Had a conversation with my wife about future trips yesterday and she got me thinking. How much more do I really need to explore right now? Sure, I would like to visit Russia and Australia but I have been going non-stop for the past 7 years and feel it's best to leave some of this stuff for later down the road. The problem I found is... I liked planning the trips (almost as much as actually going on them).
Then I remembered my kids and thought what a perfect opportunity for them. I've been toying with the idea of taking them to Europe one day and I think it's finally time to really start putting that to work. My plan is to take them to the first 3 locations I went to way back in 2007- London, Paris and Rome. Since I've already been to these places twice already, it's one of the reasons why I've been putting this off with them. But after more thought I realize it's time. A smile appears when I even think about their faces when they first see the Roman Forum as I did.
The main thing though is the NY trip next year with them. This will be the first trip for them that will last more than a week (aside from visiting family). If all goes well and I feel they are mature enough for the trip then I will put the Europe trip with kids plan in effect for 2015.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
LA- Great For the Career... Sucks For the Soul
It's been just over 10 years since the big move to LA. Professional I have never been in a better place in my life. Added to the fact that my wife and I have absolutely the best relationship we could ever hope for, how could I complain. But the one thing that has been missing during this whole time here is an actual friend to count on.
There have been several potential people here and there but every time they run and do their own thing and turn out to be exposed as the selfish individuals that they are. Can't really fault them, however, since this is LA and everyone here seems to be more about making a name for themselves somehow then being someone's friend. Still it doesn't make it any easier sometimes.
It use to urk me when I finally meet a person I could hang out with only to find that they are on their way out of LA. Now I realize why. I mean in my 20s I didn't care who I hung out with. One day you're at a club and the next in Santa Barbara enjoying some wine tasting. But as I've been getting older it seems more and more that all I would really like is to just have some people I could truly count on to just hang with. You know the ones that you can call up and they'll be over in a second. Right now it just seems the only people that I can get together with are the ones that want to do happy hour to get work stuff off their mind. Spending time with others shouldn't have to involve alcohol EVERY SINGLE TIME and if it does then what's the point.
Maybe this is why I've tinkered with the idea of moving abroad. Somewhere to a smaller town that has actual family values. Who knows if that will ever come to pass and if it does how would I still be able to advance in my photography. That's the key. I've found the perfect career and have the perfect family.... just wish I could balance that with the perfect group of friends. Guess you can't have it all!
There have been several potential people here and there but every time they run and do their own thing and turn out to be exposed as the selfish individuals that they are. Can't really fault them, however, since this is LA and everyone here seems to be more about making a name for themselves somehow then being someone's friend. Still it doesn't make it any easier sometimes.
It use to urk me when I finally meet a person I could hang out with only to find that they are on their way out of LA. Now I realize why. I mean in my 20s I didn't care who I hung out with. One day you're at a club and the next in Santa Barbara enjoying some wine tasting. But as I've been getting older it seems more and more that all I would really like is to just have some people I could truly count on to just hang with. You know the ones that you can call up and they'll be over in a second. Right now it just seems the only people that I can get together with are the ones that want to do happy hour to get work stuff off their mind. Spending time with others shouldn't have to involve alcohol EVERY SINGLE TIME and if it does then what's the point.
Maybe this is why I've tinkered with the idea of moving abroad. Somewhere to a smaller town that has actual family values. Who knows if that will ever come to pass and if it does how would I still be able to advance in my photography. That's the key. I've found the perfect career and have the perfect family.... just wish I could balance that with the perfect group of friends. Guess you can't have it all!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
How Can I Afford To Go On Trips?
People ask me all the time... how can I afford to go on all the overseas trips I do every year. I try to explain in short that I budget my money well but it's not just about that. In truth it's the lifestyle I choose to live and not something you can actually teach to somebody else... especially if they are not willing to learn. But I will try.
In a nutshell... I am not rich by any means. I didn't come into a fortune, no rich relative is supporting me, and I am not dealing drugs. I just found a way to prioritize the income that comes in to make sure that my expenses don't exceed it. Aaaaaaaand, boring! I know it's not sexy and probably not what you wanted to hear but it's really what I do.
For instance... I see time and time again people I know boasting about going to this movie or this restaurant. Now once here and there is okay but every week I see this. I start adding it up and figure they must be spending upwards to $150 a month on this alone. Which comes out to $1800 a year. There's your 2 plane tickets to Europe. Then I see other people buying new clothes all the time and hitting the clubs like they're rockstars and enjoying "happy hour" every payday. There's another $150 a month (your hotels and transportation taken care of). And don't get me started on how much a smartphone plan cost which many people do not need. Honestly, if you are living paycheck to paycheck and have a smartphone then I think your phone is smarter than you... but that's another blog.
There are many ways to save up money to do what you want in life. Spending money like it's water is not one of them. And I get it... you have friends that you want to hang out with, or family that you don't want to disappoint. But when it is all said and done you have to ask yourself one thing- Will these people be there for me when I need them? You might find out that the very people you are trying to please are the same people that could give two shits about you when you have nothing more to offer.
So while others are boasting about trying out that new Italian restaurant that just opened up down the road, I am actually going to Rome for authentic Italian food. But hey... if going through life not knowing what's in your bank account makes you happy then by all means have fun. Just know that I am not only having fun now... but I am saving so I can continue to have fun thirty years from now.
In a nutshell... I am not rich by any means. I didn't come into a fortune, no rich relative is supporting me, and I am not dealing drugs. I just found a way to prioritize the income that comes in to make sure that my expenses don't exceed it. Aaaaaaaand, boring! I know it's not sexy and probably not what you wanted to hear but it's really what I do.
For instance... I see time and time again people I know boasting about going to this movie or this restaurant. Now once here and there is okay but every week I see this. I start adding it up and figure they must be spending upwards to $150 a month on this alone. Which comes out to $1800 a year. There's your 2 plane tickets to Europe. Then I see other people buying new clothes all the time and hitting the clubs like they're rockstars and enjoying "happy hour" every payday. There's another $150 a month (your hotels and transportation taken care of). And don't get me started on how much a smartphone plan cost which many people do not need. Honestly, if you are living paycheck to paycheck and have a smartphone then I think your phone is smarter than you... but that's another blog.
There are many ways to save up money to do what you want in life. Spending money like it's water is not one of them. And I get it... you have friends that you want to hang out with, or family that you don't want to disappoint. But when it is all said and done you have to ask yourself one thing- Will these people be there for me when I need them? You might find out that the very people you are trying to please are the same people that could give two shits about you when you have nothing more to offer.
So while others are boasting about trying out that new Italian restaurant that just opened up down the road, I am actually going to Rome for authentic Italian food. But hey... if going through life not knowing what's in your bank account makes you happy then by all means have fun. Just know that I am not only having fun now... but I am saving so I can continue to have fun thirty years from now.
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