Issue #26

10 January 2026

Welcome to Path Finder: Our Journey in Real Estate and Adventure

Reader

Happy New Year, everyone — I hope you’re off to a great start.

One thing I’ve been spending time on lately is my vision board. Last year, I didn’t just make one digitally — I printed it poster-size and hung it next to my computer. I even had it turned into a mouse pad. Seeing those images every single day really helped keep my goals front and center.

Looking back, it’s honestly wild how many things on that board came to life in some capacity:

• I’m now officially on the journey as a PhD student, approved by the VA to pursue it
• Family movie nights became a real tradition — popcorn, fun dinners, and special candy included
• Our boys turned into bike pros, with family rides all over England (and we can’t wait to do the same here in Virginia)
• I started riding motorcycles again
• Self-care became more present than it had been before
• We successfully earned income from our truck while still overseas
• We traveled more before leaving the UK
• Family game nights are officially a thing
• We’ve been more intentional about getting outside — hikes, walks, and just being in nature

There are still things on that board I’m working toward, but I’m closer than I was last year — and having my family’s support through all of it has meant everything.

Now that we’re settling back into the States, we’re hitting the ground running.

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🌱 What We’re Building Toward This Year

Right now, I’m actively looking at cost-effective ways to:

• Build out our chicken coop
• Add fencing
• Set up a small farm stand
• Create more usable space around our property

On a really exciting note — Virginia has been incredibly veteran-friendly:

• I’ve applied for free state park entry and parking as a 100% disabled vet
• I received a lifetime hunting and freshwater fishing license
• I’m adding trapping for $15 and saltwater fishing for $10

We’re still sorting through DMV and tax items, and I’ll be sharing updates on any exemptions we qualify for — including property tax considerations.

As for filing taxes, once we have all documents needed (w2, 1099) and we meet with our tax bestie, I’ll break down some of the new strategies we’re using now that we’ve moved.

As we kick off the year, a quick reminder:
👉 Start tracking your expenses now so you’re ready for tax season and can maximize the deductions you qualify for.

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📦 PCS Vehicle Shipping Series

​Why Vehicle Shipping Feels So Confusing (and How to Actually Understand It)​

I don’t actually think vehicle shipping is hard — I think it’s poorly explained.

When you’re PCSing overseas, people throw around terms like VPC, private shipping, ports, customs, and timelines… but no one explains how it all fits together. And when you’re already juggling orders, housing, pets, kids, and HHG, vehicle shipping becomes one more overwhelming box to check.

The biggest disconnect?

👉 Military-arranged shipping and private shipping are two completely different processes.

• Different rules
• Different prep standards
• Different timelines
• Different stress levels

That confusion is exactly what this series is meant to eliminate.

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​🚗 Why VPC Shipping Feels Intense (Because It Is)​

Military-arranged vehicle shipping through a Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) isn’t just about moving your car — it’s about meeting federal inspection standards tied to customs, agriculture, and biosecurity.

VPC inspections follow USDA and U.S. Customs rules, not “common sense” rules. Inspectors aren’t just checking whether your car runs — they’re checking whether it could bring anything unwanted into another country (or back into the U.S.).

That’s why people get caught off guard.

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​🔍 What Makes VPC Shipping So Different​

Here’s what most people aren’t told upfront:

Clean means CLEAN

• Interior, exterior, undercarriage, and engine bay
• No soil, mud, leaves, grass, dust buildup, or food crumbs
• Engine bay must be degreased and dry

Leaks are a hard stop

• Oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission, power steering
• Even minor leaks can cause rejection
• “It’s always done that” doesn’t matter at a VPC

Zero personal items allowed

• No car seats, tools, chargers, loose accessories, or trash
• Toll tags must be removed
• Some aftermarket items must come off depending on location

Fuel level matters

• Tank must be ¼ or less
• Too much fuel = turned away

Rust is scrutinized

• Surface rust may pass
• Structural rust often does not

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​⚠️ Where Most People Run Into Trouble​

Most VPC issues happen because:

• The vehicle was cleaned like a normal car — not a shipping inspection vehicle
• Leaks weren’t checked until drop-off day
• Personal items were forgotten
• People underestimated how strict the inspection actually is

And the worst part?
👉 You usually don’t find out there’s a problem until your appointment, when timelines are already tight.

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​📸 Protect Yourself Before Drop-Off​

Before heading to the VPC, document everything:

• Exterior (all sides)
• Interior
• Engine bay
• Undercarriage
• Mileage

Photos and video give you leverage if anything changes during transit and help avoid disputes later.

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​✅ The Big Takeaway​

Military VPC shipping isn’t bad — it’s just unforgiving.

Once you understand that it’s a compliance-driven process, not a convenience service, everything makes more sense. Preparation is what determines whether your experience is smooth or stressful.

👉 Next up in this series:​
Why private vehicle shipping follows a completely different rulebook — and when it makes more sense.

🔗 Full PCS Vehicle Shipping Checklist & resources:​
​go.tgal.us/kimber​

🔗 Get info or a quote here (supports my partnership with TransGlobal Auto Logistics):
• go.tgal.us/kimber-news​
​

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🔗 Stay in the Loop

I can’t wait to bring you along as we make this transition—new home, new land, new opportunities to turn every step into progress.

👀 Until then, you can explore past issues, digital downloads, and more right here:
👉 https://linktr.ee/Thepathlessjourney​

Until next time, keep building, keep learning, and keep finding your path. - Kimber