Point of No Return.   

Our home cost us $225K 22 years ago. After many DIY projects and the market taking off here, the $750K is a conservative estimate of its value today.

The cabin and land cost $26K 15 years ago. With some improvements to the property, the market has been good to us there too.

I saved $82K in the five years before I started training. That got me to 210 hours in 12 months of training to CFII level. R22's were $175 an hour back then and $25p/h for CFI or $35p/h for CFII training, and a boy needed to eat. 18 months as a CFII making 16K per year and I took the ATP ride.

Sure I worked with some awkward crews. I'm sure some med types would say I've been akward now and then too. The thing is you need to have a goal, and you need to continue to work towards that goal. I am lucky to have a good woman who has the same mindset as me. In fact she supported my dreams and kept me pointed in the right direction.

There were many times early on when our friends were buying new vehicles or going on fancy trips that we were tempted to join in. Luckily we stayed the course and will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor when the last of our kids leave the nest in three years, and I retire.

Helicopter flying can be the best in the world or the worst, just depends on your disposition.

Good luck to all and keep the spinning side up.