours of quality, fun time with my daughters...every day. Time at the park, time at the pool. I work my ### off running my company! But I get to be the Dad that my Dad never was for me. While my wife gets to be a full-time Mom...while pitching in with our business on a part-time basis. Our quality of life almost makes me feel guilty...and if we net even $100K/year after all our taxes are paid? It was a good year.

All four of us love to travel, so what we're morphing our lives into is criss-crossing the planet via housesitting gigs. Seeing the world. Our business can be run from literally anywhere with electricity and internet access. So we'll be headquartered in Philadelphia for 3-4 weeks, then hop over to France for 2-3 months (<90 days, so we don't have Visa issues). Then out to California for the holidays, with a Spring stay in Australia or New Zealand, back over to Spain in the Summer. Again, on less than $100K/year. It's not how much you have! It's how far you can stretch what you've got...as well as how much choice you have to change things up from time to time. Carrying a five-figure car lease/loan, a 6-7 figure mortgage, filling your rooms and closets with five-figures of stuff you really don't need? It's a recipe for unhappiness. A lack of fulfillment. You can live in the best house, in the best neighborhood, in the best city/state, with all the best toys...but if you're going to be a slave to your debts for the next 30+ years of your life...what's the point? It's a big, beautiful world out there. And if more people in our situation would choose rural, choose "fly-over country," I can all but promise that their quality of life would skyrocket.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you've had post after post here talking about how your marriage is miserable. I hope this means things have gotten better. If so, congratulations.

No...it's a very fair point! I'd ask the same question, if the situations were reversed.

Marriage has been great for quite a while now. We really turned a corner after I finally "let it all out," cleaned the skeletons out of my closet and told her what I was really struggling with. What I was really disappointed/frustrated with. And while it's not all ducks and bunnies, it's ten-times better than it used to be. We're finally on the same page with things. And she's really stepped up her game to help in areas where I needed her help.

Still far from "perfect!" But I've been very happy for a long time now. WE'VE been happy. And me being able to figure out a way for us to travel the world without having the last name Rockefeller? Let's just say I got nominated for Dad/Husband of the Year around the family...which had made things that much better.

So I'm assuming that you've cut back on the frisbee?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

I wanna prehensile tail.

 

[Henry Ford]

I wanna prehensile tail.

Way better wish.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Maybe you could save some money by skipping lunch?

Already on it. I have a jug of protein powder under my desk. Mix with work-provided milk. Profit.

Your work provides milk?

You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

 

[eoMMan]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

There are three significant expenses that almost everyone can lower and improve their financial situation. Interestingly, all three of these expenses are necessities for most people....

1. Housing. People spend way too much for housing. Just because you are approved for X amount of money doesn't mean you should buy that amount of housing (or spend the equivalent in rent). I like the rule about keeping your housing to no more than 25% of your take home pay.

2. Cars. This is another necessity for most people (need to get to work) but most people overdo it. Whether it's a lease or car payment, you really don't need to drop a ton of dough on a car. I use to work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how many twenty something year old accountants were driving bmws, acuras, etc. What's funny is that a bunch of them either lived at home or rented (not by choice). Look at going down in your vehicle cost.

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

 

[Koya]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

There are three significant expenses that almost everyone can lower and improve their financial situation. Interestingly, all three of these expenses are necessities for most people....

1. Housing. People spend way too much for housing. Just because you are approved for X amount of money doesn't mean you should buy that amount of housing (or spend the equivalent in rent). I like the rule about keeping your housing to no more than 25% of your take home pay.

2. Cars. This is another necessity for most people (need to get to work) but most people overdo it. Whether it's a lease or car payment, you really don't need to drop a ton of dough on a car. I use to work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how many twenty something year old accountants were driving bmws, acuras, etc. What's funny is that a bunch of them either lived at home or rented (not by choice). Look at going down in your vehicle cost.

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

I still prefer the live life to the fullest and go all in on a way that will either result in huge upside, or allow you to transition at a later point in life (45 or 50) to a high paying more steady position that even in those years will get you set for retirement.

Oh, and marry a younger gal so she can take care of you in old age when you can't (err, don't want to) work any more.

 

[Aerial Assault]

I have a friend who recently won a scratch game for $5M in a GA lottery game. Recently retired from civil service and was having trouble with the VA over disability and went home and his wife showed him the ticket. Problem solved. You could play and if you hit that prize 3 times you have your $15M.

This is actually kind of amazing. One of my college classmates won the Georgia state lottery about a year or three after graduation. Maybe I should move to Georgia? THEY PAY OUT OVER THERE

 

[Dentist]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

There are three significant expenses that almost everyone can lower and improve their financial situation. Interestingly, all three of these expenses are necessities for most people....

1. Housing. People spend way too much for housing. Just because you are approved for X amount of money doesn't mean you should buy that amount of housing (or spend the equivalent in rent). I like the rule about keeping your housing to no more than 25% of your take home pay.

2. Cars. This is another necessity for most people (need to get to work) but most people overdo it. Whether it's a lease or car payment, you really don't need to drop a ton of dough on a car. I use to work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how many twenty something year old accountants were driving bmws, acuras, etc. What's funny is that a bunch of them either lived at home or rented (not by choice). Look at going down in your vehicle cost.

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

1) Agree - if you read Millionaire next door the #1 predictor of lack of net worth was living in nice neighborhood because while some people could truly afford a nice lifestyle AND accumulate net worth... Far more people would not only spend the money for the home, but then have to furnish said home properly.. and then feel somewhat pressured. to keep up with richer and richer Jones's

2) Agree

3) Agree with not eating out.. Otherwise I think this is a small ball area to cut budget... If anything I'm looking to spend more money on higher quality fresh nutritious foods that are in season. And the closer grocery store may be somewhat more expensive, but I offset that with the amount of time it takes me to get in and out of there due to familiarity. If you place any value on your time, getting most everything in one place (or 2 places if you also use a Costco or something) far outweighs the time and effort spent trying to save that extra 20 cents per roll on TP

 

[Brony]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

Good info. One silver lining of having kids is that going out to eat became more trouble than it was worth. As a result, we've gotten better at cooking at home and now going out to eat has less of an appeal even as our kids have gotten older. I'm not a huge fan of the coupon thing - it's a good idea to be knowledgable about relative food prices and you can save some $ by smart shopping, but it's also easy to lose sense of what your time is worth. My FIL used to drive 10 extra miles just to save a nickel on a gallon of gas.

 

[Politician Spock]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

There are three significant expenses that almost everyone can lower and improve their financial situation. Interestingly, all three of these expenses are necessities for most people....

1. Housing. People spend way too much for housing. Just because you are approved for X amount of money doesn't mean you should buy that amount of housing (or spend the equivalent in rent). I like the rule about keeping your housing to no more than 25% of your take home pay.

2. Cars. This is another necessity for most people (need to get to work) but most people overdo it. Whether it's a lease or car payment, you really don't need to drop a ton of dough on a car. I use to work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how many twenty something year old accountants were driving bmws, acuras, etc. What's funny is that a bunch of them either lived at home or rented (not by choice). Look at going down in your vehicle cost.

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

1) Agree - if you read Millionaire next door the #1 predictor of lack of net worth was living in nice neighborhood because while some people could truly afford a nice lifestyle AND accumulate net worth... Far more people would not only spend the money for the home, but then have to furnish said home properly.. and then feel somewhat pressured. to keep up with richer and richer Jones's

2) Agree

3) Agree with not eating out.. Otherwise I think this is a small ball area to cut budget... If anything I'm looking to spend more money on higher quality fresh nutritious foods that are in season. And the closer grocery store may be somewhat more expensive, but I offset that with the amount of time it takes me to get in and out of there due to familiarity. If you place any value on your time, getting most everything in one place (or 2 places if you also use a Costco or something) far outweighs the time and effort spent trying to save that extra 20 cents per roll on TP

I agree with 1 and 2 as well. They are just decisions that have a huge return when one is willing to make the right decision and settle for less.

3 can require a lot more time. Time is money. Just because eating out is more expensive dollar wise doesn't mean it's more expensive overall. The time it takes to avoid eating out, as well as the time it takes to reduce costs of groceries could be a wash, or be more expensive, depending on how much one values their time. People would probably save more money AND GAIN TIME by dumping cable/satellite TV and just watching what is free over the air, subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, and just buy the season of the cable channel show they can't live without from iTunes or Amazon. People can save as much as a $1000 per year doing this, and they'll spend less time watching shows they really don't care about, and never surf through 100+ channels to conclude "there is nothing on".

 

[NCCommish]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

There are three significant expenses that almost everyone can lower and improve their financial situation. Interestingly, all three of these expenses are necessities for most people....

1. Housing. People spend way too much for housing. Just because you are approved for X amount of money doesn't mean you should buy that amount of housing (or spend the equivalent in rent). I like the rule about keeping your housing to no more than 25% of your take home pay.

2. Cars. This is another necessity for most people (need to get to work) but most people overdo it. Whether it's a lease or car payment, you really don't need to drop a ton of dough on a car. I use to work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how many twenty something year old accountants were driving bmws, acuras, etc. What's funny is that a bunch of them either lived at home or rented (not by choice). Look at going down in your vehicle cost.

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

1) Agree - if you read Millionaire next door the #1 predictor of lack of net worth was living in nice neighborhood because while some people could truly afford a nice lifestyle AND accumulate net worth... Far more people would not only spend the money for the home, but then have to furnish said home properly.. and then feel somewhat pressured. to keep up with richer and richer Jones's

2) Agree

3) Agree with not eating out.. Otherwise I think this is a small ball area to cut budget... If anything I'm looking to spend more money on higher quality fresh nutritious foods that are in season. And the closer grocery store may be somewhat more expensive, but I offset that with the amount of time it takes me to get in and out of there due to familiarity. If you place any value on your time, getting most everything in one place (or 2 places if you also use a Costco or something) far outweighs the time and effort spent trying to save that extra 20 cents per roll on TP

I agree with 1 and 2 as well. They are just decisions that have a huge return when one is willing to make the right decision and settle for less.

3 can require a lot more time. Time is money. Just because eating out is more expensive dollar wise doesn't mean it's more expensive overall. The time it takes to avoid eating out, as well as the time it takes to reduce costs of groceries could be a wash, or be more expensive, depending on how much one values their time. People would probably save more money AND GAIN TIME by dumping cable/satellite TV and just watching what is free over the air, subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, and just buy the season of the cable channel show they can't live without from iTunes or Amazon. People can save as much as a $1000 per year doing this, and they'll spend less time watching shows they really don't care about, and never surf through 100+ channels to conclude "there is nothing on".

This one I do.

 

[Brony]

3 can require a lot more time. Time is money. Just because eating out is more expensive dollar wise doesn't mean it's more expensive overall. The time it takes to avoid eating out, as well as the time it takes to reduce costs of groceries could be a wash, or be more expensive, depending on how much one values their time. People would probably save more money AND GAIN TIME by dumping cable/satellite TV and just watching what is free over the air, subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, and just buy the season of the cable channel show they can't live without from iTunes or Amazon. People can save as much as a $1000 per year doing this, and they'll spend less time watching shows they really don't care about, and never surf through 100+ channels to conclude "there is nothing on".

I've thought about ditching cable, but I busted my ### in college and most years of my career to earn a good living. Having DTV w/Sunday Ticket and not sweating the cost of it is one of those luxuries that I don't second guess even though I'm aware there are cheaper alternatives.

 

[TheIronSheik]

3 can require a lot more time. Time is money. Just because eating out is more expensive dollar wise doesn't mean it's more expensive overall. The time it takes to avoid eating out, as well as the time it takes to reduce costs of groceries could be a wash, or be more expensive, depending on how much one values their time. People would probably save more money AND GAIN TIME by dumping cable/satellite TV and just watching what is free over the air, subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, and just buy the season of the cable channel show they can't live without from iTunes or Amazon. People can save as much as a $1000 per year doing this, and they'll spend less time watching shows they really don't care about, and never surf through 100+ channels to conclude "there is nothing on".

I've thought about ditching cable, but I busted my ### in college and most years of my career to earn a good living. Having DTV w/Sunday Ticket and not sweating the cost of it is one of those luxuries that I don't second guess even though I'm aware there are cheaper alternatives.

Agreed. I'm all about living in the now.

 

[Dentist]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

There are three significant expenses that almost everyone can lower and improve their financial situation. Interestingly, all three of these expenses are necessities for most people....

1. Housing. People spend way too much for housing. Just because you are approved for X amount of money doesn't mean you should buy that amount of housing (or spend the equivalent in rent). I like the rule about keeping your housing to no more than 25% of your take home pay.

2. Cars. This is another necessity for most people (need to get to work) but most people overdo it. Whether it's a lease or car payment, you really don't need to drop a ton of dough on a car. I use to work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how many twenty something year old accountants were driving bmws, acuras, etc. What's funny is that a bunch of them either lived at home or rented (not by choice). Look at going down in your vehicle cost.

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

1) Agree - if you read Millionaire next door the #1 predictor of lack of net worth was living in nice neighborhood because while some people could truly afford a nice lifestyle AND accumulate net worth... Far more people would not only spend the money for the home, but then have to furnish said home properly.. and then feel somewhat pressured. to keep up with richer and richer Jones's

2) Agree

3) Agree with not eating out.. Otherwise I think this is a small ball area to cut budget... If anything I'm looking to spend more money on higher quality fresh nutritious foods that are in season. And the closer grocery store may be somewhat more expensive, but I offset that with the amount of time it takes me to get in and out of there due to familiarity. If you place any value on your time, getting most everything in one place (or 2 places if you also use a Costco or something) far outweighs the time and effort spent trying to save that extra 20 cents per roll on TP

I agree with 1 and 2 as well. They are just decisions that have a huge return when one is willing to make the right decision and settle for less.

3 can require a lot more time. Time is money. Just because eating out is more expensive dollar wise doesn't mean it's more expensive overall. The time it takes to avoid eating out, as well as the time it takes to reduce costs of groceries could be a wash, or be more expensive, depending on how much one values their time. People would probably save more money AND GAIN TIME by dumping cable/satellite TV and just watching what is free over the air, subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, and just buy the season of the cable channel show they can't live without from iTunes or Amazon. People can save as much as a $1000 per year doing this, and they'll spend less time watching shows they really don't care about, and never surf through 100+ channels to conclude "there is nothing on".

While I would definitely save time and money by not watching TV.. I'm fortunate that I can meet all my financial goals without dropping these things.

I don't watch "shows" but without a quality cable package I couldn't watch the few things I do enjoy watching.. like MOnday Night Football, the KC Royals (I watch at least 30 min a night of the team if I can), Live Tennis like Wimbledon (showing now)... and other live sporting events on cable.

Sports is the holy grail of cable... they know they've got me by the nuts... and I'm paying.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

3 can require a lot more time. Time is money. Just because eating out is more expensive dollar wise doesn't mean it's more expensive overall. The time it takes to avoid eating out, as well as the time it takes to reduce costs of groceries could be a wash, or be more expensive, depending on how much one values their time. People would probably save more money AND GAIN TIME by dumping cable/satellite TV and just watching what is free over the air, subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, and just buy the season of the cable channel show they can't live without from iTunes or Amazon. People can save as much as a $1000 per year doing this, and they'll spend less time watching shows they really don't care about, and never surf through 100+ channels to conclude "there is nothing on".

I've thought about ditching cable, but I busted my ### in college and most years of my career to earn a good living. Having DTV w/Sunday Ticket and not sweating the cost of it is one of those luxuries that I don't second guess even though I'm aware there are cheaper alternatives.

Agreed. I'm all about living in the now.

Nothing says living like sitting on your ### watching other people do stuff.

 

[datonn]

Alright, I'm gonna give some next level, top secret information here. Please keep it in the FFA....

There are three significant expenses that almost everyone can lower and improve their financial situation. Interestingly, all three of these expenses are necessities for most people....

1. Housing. People spend way too much for housing. Just because you are approved for X amount of money doesn't mean you should buy that amount of housing (or spend the equivalent in rent). I like the rule about keeping your housing to no more than 25% of your take home pay.

2. Cars. This is another necessity for most people (need to get to work) but most people overdo it. Whether it's a lease or car payment, you really don't need to drop a ton of dough on a car. I use to work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how many twenty something year old accountants were driving bmws, acuras, etc. What's funny is that a bunch of them either lived at home or rented (not by choice). Look at going down in your vehicle cost.

3. Food. There are a couple parts to this. The first is eating out. We all eat out way too much. When you think of how much money you could save over a couple years by simply eating at home once or twice more a month....it's crazy. Also, pay attention to where you are buy groceries and do some research. Are you better buying a 12 pack of TP once a month or a 4 pack every week or two? Are you shopping at the more expensive grocery store cause it's closer and you're lazy? Any coupons you can use? Do you really need the NY strip steak when a good sirloin tastes just as well? You can always save money on food in one way or another.

You're welcome.

What's amazing is how many people might actually learn something new from the above. It's like telling people "to live, find yourself some air, food, and water." Yet a ton of people don't get it.

I paid $58,000, cash, for my home. It's a great home, one of the nicest and most historic in our neck of the woods. We were even featured on an HGTV show several years back. We've got 850 sq. ft. for each of us...so we've got ample personal space, work space, family space, storage space, et al. Though my wife and I have been on a mission the past year or two to purge ourselves of "stuff" that adds unwanted time/expense to our lives. Stuff that keeps us from having more quality time as a family...from being able to travel. i.e. When we moved here, we were heavy into antiquing (and me into antiquing via "dumpster diving" and Craigslist's free category, ha!), so instead of boxes, a ton of my stuff moved with us in steamer trunks. Along with using a 16' boat and trailer I got for free to haul stuff to our new home...then selling the boat and trailer for hundreds of dollars. Then said steamer trunks just sat around for the past decade, taking up space. So we turned said "moving boxes" into hundreds of dollars we added to the travel fund.

I drive a 1998 Toyota Corolla with 214,000 miles. Just starting to get a little rust, but it's a great runner. I tell my wife I want 300,000 out of that car if I can get it. We have a second vehicle for my wife to get the girls to/from...a 2006 Toyota Sienna with 103,000 miles on it. Nobody's going to be impressed seeing us roll into anywhere, but who cares? We get where we need to go, and we have zero car payments. And people thinking we have less $$$ than we do is a GOOD thing...as it keeps us from being a target for our extended families begging for handouts, as well as the small percentage of the population who might have no qualms about stealing.

Food is a tough one to cut back on for us, as we already don't eat out much (and when we do, we're rockin' our local pizza place or somewhere cheaper like Subway, as a family of four). Apart from health care, food is the largest line-item on our family budget. But we're not going to skimp on fresh fruits and vegetables.

If I had to venture a guess, I'd put our net worth somewhere around $2 million (we don't owe a dime to anyone in loans of any type). Sell the business, sell the house (worth about 80% more than we paid for it) sell our cabin, sell our timber, etc. Couldn't retire on that only being in our 40s, but it's not too bad for two formerly dirt-poor kids whose parents struggled just to put food on the table.

And James Daulton, my disc golf has actually increased...substantially. ~225 courses in 28 US States, and probably at least 3,000 holes/year. The only thing holding me back in that regard is nagging injuries...as I usually will make time to play some rounds while traveling for work, and my wife supports the activity for both my physical and mental health. Other than time with my girls, I'm happiest in life when I'm on a course somewhere, plastic in-hand. So we have a rule/saying around our house: "When the cat and kittens are away (my wife is off visiting family, or friends, or wants to take the girls to run some errands), the mouse must play (disc golf)." Though she'll occasionally get annoyed with me if it's been 3-4 weeks, and I gently ask her: "so...when are you going up to visit your sister again?!" When she knows I just want a free afternoon to hit a few courses, LOL.

 

[TheIronSheik]

3 can require a lot more time. Time is money. Just because eating out is more expensive dollar wise doesn't mean it's more expensive overall. The time it takes to avoid eating out, as well as the time it takes to reduce costs of groceries could be a wash, or be more expensive, depending on how much one values their time. People would probably save more money AND GAIN TIME by dumping cable/satellite TV and just watching what is free over the air, subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, and just buy the season of the cable channel show they can't live without from iTunes or Amazon. People can save as much as a $1000 per year doing this, and they'll spend less time watching shows they really don't care about, and never surf through 100+ channels to conclude "there is nothing on".

I've thought about ditching cable, but I busted my ### in college and most years of my career to earn a good living. Having DTV w/Sunday Ticket and not sweating the cost of it is one of those luxuries that I don't second guess even though I'm aware there are cheaper alternatives.

Agreed. I'm all about living in the now.

Nothing says living like sitting in your ### watching other people do stuff.

I think I've earned that. That's not what I meant, though. I do watch a lot of TV, but my family does a lot of fun things. I just meant that there's no use living on a budget, saving for a time later that may not come because of so many other factors.

 

[Guest]

Does anyone else plan to live in the wilderness for retirement?

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Rich Kids of Instagram

 

[Otis]

Rich Kids of Instagram

Awful.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Rich Kids of Instagram

I always forget how that link sucks me in. I particularly like the guy who spent 380,000 euros in one night at the club.

 

[eoMMan]

Rich Kids of Instagram

http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/25/luxury/family-wealth/index.html

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

Does anyone else plan to live in the wilderness for retirement?

I've been eyeballing a spot under the pier at the beach.

 

[NCCommish]

Does anyone else plan to live in the wilderness for retirement?

I want to retire to either Panama or Costa Rico. With the low cost of living and our combined SS checks my wife and I could live large. Convincing the wife is another matter.

 

[Brony]

Does anyone else plan to live in the wilderness for retirement?

I want to retire to either Panama or Costa Rico. With the low cost of living and our combined SS checks my wife and I could live large. Convincing the wife is another matter.

How about Puerto Rica?

 

[NCCommish]

Does anyone else plan to live in the wilderness for retirement?

I want to retire to either Panama or Costa Rico. With the low cost of living and our combined SS checks my wife and I could live large. Convincing the wife is another matter.

How about Puerto Rica?

Oh well luckily I don't spend much time correcting others spelling or grammer.

 

[Dentist]

Does anyone else plan to live in the wilderness for retirement?

I want to retire to either Panama or Costa Rico. With the low cost of living and our combined SS checks my wife and I could live large. Convincing the wife is another matter.

Costa Rica or Puerto Rico?

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

What about Costco Rico?

 

[Otis]

How's everyone in here feeling today? Some folks were pretty upset yesterday about other folks wanting to be rich. We doing better on that front, or not really?