The view from our hotel room.  We had a clear sky and an amazing view of the stars on our first night.

The beach was filled with clams.  Which was apparenty unusual (per social media chatter) but never saw a definitive answer as to why there were so many clams.  The birds (and some people) were enjoying the clam bounty. 

On Day 3 we went to the Elfin Forest, which we had to ourselves.  Lots of animals and amazing views (the surrounding hills, the salt marsh, sand dunes, and Morro Rock).

On Day 4 we hiked a preserve that was behind our hotel.   I've been to the hotel several times over the past ~40 years but I don't believe we have ever done this hike.  It's amazing how much forest and shade is hiding behind the brown (summer) hills.  We might have walked 6 miles on this day.  We had some calories to burn off (re: too much good food).

I shared a photo in my last post (from this hike) of a higher up view of Pismo Beach.

On Day 5 we stopped by a little cafe for dinner.  The food was unique.  

On Day 7 we went to Solvang, a little Danish town.  We have been there before, but this time wanted to be there at night and to see the lights.  When we got there the place was packed.  They had some sort of festival going on.  But thankfully it thinned out quickly.  The place is pretty quiet at night.  They had a free concert.  We ate at a great pub with a perfect view of the sunset and then enjoyed some of the music and people watching.

After staying in idyllic beachfront hotels most of the week, we mostly used Santa Barbara as a point to travel from.  So on our last (mostly travel) day we decided we should at least go down to the beach (4 miles from the hotel) and see the beauty of Santa Barbara.  

I didn't know that the beach there was right next to a slough and wetlands.  We were just squeezing in an early morning walk before we left, but saw some incredible birds.

*Not* my picture, but this is an elegant tern.  We saw them dive bombing into the water.  We also saw a heron that we could not ID (too far away).  But it looked like it might have been a great blue heron.  Which is a bird we have abundantly near our house (we live in the wetlands) but that I don't see very often.  This experience tells me that I need to up my bird watching game.  It would take very little effort.

& after that crazy whirlwind of a month...  It's back to reality.

'Big Splurge' Anniversary trip was a success!

It was fairly low key.  The only spending was fuel, hotel, and food.  100% just nature and the great outdoors, otherwise.  But the hotels were expensive.

This trip really narrowed down my focus.  I had wanted to travel and explore the central coast more.  It's always been my happy place.  So...  We expanded and explored a bit.  & nope.  This is the place.  If we redid the same trip over again, I would have just stayed in Pismo for the week.  I do have a renewed appreciation for how special it is. 

We had about 20 miles of coastline completely to ourselves.  Unreal.  

Our trip (distance) was cut a little short re: Highway 1 closure that cut off a lot of our access to Big Sur.  We can save the windy/steep coastline road for a future trip.  I guess the road has been washed out for about 3 years (according to the northern most hotel that we stayed at).  I am sure we have driven that stretch before but we had wanted to stop and do more camping (further north) this trip.  It just wasn't worth the extra time and drive to go all the way around.

Too far north (absolutely gorgeous but no wifi or cell service):

Too far south:

Pismo Beach:

I paid for the trip when the hotel charges posted to the credit card. I sent $1,200 to the restaurant/fuel card.  (We ate *very* well).  & sent $2,500 to the travel card to pay for the hotels.  That should cover it. 

That reminds me, we did expand our horizons and try some new food places in Pismo.  Realized why we always go to the one place.  (Which is somewhat a cost thing because the cost is unreal/low, in addition to the amazing food).  But we tried some things.  & then we just ended up focusing on all the best places we always go to.  (Lots of amazing Italian food.)

So yes, we seemed to fail on all fronts, as to trying new things.  But hey, at least we tried.   I suppose that's not totally fair.  We enjoyed the northern notel we stayed at, and discovered we had the coastline to ourselves.

Grand Total:  $3,700

Note:  We took out MM(22) for a handful of extravagant meals, so it wasn't just the two of us.  We spent most of the week just a few miles from his college campus.

This was probably our biggest 2-person domestic splurge.   We came in slightly under our 2017 Europe trip (that we did soley because it was an incredible deal).  & I mean, the $3,850 Europe trip was far more extravagant as to how many places we went and things we did.  The non-stop flights were unreal (something like $500) and the exhange rate was very favorable at the time.  I paid for all the tours (different cities/countries) with credit card points.

The obvious thing I would do to redo this trip is camp on the weekend to save $800.  I mean trading out a very ho hum (but the most expensive) hotel in more out of the way city and trade it for camping in a cabin with a full bath and kitchen, on a lake.  We had planned to do that anyway but it was a 2-night minimum.  & I didn't want to stay that long. Hindsight 20/20, I'd make that switch.  I'd also eat out a lot less and just eat more leftovers.  

MH is planning to go to the Arizona film festival again.  I was able to pay for the flight and the hotel with credit card rewards.  I was extra pleased because Capital One gave me an extra $250 travel credit re: booking through their travel site.  I've already looked up hotels at least 4 times already.  They never have the hotel or the room type that we want.  I guess the 5th time is the charm.  It's nice I was able to actually use that credit.

I think we can easily pay for the balance of this trip, and the balance of his Austin trip, with MH's income.  I was intially eyeing DL's 'college rent fund' for our big anniversary trip.  But we've actually been able to build up some cash this year.  (Knock on wood).  I will probably just more view the DL fund as a secondary emergency fund.  & will just see how it all lands at the end of the year.

On Wednesday, MH was able to show his movie at a small micro theater.  They have about 25 seats.  

MH wasn't sure who was showing up.  All his flakey friends who couldn't make it to the IMAX screening were interested but were once again flakes.  As we drove to the theater, MH told me he had no idea who was going to show up.  The tickets had sold out quickly.

Once we arrived at sat down to watch the movie, MH told me, "I don't know any of these people!"  (I think technically there was the two of us, and two of his friends that had confirmed ahead of time.)

Definitely the most cold crowd we have watched the movie with.  Because it's always been cast, crew, friends, family.  

From the first minute, people were laughing at every.single.joke.  I looked at MH and told him, "Well, this is a good crowd!"  He definitely found his people.  I think it was just a group of people that likes indie horror films.  They LOVED it!  Which bodes well for the real plan which is to gather a cult following and eventually make a sequel.  Maybe we can do this thing.

I told MH that other than the first screening with the cast and crew, I think this audience was the second most excited.  MH told me he thought this audience appreciated it more than the cast and crew.  Fair.  I think MH felt very seen as they laughed at pretty much all of his stupid jokes.  When it comes to the movies MH has made, I feel like it usually takes a minute for people to get that this is supposed to be dumb and silly.  & this crowd *got it* from the first beat.

It's a horror comedy.  If nothing else, we might always do a screening at this theater in September or October.  I don't know if we will ever get our initial investment back.  But all that money was worth it just to experience that once.  & we can do it again!  We also chatted with the owners, who said they are trying really hard to find a bigger space.  I think we found the right venue.  Being able to double or triple how many tickets we can sell...  That would be amazing.

The movie theater split the proceeds with us 50/50.  The sold out show netted us $135!  That's the first money we have ever made from the infinite hours MH has put into making movies.  

MH had rush ordered some test Blu Ray disks, hoping to sell at the movie theater.  I believe they do a 60/40 cosignment split.  It turns out the movie had a small glitch.  MH doesn't want them in circulation.  It's just a sound glitch in the menu.  But selling the blu rays will have to wait for another time.

It's a bummer because this is further delaying the main benefit to all of the financial backers.  Who are waiting for their early blu ray copies.  So close...

When we woke up Wednesday morning, this was the status of further distribution and streaming:  Expected release date end of October.  

Really cutting it close as to wanting to have it available for Halloween.  & who knows how much that will be pushed back.  

All we knew was that it was still under QC review.  There was a very high expectation that there would be some rework that needs to be done re: sound or whatever else.

To be continued...

Crazy crazy week.  But thankfully, it was all good crazy.  I will break this out into three posts.

DL(20) was able to meet with an advisor in the college education deparment.  Because of his work experience, he will be able to do a 1-year track for his teaching credential.  The credential program is treated the same as Undergrad, with minimal fees added.  DL will have to pass two tests and add a few classes to his degree.  He might choose to take some summer classes so that he can keep working, but it sounds very doable.

As far as a Masters, it looks like it will be just one part-time year at his current college.  While I am sure there are many other options, I don't think he will see the point.  Being able to go to school close to home and his job, will be important.  & the cost will also be hard to beat.  I just happened to meet up with another teacher (MH's friend's wife, I only met her once before and she wasn't on my radar at all.  Until MH told me we were meeting up with her the other night.)  So of course I asked her about teaching and all that. She thought that his Stats major was very complimentary for teaching.  & as Rob in the blogs told me, made a point how important data collection was for teachers.  She felt this would look very favorable to employers.  

This officially puts DL(20) on a 5-year college track.  He will fit right in with the rest of the household.  If he can pull it off in 5 years, he will have the distinction of earning a credential, in addition to his degree.  But because of that, he is probably a little extra motivated to finish his degree in 4 years.  It will likely require summer classes because he also wants to work a lot during the school year.  Mostly because he likes his job, but also he has a lot to save up for.  Will see how it all works out.

Note:  Some topics of conversation that have come up in recent weeks:  Buying a condo, marriage, supporting his future spouse, getting a Masters degree, etc.  <----  These are all the things he is thinking about financially.  Though I don't think he has any plans to spend much on a wedding or an engagement.  He asked me the other day how much it really cost to elope.  Then he saw the look on my face and said, "Not now!  In a couple of years probably." 

If you told me 2-3 years ago that DL(20) would be the first in our household to pursue a higher degree.  What!?  I lumped him in with a lot of my family who were not college people.  Now in his third year of college...  I think the truth was that he just wasn't a K-12 person.  It was easy to presume that he would have been more well served by a community college/AA degree, like several people in my family. 

This is also a kid who never wanted to take an advanced class or do a single extra-curricular activity.  He was always so precious about his time and I was so grateful he was admitted into the art school.  It was the only way he ever would have gotten any exposure to the arts.  Because asking him to take a class after school would have been a bridge too far.  Even for something he was extremely passionate about art.  So...  Who is this kid who wants to work and go to school and take summer classes?  Clearly it has to do a lot with finding his true passion.  Being older and more mature.  But I also think a lot of it is just having more control over things.  Having control about what he can study and how he can spend his time.  I might have said already, but adulthood really suits DL.

I wanted to jot some of the college info down before I forget the new info.  This means DL will probably also have a more expensive 5th college year (like his brother).  I wouldn't expect any financial aid once the state grants dry up (after 4 years).  But there's frequently been generous government offers for individuals to pursue teaching credentials.  (MH has considered this route a few times, when they literally would have paid him a 'salary' while also paying for a credential program.)  Will keep an eye out on what opportunities are available when we cross that bridge. 

MM(22) July 2025 'College Rent Fund': $2,400

MM(22) August 2025 'College Rent Fund': $112  $0

Rent is paid through September 30th.

I reimbursed MM(22) for 6 months of utilities, so this account is pretty much exhausted.  I think I will call it.  There is still technically $15,112 in this account, earmarked for DL(20).  Er, was earmarking $15,000 in my mind.  But I have been giving interest on the entire combined account to MM(22).  Because MM(22) is the only one using the money.  I think it’s fair to cut MM(22) off at this point.  In the name of simplicity.

Note:  I am not committing to give DL this $15,000.  It’s just there if he wants to transition out of the house before he graduates.  Which I personally think he should.  But DL and MH more lean towards saving money.  

Second note:  Started with $20K in this account (for MM’s college years) and currently have $19,500 in our ‘taxable investment’ account.   I think it’s safe to say that we will have entirely replaced the original $20K (this fund) by the end of this calendar year.   Or about 4 years after MM(22) started college. 

MM(22) July 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $16,015 (+$5K ROTH)

MM(22) Aug 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $16,075 (+$5K ROTH)

+$60 interest in August

With the ‘college rent fund’ exhausted, will be tapping this fund for rent and all the college expenses going forward.

MM(22) doesn't start his 5th college year for a couple of more weeks.  

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DL(20) July 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $21,607 (+$5K ROTH )

DL(20) Aug 2025 'Gifted College Fund': $21,488 (+$5K ROTH)

I ended up paying for parking fees out of this fund.  This was the first year we started paying for tuition out of this fund.  Figured might as well also not sweat the parking fees. 

I received DL’s state grant amount/estimate and it is more than I will owe for spring tuition.  We should be putting in more than we take out, for the rest of the year.  But I won’t get Fall financial aid money back for a few more months.

DL(20)'s Fall semester started a couple of weeks ago.

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We are starting a new chapter where all the college expenses are being paid by the 'saved ahead' funds.  I don't anticipate cash flowing any college expenses (from income) in the future.  I'd still consider these our most expensive 'kid' years re: private healthcare (x4) and feeding growing boys ($$$$$).  There is some major cost savings to be had (~$30,000 per year) once our kids fly the nest (healthcare, food, mortgage paid off or downsize).  I feel like most my peers with college-aged kids are sweating 'college'.  I am more sweating everything else.  Or maybe more to the point, looking forward to the massive decrease in other young 20-something expenses.  In just a few more years.