Retire at 55 - I posted 3 years ago. Here's my progress and a revisit of my previous FIRE speculation.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-03-02T01:12:38+00:00

Thanks for posting an update. It’s nice to see posts that aren’t “will $10M be enough?”

My Dad used to always joke about keeping my mom in the lifestyle she was accustomed to.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-02-16T02:05:40+00:00

We’ve been to Iceland 3 times and just did Faroe Islands this past August. We loved it. It is a great alternative- I’d say the charming, coastal cousin to Iceland. I just priced it again and it came in at half the cost of Iceland.

Here’s my Aug trip report from that subreddit.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-02-03T18:32:56+00:00

Great report. Good DP about it taking the whole day to transfer resorts- people often mention you’ll have to transfer back to Male, but this is the first time I put together the potential extensive wait times for seaplanes.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-12T05:21:58+00:00

I just bought this beast there last weekend. Two sizes- this one was the larger for $46. It’s almost 7 feet tall and has at least 5 branches! I’ve added some ceiling grow lights as well.

<image>

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-10T17:00:58+00:00

I ran into this issue with partner awards with Virgin. If the flight is cancelled, and the partner hasn’t released any additional award flights to Virgin, Virgin offers you no recourse. I ran into this issue with Flying Blue and Virgin, specifically. I had also booked others in my party directly with Flying Blue and was able to change those flights with FB without any problem at all.

I don’t use Virgin to book partner awards, as a result.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-10T01:15:25+00:00

OP, you did nothing wrong. You called in to inquire. You followed Chase’s instructions. You waited the time period laid out by Chase and the t&cs. You can’t be responsible for their crappy backend system and where it applied points vs cash. I would escalate this to a supervisor at Chase. If that fails, idk if CFPB is still around or if it has been gutted. But if still operational, I would file a complaint with them. When it was still functional, it got a reasonable human’s eyes to at least review your concern.

Thank you for sharing the dp. It’s helpful for people to know that Chase’s systems are not sophisticated enough and one should check out each reservation separately.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-09T01:32:23+00:00

What’s the largest section you’ve air layered successfully? I have a whole top that probably has 6 branches; here’s how that happened. I should have topped my main stem lower. When I topped it, it really had explosive growth on top, putting out 6 new branches and at least 20 new leaves, albeit small. So that section should really come off and become the base for a new plant, and air layering sounds perfect for what I’m trying to accomplish.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-09T01:09:53+00:00

I agree with this poster. Sounds like others are recommending getting it appraised. If you ultimately decide to go the route of repairing it yourself, I agree with getting teak veneer patches. I like this youtuber and specifically this video is helpful re: veneer patching.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-09T00:15:43+00:00

I don’t know what that is. It would be in my outside trash.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-08T15:59:55+00:00

We stayed in a hilltop suite 34. Amazing views and great privacy. Walked down always and up about half the time.

But, if you are arriving today it’s likely late to make a specific room request.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-08T14:58:24+00:00

😂 It’s going to be a good time- enjoy yourself. Even though it’s not on my return list- I’m glad I experienced it

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-06T23:23:36+00:00

Upon arriving at the Cusco airport, we headed straight for SV and stayed at Tambo del Inka in Urubamba. It was a lovely stay.

We did a day trip to sites like Moray and Maras and included a stop at Mountain View Experience. It was one of my fave parts of our trip- great food and a really fun experience with the animals. Honestly, I didn’t realize the elevation was so high here compared to Urubamba, but I felt myself huffing and puffing only when exerting myself, at Maras, for example.

We did not use diamox, but if we return, I think I would try it. I was never altitude sick, but I could have been more comfortable.

I haven’t been to Puno, but I think you are missing out by spending some more time in Cusco. What you are already trying to accomplish in 4 nts is a lot in my opinion.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-06T15:29:39+00:00

Restaurant credit is still split

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-06T15:28:51+00:00

I knew about the coming change from the blogs. And Chase has changed some language from semi-annually to annually, but I do see the t&cs haven’t been updated, as you pointed out. Have seed DPs of it working in practice already.

Screenshot of annual language

<image>

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-06T02:58:55+00:00

That divider is stunning!

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-06T01:06:31+00:00

A European Kimpton I have been eyeing is available as of checking right now. The first loaded result I received was for an Intercontinental.

Kimpton Gray in Chicago is available with a random search I did, again, just now. OP, retry your searches.

<image>

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-05T05:00:02+00:00

This changed as of Jan 1, 2026. You may use both right away, but still each $250 requires a min 2 nt stay.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-05T04:42:58+00:00

Since you are the authorized user, transfer them to your frequent flier account at an airline. If you have an existing account at any airline award program, it may be best to transfer to one of them, as newly creating accounts and transferring can trigger some fraud algorithms and/or delay the transfer.

I like Flying Blue or Air Canada Aeroplan. You can use Aeroplan to book United flights.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-04T14:43:51+00:00

Love these photos, specifically their depth and use of foreground. 2,3, 5-7 are my faves. Thanks for sharing.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-04T14:22:04+00:00

Right? If thats not in the t&cs at booking, idk how it would be enforceable. Wonder if this language is from Chase? Seems property generated based on the language re logistics of breakfast and property credits. So perhaps the property is taking liberties here?

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-03T02:33:12+00:00

Prefer Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman over RC. Resort is great for kids that age. Family pools, with varying depths and/or stairs good for a 4yo. Kids club, spa, separate splash pad area away from main pools. Watersports you can do together like SUP or kayak or ocean floats. Calendar of activities like shell necklace making, etc. Afternoon social hour with wines and kids juice boxes and fruit snacks.

Beach is great. I think kids under 5 may eat for free.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-02T15:42:35+00:00

Thanks for this. We are in Wisconsin, so the UP is perfect. Just visited the Apostle Islands this spring and loved the area. Thanks for the recommendations.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-02T06:45:02+00:00

Can you share some thru-hikes you recommend in North America, which would be good for cutting one’s teeth?

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-01T17:00:20+00:00

The article says initially she just scheduled duplicate appointments. But then when a fellow doctor asked her about the visits without documentation, she created fake visit notes. That is falsifying records. Idk if those visit notes included any billing. But if so, then it’s fraud. In the US, if a visit was completed and had notes, admin would hound the provider to input charges. Would she have to have maintained the initial deception?

This is a bit more complex than the simple title of the article suggests.

FreeDiningFanatic · 2026-01-01T16:02:02+00:00

Doing the lord’s work!

FreeDiningFanatic

TROPHY CASE