New to REI from Phoenix area

[Derek Steinmetz]

Came across this site via a You Tube video. I've been thinking about REI for a little bit and recently with a change in job status thought it deserved a closer look. I would like REI to be able to bring my family the resources needed to spend more time together and the comfort of a decent retirement down the road. It would be nice to avoid the 'rat race' of corporate america and start working for myself as well as helping others do the same.

I'm still working through a lot of the information on the site and the various books but I'm excited to take the plunge when the right situation arises. I think I will be following a buy and hold strategy with SFH but at this point I'm open to other good suggestions for beginners.

I'm in the West Valley of Phoenix but I think anything is game in the Phoenix area in general.  I'm also looking for some decent groups on Meetup.com or whatever other suggestions anyway has.

Thanks.