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Jet Set Life Unveils Top 3 Tip to Take Great Photos

By Kim · November 6, 2009 · Filed in Capturing the Moment, How You Do It · 6 Comments »

Kim & Demi Jumping

The perfect picture is one that triggers your memories. The perfect picture is the picture that makes you say “Remember that….that’s when….” When you’re taking a photo, there are no rules. Photos capture moments. When you’re traveling,  you don’t just want to remember the monuments in the places you’ve been. You want to remember how delicious the food was, funny moments with your friends and especially the magic moments with your family.

With the Holidays quickly descending upon us, many will be traveling abroad for a fantastic snow inspired vacation or simply sharing special moments with family.

I’ve had multiple pictures of my travels make it to CNN’s Travel Snapshots page. I also get tons of emails on how I take such great pics, so decided to give you three of my top tips for taking great photos. I’d also love if you share your favorite tips for taking great pics in the comments section!

CNN 2 CNN 1 CNN 3

Photo tips 1&2

Photo Tip 3

My Multitask Breakdown

By Kim · August 27, 2009 · Filed in Culture, How You Do It, Relationships · 3 Comments »

Are you a habitual multitasker? I’m pretty sure that on some level, we’re all guilty. The reason we multitask is to save time, right? But what about the quality of work, quality of relationship and even the quality of our life. Is the trade off of saving time worth it?

Multitask

I definitely qualify as a multitasker. I noticed how bad my multitasking had become when the other night, I sat down to watch one of my favorite TV shows and decided that I could work on some business at the same time on my laptop. Then I looked over at Rob and he was tapping on his iPhone, while watching the same show. That’s when it hit me. We’ve gone off the deep end. We can’t even sit to enjoy a mindless television program without being “connected” and multitasking. Whether it’s doing research for a new destination, reading about a new hotel, writing a new blog or just surfing the net, I couldn’t stop! The reality is, I was half doing both, which means both were suffering. Honestly, how can I watch, understand and enjoy a TV show while I’m reading hotel reviews and vice-versa! The truth is I can’t. So, not only am I doing crappy research, but I’m also not allowing myself enjoyment.

This got me thinking. Before cell phones became mini-computers, when you went out for dinner or to a movie with someone, 100% of the time was spent on conversation between you and your friend, husband or date. Now, when I go out to dinner, I notice that everyone has a cell phone on the table or even worse, in their hand. The other person is either staring out the window wishing they were somewhere else or on their phone too! Just ask my husband and he’ll tell you that his iPhone and I do NOT get along. I often remind him that his iPhone may end up with a cement block tied around it, swimming with the fishes, so to speak. Having a portable minicomputer is a wonderful advance in technology. In fact, when I got lost the other day trying to find the farmer’s market, I wished I had one. But, the millions of aps and immediate access to everything in your life with one tap is too addicting.

Then of course there is Facebook and twitter, which now can be accessed through your phone ap too! That is the ultimate in multitask time wasting. Not only are you Twittering and updating your Facebook status every 10 minutes, but you’re most likely doing it while doing something else or while with someone else.  Just the other day I updated my FB status to tell everyone I was researching and writing a new blog. Was I? Or was I wasting my time while Facebooking, again that damn need to be “connected”.

The truth is, Multitasking is overrated and has consequences. If your entire focus is not on what you are currently doing, whether it’s work or play, it will suffer. Think of how your parents hounded you as a child to not watch TV or talk on the phone while doing your homework. In an effort to try to reduce my personal multitasking habit I decided to make a list including the multitasks and their consequences. Of course, as soon as you focus on something, it shows up constantly. Kinda like when you want to buy a new car and then you start seeing that make and model everywhere. Well, my list began to grow. But Wednesday morning, I hit multitask rock-bottom. Here’s the story. I was making breakfast, packing my lunch all while trying to come up with a title for a new product with Rob. I placed my lunch bag on top of the stove burner that I just took hard boiled eggs off of and burnt a hole right though it! Not only did I ruin my bag, possible the stove burner, but it could have started a fire and on top of all that, I was half listening to Rob when he was trying to have a real conversation with me. I felt like like an idiot. But the reality is, I’m just in need of Multitaskers Anonymous.

Multitasking is a disease that is taking over our country and our world. We are all in need of a cure. Understandably, we are not always going to make the right choice. And, just like eating a cookie while on a diet, your multitask will have a negative effect on your life and your work.

So, my mission is to bring back the Single Tasking mind frame. Here’s a few simple ideas that I think will improve your quality of life and your work.

  • Pick a time to work on projects when you know you won’t be interrupted.
  • When you answer your cellphone, stop taping on your computer.
  • Shut off your phones and allow dinner to happen without the interruption of iPhones and Blackberries (which are called Crack-berries for a reason!).
  • Don’t eat dinner in front of the TV or laptop.
  • When you watch TV or a movie, let’s put the electronics away.

What do you think? Are your projects and relationships suffering due to over multitasking?

Packing Carry-On Only for 3 Weeks Abroad: Video

By Kim · July 18, 2009 · Filed in Air Travel, How You Do It · 8 Comments »

Okay, okay. I’ve been inundated with emails, twitters and Facebook messages on how I pack for three-weeks in Europe with only carry-on luggage. First, let’s get the immediate questions out of the way.

Why do you only carry-on? Simple. Once, I spent 5 days in Marrakech, Morocco with only one outfit and no make-up because I checked my bags and they didn’t make it till almost the last day. I ended up wearing the traditional Moroccan outfit.

Moroccan outfits

What type of carry-on do you use and how big is it? I have a 22″ Tumi Carry On . It fits in the overhead compartment on every flight I’ve been on unless you expand it (which I never do).

What do you pack?

Here’s my St. Tropez packing list:

5-7 Dresses

5-7 Casual Shirts

3-5 Dressier Shirts

3-5 Shorts & Skirts

6-8 Bikinis (I love ‘em)

4-6 Swim Cover-ups

Undergarments, Socks

1-2 Pair of Heels, 1-2 Pair of Wedges, 2 Pairs of Flip-Flops

How heavy is your carry-on after it’s packed? Seems pretty heavy. But it’s usually less the the Delta suggested 40lb limit. To make sure it’s less than the limit I use a really cool and easy to use, digital luggage scale. (FYI: if you are not carrying on, this luggage scale can come in handy with the new fees that airlines are charging!)

Luggage Scale

Do you wash your clothing while traveling? We wash/dry clean whatever needs it, when it needs it. Sending it out is still easier than ending up with no clothing at all!

Okay. That handles most of the preliminary questions. Here’s a little video to show you exactly what I brought to St. Tropez this summer and how I packed it.

Three Tips for the “Starter” Jet Set

By Kim · April 3, 2009 · Filed in How You Do It, Partying Around the World · 3 Comments »

Bored Couple

Rob and I get emails constantly from people that aspire to lead a jet set life like we do. True jet setters take multiple trips throughout the year to many of the world’s hottest destinations. But just because you’re not rolling in dough, doesn’t mean you can’t begin to enjoy the jet set life. Who says you can’t take one jet set trip a year! Here are a couple of tips to help you start your Jet Set Life today!

#1: Travel in Shoulder Season

I’m a fan of shoulder season travel for destinations like Florence (Italy), Paris (France), San Jose del Cabo (Mexico) and even Buenos Aires (Argentina). I prefer shoulder season to high season because the weather is still wonderful and the prices for air and hotel are definitely lower. During shoulder season, the cities aren’t over crowded with tourists but they are also not dead as well.

#2: Book a Well Priced & Well Located Boutique Hotel

For me it’s all about the hotel. Yes, some say the hotel is just the place you lay your head, and this is true. However,  a great hotel can enhance your experience in many ways. They often can get you into restaurants , events or on tours that are not necessarily accessible to everyone. Also, when you travel to some destinations, you’ll want to possibly sit by the pool and relax, maybe read a book in their library or sit champagne and watch the sunset on their balcony. All things that you wouldn’t be able to do if you weren’t staying in a wonderful hotel.

However, what does not necessarily make a hotel jet-set is the price. I don’t care if the hotel is not 6 stars, if it does not have a Michelin rated restaurants…those things on their own merit are not important to my overall experience. In addition, location is key. There are some amazing boutique hotels in really terrible locations. I’d rather be in a prime location and have easier access to the hot spots, less taxi rides and taxi fares!

My favorite resource to book a fantastic boutique hotel is Tablet Hotels. They offer great deals, added incentives and traveler reviews about the coolest hotels worldwide.

#3: Use Discount Airlines Booking Companies & Frequent Flier Miles

Jet-set is a term that was used when commercial air travel was new and only the super-wealthy could afford it. You don’t need your own personal 747 to be a jet-setter. If anything, I find that use of private air travel to be non-environmentally friendly and for that reason, rather non-chic. Rob and I always fly commercial and yes, often in coach. We travel often so we’d rather use our frequent flier miles for a free ticket as opposed to using it for an upgrade. A great way to accumulate frequent flier miles is by using an American Express credit card that allows you to easily transfer your miles to any major airline.

You can save 20-30% on base airline prices by using copanies such as 1-800-Fly Europe. Using online booking companies like these may mean that you aren’t given the airline’s name or possibly the stop-over destination. However, with a little research you can find out the flight.

5 Ways to Save on Travel, Clothes & Accessories

By Kim · January 22, 2009 · Filed in How You Do It · 2 Comments »

With the economy declining and everyone’s budget getting cut, opening your wallet for boutique clothing, new jewelry, designer handbags and high end travel is becoming more and more difficult. Let’s face it, even jet-setters like to have a little extra green in their pockets too! The good news is that there are many companies that offer savings whether the Dow is up or down. You just gotta know where to go!

I have put together a list of five of my favorite money-saving websites that will help you maintain (or even increase) your lifestyle, stay stylish and travel to cooler destinations without depleting your life-savings. Just in case you think these savings are a bunch a bologna, I included my own examples of savings that I have found.

Note: If you have a website that has helped you save some green, share them with me and my readers by posting a comment. Don’t forget to include the web address!

Tip #1: Shop It To Me

Shop It To Me

Shop It To Me

Shop It To Me is my favorite place to bargain hunt my favorite high end designers like Diane Von Furstenburg, Alice + Olivia, Splendid, Marc Jacobs, James Perse. If high-end fashion is not your thing, they also offer sales form Arden B, Bebe and Express.  Shop It To Me lets you customize which designers you would like to hear about and how often you want to receive the Sale Alerts. The best part is, they’ll only email you sale items that are in YOUR size! It doesn’t get better than this folks!

My Example: A section of my own personal “Sale Alert Email”

Shop It To Me Example

Tip #2: Airfare Watch Dog

Airefare Watchdog

Airfare Watchdog

Airfare Watchdog does exactly what the name implies. You have the option to search their Top 50 Deals, check for current low fares for specific departure or arrival cities and even sign up for email alerts. They offer both domestic and international airfare deals and airline route maps for almost every airline worldwide.

My Example: International Flights form LAX

Airfare Watchdog Example

Tip #3: Travel Zoo

Travelzoo

Travelzoo

If you’re looking for a last minute travel deal or have a flexible itinerary then head to TravelZoo. They have a very concise list of airfare, cruises, hotels, car rentals and travel packages for all types of travel. Whether you are looking for a luxury getaway, a romantic hide out or a ski trip, TravelZoo has tons of deals to hook you up with!

My Example: The Mondrian South Beach

Mondrian South Beach Example

Tip #4: Fly Europe

picture 2 5 Ways to Save on Travel, Clothes & Accessories

Fly Europe

If you’re looking for an international airfare deal then look no further than Fly Europe. You won’t know the airline or cities you may stop in, but you will have departure and arrival times as well as a GREAT price!

My Example: Flight ~ Boston to London

Fly Europe Example

Tip #5: Bag, Borrow or Steal

Bag Borrow or Steal

Bag Borrow or Steal

This is a great website for those who want to stay current with the trends without breaking the bank every season. They allow you to borrow handbags, jewelry, watches and sunglasses from all the top designers including Cartier, Chanel, Rolex, Gucci, David Yurman, Coach, Fred & Co, Tiffany and YSL. Lower end brands begin at $15/wk and highend or vintage brands go for $150/wk. Rent for a week or a month, it’s all up to you. Become a member and get preferred pricing. Authenticity is ALWAYS guaranteed! And, if you happen to fall madly in love with an item that you are borrowing and want to purchase it, just go online and click “Steal It”. They will tell you if the item is available for purchase and if so, how much it costs. It’s simple, easy and there is never a late fee!

My Example: Gucci Large Babouska Tote

Bag Borrow or Steal Example

5 Tips to be Bikini Ready in 90 Days

By Kim · October 13, 2008 · Filed in Beach Travel, How You Do It, Looking Your Best · 3 Comments »

Punta del Este Jose Ignacio beach Uruguay

Picture Above: Bikini Beach in Punta del Este, Uruguay

Bikini season? Again! She must be crazy! Nope, in the Southern Hemisphere, summer is on it’s way and it’s coming whether you are ready or not! So, if you’re heading South to an exotic destination like Buzios, Punta del Este or Sydney (or want to just look like you are), here are my tips on getting a bikini-ready-bod in 90 days or less.

1. Let’s Get That Butt “High & Tight”

If you live above the equator then that probably means your 2008 bikini body is getting ready for plush sweaters, warm Winter coats and maybe a couple of extra pounds to keep you warm at night (or maybe that’s just what you tell yourself as you eat your way through the holidays). My suggestion is to find a workout that keeps kicking (and lifting) your butt year round. For me, it’s P90X. This home workout is tough and not meant for the beginning exerciser. You’ll need a chin up bar, free weights or bands and a lot of dedication. Three days per week you’ll focus on different body parts such as “Chest & Back” or “Arms & Shoulders” plus “Ab Ripper X”. The other three days you’ll do either “Kenpo X” (think cardio-kickbox), “Yoga X” (1.5 hours of ass-kicking yoga) or “Plyo X” (various jumping exercises for one-hour straight). Every three weeks it’s a different phase, total muscle confusion. Between each phase you do one week of “Core”, “Yoga” and “Stretch X”. The program has many variations such as classic, fat burning and even a double-day workout program for the psychos. It’s enough to keep you interested, not to mention it keeps your heart rate up and your body fat down. Stop making excuses.

2. Finding the Perfect Fit + Personal Style = Bikini Nightmares

It’s almost impossible to find bikinis that fit your shape and personal taste. Add to that the desire to wear a swimsuit that isn’t on every other girl at the pool and you’ve got one complex situation! I’ve complied a list of my favorite swimsuit designers and shops worldwide. You’ll be sure to find great fits and unique styles. Just double check the return policies!

Tooshie Bikini
Sold in eight stores worldwide or buy online at Net-A-Porter

Salinas Swimwear
Shipping Worldwide, No Returns

Stephanie Hoos
Shipping to US & Europe

Tica London
Shipping Worldwide

Flamingo Sands
Contact directly for purchase and shipping options.

Ave Swimwear
Contact directly for purchase and shipping options.

Nina Swimwear
Free Shipping to Continental US States & Fed Ex to UK, Canada & Other territories worldwide.

Brett Sandler
Purchase online at Shop Bop, Intermix (US) and many other local retailers worldwide.

Sugar Free Swim
Purchase at many local retailers worldwide or call to order directly.

Loér Bikinis
Purchase online.

3. Getting Hair-Free

There’s nothing worse that having to shave your legs (or anywhere else) while on holiday. You have temporary options like Bikini Waxing, or you have permanent options like Laser Hair Removal. You need to plan ahead for both so make a decision and throw away that razor.

4. Smooth Sun Kissed Skin (minus the sun)

No one wants wrinkles, but we all want the golden tan. Sunless is the way to go. Keeping the skin smooth and silky is a must for sunless tanning. I’ve complied a list of my favorite exfoliates and tanners to help you achieve a non-blotchy perfect summer tan.

Exfoliate:
Philosophy Coconut Frosting Salt Scrub
$25 for 23 oz.

Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads
$36 for 8 oz.

Korres Basil Lemon Body Scrub
$17 for 5 oz.

Sunless Tanners

Only in Salons:

Mystic Tan
Fantasy Tan Airbrushing

At Home:

Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning
$51 for 1.7 fl/oz.

Too Faced: Tanning Bed in a Tube
$22.50 for 6 fl/oz.

5. Moisturize & Protect

Taking care of your skin is especially important during and after a day in the sun. You want to make sure your skin stays protected from the sun’s harmful rays, as well as the chemicals in pools or the drying salt in the ocean. Here’s a list of my favorite moisturizers and sunscreens.

Moisture:
La Mer Body Creme
$130-$190 for 6.7-10 fl/oz.

Fresh Sugar Lemon Body Lotion
$28 for 10 fl/oz.

Bliss Body Butter
$35 for 8.5 fl/oz.

Sunscreen for the Face:

Natura Bisse Oil Free SPF 30
$95

Shiseido Ultimate Sun for Face
$33 for 2 fl/oz.

Sunscreen for the Body:

Peter Thomas Roth: Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
$28 for 6 fl/oz.

Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection SPF 33 PA++
$28 for 3.3 fl/oz.

Fresh Sun Shield SPF 30 for Face & Body
$48 for 5.1 fl/oz.

# # # #

Rob and I are headed to Buenos Aires & Rio de Janeiro over the next couple of months. Let us know if you’ll be in the neighborhood!

Ciao!

Kimberly

Turn Your Dreamline into a Vision Board

By Kim · September 21, 2008 · Filed in How You Do It · 6 Comments »

picture 4 264x300 Turn Your Dreamline into a Vision Boardpicture 3 Turn Your Dreamline into a Vision Board vision board 300x225 Turn Your Dreamline into a Vision Board

You’ve read the 4HWW and you’ve finally made the perfect Dreamline. Now what? For me the answer is a Vision Board. It’s kinda like: Tim Ferriss meets The Secret. The purpose of a Vision Board is to serve as a reminder of all the things that you want to bring into your life. Basically, you’re going to make a collage of things that you want to achieve (i.e. Have, Be, Do from the Dreamline). A Vision Board gives you a visual of your goals and brings them to life because you are actually picturing them as opposed to just seeing words on a paper.

There have been a lot of misconceptions with The Secret and The Law of Attraction. No, I do not believe that just hanging photos of things you want will bring them into your life. And either to the authors of The Secret. The purpose is to help you create intense focus, envision the things that you want, and feel the feelings of having those things before you actually do. However, you still have to take the action steps necessary if you really want to obtain your dreams. Think of a Vision Board as a constant reminder of your dreams, goals and ambitions. You may say B.S., but does it hurt you in any way to try this method? I think not, so go ahead, and turn your Dreamline into a Vision Board.

Here’s three steps to creating the ultimate Vision Board:

#1: Find photos, magazine clip-outs, pamphlets, etc.. that represent the items on your Dreamline. For example, I wanted to get Veneers. I clipped out a picture of Brooke Burke’s beautiful smile and I had it on my Vision Board reminding me of my goal. I worked toward it and about 6 months later, I had a new smile. Also, you should use a cork board (instead of poster board) because as your year progresses you’ll want to add things to your Vision Board and remove those that you’ve accomplished.

#2: Get as creative as you can. Channel your inner Kindergartner and make design your Vision Board inspiring. Example: Maybe you want to have a Porshe. Go to a dealership, sit in one, have your picture taken and use it on your Vision Board. Or use Photoshop to have your image superimposed into the car. If everyday, you see a photo of you sitting in your dream car, eventually you’ll find a way to make it happen.

#3: Hang your Vision Board somewhere that you’ll see it everyday. For us, our Vision Boards are in the bathroom because it’s the first place we go in the morning and it’s the last place we go at night. So, while getting ready for the day or for bed we can see our dreams “come alive” so to speak.

That’s it. It’s simple as that. I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences with a Vision Board. So please leave me a comment:)

Outsourcing Through Elance: My Experience

By Kim · August 15, 2008 · Filed in How You Do It · 12 Comments »
When your computer problems get too much to handle, Elance!

When your computer problems get too much to handle just Elance it!

If you plan to travel the world, take more time off and spend more time enjoying your life (as opposed to working), than you probably have a muse (a.k.a. Business that funds you lifestyle). And if you have a muse, then eventually, you’re going to get stuck somewhere along the way in this technology obsessed world. When you do, it’s Elance to the rescue…maybe.

Elance is basically a service that helps you outsource all the things you can’t or don’t want to do to someone who can. You can Elance everything from marketing or web design to legal or administrative work. Companies or individuals bid on your project. This is often a faster, more inexpensive way to solve your pesky problems. Personally I’ve only Elanced problems with web design and Wordpress (which I have plenty of, why can’t someone just make Wordpress a little easier for the non-computer geek!

Being an “outsourcing virgin” Elance was my first. I find the website confusing and the system definitely has flaws, but in the end it’s worth the aggravation because my problems get solved.

Here’s what I learned, what I wish I had known and my outcomes.

Experience #1: I needed some help with Wordpress blog stats, website crop navigation and PDF to HTML conversion. I posted the job on Elance and within an hour I had an offer. I was so excited that I actually got I bid, that I jumped right in and awarded the project immediately.

What I learned: The project objectives and time line should be completely clear before awarding the project.

What I wish I had known: I wish I had used milestones to not only fund the project, but to make sure the guidelines were followed. Also, I realized after the fact that correspondence should always go through the Elance private message boards and not my own email or phone to protect myself from he said/she said problems.

Outcomes: Often I found myself repeating the objectives of the project. The Elance worker began wanting to be paid even though silly mistakes had been made and not corrected. I found myself wondering why the quality of what the Elance worker did was so poor and not what I was looking for. Then I figured it out. I pay him, he pays workers a fraction of it to actually do the work. Most of the time, he hadn’t even seen the project before he told me it was completed!

My Wordpress problem and crop navigation were completed to satisfaction eventually, but not nearly on the time line that the Elance worker had predicted. The PDF conversion to HTML, was a disaster. He would literally email me the link for what he called a “completed project” with the same errors that I had previously asked him to fix. He tried a few sneaky tactics to get paid, but I caught onto him. This one just didn’t workout. I had to pull the project and re-Elance it. Hence, experience #2.

Experience #2: The PDF to HTML conversion redo project. I received multiple responses and this time I basically interviewed of all of them. In the end I found the right guy for the job.

What I learned: If you spend the time before the job is awarded making sure the objectives are understood, then you’re chances of a better experience increase drastically.

What I wish I had known: Nothing.

Outcomes: Perfection and delivered on time. He’s respectful, honest, hard working and only delivers a polished final product. No sneak, sneaky.

So, what has Elance done for me? My blog stats are fixed, the beautiful crop navigation on my blog is complete and of course, my PDF to HTML conversion of The List for each destination on our website is beautiful.

I love to give recommendations, so here’s the link for my Elancer, Bhupendra Singh Kunwar.

If you have any Elance stories you want to share or recommendations for Elancers, please post!

Life is about choices.

By Kim · July 22, 2008 · Filed in How You Do It · 8 Comments »


The view from Katikies Hotel in Santorini from Jet Set Life on Vimeo .

Life is about choices. My husband and I, we chose each other, we are soul-mates. We chose to get married in Italy , a place that has real meaning to us. It was so lovely that we chose to celebrate our anniversary each year in the Mediterranean. This year we chose the Greek Islands of Mykonos and Santorini. Today (July 21, 2008) happens to be our anniversary. My husband chose to make a magic moment for me. I was awakened with breakfast on the terrace of my hotel, Katikies , overlooking the caldera, a bunch of fresh flowers and a Santorini painting on a wooden door that my husband purchased (I had admired it the previous day) as a gift to celebrate our day. These were all choices, and life…it’s just about choices.

My fantastically brilliant husband always says that people have in life exactly what they need. For us, we have to have (not want) but have to have many weeks off a year to travel around the world . This is what we love and enjoy. However, often people look at us and list all the reasons why we’re able to follow this life and our passion but they are not. The truth is that we have found a way to overcome any obstacles including the emotional and financial as well as any mental blocks that we may perceive. Here’s how…

#1: Emotional Obstacles

“I can’t travel because I have a kid, dog, business, etc…” This is the most common excuse that is used and is an emotional obstacle. We have these obstacles also. For us, taking three weeks in Greece included leaving our daughter, business and Matlipoo puppy for three weeks. But we overcame these obstacles.

a. Our daughter went to camp. Which yes, is convenient for us but more so, the benefits to her overall growth and development as a human being are priceless.

b. Our office is left with an excellent team while we are away. We leave, don’t worry about it and put out any fires when we return.

c. Our little Maltipoo is cared for my great friends and/or an amazing cage free doggie-daycare facility. It’s good for the puppy to get to know other people, places and dogs. It’s called making them socialized:)

#2: Financial Obstacles

“I can’t travel because I don’t have the money.” This is also a common excuse that is used and is a financial obstacle. Let’s face it, people spend money on what they spend money on. I know some people who have very little expendable income but choose to gamble, or even buy luxurious items with every dime. There are also other people that choose to pay $4.00 for a cup of coffee every day, maybe even twice a day. Rob and I aren’t descendants of Johnson & Johnson and we don’t have a trust fund. We live below our means.

a. We don’t own or want to own a home (been there, done that) which means we rent a fantastic place and get to save the costs of home maintenance, new dishwashers and the pool boy.

b. We choose to deposit a set amount into a “Travel Savings Account”. Realize that $100 per week equals to $5,200 for your next trip next year. This account is used for our two most expensive trips of the year. We make travel a priority, not keeping up with the Jone’s.

#3: Mental Blocks

An example is my very favorite “I’ll make the money now so I can retire with $X million, then I will travel” This is called a deferred life plan. Traveling in retirement is amazing. Traveling anytime is amazing. But what people don’t realize is that the difference between traveling now or in retirement is HUGE! In life there are no guarantees. You’re wallet may be thick and your mind may be young and you’re body may be healthy. But what if you’re wallet is less than or your mind isn’t sharp or your body is unhealthy, then what you have waited (and worked) for all your life, is nothing more than a fantasy. For us, we want to live NOW. You only have today and you never know what the future will bring, good or bad.

a. We set our intentions together and decide what we want our life to look like. Then we go after it. Insert the Four Hour Work Week , The Secret etc… We have respective vision boards with our dreams, goals and desires. They remind us daily of what we are after. But without action, these goals would never get accomplished.

b. We use the saying “Why not me?” What does Donnie Duetsch have that you don’t?

Design your life, create memories and live in the present. I’m not saying it’s easy, I’m not saying you won’t encounter some bumps along the way. But in the end, isn’t following your true passion, living your life to the fullest and with inspiration worth it?

Just my two-cents.

Kimberly