This sailing season is dwindling down and once again we are faced with a million and one questions about what our future holds. For the longest time we were ok with flying on a whim and making decisions at the latest possible moment, but things have started to change a bit. We have two sets of close friends that have just made very “grownup” decisions that change the way they live. The one couple recently sold their long-running businesses that they had given a 1/4 of their lives to set up, and are now retired. And the other friends are making a business choice that will commit them to one place for the next 5-10 years. This decision will also hopefully set them up financial for the rest of their lives. When close friends that you love and look up to start making life-altering decisions, you start to look at your own life and wonder if you should be doing something similar.
Should we be trying to get financial stable. To “grow” our own business? To commit to something we love that will also earn us a living? Or should we keep island hoping, doing little jobs that can sustain our lifestyle, and see where that takes us? Should we head south this hurricane season and go chill with a ton of other boats in Grenada? Or should we try and find a land-base where we could start focusing on a business? Do we currently have the funds to invest into a “start-up”? Or do we need to work for the next year to grow a nest egg for that? Do we have enough money to keep sailing, and how low are we willing to let our savings get?
These are all the questions that are plaguing us as we try and fall asleep at night. And I totally realize that these are “first-world” problems/questions. I am completely thankful that these are the questions that bug me at night and not ones that some other people in the world face, like can I afford food for my family tomorrow. But this is the position that we are in, those are the questions that we have, and soon, very soon, we will have to put on our grown-up pants and make some decisions that will take our family one way or another.
But for now we are procrastinating making any definitive decisions, and I am whole-heartedly procrastinating having to put pants on.
But as far as VERY vague plans go, we have thought of heading to Grenada for hurricane season. However we have also thought about going back to live in the Dominican Republic. As you can see the dilemma, these are in completely opposite directions! We could sail to Grenada, haul out and fly to DR, or we could face the Mona Passage a fourth time and bring our boat back to DR, or we could forget about DR and see if there are any opportunities for us in Grenada. All confusing, and no matter how much we discuss these options we don’t ever seem to make much headway.
But at least, for now, we have this view while we debate
I am intrigued to see what we end up doing too! Thanks for following the blog, I hope it keeps inspiring you to your end goal of sailing. We don't have a full set of essential oils but have found a few ones that we really like having on hand.
We always have worked half the year and played half the year. Grown up decision making just sucks…especially with children involved. I'm sure you'll figure it out.
As "old" folks, we admire your decision to go cruising with your young family. The family will be far richer (maybe not dollar-wise, but other-wise) for those decisions. I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine … just go for it & enjoy along the way. Cheers! Jan
It has been one of the most amazing things being able to be with our kids this much and now we couldn't imagine it being any different. We hope whatever decision we may will lead us to be able to spend more time with eachother
It's so stressful when plans are in the air. Grenada and the DR both sound wonderful and I know either way will be the a great decision. All the best and hope to see you around in the future. Carly, Carl, Capri, Cali and Crew http://www.saltykisses.net
Whatever you decide to do, don't put any grown up pants on. It's over-rated. And would never sustain you through a business endeavor. Follow your dreams, and let that guide you through the tough decisions. Ryan.
Well all of our decisions so far have been without grown-up pants (minus having kids, thats pretty grown up!) and we have been really enjoying ourselves. But you're right, something we love will be much better to follow
It may be possible with your engineering education and backgrounds to create residual income while sailing continuously. We have a couple apps on Google play that have taught us the value of content. So in our new version we decided to let anyone with an idea of something that would work well on a mobile interface create it on our platform, with no programming skill, then sell it to our users and their industry. Sort of a "crowd source" approach to content. Except that 90% of the revenue from that content will now go to the author. What do you think, a good approach?
Always love reading your blog and I can't wait to see what you do next!! I'm trying to quit my day job and sail!!
Do you guys have essential oils in your life? They would be perfect for your lifestyle! I have a set that stays on my boat!!
I am intrigued to see what we end up doing too! Thanks for following the blog, I hope it keeps inspiring you to your end goal of sailing. We don't have a full set of essential oils but have found a few ones that we really like having on hand.
We always have worked half the year and played half the year. Grown up decision making just sucks…especially with children involved. I'm sure you'll figure it out.
I think I would really enjoy that situation, work half travel half. Or work short travel long!
As "old" folks, we admire your decision to go cruising with your young family. The family will be far richer (maybe not dollar-wise, but other-wise) for those decisions. I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine … just go for it & enjoy along the way. Cheers! Jan
It has been one of the most amazing things being able to be with our kids this much and now we couldn't imagine it being any different. We hope whatever decision we may will lead us to be able to spend more time with eachother
It's so stressful when plans are in the air. Grenada and the DR both sound wonderful and I know either way will be the a great decision. All the best and hope to see you around in the future.
Carly, Carl, Capri, Cali and Crew
http://www.saltykisses.net
oh we will see you again when you are out of the frozen tundra and wanting some sun!
Whatever you decide to do, don't put any grown up pants on. It's over-rated. And would never sustain you through a business endeavor. Follow your dreams, and let that guide you through the tough decisions. Ryan.
Well all of our decisions so far have been without grown-up pants (minus having kids, thats pretty grown up!) and we have been really enjoying ourselves. But you're right, something we love will be much better to follow
It may be possible with your engineering education and backgrounds to create residual income while sailing continuously. We have a couple apps on Google play that have taught us the value of content. So in our new version we decided to let anyone with an idea of something that would work well on a mobile interface create it on our platform, with no programming skill, then sell it to our users and their industry.
Sort of a "crowd source" approach to content. Except that 90% of the revenue from that content will now go to the author.
What do you think, a good approach?