Six years ago, we embarked on a journey that we never imagined would lead us to the life we live today. At first, our biggest concern was finding the perfect place to settle down abroad. It never dawned on us that we could spend a year or two traveling the world, discovering the best country and location to build our new lives. Our goals were clear: early retirement for Leslie, full retirement for Alan, and a nomadic lifestyle for Wolf, allowing him the freedom to never work for someone else unless he chose to. All of this needed to be accomplished while living off Alan's social security while still building our investment portfolio so that by the time Leslie turned 66, we would have a healthy retirement fund. We also aimed to create generational wealth through investing. Achieving these dreams while traveling the world seemed impossible at first. Now we know it is possible.
Life Is Short! We Should Have Done This Sooner!
We struggled to believe that we could find a place to live on one social security and our modest side income of less than $1,000 a month for all three of us. However, hindsight has shown us a different path. If we only knew what we know now, we could have spent years traveling and exploring to find our perfect new home. Imagine the adventure that would have been! As we’ve learned, there’s always more than one way to reach your destination.
Discovering the Perfect Lifestyle Traveling The World
That is the goal! And the why? Well, freedom and adventure of course. We always dreamed of finding that perfect job, one that feels more like an adventure than work. We found it. If we could turn back time, we would have embraced this new chapter much sooner. But we didn’t, mainly because we thought we couldn’t.
Our lives were full of what-ifs and worries. Family commitments, concerns about our youngest child, financial constraints, and the reality that retirement seemed a distant dream until Leslie turned 66, which would make Alan 75! That was way too old to tick off all the adventures on our bucket list. So, we decided to chart a different course, one that many deemed impossible. Just like our YouTube channel, It'll Be Fun, which began with a desire to show people the real cost of living abroad, we wanted transparency. Real numbers, real experiences, and affordable adventures.
The Moment of Realization
We eventually found another way! Why didn’t we think of this sooner? We all know someone who backpacked across Europe, Asia, or South America in their youth. Leslie even joined the Peace Corps! We knew people with ample money who retired early and traveled the world. For us, the money didn’t add up that way. However, with some extra planning we could have Traveled for a few years and then settled down. We are here to tell you that you really can create your own dream adventure.
The Gap Year Life We Could Have Had - Maybe we will still do it!
Looking back, if we had sold the house and shed our possessions, we could have lived as nomads and traveled around for years before actually settling down. How silly were we not to see the forest for the trees? The adventure would have been incredible, and the cost savings could have led us to financial independence much sooner. Our son could have gone to school on the road, enriching his education with global experiences.
So, world, watch out! We’re living proof that you can create the life you want, one where work and adventure intertwine seamlessly. Don’t wait until retirement—embrace your nomadic 'Gap Year' lifestyle now. If we could do it all over again, we’d do it in a heartbeat. And so can you. Ready to start your adventure? We have put together the Ultimate Moving Abroad Program.
Living the Dream
Now, we’ve fully embraced the idea of creating nomadic lifestyle, turning your dreams into reality. We call it "Your Gap Years," a period where we explore the world, experience different cultures, and find the perfect place to build your new life. Our adventures have taken us to bustling cities, serene beaches, and historical wonders, each destination teaching us more about ourselves and the world around us. We have learned to truly think beyond your wildest dreams.
The Joy of Exploration
Each new country brings its own set of challenges and rewards. From navigating visa applications to budgeting for longer stays, we have learned to adapt and thrive in different environments. We discovered that living like locals—cooking our meals, exploring markets, and integrating into communities—offers not just cost savings but a richer, more authentic experience.
Creating Sustainable Income Streams
To fund our travels, we developed multiple income streams. We started a YouTube channel, shared our journey, and offered real insights into the cost of living abroad. Built the It'll Be Fun website. We also explored freelancing opportunities in finance, real estate, and teaching English, turning our passions into sustainable incomes. Online courses and mentorships helped us refine our skills and build a revenue stream that helps supports our overseas lifestyle.
We love sharing our experiences and insights with our community. Each month, we host a Patreon group meeting where we discuss our adventures, challenges, and strategies for maintaining our wonderful new lifestyle. You can join us at www.patreon.com/itllbefun.
Additionally, our YouTube channel, It’ll Be Fun, is where we cover all these subjects and more. From travel tips to financial advice and personal stories, we provide a comprehensive look into our retirement and nomadic journey and how you can create your own.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Own Adventure
This is just the beginning of our story. As we continue our travels, we remain open to new experiences and opportunities. We encourage you to do the same. Don’t wait until retirement to explore the world. Create your own 'Gap Year' nomadic lifestyle now, where work and adventure blend seamlessly.
If you’re ready to start your adventure, join us on our journey. As a newsletter subscriber, you’ll get exclusive access to our "Ultimate It’ll Be Fun Moving Abroad Program" with a 50% discount. Just use the code EarlyBird50 at checkout sale ends 6/30/2024. Start your path to freedom and adventure today.
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