I love traveling, but I know my limits. More than 2 weeks in any one place I start to really miss home. But I’ve never really traveled to some place I’ve wanted to stay longer than 2 weeks and I hope in 2013, I will go to Anncey, France to go to the Fet du Lac. Now I love movies and I’ve realized it’s because it’s such a focus. Distractions now a day are so common it’s not even funny. Which brings me to ever since I was a little boy I always loved being on the water and on a boat, and finally this year I had my famous ‘f*ck it’ moment and purchased a 18′ 2012 Carolina Skiff JVX. I’ve already enjoyed it a half dozen times in two weeks and plan to enjoy it for lots of fishing, camping and cruising. I realized at the ripe age of 32 if I don’t do it now I may never. For 2 years now I’ve been aggressively saving for my retirement plan which is to own a 36′ marlow yacht and cruise the Caribbean with crazy bitches which are hot models. All in all, I’ve realized the level of focus required for certain tasks really changes your experience. So next time you’re really enjoying something notice how much you’re focusing or putting your all into something. It probably means it’s something you need to pursue or do even more.
Since last year I have been reading many books on finances, breakups, relationships, and minimalism. This post is about relationships. It’s about understanding the process of dealing with a breakup properly, understanding people’s needs, and understanding how to have a healthy relationship. All these things are important to having a long lasting and especially satisfying and rich relationship! For those struggling in relationships therapy is not enough!! Read, attend seminars, but therapy is NOT ENOUGH!!
Let’s start with breakups. It doesn’t matter where you are in life. If you haven’t moved on from past relationships, such as you’re bitter about an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend that’s going to damage your current relationship. If you haven’t understood who you are in that relationship and what you did or she/he did then forget your current relationship it won’t last. I’m not saying relive or go back and talk to that person, I mean really try to understand the differences each person had. Understand the characteristics of that other person. Come to grips with it all. I recommend this book for all couples, even if you’re not hung up on past relationships, it’s a great educational tool to understand how to have a healthy break up.
Now for understanding people’s needs, this is key because everyone shows love in one way or another. For example, I enjoy affection, and I need that. I show love by giving you things or providing a service like (washing your car, cleaning something for you, picking something up), actually doing something for you that you don’t have to do. Understanding people’s needs is important. Understanding men like to conquer problems, and woman just need to talk about them are key aspects. Understanding these physiological needs are important. I stumbled across a Tony Robbins program called Love & Passion: The Ultimate Relationship, and it blew my mind! If you watch/listen/read to anything it’s this!!!!
Now having a healthy relationship is the tough part, understanding is fine and dandy but actually acting on your knowledge is the key! It sounds stupid, but do something about it! Find your motivation in anyway you can. Be a man and conquer, be a woman and talk! I’ve read 3 relationship books, Love & Respect, The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriages, and Tony Robbins program called Love & Passion: The Ultimate Relationship that have changed my life. I don’t care what you read, but find something that speaks to you, find something that motivates you, find something that gets you and your partner on the same page. It might not be the same book, but it gets your goals aligned.
I touch on all these aspect briefly cause these are the things that come to mind that help me understand, people and relationships. It may have been too late for me but I hope this changes someone’s life as it has changed my future.
Ok, I really don’t mean that title, but I need to hook you some how! It’s official, back in June of this year I was officially divorced to the most amazing woman I have ever known. She still inspires me through her spirit and hope she continues to be blessed. I don’t wish divorce for anyone and have learned so many things about relationship that I will write about soon enough. The point of this though is not that announcement, it is:
I have paid off $15,000 in credit card debt in 11 months!
Crazy to think about it. I have sold so much shit, people think I’ve gone off the deep end but that’s another part of my life I’m working towards (minimalism, another post on that soon too). I have sacrificed and not done many things I wanted to or normally would have. This year I finally started a budget that has turned me around, because it was a spreadsheet easy to follow and fill in and stick to!!! I have gotten a roommate for extra income, I have not gone on trips to see Dave Matthews Band. I have not given people gifts like I usually would have.
For many years my mom would find out my yearly salary and would say where did all that money go?! Now I can say, “Listen B**ch (Puta), it went to credit card debt!!” But I’d really say, “Mira, pague todas las tarjeta de credito!” It feels good to know where your money goes, to feel like you got a raise, to not pay late fees or interest, to know that you can leave below your means!!!
In addition, this year I was able to enjoy my money as well. I flew to Vegas for a bachelor party and gambled my ass off in cash! I gave generously to my best friend’s wedding which I had to fly to in DC. I donated money to a number of charities. I gave a few gifts. I threw my friends a party and had DB II at Vintage Lounge downtown buying 5 bottles in the VIP area!!! Paid for a $1,500 surgery for Hannah torn ACL. Traveled to the Bahamas.
For many years I have listened to the Dave Ramsey Show Podcast, and have enjoyed his straight forward, simple, down to earth, southern style of finances.
I’m still not done, I have a home equity line I plan to pay off by January 2013. It’s gonna be another tough year but the sacrifice is going to be worth it in the end.
Thanks to all that have supported me and to Dave Ramsey’s plan.
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a great New Year! Salute!
Living like no one else, so later I can GIVE like no one else!