My Life Adventure List: A Journey Across Continents, Parks, and Wonders

Experiences Over Things

In the intricate dance of my marriage—which I work at every day— the value of shared experiences often eclipses the significance of acquiring material possessions or assets. The data shows experiences have a greater power to make us happy than stuff. Experiences create a tapestry of memories, weaving together moments of joy, challenge, laughter, and growth that become the threads binding couples. This is especially true for my scrap-booking wife who creatively uses fun props that allow her to chronicle our adventures in the one of a kind products that she creates at her channel Scrapping in my Sleep

Unlike possessions that may fade or lose allure over time, the impact of shared adventures and milestones tends to deepen the emotional landscape of a relationship. Experiences foster connection by necessitating collaboration, communication, and understanding, fostering a sense of unity as couples navigate life's twists and turns together. The stories born from shared journeys become the gems of a relationship, cherished far beyond the transient pleasure derived from owning things.

Moreover, experiences contribute to personal and collective growth, fostering resilience and fortifying the emotional foundation of a partnership. While material acquisitions may offer temporary satisfaction, the enduring joy and strength derived from shared experiences reinforce the idea that, in the grand tapestry of a relationship, the richness of shared moments surpasses the allure of possessions, creating a narrative of love and connection that stands the test of time.

The bottom line: I love traveling and experiencing the world with my bride—it is such a special treat—and we have long planned to enjoy this wonderful this post-retirement space!

Embracing the Extraordinary

Life is a grand adventure—a tapestry woven with threads of experiences, dreams, and wanderlust. As my wife and I sip coffee on lazy Saturday mornings, we often find ourselves lost in conversations about our shared bucket list—the Life Adventure List. It’s not just a checklist; it’s a roadmap to the extraordinary.

This week, I am going to share with you our Life Adventure List. You will note that we have the mindset that experiences are far more important than assets at this stage of our life. We want to leverage our net worth over the next 10-20 years, while our health is good, to experience our amazing world—together!

And since this is part of my “Is That Deductible? series, at the end we’ll tackle how our adventures and my business(s) intersect later.

Visiting All 7 Continents

Our passports bear stamps from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, but our hearts yearn for more. Antarctica’s icy expanse beckons us next January—the land of penguins, glaciers, and ethereal auroras. We imagine standing at the southernmost tip of the world, breathing in crisp, untouched air. We just returned from Australia’s red deserts and vibrant coral reefs where we left footprints. South America promises the Amazon rainforest, Machu Picchu, and the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro. And oh, the mysteries of Asia—the Great Wall of China, the temples of Angkor Wat, and the cherry blossoms of Kyoto.

Exploring Every US National Park

From the rugged peaks of Denali in Alaska to the sun-kissed canyons of Zion in Utah, we vow to traverse the vast canvas of America’s national parks. We’ll hike the misty trails of Great Smoky Mountains, kayak through the Everglades’ mangroves, and camp under the star-studded skies of Yosemite. Each park holds a story—a whisper of ancient trees, a roar of waterfalls, and the rustle of wildlife. We’ll collect memories like wildflowers, preserving them in the scrapbook of our souls. We just got back from American Samoa National Park, marking our 18th park that we have visited so far, and we can’t wait to check off all 63!

Beholding the Wonders of the World

The Wonders of World—they evoke awe, curiosity, and reverence. This coming November we will stand before the colossal pyramids of Giza, their limestone blocks whispering secrets of pharaohs and eternity. Just a month ago, the Great Barrier Reef, with it’s spectacular ombre’ colors left us breathless. But there are more wonders to behold—the mystical city of Petra, carved into rose-red cliffs; the Great Wall of China, snaking across ancient landscapes; the Colosseum, where gladiators once battled; the Christ the Redeemer statue, arms outstretched over Rio de Janeiro; and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, perched atop the Andes. Our passports ache for these marvels.

The Unwritten Entries

Our list isn’t static. It’s alive, evolving with each sunrise. There are unwritten entries—the spontaneous road trips, the laughter shared with strangers, the unplanned detours. We’ll chase meteor showers, dance in unexpected rainstorms, and savor street food in hidden alleys. We’ll hold hands as we watch sunsets from forgotten cliffs, our hearts echoing the rhythm of life. It’s gonna be so much fun meeting people from all over the world!

The Legacy We Leave

Our Life Adventure List isn’t just about us; it’s about the legacy we leave behind. We’ll teach 7 children and our grandchildren constellations, share stories of far-off lands, and pass down our worn-out hiking boots. We’ll inspire others to chase their own dreams—to climb mountains, swim with dolphins, and see the splendor of creation.

So, here’s to the next chapter—the unwritten entries, the checked-off wonders, and the wild, beautiful journey ahead. Our Life Adventure List isn’t just a list; it’s our love letter to life itself.

Is That Deductible?

To uncover all available business deduction options related to our travel and experience interests, some reverse engineering is required. Even a partial business interest in the destination can help offset a portion of the trip expenses, which is a nice bonus.

What are my options for a business purpose playbook, some of which may be available to you.

• CME—I especially like international CME. I highly recommend CME Away because of their amazing locations and because companions are free!

• Locums—I am currently working with several locum companies on an assignment this fall, and they are aware that my priority locations involve proximity to national parks. Reach out to Louis with Hayes Locums and let him help you!

• Dare To Dream—Escape distractions and reflect on your goals during our annual goal-setting retreat, where you can dream together with your spouse. Find a free sample structure for this goal setting retreat here. We have hosted these retreats at various locations nationwide, leveraging the close connection between personal and professional life in a micro-corporation to easily incorporate business goals. Our Lake Michigan retreat in South Haven is a favorite location for this purpose—check it out Simpli SoHa here.

• Strategic Planning Meeting--Every year, we escape to a US-based location to spend a week creating strategic goals, plans, and budgets for my nine micro-businesses. My main micro-corporation is the foundation of our enterprise, but it requires dedicated time to work through our goals as a couple. For instance, as I retire from my primary job in June, we are planning a strategic planning meeting in Maui in July to organize the future plans for my businesses. Despite my wife's skepticism about me taking it easy by coast firing, I will be managing and discussing SimpliMD, Locums, and my soon to be revealed startup—which I believe will be a marketplace powerhouse!

The process involves first selecting a preferred location to visit and then exploring potential business opportunities that could be pursued there. For instance, I have conducted interviews at potential job sites, met with clients, and explored potential business partnerships during my travels. While not all expenses from the trip may be tax-deductible, combining business activities with personal travel can allow for some deductible expenses.

I advise you to make sure to consult your accounting professional when do any of this. We have a network of professionals who are used to working with doctors, if you need one. I really like SimpliMD partner tax-elm if you are someone who likes to do things yourself.

Lastly, sometimes, you just need a simple professional consultation or a coach to walk you through all of this. I invite you to let me coach you 1 on 1 through my comprehensive 4-pack coaching program. You can sign up here.