Hello,

As you noticed I have been gone for awhile. Just got off a long business trip and straight into a vacation I planned for the whole family to go to Chicago. I planned everything start to finish and the spoiler is the plan went off without a hitch, and a surprise along the way.

We drove to Chicago so we could all spend awhile talking together you know. Quality family time after the long absence. Everyone got along great and we couldn't believe the long back up on the interstate. I chose the scenic route and the wife of course complained "Why cant we just get their quickly?" but in my mind I answered "because bitch I didn't want that". We eventually caught up to the interstate and she couldn't believe how long the backup was. I am guessing at least 15 miles easily. She complimented, but it was empty to me. I didn't know there was traffic along the route. This just goes to show it's better to be lucky than good.

My goal in Chicago was to get a hotel close to a train station and we could use CTA for everywhere we went. This was great. Use google maps, train and bus everywhere. What could go wrong? Well apparently alot. First, there was a regatta in town and the trains kept closing because of bridges. Next, the big "internet hack" caused google maps to give me the wrong information so we couldnt even catch the bus or the train. No shit, directions to a closed train station and a bus route that didnt even exist. Ended up using Uber to get to the Museum of Science and Technology. Ok, so all that happened and you know I handled them as they came up, but the wife is skeptical. She complains constantly, it's her nature. We spent a long Friday with messed up plans and things not going quite right. Would you believe everyone says that the best day was this day? I can. It's not the destination, it's the journey. The worst journey makes for the best stories.

Anyways the point of the FR is curbing my wives spending. We agreed to a budget and we hit that budget. The one point that stands out in my mind if her outside of the coach store. We have had out rows on the budget and her spending in specifically. I am all for keeping up with the social circle, but at some point we have to agree that at some point its ridiculous. We kept the budget of the vacation. Then when we ran out of time in Chicago and needed to get the car, I got a lyft coupon for $50 and made our ride to the parking lot cost $5. If you dont know the code, its "COLDOUT". Pretty awesome.

The proof is in the pudding. Here is my wife standing outside the coach store and fighting her urges. I was super proud of her and complimented her on her restraints. You can see it might as well be Chad naked on the other side of the door. In many ways it is. This may be my "Hamburger Hill" in the war on spending. I fought the good fight and I won only to go onto the next hill. One day this might be you.