Holy Smokes! I'm going back to Negril!

[Clarity]

Thanks Maddiedog - Every year I make a trip home to see my family in New York, Usually in the Fall. I have that money set aside. This year I won't be visiting them in New York, I used that money to buy a ticket to visit them in Jamaica instead. That's how and why this trip is even financially possible for me.

As for our previous trips, We started a box. We call it "the Irie Box" - It requires a lot of sacrifice to raise the funds for our trips in that box. We sold our car. This is only possible because we live in San Francisco and It's a 30 minute walk to work for me. The car was a huge expense that was entirely unnecessary. Now I walk every day. I pack my lunches. We don't go out to fancy dinners or have weekend get-a-ways. We cancelled all subscriptions and our cable service. We rent and we don't have any children... YET. We live a very simple life. This is what enabled us to travel.

It took us 8 years to take our first vacation because we couldn't afford it, so I know exactly where you are coming from with that. My brother loved to travel and when he passed away, I decided to continue his journey. We tallyed up our monthly expenses in an excel spreadsheet and then saw what we could cut out to make travel possible. You'll be surprised how much unnecessary spending happens when you really break it down. I'm not going to say it's an easy feat, but possible if you want it badly enough...which we truly did.

Thanks Dconkle, Jenn and patty sather!

Thanks Judy! I can't wait to see Jamaica through my family's eyes.

Booger!!! LOL!!! Thanks for that helpful advice!
I'm going to throw a bucketful of sea urchins at you when we cross paths again. You do know that right?

Marley - You guys crack me up. Okay, Hold up! Both of you!
You and Boogs are sporting not one... but TWO turtle tickers right now. TWO!
You both need to put away your violins LOL!

Man, I really miss you guys!