It took my sister less than 30 days to sell her 2500 square foot home in Sarasota and buy a 3500 square foot home in Sarasota. The ‘new’ house has 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, part of which is a separate mother and daughter apartment (but there is no mother nor daughter) only a sister. And two other lifelong friends from back in the cold and frigid northeast who will be joining us. We all got invites to come celebrate with my sister and stay as long as we’d like (within reason). They’re staying a week. I’m staying three weeks. All men banished. It’s going to be a regular ‘Sex And The Senior City‘ romp fest.
And Just Like That, I’m concentrating on spending a few weeks back in the Florida sunshine and I am not spending a dime. I was able to book a round trip ticket using some of my old, unused frequent flyer miles (covered the ticket taxes too). I’m not checking in any luggage, so no baggage fees. I’m packing a set of ear phones so I don’t have to buy a pair on the plane to listen to a movie. I’m bringing an empty chill bottle so I can fill it up with free water once I pass the TSA. I’m packing a sandwich and a snack. My sister is picking me up at the airport so no cabs or car rentals. I’m being gifted my own bedroom and bath (my sister is buying me this mattress that I love, love, love) so no hotel fees. The pool is right outside the back sliding glass doors. Anna Maria Island and Long Boat Key are an EV wish away.
And I haven’t spent a dime.
My sister told me they opened an Aldi right down the road so I’ll be up bright and early the next morning to do some of my fave shopping without worrying about money, budgets, inflation and the costs of every little thing. I’m getting a break from reality and I’m going to be with two of my dearest friends from the ‘old county’ (Brooklyn, NY) at the same time. The two ladies (who are also sisters) have been friends with my sister and I for over 55 years! We all grew up together. We have similar backgrounds. Are first generation Americans. Both sets of parents came to the USA as Italian immigrants and became multi-millionaires.
The only sad part (to me) is that my friends and sister remained millionaires while I chose experiences instead of making money like they did. It can be a little intimidating at times, but you know me? I can hang with the best of them and put on a very good, honest show. They think I’m super conservative and a genius with money. I say I just want to live and let live and not comparison shop myself with the imaginary Joneses. The whole thing usually works out perfectly, and you know what?……………………
I haven’t spent a dime. Yet!
My sister needed the larger property because she is moving her award-winning photography business inside her home. She thought of renting commercial space but she wanted her studio inside her home. The mother/daughter set up is just fine because she is going to use the separate apartment as her studio. Her clients are already asking her when her new studio will be open. We girls just wanna have some fun before the reality needs to settle down. In the meantime, all husbands are staying in their own homes (my BIL is spending the time at his dad’s house). So, it will be just us ladies.
And Just Like That: three weeks in the sun during the most brutal winter the northeast has ever seen.
I’ll be posting my travel photos to my Instagram account (CiphersFromCindi) as soon as I am settled. They’ll be visible on the upper right hand side of my blog. Stay tuned.
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Ciphers From Cindi 
Hi Cindi, Awesome 😎 I am so happy for you! Have a safe and healthy trip. Kudos for getting the flight for free. I hope Florida’s historic cold temperatures is over and you have nothing but Beach weather. God answered your prayers. Sincerely, Lara
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Thanks Lara. God answered my prayers indeed. My sister’s home will always be open to me every winter. So, I have lots to think about going forward. Like what to do with my RV? I bought it specifically to winter in Florida for at least 2 to 3 months. I don’t think I can stay that long at my sister’s BUT money is a big question. Sister’s is for free but limited. RVing is in the thousands. I have to think long and hard because once I sell, there will be no going back. UGH. First world problems! LOL!
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I’m so excited that you get to relax for three weeks, spend time with your sister and just get out of winter yuck. This definitely interests me because Joe and I are about to do lifestyle visits to Florida. I’m a HUGE fan of Sarasota, and we will be there very soon looking for property. The value of our house here in No. VA is about $850K so I’m sure we can find something in Sarasota with a pool for the same. We ended up canceling all of our cruises for this year (my foot still hasn’t healed 😦 ), so we are concentrating on figuring out where we are going to live at the end of 2022- beginning of 2023 when my husband **hopefully** retires. :). FLORIDA is no. 1 on the list. Take lots of pics!!
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Sharon if you want a private pool, prices start at 1.1million. My sister lost out on her first choice because she didn’t offer the full price of 990,000. Sarasota offers plenty but be prepared for massive traffic. It’s best to live downtown and walk to everything instead of driving. I’ll post lots of pics. We’ll be doing a few restaurants. The girls already made reservations. I’m hoping to catch a show at Van Wezel. We’re going to the beach every single day. I’m so excited to get out of this cold weather at last.
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We aren’t looking for ‘big’, just comfortable. Here’s one that would work:https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6955-Stetson-Street-Cir_Sarasota_FL_34243_M65316-21652
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Looks very nice at a very good price. Just note the home is almost 30 years old. How old are the appliances, a/c, heating etc? That’s something to consider as well as the hurricane standard the home was built to? 1990s was a long time ago and much had changed. It’s good to hire an engineer Not a home inspector to look at everything including the pool. That’s what we always have done. Or buy new.
You’re right near Lakewood Ranch which is where my sister lives. During the high season it takes us 1 hour to get to the beach because of the traffic. That’s why it’s great to have a pool!! Ditto for downtown Sarasota. Traffic at times can be heavy. Speak with the broker. They’ll let you know. Good luck.
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PS: this model has very low HOA fees and no CDD. That’s excellent! Stay away from those CDDs. They’re killers.
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PS: If you move to Sarasota then for sure we can get together!
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Hi Cindi, you are so lucky both your truck and your RV can be sold in these inflationary time at a good profit. That money can make you the money to relieve your budget problems. And perhaps it’s time for Nick to get that Jeep running for a second car? Maybe his new neighbor buddy can help so he’s busy while your away! I feel very strongly in watching signs when it’s time for a change. Nick is getting tired of hauling the big RV and you could switch to the millionaire life by renting with your friends and taking advantage of your sister’s offer. There are travel cards with huge bonuses making free flights. I think you have so many wins here. IMHO, God is fulfilling your wish to live your old life. I am getting a lot of signals to do major changes. Sincerely, Lara
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Lara, it’s not going to be so easy to get Nick to part with his pick up truck. We’re already fighting about it. Once the RV is gone, there is no use to own a p/u truck. Yuck! I’d like to trade everything in and get a hybrid Pacifica. It can be retro fitted with beds, kitchen etc and we could both travel in and use it for our weekly use and chores. We’ll see. I’m working on it. But the window to sell may close. That’s been the major problem with Nick. He doesn’t know when to hold ’em or fold ’em. He ALWAYS waits too long and then makes his move from weakness instead of strength (like I wanted to sell the Newport Beach house 2 years before we did). I could have sold it as-is, without doing the septic and made a profit instead of losing money when we finally did get around to sell it. Too late, I might add. UGH!
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PS- It’s nice you have a stockpile and loads in the freezer that Nick can use and save on groceries while your gone. ShopRite will have big savings again at Easter time. Sincerely, Lara
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