Money or Memories?

When you think of Naples, FL, you immediately envision beautiful beaches, warm weather, and gorgeous homes. There's money here. Lots of money. Mansions on the beach are bought and torn down because the style isn't to the new owner's liking. I work in real estate and see houses rented for season (typically Christmas through Easter), that go for $20-40k Per. Month.

Yesterday, my office took a field trip to a newer fancy-schmancy neighborhood so we could check out the model homes. These developers know what they're doing. They start with nicely designed regular sized models, and then build up to the masterpieces. Some of these homes are so big I would probably lose a child in them...which, at times, wouldn't devastate me. I kid, I kid. My favorite house had a room just for wine. Let that sink in. Your wine has its own glassed in, showpiece, room. And here I've just been keeping mine in the kitchen like a barbarian!

I went home thinking about the money that goes into the home and the lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't turn down a big, fat check, but I think about all these material things, and I realized I'd rather make a memory with my family than have a gift that will just get broken by the puppy or kids anyway. 

 

In light of this, my siblings and I started a tradition about four years ago. Instead of buying each other gifts, we take the kids and go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney. We're all together watching the parade, screaming on the roller coasters, standing in line over and over for the Buzz Lightyear ride...and I love it! We're going this weekend so I'll have a post next week with the lowdown on what to do and see.   

So hug your loved ones tightly and make memories cooler than a glass wine room!

With Love,
Susanne