RickkciR

Just got back from an incredible five days in Cozumel, Mexico! As I look back over the years, I find myself a little 'shocked' how many trips we've taken....  I started counting the other day how many we've gone on since '05 time frame.  I quickly ran out of fingers on one hand.. then the other.. and time to move to the toes!!! Back in Late 2004 we took a Cruise from New Orleans to Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel, which basically set everything in motion!  We realized upon getting off the boat, that we Loved Mexico and wanted to return! We got the itch while going to Barcelo, Spain on a company paid trip and sent my Systems' Engineer and his wife on a trip to Cozumel. They Loved it and I quickly realized they possibly had a better time than we did! So, in 2006 we began our AI Adventures! ( All Inclusive).  We began with the Iberostar Quetzal, a trip I won while at NetApp, 100% paid for.  We followed that up with a trip to the Iberostar Paraisio Maya which w...

An article brought back memories of many conversations over the years on this subject I've had with folks..... Personally, I remember when we moved into our second home in a newer neighborhood....   Leanne was a stay at home mom raising our daughter... while the rest of the neighborhood was eerily quiet all day ... both parents working to afford the new house, two new cars in the driveway, etc, etc... somewhere around 4-5 pm, all the families began to appear... ( if you don't count all the kids coming home to an empty home after school)..... Additionally .... I've had dozens of conversations with folks that worked for me complaining of not making enough $$ to be able to live ....    now....this is a complicated subject... and one that gets many emotionally charged....   The vast majority of these folks had 2+ vehicles...2+phones...TVs... etc.. you get the picture.... The more questions I asked, the more flags that went up.... ...  Guess living...

What a Journey it's been! Over the years, I've gone down this path, then back again, then regrouped...and..  well you get the picture!  Finally, we’re back on track!  I remember back when I was a SSgt in the USAF and reenlisted for a $14,000 signing bonus!  I did some great things with that bonus.  Sadly, 2 years later I broke my own rules and put myself in a position where I ended up emptying my savings. I lost the focus.  Over the years, I’d make great strides, only to see them derailed with unexpected expenses, large purchases (cars, etc), or home issues (A/C repairs, etc).  Sure, I was able to put small amounts into an IRA, but I never truly budgeted and saved.  Over the last few years, that’s finally changed!  A few years back I read some of Dave Ramsey’s’ material.  He’s a life changer!  The hard part is getting both people in a marriage on board with the concept.  The good news is we both finally are.  How that...

6,000 lb capacity $4,000.00