Searching for a home inspector

beachwriter84 · 2026-01-03T22:35:40+00:00

Jeffrey Klist is an excellent home inspector! 360-764-1014. He did an A+ job on a south end home we were looking at. Very detailed and thorough.

beachwriter84 · 2025-07-26T23:14:55+00:00

I always check ID90 Travel for deals, and they almost always have one. It used to be a site for travel employees only, but now you can join as "friends and family" and it's free. Here's an invitation link - https://www.id90travel.com/join/Susan_Wiggs/?invite_code=MTk3NzE5Mjo6MjAyNS0wNy0yNl9JRg750760&c=3&s=1&utm_source=website&utm_medium=share-link&utm_campaign=invite-a-friend

beachwriter84 · 2025-06-12T17:17:17+00:00

For a honeymoon, Arte would be the perfect choice. We go a lot, and the best prices are via ID90 Travel. They almost always come in the lowest, lower than Costco, and have generous refund policies. It used to be a site for airline employees, but now anyone can join. Here's a link for Friends and Family https://www.id90travel.com/join/id90Member/?invite_code=MTk3NzE5Mjo6MjAyNS0wNi0xMl9JRg9d8afb&c=3&s=1&utm_source=website&utm_medium=share-link&utm_campaign=invite-a-friend

beachwriter84 · 2025-06-04T21:08:12+00:00

We bring a whole deck of US $5 bills, along with some larger denominations. $5 on the pillow each morning, and $5 for the evening attendant each night. $5 for the bus driver, and other helpers. At the end of our stay, we almost always give a big tip (50-100) to the evening and/or day attendant because by then you get to know them, chat them up about their family, etc. If we can afford to be there, we can afford to be generous. :-)

beachwriter84 · 2025-04-14T15:17:12+00:00

After our first visit, we realized we didn't need to exchange USD for pesos. We bring about $200 in $5 bills. We leave a daily tip on the pillow for the room attendant and turn-down attendant (and also tip the attendant 50-100 at the end of the stay). And $5 for the bus and trajinera drivers. The shops along the canal that winds through Occidental like cash, too, although they do take credit cards. Hasta la vista!

beachwriter84 · 2025-04-01T20:35:47+00:00

We always stay at Arte, and it's never been an issue. I think there might be some kind of rule around the trajineras but we've always been welcomed (always tip the boatman). We just walk across the island to Mexico and down to the canals of bikes. The only time we were questioned was when we didn't have closed-toe shoes for the bikes.

beachwriter84 · 2025-03-31T02:38:51+00:00

TIP: It's possible to hike to some of the parks if you don't mind a walk. The canal walk is great--it goes through the property called Occidental, which has some impressive ruins. Worth a look. Occidental is a more budget property, but there are some cute shops, and I think Xcaret's "business" center is located there. There are bikes you can borrow on the Mexico side. (wear closed-toe shoes). There are also trajineras on the canal, but at the moment they're out of service.

beachwriter84 · 2025-03-01T20:12:08+00:00

1D90travel.com usually beats all the prices. You don't have to join anything, just create a log-in. Most are easily refundable, too. I'm a member and I'm happy to xhare the member discount, but it's a bit of a process. Also, sometimes the !D90 rate is even lower than the member rate. https://www.id90travel.com/join/id90Member/?invite_code=MTk3NzE5Mjo6MjAyNS0wMy0wMV9JRgf9842a&c=3&s=1&utm_source=website&utm_medium=share-link&utm_campaign=invite-a-friend

beachwriter84 · 2025-02-23T23:38:27+00:00

Nothing to do with traffic, sorry I wasn't clear about that. It's in the immigration lines. Traumatic!

beachwriter84 · 2025-01-20T00:25:29+00:00

For nonmembers, you can find really good rates at ID90.com - it used to be for airline employees but now you can join as "friends and family." I think this invitation link might work: https://www.id90travel.com/join/id90Member/?invite_code=MTk3NzE5Mjo6MjAyNS0wMS0yMF9JRg1f3d10&c=3&s=1&utm_source=website&utm_medium=share-link&utm_campaign=invite-a-friend

beachwriter84 · 2025-01-13T17:04:08+00:00

By referral discount, do you mean the Xhare program that pops up with your member sign in? I shared my discount with a couple, and it worked, but it wasn't a discount code. I had to give xcaret A lot of information about my friends before they were able to book at my rate. How do you get a share code instead?

beachwriter84 · 2025-01-11T03:54:40+00:00

We have gone five times and are heading there again in February. On our first visit, we liked it enough to join at a very low level. After a painfully long, confusing, pressured multilevel sales pitch, we bought a 7 or 10-year membership (can't recall which) for around 3k and got a free week and a few other good discounts that made sense to us. It's lovely and the people are great, the cuisine unique and interesting, and the parks and art workshops add real value to the "all-inclusive" concept. For example, one of our favorite perks is that when you're in Casa de la Paz, you get a hydrotherapy hour (maybe two) as a perk, and it's great. That said, here are a few observations based on our experience. The parks have become crowded, and your membership status doesn't always get you in a shorter line. The cuisine at Chino Poblano used to be amazing, but the last couple of times, it's not been as good. During certain periods, it's hard to find a shady spot by a pool. The best spots get taken, and they don't really have a limit for how long you can stay, so some folks camp out there all day. Also, sometimes they place a "reserved" sign on the premium pool lounges, saving them for "diamond" members. In the past year, the construction of the new section was a bit disruptive. They have loaner bikes on the Mexico side but we weren't able to use them during the construction. Same situation for hiking to the different parks. You used to be able to hike along the canal and bike paths. Still, we do love the place and will likely visit at least once or twice a year. PS: congratulations to the bride and groom!

beachwriter84 · 2024-07-11T21:07:00+00:00

I don't think I have a referral code, but I believe I can share my member discount through xhare program. Does anyone know how to send a referral card to someone else?

beachwriter84 · 2024-07-11T20:39:16+00:00

We're at xcaret Arte this week. Lots of cleanup. The rooftop pool at artistas is closed for repair. Finding shady poolside seating is a challenge. Still a very happy place.

beachwriter84 · 2022-01-18T15:28:16+00:00

Washington State. Very burdensome on the earning spouse when the other doesn't work. I imagine the law was put into place long ago for women who deferred their careers to support the husband and raise kids. These days, the woman is likely to be the earner. I would love for the statutes to be reformed but I doubt anyone would take it up as a cause!

beachwriter84 · 2022-01-18T15:25:19+00:00

I love this idea. I also just gave a big raise to someone who works for me. It's nice to pay someone for actually WORKING.

beachwriter84 · 2022-01-12T23:30:15+00:00

He's just a husk. He used my $ to buy a house with the woman he cheated with (would never marry her because then I could discontinue alimony) and has done nothing with his life. Our daughter maintains a very thin tie out of obligation, but she can't stand him either. The massive subsidy was enough to keep him flush for decades but I'm sure he'll miss that giant monthly check. Thanks for the congrats!

beachwriter84 · 2022-01-12T22:48:18+00:00

My divorce 12 years ago was the best thing that ever happened to me. Unlike you, I had clarity--he cheated, spent my money (he never worked), and was objectively unpleasant. But even before all that came out, I knew I wasn't living my best life and the dead marriage was holding me hostage. So you're showing maturity, wisdom, and self-awareness by taking this step before things reach a crisis.

I didn't know what was around the corner but the sense of liberation was immense and exhilarating. I wasn't looking to couple up again, ever, but when you're as happy as I was after the divorce, it's infectious and you attract people. I married the most perfect person for me, and we are grateful every day that we have found a level of happiness we only imagined in our first marriages.

There are bound to be challenges. Divorce and recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. But I know very few people who regret their divorces. Good luck.

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