I've never been successful at trading stocks. Get impatient and greedy. And it never really interested me. So now, no trading at all.
You sound like you have a good outlook on life. Good trips planned. The lady in the bed beside me in the hospital said she had had cancer for five years. Now it was inoperable. She went onto oxygen while i was there. A real trooper. Don't know if i would handle it as well as she is. All the best for your S Carolina friend.