Or: How We Retired Early and Started Full-Time Travel Without Being Rich

It took us 50 years to get here—full-time travelers, wandering the world without a return ticket. But wait—don’t scroll away. This isn’t about winning the lottery or making a fortune. We just made five key mindset shifts.

If you’ve ever dreamed of early retirement, slow travel, or a life less ordinary, maybe these are the attitude adjustments you need too.

1. Stop Trying to Earn More. Start Needing Less.

We’ve all heard it: “Just make more money.” But what if the real secret isn’t earning more—it’s needing less?

We used to believe we needed the house, the car, the newest whatever. But once we reevaluated our lifestyle, we found joy in experiences instead of stuff.

We now travel the world for less than $20,000 a year—under $1,000 per person per month. And yes, someone will comment “you can’t do that”—but we are, and so are many others. Even on less.

Freedom doesn’t come from more income. It comes from fewer expenses.
Downsizing your life doesn’t mean losing—it means winning more time, more peace, more sunsets.

2. Stop Looking for Perfect—Your Dream Home or Forever Country Doesn’t Exist

We’ve stayed in amazing places: Bali’s rice terraces, Thailand’s street food scene, Vietnam’s affordability, and Mauritius’ beaches. But none were perfect.

We met Mike in Penang, an Aussie expat with a nightly two-beer ritual. He said something we’ll never forget:

“You don’t have to marry a country, mate—just date a few.”

So that’s what we’re doing. We travel slowly, staying just long enough to soak it in. If it’s not “forever,” that’s fine.

Now we say we’re in a long-term relationship with “Good Enough for Now.”

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Redefine Who You Are

We used to be petroleum and gas professionals. High stress, high pay. And with that came status. You get attached to the identity.

But here’s the truth: no one cares about your job title when you’re buying street food or catching a ferry. Trying to look important just gets you overcharged.

We met a guy in Bali running a small B&B, karaoke nights and all. Turns out, he used to be some big-deal exec. He told us:

“I used to have a full calendar. Now I have a full life.”

Let go of the titles. Redefine yourself. You’re not just someone’s spouse, boss, or employee. You’re allowed to reinvent at any age.

4. “Someday” is a Lie

Someday. When you retire. When you’ve saved enough. When the kids are grown. When things settle down.

Here’s the truth: “Someday” is the most dangerous word we know.

One friend told us he’d start traveling once he retired. That was 10 years ago. He’s still in traffic.

Meanwhile, in Australia, 65% of superannuation funds go unspent before death. In the U.S., 1 in 3 people die with portfolios over $500,000. We don’t need more reminders.

You can make more money. But you can’t make more time.

5. You Don’t Need a Five-Year Plan. Just a One-Way Ticket.

Overplanning is just fear in disguise. The truth? You’ll never have all the answers.

We left with $20,000 in savings, a $300/month side hustle, and a simple goal: Don’t go back to work until the pension kicks in—10 years from now.

That’s it.

Our friend Jo, a single mom, left with a one-way ticket and her 4-year-old. No backup plan. Now she runs multiple online businesses. Her motto?

“Action creates clarity.”

• You don’t need more time — you need a decision.
• You don’t need more money — you need a next move.
• You don’t need the perfect plan — you need to start.

Sometimes, the only plan you need is to take that first brave step.

https:/theworkingtraveller.com

Final Thought: Less Was Never the Problem

This isn’t about escaping life. It’s about building a better one—before time runs out.

What’s holding you back from starting your version of this life?
Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear from you.

FAQs

1. Can you really travel the world on under $1,000 a month?

Yes! With careful budgeting, low-cost destinations, and slow travel, it’s absolutely possible. Many people do it successfully, even with less.

2. What are the best countries for affordable long-term travel?

Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Portugal, and parts of Eastern Europe are great choices for affordability and quality of life.

3. Do I need to be retired to live this lifestyle?

No. Many travelers work remotely, freelance, or build small online businesses to sustain full-time travel. It’s about freedom, not retirement.

4. What about healthcare while traveling?

Global health insurance or local insurance plans in your host country can cover most needs. Many expats find healthcare abroad affordable and high quality.

5. Is early retirement really worth it?

Only you can decide that—but for us, trading status and stuff for time and experiences was the best decision we ever made.