OK. Here's the deal. I have been spending all of my extra income on doing home improvements. Either I would end up swinging hammers myself, or I would hire out the jobs. If I did it myself, it was very time consuming. Hire out the work and it really dents the wallet. My efforts were driven by two things... a desire to show love to my wife and children and my personal need to have everything "perfect". I think mostly the latter. This has been a bone of contention that my wife has with me. It is also something that is coming to an end RIGHT NOW.
So, this is a 180 for me:
Stop trying to make everything "perfect" at our home. This gives me free time to spend with my girls (and my wife if she chooses), and my friends. It also frees up resources to DO ACTIVITIES and EXPERIENCE LIFE instead of ACQUIRE, FIX, and MAINTAIN THINGS. Remember the commercial where the guy on the lawn mower is asking to be rescued from trying to live the perfect, wrinkle free life? He has everything perfect, but is in debt over his head. I was that guy, but (thankfully) without his debt.
My wife has cried out for years for me to stop spending large sums to have things perfect. Not only do I hear her, I now am listening to her. The cool thing about this is now I don't have that weight on my shoulders to carry.
Now that I have more time and money, what do I do with it?
Here is my 1st GAL:
I am in the process of obtaining my boater's certificate so I can rent power boats this summer any time I want. Note that I said RENT! I will take our girls boating and they can learn how to water ski and go tubing, too. Family time! But this is just a start...
The REALLY cool thing that I am going to do is learn to sail! This one is FOR ME!!
I am REALLY excited about this. I came up with this for a number of reasons. First, it's awesome! Next, it fits really well with my current career and utilizes the knowledge I use everyday on my job. I understand navigation and meteorology and that will be put to use in sailing. I like the outdoors and like to travel. It is also something I can do on my own if I choose and it will be a great tool to help clear my head.
Other reasons for choosing sailing is that it is something we can do as a family. It also will be a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Lastly, I know my wife loves sailing. If she chooses to stay with me, it is something we can do together.
I have been looking at what I want to do with myself and where I am going. Both literally and figuratively. After I retire, I can easily see myself owning a sailboat and chartering it out for an income source. I could live on a boat. I could travel the world or I can travel the caribbean. The world is the limit.
Next, it fits really well with my current career and utilizes the knowledge I use everyday on my job. I understand navigation and meteorology and that will be put to use in sailing. I like the outdoors and like to travel. It is also something I can do on my own if I choose and it will be a great tool to help clear my head.