I’m taking the week off from the blog (Translation: I’m on vacation and too lazy to write posts). Instead, I’ll update you on my life with some some nice pictures.
The girl’s playhouse is almost done!
Next year, I’ll do the zipline and Komodo dragon/piranha pit:
The real house is almost done too!
We have been working on this thing for 39 months and it’s sooooo close now. Full update soon.
Salida!
For Labor Day weekend, we went to a town called Salida up in the mountains.
Nature never ceases to amaze me. I saw this little dude in the middle of the sidewalk. I was super excited to see Mr. Mantis. He was not so excited to see me though; after this picture he did a defensive maneuver (Mantis Fu) and then retreated to a bush:
Cha Cha Cha Changes!
The last four months of 2016 will bring about welcome and needed changes:
- Our home remodel will be done. This has been a drag on our life for over 3 years and we’re sick of it. We plan to have all work wrapped up in October.
- About $300,000 of my portfolio is about to change. I’m converting my solo-401(k) and some of my rollover IRAs into a self-directed solo-401(k). This is an immense topic, so I’ll save the details for another time.
- I’m going to further reduce my work schedule. This will change our lives more than anything. Two kids + home remodel + two jobs + writing == no time. I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful that the managers at my job let me do this. My weekends will be longer than my workweek, freeing me up considerably. More details soon. My life is a fairy tale.
Finally, I saw the graffito below at the Salida skatepark. Never stop dreaming.
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Ms. Montana says
September 6, 2016 at 7:19 amI bet the new work scheduled will be such a help! Mr. Mt offered to go part time about a year before he quite but they didn’t love the idea. We also are in constant projects between the 3 houses. And the writing… I feel your pain.
1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:21 pmThree houses! Whoah!
I love the idea of going part-time. I think it will be a nice transition to no-time!
ESI Money says
September 6, 2016 at 10:39 am1. That playhouse is AWESOME!
2. Are you from Colorado? (I am). Haven’t been to Salida though/yet.
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1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:22 pmI sure am (Boulder County). Where are you? Or where are you from?
Stockbeard says
September 8, 2016 at 3:10 pmAgreed, I wish I was your kids (And as a father I wish I had that level of DIY skills…). And the zipline, man, what an awesome idea.
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Mr. All Things Money says
September 6, 2016 at 10:57 amNice pictures, especially the playhouse.
1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:23 pmThanks! Just wait til’ you see the final product though!
Jacq says
September 6, 2016 at 11:38 amEnjoy your week off!
I’m interested in the solo 401k, and will keep my eyes out for the post. 🙂
Hooray for longer weekends!
1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:24 pmI have a solo-401(k) now. My new one is a self-directed, solo 401(k). It is a pain in the ass to setup, but man oh man, very powerful!
Done by Forty says
September 6, 2016 at 12:33 pmLots of good things happening for you guys. We’re tackling some home remodels soon (pending Mrs. DB40’s decision on whether a tile saw will be too distracting to her dissertation writing).
Congrats on the new work arrangement, and for having the right attitude about the whole thing: gratitude. Cheers!
1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:25 pmTile saw! Get her an early (or late) birthday present, ear plugs!
Gwen @ Fiery Millennials says
September 6, 2016 at 12:49 pmWay better than the skull bird graffiti I saw at Battery Steele this weekend!
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1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:26 pmTony Hawk! https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TxfgqHnoyJo/maxresdefault.jpg
theFIREstarter says
September 6, 2016 at 1:35 pmNice pics! I often think you are so lucky to live near such beautiful scenery but then the rolling hills of southern England aren’t so bad either when you actually bother to get out and have a look at them. People often miss what is right in front of their eyes!
Nice work on sorting out the reduced work schedule. Welcome to the club 😉 although I am certain you will still be susceptible to the “not enough time” syndrome as I have been. Roll on full FI!
1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:29 pm“…the rolling hills of southern England aren’t so bad either when you actually bother to get out and have a look at them…”
I think you can find beauty anywhere if you just know where to look. The mountains are cool, but some of my favorite scenery is the rolling hills of western Wisconsin. Maybe it is similar to your part of the world? https://www.google.com/search?q=western+wisconsin+unglaciated+region&safe=off&espv=2&biw=1262&bih=729&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiplcTGmvzOAhUUz2MKHSmyACUQ_AUICCgD#safe=off&tbm=isch&q=western+wisconsin+driftless+region
theFIREstarter says
September 7, 2016 at 1:49 amDoesn’t look too dissimilar actually!
I think there is definitely a case of novel things just seem better isn’t there? I bet the people who live in the high plains of the Andes (e.g. La Paz) find their dramatic and barren landscape quite boring and would be amazed at the lush green hills of England.
Edifi says
September 6, 2016 at 5:56 pmSalida and buena vista are great! We did BTC through there one year, was awesome!
1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:31 pmHey, welcome back!
It sure is beautiful up there. It was painful to leave; that’s for sure!
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life says
September 6, 2016 at 6:51 pmGood for you – enjoy that well-earned vacation!
I love the idea of going part time, working 2 or 3 days a week, once our portfolios are in good order. It was never something I’d consider but that truism that once you have kids (and a thousand projects) work starts to take a lower priority sure did become true for us.
Also “Something Completely Different” caught my eye. *tips hat to the Flying Circus*
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1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:33 pmYeah, it is very difficult to work 8 hours per day when you have so much going on. Rehabbing this place was a mistake, but it’s almost done. I hope life gets back to normal after that.
Vicki@Make Smarter Decisions says
September 6, 2016 at 7:18 pmThat was one long home remodel – but beautiful results! That Arkansas River pic looks like a painting!
1500 says
September 6, 2016 at 8:34 pmOh wow, you have no idea! No kids and I could have been done in 6 months. Oh well, live and learn…
Mr. Tako @ Mr. Tako Escapes says
September 6, 2016 at 10:22 pmLove the pictures Mr. 1500! As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and those are some great pictures!
Dividends Down Under says
September 6, 2016 at 11:26 pmThat is one very beautiful playhouse – love the paint colours you picked!
The end of 2016 looks like it’s bringing some exciting changes for you. Weekends being longer than the work week is a dream of many, early congratulations on hitting it yourself! 🙂
Jasmin
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Team CF says
September 7, 2016 at 2:31 amGood for you. Hope you regain some of your sanity 😉
Love the playhouse by the way, really nice work.
The Green Swan says
September 7, 2016 at 3:21 amEnjoy the time off! And let me know when the zip line is ready, I look forward to trying it out and dodging the komodo dragons! 🙂
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Designing A Frugal Life says
September 7, 2016 at 6:14 amThat playhouse is amazing & I can’t wait to see the full post of your home remodel!! Going part-time sounds great and it’s awesome that your manager is cool with that arrangement. Enjoy your vacation!
The Jolly Ledger says
September 7, 2016 at 8:41 amGreat Playhouse! Your girls will love it. Mr. TJL build one for our little miss out of re-purposed appliances and car parts. You can get a glimpse here: http://www.thejollyledger.com/the-kids-ledger-fun-in-the-sun/
Salida is an amazing place; we should know as we live here! But try not to tell too many people will ya?
Ida says
September 7, 2016 at 9:43 amBeen following your blog for a little while and just saw today’s CNBC article! Bravo, guys! Such an inspiration!
Mrs. Picky Pincher says
September 7, 2016 at 2:38 pmMan, I’m envious of that playhouse! Nice work! And the real house also looks great. 🙂
We’re remodeling our kitchen and home ourselves; we actually close on it tomorrow! Eek! Luckily my father in law is a carpenter/homebuilder, so we’re in good hands. But renovations are definitely scary/frustrating. Glad to hear you’re reaching the finish line soon!
Francesca - From Pennies to Pounds says
September 8, 2016 at 3:26 pmWow, your girls are so lucky – that looks amazing! Love your drawing too, lol 🙂
Gator says
September 9, 2016 at 11:45 amDid you get a chance to stop by Elevation Brewing when in Salida? They make a great horchata imperial porter and honey quad.
Also can’t wait to read more about the new solo-401(k).
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1500 says
September 9, 2016 at 1:31 pmI did! I don’t remember seeing that beer on the list though, although I had blinders on and was mostly looking at their pales…
Gator says
September 9, 2016 at 2:42 pmAwesome! Yeah they don’t really make a bad beer there.