Chris and Sadie Busch join Whiskey & Wisdom in Surf City to share their wild journey from Hawaii to New York, North Carolina, and eventually Costa Rica. After a rapid Coast Guard transfer during COVID, financial pressure pushed them to rethink their future and start investing in real estate. They talk through their first rental property mistakes, lessons from long-term rentals, Airbnb strategy, 1031 exchanges, and the process of buying and renovating a home in Costa Rica. Their story also includes a Belize honeymoon that sparked a bigger dream, plans for an eco-focused retreat, Sadie’s conservation and sea turtle work, Chris’s goal of becoming a firefighter, and the unforgettable rescue of six abandoned puppies in Costa Rica. This episode is about risk, purpose, marriage, real estate, conservation, and building a life with intention. Chapters 00:00 Surf City Setup 00:52 Pregnancy and No Whiskey 02:04 Meet Chris and Sadie 03:18 Coast Guard Orders and Moving Fast 05:32 Sea Turtles and Marine Work 08:05 Hawaii to New York Pivot 10:39 Babymoon Back in Hawaii 11:51 How Real Estate Started 14:51 Sadie’s Name Backstory 17:44 Belize to Costa Rica Dream 23:04 First Rental Property Mistakes 24:00 Trading Up With 1031 Exchanges 25:43 Red Flags in the Neighborhood 29:11 DIY Renovation Crunch Time 30:26 Haunted House Hunt 31:16 Rescuing Puppies in Costa Rica 36:28 Choosing the Costa Rica Location 39:24 Buying and Renovating Abroad 42:54 Defining Success 45:52 Advice to Younger Self 47:10 Final Thanks and Wrap