5 years (plus a little)

[ronparise]

Its been a little over 5 years since I bought my first timeshare (Dec 2010) and joined TUG (Feb 2011) and Ive been thinking about what Ive done and the changes in my life since then

Today I was in Lowes and on a rack at the cash register I spotted this magazine by AARP

The New Retirement 500 ways to make it happier, healthier , more fun. On the cover were 6 questions 5 of which I was asking myself 5 years ago at age 64

Is there anything I can do if I havent saved enough?
Whats the best age to start collecting social security?
Where can I find an affordable home?
I want to re-imagine my life, but how? and
how to get a great part time job?

5 years ago I found myself at retirement age but without the money to retire. And then I discovered timeshares... Now as I approach 70 Im having more fun, and making more money than at any other time in my life and those 5 questions have been answered. I now have some savings and am well on my way to having enough.. My desperation move to start collecting social security at age 62, turned out to be the best decision for me, I have a dream home (and 100 or more vacation homes) I am living a re-imagined life.. and its all due to the part time "job" I created for myself with timeshares

So thanks to Tug and certain tuggers, (Linda, Jim, Jim, Jason, Mike, and the others who helped me find my path to a happy, healthy and fun retirement.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Congrats on making a successful transition to this new phase in your life.

Best wishes for continued success !

Richard

 

[Tank]

Thats AWESOME Ron !!

With some thought it can be done, thanks for all your advise over the time.

I have found a way myself to make it work for me, it takes some money to make some money. I plan on some extra retirement income also.

Hats off for a job well done !

Dave

 

[dominidude]

:whoopie: Ron, you make look it easy, good for you!

 

[DEScottzz]

Kudos, Ron!

 

[Zac495]

I may be calling on you eventually! ENJOY!

 

[VacationForever]

Ron, you are my hero!

 

[WinniWoman]

Very inspiring. There is some hope for us all.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Ron, Congrats and you always give me inspiration.

Its been a little over 5 years since I bought my first timeshare (Dec 2010) and joined TUG (Feb 2011) and Ive been thinking about what Ive done and the changes in my life since then

Today I was in Lowes and on a rack at the cash register I spotted this magazine by AARP

The New Retirement 500 ways to make it happier, healthier , more fun. On the cover were 6 questions 5 of which I was asking myself 5 years ago at age 64

Is there anything I can do if I havent saved enough?
Whats the best age to start collecting social security?
Where can I find an affordable home?
I want to re-imagine my life, but how? and
how to get a great part time job?

5 years ago I found myself at retirement age but without the money to retire. And then I discovered timeshares... Now as I approach 70 Im having more fun, and making more money than at any other time in my life and those 5 questions have been answered. I now have some savings and am well on my way to having enough.. My desperation move to start collecting social security at age 62, turned out to be the best decision for me, I have a dream home (and 100 or more vacation homes) I am living a re-imagined life.. and its all due to the part time "job" I created for myself with timeshares

So thanks to Tug and certain tuggers, (Linda, Jim, Jim, Jason, Mike, and the others who helped me find my path to a happy, healthy and fun retirement.

 

[csxjohn]

You certainly do have a dream home, congratulations.

And I have to thank you for all the help you've given me and others, especially in trying to figure out the W system which I finally decided was not for me.

 

[clifffaith]

Wow, Ron! I just joined TUG this past Feb and I'd just assumed you'd been renting timeshares for years and years. What an impressive five year journey.

 

[ronparise]

Wow, Ron! I just joined TUG this past Feb and I'd just assumed you'd been renting timeshares for years and years. What an impressive five year journey.

It was about 2 years in I had an opportunity to "go big" so I did I've been platinum for two and a half years. I signed the papers (and a check) in the hospital the week I had a new knee installed

 

[am1]

It was about 2 years in I had an opportunity to "go big" so I did I've been platinum for two and a half years. I signed the papers (and a check) in the hospital the week I had a new knee installed

At that time I was still saying that a Wyndham Platinum membership could be worth it. For rentals or for a big extended family. Either way one would have to learn how to use the ownership to make it a good purchase.

Almost everyone else on here was doubting it was possible and probably thought I was crazy or working for Wyndham.

Today I am not sure if it is worth it. Too many rules and changes and other VIP owners. If one just need to purchase a few points to get to a million the case can still easily be made.

 

[ronparise]

At that time I was still saying that a Wyndham Platinum membership could be worth it. For rentals or for a big extended family. Either way one would have to learn how to use the ownership to make it a good purchase.

Almost everyone else on here was doubting it was possible and probably thought I was crazy or working for Wyndham.

Today I am not sure if it is worth it. Too many rules and changes and other VIP owners. If one just need to purchase a few points to get to a million the case can still easily be made.

Or perhaps if you could get one cheap.

 

[am1]

Or perhaps if you could get one cheap.

For sure that always would work. But I have changed my thoughts on paying full price for a platinum membership. Too many risks an unknowns but I really do not give it much thought anymore as I am already there.

 

[Dori]

Ron, it is so heartening to read about the realization of your retirement dreams. Enjoy every moment!

Dori

 

[MuranoJo]

Wow, Ron! I just joined TUG this past Feb and I'd just assumed you'd been renting timeshares for years and years. What an impressive five year journey.

I agree with clifffaith--though I've been around TUG since 2002, I never paid much attention to your 'start date.' I just thought you had an awful lot of W savvy--so it's amazing what you've accomplished in just 5 years!

 

[taterhed]

So many people complain and do nothing to enjoy life or improve themselves; even when young and healthy (but not happy). What a great and inspiring story.

Cheers to you! I hope I can say the same thing when I get there.

 

[Finntastic]

I love reading positive retirement stories like this. I too assumed you had been doing this for years. I am lucky to have a job with a fairly decent pension as does hubby, but we still need to plan for retirement. I am inspired by your making a dream a reality. Maybe I need to dream a little bigger!

 

[Mike&Edie]

Ron,

You have always been helpful and knowledgeable. We are pretty new to TUG but you have always been there for answers and help. Keep up the wonderful retirement, and the awesome knowledge to us trying to figure things out.

Mike&Edie
www.fulltimetimeshare.com

 

[tturla]

Congrats! Joined TUG years ago but never followed up nor researched and I let the membership lapse. Rejoined again since I am thinking of getting more TS's as I approach retirement. I have been following your posts and I find you very inspirational! Thank you so much for being very knowledgeable and helpful. I am sure I will be asking many more questions when or if I decide to take the TS plunge and utilize the system for both personal and business reasons. Some say its work, but if you enjoy what you're doing (which it sounds like you are) then its more like a hobby that provides the benefits of some monetary gain (here in New Orleans, its called lagniappe!).

 

[am1]

At that time I was still saying that a Wyndham Platinum membership could be worth it. For rentals or for a big extended family. Either way one would have to learn how to use the ownership to make it a good purchase.

Almost everyone else on here was doubting it was possible and probably thought I was crazy or working for Wyndham.

Today I am not sure if it is worth it. Too many rules and changes and other VIP owners. If one just need to purchase a few points to get to a million the case can still easily be made.

I forgot where I posted this and how close it was to August 2016. Also another posting (I think earlier) where I talk about the shit hitting the fan. Not even I knew Wyndham was going to change that quickly but did know eventually it would.

 

[cyntravel]

Ron- I am so excited your hard work payed off. WOW 5yrs that is impressive. Enjoy your self and family.
Thank you for all your wisdom and advice. Us Tugers need you for our future endeavors and questions.
Congratulations!
Cyn

 

[Marathoner]

Or perhaps if you could get one cheap.

Ron, with your exit from the Wyndham business model, what is your new strategy to keep up your retirement income and continue to utilize your advanced knowledge of game theory applied to timeshares?

Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk

 

[MOXJO7282]

I also thought you've been in the timeshare biz longer than 5-6 years but the best part is the fact that you're having fun and making money and it has truly changed your life. I'm sure many people said you were crazy and it wouldn't work but you took the chance and it has paid off for you which is fantastic.

I know I can really say the same thing about our Marriott portfolio. I've been renting our Marriotts for 15 years going into 2018 and it has significantly impacted my family's well-being also. It has afforded us so many priceless family vacations that we simply would've never been able to do without my timeshare rental business.