Hello--I will spare you the details, as I should have known better anyway, but I have been remiss and never applied for a NH meals and tax license and now have three STR properties in NH.

If there is a bedroom in the basement, you don't need to build a suite just share the kitchen upstairs and have family meals together-the kids will appreciate the stability.

Vacasa is a property management company that manages properties in Costa Rica, but we are self managing with grounds keepers/care givers that will live on the property and offer some concierge services such as meals and pick up and drop offs from the airport.

I am not in the business of selling these deals, so hopefully you can take my feedback as just from genuine experience.1) Meet everyone, meet references: Phone is good, and works for some people, but I always go in person and share a meal.

Cut out eating out (or decrease it), shop at a lower end grocery store, meal plan, get your hair cut less frequently, don't get coffee at Starbucks, etc.

I was willing to pay for their coffee or meal, whatever it took to get time with them.

I'd also love to hear about some strategies (beyond the obvious like hiring a sitter or meal prep or whatever).

Substantial services are actually laid out by the IRS so such things as providing transportation, daily meals prepared, daily maid service, concierge services, etc. 

Even as a guy I take my hygiene very serious and it matters, obvious something is working because I've been doing this for a month and I feel better, I'm healthier, My gym performance is better, I work better, and I have such an improved attitude as well.

I also paid for all their meals/cocktails.