[pooh]

My house is far from bland, I like it and it came with lots of upgrades. Of course I added a few of my own, but it wasn't absolutely necessary.

For the funds you've talked about, you can buy an extremely nice house....and remember, location plays some part in the cost of a home here in TV. You can buy a home on a golf course, with a view of water, a home with open land behind, all these add to the cost of a house.

What your friend might have been talking about is that some people would prefer to spend their time and money doing what they enjoy and not spend time or money for a large home that requires more upkeep than a smaller home.

The "lifestyle" they're talking about is what you want to do. The opportunities are plentiful, you just pick what you like and then spend some time doing it. If you don't like the game, event, etc, you just try something else. That's my idea of what "lifestyle" represents. Remember, when someone has been working for many years, and now doesn't have to work, they might just want to try golf, working with clay, painting, learning how to play bridge, learn archery, try bicycling, roller blading. Then again, they might just want to be able to get up when they like, read, walk, watch tv, go to the movies, do NOTHING or do everything. Here, you're lucky to have so many choices....do or don't do, it's up to you.