Working Toward that Private pilot License

I started working toward my private pilot license a little over two years ago. This is something that I had always wanted to do, but usually lacked the funding. As a member of the military there were usually great flying clubs with reasonable rates, but still beyond the means of an enlisted member with a wife to support.

Now that I work for a fortune 50 company I have the money but not necessarily the time. By extending the learning process I realize that I am paying more, but some delays have been unavoidable.

Things that I've learned about starting this process:
1) Interview the flight service and a number of instructors. Also, talk to other students at that FBO or school.
Why? I started out at a small airport and I talked to a couple of instructors and selected one. However, shortly after our first lesson he stopped instructing because his wife wanted him home more often. I ended up with another instructor at the same field. And while he was a good instructor he was also a student at the local university and either I was busy, he was busy, or the planes we used were busy. I managed to get in only about six hours of instruction due to all the scheduling conflicts.
2) Larger school offers more opportunity, costs more initially, but may be worth it.
Why? I then started taking lessons at a bigger school. Many more available aircraft and the few times I was unable to schedule with my primary instructor he referred me to one of the many other full-time instructors at the school. All were very professional and it was good experience to fly with the other instructors. I soloed while learning at this school.
3) Weigh friendship with your need to learn.
Why? In my case a long time college friend reactivated his CFI and became an instructor at the above mentioned school. I started flying with him and got close to completing my license. However, he and the owner of the school had a falling out and he moved to private instruction at a smaller airport which basically has only two aircraft. Now I'm back to the same situation as One above.

So, when will I finish. Hard to say. I recently changed jobs and I'm learning my new role. Until that time I don't feel comfortable with taking some time off. I've also investigated a "Get it done" course and while a bit more expensive than working with my current instructor it will probably be cheaper in the long run.

Enough of my rambling. If you are looking at earning your private license I would encourage you to do so, but I hope some of my cautions will help you get it done quicker than I am.