Now that you're a successful land lord / real estate investor, what do you like to spend on when you spend on YOURSELF? Not, not a new nail gun or something that can be used as a tax write off for the rentals...I'm talking about stuff that is 100% for YOU?

Two things for wife and me:

We are taking a cruise next year to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Flying down to Florida and spending a week on a big ol' boat in the Caribbean with some friends.

New musical instruments for her (flute) and me (drum kit) that are high quality. Not the hand-me-downs and/or budget "starter" models we've used since high school/college.

Your turn.

Congrats, Sid!

A few years ago, hubby and I started taking Caribbean cruises in February, when we can better get away from our W2 jobs. We enjoy them.

Now that the kids are grown and can choose to spend time with us or not, we bribe them to spend a week with us every other year on a Caribbean cruise just before Christmas. We choose a week when the ship will be decorated for the holidays, but not at holiday prices. Yes, I’m bribing my adult children to spend some time with us. Amazing what a cruise for that young adult and their significant other will do for getting to know you adult child.

We've completed 100 cruises since 1998. We love it. Right now we have Aug 25 on Freedom OTS out of SJU, (going to ABC islands and St Martin) Sept 11 Anthem OTS NJ, (northeast autumn trees . Eclipse out of LA for 9 days west coast city cruise, Dec NY city 5 days, Jan 2020 Cancun 6 day resort (Westin) Feb Anthem again out of NJ (9day) and Jun 2020 our 50th wed anniv cruise with 45 of our family and friends to Bermuda on Adventure of the seas. This is our 50th wedding annv and 50th cruise on RCI ship. We are standby for Sept 2020 15 days cruise-- Amsterdam to Boston-- northern Arctic city's.

What can I say we love cruising and now get the perks that go along with it. We use to have a 42ft Catalina in BVI's for 10 years but it was lost during Maria in 2017.

first class travel to Europe and Asia, sometimes we slum it in business class.

RVing...

I had the toys and fancy houses when I was younger. They've been mostly sold off as I got older.

I like to live on the road, so I have a nice traveling van. Going out west again in late summer -- Montana, Wyoming, Dakotas, Colorado and more to just bum around for a while. The big mountains are calling!

To do some giving back I create workspace for startup companies by buying, renovating and building small industrial buildings that the startup companies can use to get their dismiss going. This is called maker's space by some people. I help subsidize their startup costs by providing this space to them at a discount or free. It's a type of venture capital on a small scale. Like any new company, some make it and some don't, BUT the space does not disappear.

I like the simple life idea myself.

I guess my splurging is with the military vehicle club when I have time for events.

Myob, You are the cruise king!

"Ally I knew before you posted that you were some kind of tree hugger"

I knew that was coming. You really can get a feel for these things.LOL! The door was open.

I'm thinking of getting the deluxe topping pizza this week, instead of just pepperoni!

Seriously, we've been on several cruises, been to Hawaii, and seen most of the country. Haven't been to Alaska yet. I'd like to see (and go up) the Eiffel Tower sometime too before I die.

We have a travel trailer, but might by a VERY used Class A motor home. Either way, the plan now is to take one or the other across country this fall, see the sights,and then go visit our son in N. Cali. Stay there until he runs us off, then go south the southern route-probably ending up in Florida. We *might* look for a winter house there.

I have always bought used cars and trucks. Nothing ever fancy or new.

I used to think Travel was the ultimate in luxury but nowadays it's just not fun...anywhere that is "touristy" is full of tourists...nowadays air travel sucks. Cruises are scary but also often boring. I'm not interested in hiking in the mountains and white water rafting terrifies me.

We've done Paris many times (how awful does that sound??) and we've been all over Europe and to Hawaii a few times. I'd love to see Scotland but don't want to GO to Scotland.

SO these days, we just hope family comes to visit us at our close-to-the-beach house (they do, and often bring lots of friends.)

And we go to Mr. LL Conventions and Retreats.

I used to think Travel was the ultimate in luxury but nowadays it's just not fun...anywhere that is "touristy" is full of tourists...nowadays air travel sucks. Cruises are scary but also often boring. I'm not interested in hiking in the mountains and white water rafting terrifies me.

We've done Paris many times (how awful does that sound??) and we've been all over Europe and to Hawaii a few times. I'd love to see Scotland but don't want to GO to Scotland.

SO these days, we just hope family comes to visit us at our close-to-the-beach house (they do, and often bring lots of friends.)

And we go to Mr. LL Conventions and Retreats.

Splurging for us was buying a condo in Kitty Hawk last year, and hubby keeps me busy riding 4 1/2 hrs back & forth every couple of weeks. I'm still picking out little knick knacks decorating it, and quite a few items came from the "pink thrift shop" near by. So I guess I am "choking on a camel and straining at the gnat"!

Sid,

Congrats on your newly attained level of FREEDOM!!! and your anniversary!

Our latest big splurge was a trip to the Holy Land. 5 star hotels, a top guide, with 48 other Bible Study Fellowship students, and a teacher who has written 50 books on the Old Testament.

I'm with W - I'd love to go back but a 4 hour trip to get to the airport for a 12 hour plane ride...ugh!

I guess we splurge every day. New wild carpet for the "grandkids' bedroom" at our house. Bought them a 2 seater elec Jeep. Wifey buys any clothes she thinks are cute for the grandies. Cuz we can...and life is short!

FREEDOM!!! means we can splurge any time we want.

Honestly, right now my greatest satisfaction and joy is snowballing off mortgages. Paid off our house.

Headed for totally debt free baby!

BRAD

Congrats Sid! Sounds like plans are evolving quite nicely for you!

I quite buying "material" things quite a while ago. Sure, I need transportation and what not. I just don't buy cars with all the bells and whistles per se. Instead, I buy memories. I love to travel and that's where my money goes. This year, I was at Myrtle Beach and also the Bahamas. I have plans for a few weekends getaways coming up and another bigger vacation towards the end of the year. Next year, the plan so far is Aruba and something else (not decided yet).

Over the past few years, we have done Family Adventure Weekends. Once a year we decide on a place within a few hours drive for the kids (so VA mountains, Gettysburg) and we do a family weekend. DOGS INCLUDED so no one needs to board their pets.

Splurging, well my hobby is singing. I sing first bass with the Anglican Cathedral choir here and I am off first to the UK to visit my parents and then to Ireland to sing with a choir at St. Patrick's National Cathedral of Ireland in Dublin for a week. I've never found greater peace than when singing in Cathedrals in the UK. Christian worship has often been practised in those places for as many as 800 years. Its remarkable. Quite different than my day to day existence and indeed from the ups and downs of landlording such as taking a call from an irate tenant who had heard about an above the guideline rent increase due to capital expenditures for a new air conditioner as I did coming home this evening.

Sometimes it's some extra doodad for my pottery. Maybe a specialty clay. Sometimes it's a premixed glaze I don't have a recipe for.

Without a W2 job, I am able to travel to see my family - when I want to - without needing it approved by someone.

Right now, I'min OH (again) to drive a truck for my Daughter and Son-in-law's move to MN. (I have a CDL) I am so glad I can do this for them!

Next week I'll be in ND to see my son and Daughter-in-law.

THAT's the stuff that makes me happy! : )

Couldn't have done it before.

What a group. Susan that was such a funny-- the one on pizza topping. 6x6 you have added so much to this group and of course Ally-- love that you love your pets. That's always been my wife's and my downfall our dogs. This is the first time in 48 years we've had no pets-- mostly so we could travel.

At Convention I splurged and ordered the salmon! Twice!

And a hearty second to Doogie's "Highway Therapy". I'll add "Horsepower Therapy" too!

Congratulations to Sid and all the other posters on your achievements! Great job!

The wife is pushing to buy the vacant lots on both sides of our lake house (a foreclosure bought at below fair market value). Each lot is .5 acres with 200 feet of lake frontage.

One lot is on the MLS system. They are asking top dollar for the lot.

I was surprised that the wife said to submit a low offer!

She is trying to contact the owners on the other side.

Congrats, enjoy the cruise!!! I think that would be fun, if I didn't get motion sickness.

Wow! Reading everyone's splurging on themselves posts is really cool!

DJ - That's what it's about! It's awesome you can do that for your family! As my kids get older, I am hopeful I can do the same for them.

BRAD - I know you like the cars. I prefer 2 wheels myself. Either way, the FREEDOM to get out on the highway cannot be beat!

To those for cruising - Been on 5 myself. Absolutely love it! myob - 100? Wow! Now I'm jealous.

@NE(PA) - yes, McDonald's Playplace counts - for the kids (little kids are made happy easily). But do something nice for the grownups once in a while, too!

NE, your life itself is the ultimate splurge. You can take time off to go to your kids’ school field trips, have a lunch date with your wife, or go hunting. Many of us work, work, work to be able to afford the splurges once we’ve ‘made it’, and have to accommodate the boss, with limited vacation days. Granted, being a landlord does mean having to handle some issues when it’s not so convenient, but, you have been working to put in place systems to streamline/ minimize those. So, I would say, not having the corporate noose around your neck is a pretty awesome ‘splurge.’

At this point, I am more into the hunt than I am the item. I enjoy going to an auction and looking for a nice bargain that I can use.