Travatical-formerly The Expat Chat

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In this episode of the podcast, I explore the exciting experience of living and travelling on a boat. I talk to Tim Bull, who is exploring the Mediteranean from his mooring base in Montenegro. We discuss the typical day of a live-aboarder, the appeal of living on a boat, along with its challenges, and the vibrant community of live-boarders in Montenegro. We talk about how Tim has invested in a variety of assets, including an apartment in Athens and a hobby farm in Bulgaria. We also discuss the joys and pitfalls of owning one of those classics of communist manufacturing, a Lada car.

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In this episode, we explore full-time travel and settling down with Ryan Runge of Snail Travelers. Ryan and his wife Emily decided to leave the traditional American 9-5 lifestyle to pursue their dream of traveling the world. We follow their journey from Lima, Peru to Malaysia, Mexico, and finally, Turkey, where they choose to settle due to the kind people, beautiful waterfront, four seasons, and reasonable cost of living. We also discuss the differences in infrastructure between Malaysia and Turkey, where they have spent a good period of time living in including factors such as communication and language barriers, internet speeds, public transport, immigration process, healthcare, food, and safety.

You can check out their episode at https://theexpatchat.com/snail-travelers

You'll find their You Tube channel here

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In this episode, we chat with Richard and Angelyn Burk who have been traveling the world for over two years. Inspired by their forever home, they decided to pursue traveling upon their retirement and took advantage of deals for cruises after the onset of COVID. We discuss cruising during and post-COVID, the protocols in place to keep passengers safe, and the flexibility of the cruise industry. We also explore the benefits of cruising, such as being able to explore a new place every day, taking advantage of on board amenities, and having all maintenance taken care of. Lastly, we provide tips for people considering taking up cruising as a lifestyle.

https://theexpatchat.com/richard-and-angelyn-burk/

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Can you really sustain a lifestyle caring for other people’s houses and never have to go home again? Today’s guests are living proof of the fact.

Michael and Yvonne Bauche gave up a comfortable but stress-inducing lifestyle in Vancouver Canada 3 years ago and they haven’t looked back. Their income is lower but so is their living costs giving them the opportunity to live a millionaire’s lifestyle on less than $C3000 per month all without having to eat into their savings.

They’ve met interesting people and made new friends for life. They’ve housesat in many parts of Europe, Central America and the Caribbean and now spend over 70% of each year minding houses, often for repeat clients who have them back. They have so many requests in fact that they have built up a network of fellow house sitters who can take care of the clients they can’t get to!

But the best part is they have their freedom back. In today’s interview you’ll discover just how easy and cost effective housesitting can be and the opportunities it can open up for you to live your life to the fullest.

If you’d like to know more about housesitting check out their website at http://thebauches.com or you can grab their free report at http://yourescapeblueprint.com/free-housesitting-report/

What I learned from their interview:

If you’re serious about housesitting travel light. Both Michael and Yvonne exist with hand luggage only and don’t really feel they miss anything from doing so (Yvonne even confesses to not carting heels with her!). It helps they have mainly focused around warmer climates but if you want to make life easy (and save on luggage costs and insurance ) then travelling light helps
Housesitting offers a far more meaningful way to enjoy an area. You can be treated as a local. Michael and Yvonne encourage their hosts to set them up with a network of people when they arrive which makes the whole process far more comfortable for them
Don’t spread yourself too thin. The Bauches concentrate on housesitting in regions resisting the urge to leap around the world and incur bigger travel costs.

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In this episode, we explore the concept of long-term travel after Brexit with Ian Usher and Vanessa Anderson from Housesitting Magazine who provided us with the perspective of two people who relocated to France at the time of Brexit. We discuss how Brexit has changed how expats can live in Europe, the challenges of property renovation in another country, and the surge of house-sitting during the pandemic thanks to Vanessa’s unique insights as an employee of Trusted Housesitters. We also discuss the benefits of a free subscription to the House Sitting Magazine.

You can get your free subscription at https://housesittingmagazine.com/

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Ever woken up not knowing where you will sleep tonight?

For some travelers this level of unplanning isn't scary - in fact it gives them the freedom to turn on a dime as new opportunities arrive

On this episode, we explored the idea of a slower lifestyle and last minute booking and how it has changed the lives of Jimmy and Sarah Johnson. We discussed the advice they would give someone considering this ethod of travel, and shared their own experiences and how the slower pace of life has been beneficial for them. We also shared the perception of their lifestyle from friends and family. From there, we discussed the idea that anyone can live an intentional life, with advice for those looking to do the same.

We then shared our experiences of traveling the world for the past two and a half years, discussing the challenges of living a full-time traveling lifestyle, the cultural differences and similarities throughout our travels, and our approach to budgeting. Lastly, we talked about the benefits of medical tourism and both our recent experiences with health checks and tests in Kuala Lumpur.

https://theexpatchat.com/jimmy-and-sarah-johnson/

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In this episode, I explore sustainable travel post-COVID with Jane Dempster Smith of Two Travel. We discuss the impact of COVID on travel, the theme of the TBX conference, and the changes in their own travel style. Jane also mentions the conference brings in hundreds of travel content creators and there were many new attendees this year. We also discuss adapting to multi-generational travel, their budget and travel bucket list, and their own Staycations Australia concept. Finally, we talk about the dangers of digital security, their travel blog which was hacked and the difficulties in trying to get their accounts back. We also discuss the changes in the airline industry due to COVID, with some traditional carriers no longer offering services and new ones such as Bamboo Airlines offering flights to and from Australia.

https://theexpatchat.com/episode-132-traveling-in-a-post-covid-world-jane-dempster-smith/

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In this episode I explored what it takes to prepare for a spiritual journey along the Camino pilgrimage in Spain. My guest Lisa Joy shared her own experience of traveling the Camino, including the year of preparation she did, which included research, physical and spiritual preparation, and talking to people who had already done the Camino. I also discussed the importance of solo female travel, the costs associated with the journey, and the hardships faced by the original pilgrims. Lastly, I discussed how the Camino journey has the potential to be life changing and encourages people to explore the possibilities of the Camino and share their experiences with others.

https://theexpatchat.com/camino-leita-joy/

Check out our other episodes and resources at www.theexpatchat.com

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In this episode, we discussed the ins and outs of house-sitting and how to find the right sit for yourself. We spoke with Michael andYvonne Bauche, who have done over 85 house-sitting sessions. They suggested that newbies should start with shorter, smaller sets in order to build up preferences. For those looking to travel extensively, they recommend a minimum of one month for a house-sitting session. We also discussed how to read into house-sitting profiles, how to create trust between the owner and house-sitter, and how to identify when the owner is looking for. Lastly, we looked at the benefits of house-sitting, including forming a network of friends across the globe

https://theexpatchat.com/michael-and-yvonne-bauche/

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In this podcast episode, I explored the concept of adventurous travel on two wheels with Brent Ruru from Christchurch, New Zealand. He and his family have cycled the length of New Zealand, Cambodia, Spain, and Canada. During their journey in New Zealand, they raised over ten thousand dollars for a child cancer charity. They discussed the hospitality they enjoy everywhere and the benefits of global traveling. Finally, I discussed the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand and plans for future travels to Paris, France and Romania. This podcast episode highlighted the importance of trust and connections when it comes to successful travel experiences.

https://theexpatchat.com/biking-around-the-world-brent-ruru/

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In this episode, Chris Englert and Steve Goodfriend discuss their nomadic lifestyle, and explore the financial and medical benefits of travelling the world. They share their own strategies for saving money, such as investing in stocks at a young age and prioritizing travel. The speakers also share their experience finding medical care in different countries, and the importance of having insurance. Furthermore, they discuss the importance of spending time with family and friends, and the lessons they have learned from their lifestyle. Finally, they give an overview of the Eat Walk Learn resources available for those looking to explore and educate themselves.

https://theexpatchat.com/eatwalklearn/

Check out their website at https://eatwalklearn.com/

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Brian and Penny Davidson have perfected the art of extended vacations, thanks to a combination of slow travel and housesitting. They have no desire to hit the road permanently but want to avoid rushing around sites and being restricted by a budget as normal travel can be.

In this episode, we explore the many benefits of house sitting as an option for travel and how it can provide a local experience and cost savings. We talk about how Brian and Penny are able to afford 3 - 4 month holidays without incurring any more cost than a short term rushed holiday would be.We discuss the changes in travel over the past fifteen years, the concept of digital nomadism, and options for extended travel. We explore options for affordable travel and recommend websites and apps for travel planning. Lastly, we discuss the importance of communication when travelling, cultural differences, and earn earning options while travelling.

https://theexpatchat.com/brian-and-penny-davidson/

For more resources and episodes check out The Expat Chat website

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Perpetual travelers Alan and Ros Cuthbertson of Frequent Traveller join us to discuss their life of constant travel. Since hitting the road in 2015 from their base of Bundaberg, Australia they've mastered the art of living on the road for an affordable price. They credit their lifestyle with providing them with a new-found feeling of youth.

In this interview we discuss the benefits of medical tourism overseas, the kind hearted nature of people around the world and why you need to ignore what the media are telling you and focus on the impressions you see for yourself

You can check out their blog at Frequent Traveller

For access to more resources and our members area go to The Expat Chat

https://theexpatchat.com/alan-and-ros-cuthbertson/

Frequent Traveller

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FIRE exponents (Financial Independence Retire Early) Tim and Amy Rutherford of GowithLess.com have found the secret of early retirement and with the kids off their hands have now hit the road full time.

The covid world we now live in has put something of a spanner in the works for many permanent travellers including those, like Amy and Tim, who have just got underway. They won’t be letting this put paid to their careful planning however.

We caught up with them to discuss how to be flexible with your travel arrangements in the new covid environment we have to deal with and how to follow your travel dreams while taking an early retirement

Enjoy!

Tony and Leanne

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Travelling the world has its challenges at the best of times - but attempting to do it without flight is a whole new experience! Today we interview Dave and Di Taunton who, in 2016, decided to sell up and hit the road crossing the planet without the use of flight. They left their native Sydney and havent looked back. In this interview they share their experiences of how travelling by road and sea offers a unique perspective of the world and how their new lifestyle has enriched them. Sit back and enjoy their unique perspective on the world!

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Many of you will have enjoyed our previous podcast The Future of Travel in a Post Covid World where we discussed what will happen when the current lockdown situation comes to an end. This live event was an excellent chance to ask your questions of our live panel but as we have an audience spread across six continents we weren't able to do this at a time that suited everyone. With that in mind we decided to repeat our live event with The Future of Travel in a Post Covid World - Part 2 with a fresh panel of experts ready to share their thoughts and opinions of when and how we will be able to travel the world again. This time our panelists are FIRE retiree and minimalist traveller Amy Rutherford of GowithLess.com, Housesitting expert Jodie Burnham of NatnJodie.com and long time traveller and globe trotter Peter Pecksen of pecksen.com. We hope you enjoy listening to this discussion.

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Todays podcast is a recording of our recent live panel discussion on the Future of Travel in a Post Covid World. Joinng me are world renown travel blogger Barbara Weibel of Hole in the Donut .com Intrepid Aussie traveller Duncan Dempster Smith of To Travel Too.com and Co-editor of Housesitting Magazine Ian Usher of housesittingmagazine.com. These live panel discussions are a regular part of our interviews and gives you, the listener, the chance to participate with your own questions for our panelists. If you'd like to listen in and ask questions at our next live online event visit our website travatical.com, sign up for our free magazine, and we'll contact you when the next live online event is scheduled.

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Todays guests are Canadian travellers Peter and Karen Pecksen. We first met Peter and Karen while housesitting in Singapore. We noticed from their comments on a Facebook group that they were in town - we reached out to them and the next day were enjoying each others company over a nightmarket dinner and a couple of beers. Thats just the way travel rolls sometimes! Pete and Karen are hardcore. Theyve been travelling for six years with no signs of tiring! On the interview they share their unique incites into the world of travel and why they made their escape from the rat race. SIt back with a coffee, beer...or something stronger - and enjoy!

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It seems in this day and age most of the world has been explored. Trying to find a destination which isn’t crowded with tourists and cameras is an increasingly difficult job. Today’s interviewee however has found the perfect place to live where few people will bother him.

For most people the idea of a job for life would seem like perfect security. For Christian Bruttel life in the German education system as a teacher was enjoyable but he felt trapped, as if his life was already played out. When the opportunity to become a guide on the remote island of Svalbard came up he leapt at the chance to follow his dream.

Four years on he’s mastered everything from chasing off polar bears to building igloos and he has the photos and memories to prove it.

Christian joined us to discuss one of the most unique jobs in the world, why Svalbard is a place of such great beauty and how living in this unique location has changed his perspective on life.

You can check out Christians stunning photos and even purchase prints at his blog http://polarchris.blogspot.com/

What I learned from Christian’s interview:

I have to admit to having no idea about Svalbard (or Spitzbergen as it’s also known ) before I spoke with Christian but the picture he paints of some of the truly unique experiences there now makes me want to go. Where else can you find a place that gives you polar bears, whales, icebergs, igloos and the Northern Lights in a ready-made package? It sounds reasonably affordable to get to despite the limited opportunities for flights.
Thanks to melting ice Christian does have the excitement of seeing things that may never have been seen by human eyes before but the melting is a reminder that our planet is susceptible to change and we must do all we can to protect areas like Svalbard for the sake of all of the planet.
Remember Christian had no experience of this and have never been into the Arctic but he has developed a skill and a passion over the last 4 years. There are lessons for all of us in the journey he has made.

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Four years on he’s mastered everything from chasing off polar bears to building igloos and he has the photos and memories to prove it.

Christian joined us to discuss one of the most unique jobs in the world, why Svalbard is a place of such great beauty and how living in this unique location has changed his perspective on life.

You can check out Christians stunning photos and even purchase prints at his blog http://polarchris.blogspot.com/

What I learned from Christian’s interview:

I have to admit to having no idea about Svalbard (or Spitzbergen as it’s also known ) before I spoke with Christian but the picture he paints of some of the truly unique experiences there now makes me want to go. Where else can you find a place that gives you polar bears, whales, icebergs, igloos and the Northern Lights in a ready-made package? It sounds reasonably affordable to get to despite the limited opportunities for flights.
Thanks to melting ice Christian does have the excitement of seeing things that may never have been seen by human eyes before but the melting is a reminder that our planet is susceptible to change and we must do all we can to protect areas like Svalbard for the sake of all of the planet.
Remember Christian had no experience of this and have never been into the Arctic but he has developed a skill and a passion over the last 4 years. There are lessons for all of us in the journey he has made.

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Heading: How to Downsize for the Big Trip Ahead

One of the biggest and most emotional stages of preparing for an expat life is downsizing and leaving your current home. It’s a process fraught with emotion and the job of determining what passes the test of fitting in your suitcase or backpack for the travels ahead is daunting for most people.

Today we speak to personal organizer Donna Donaldson about the process of preparing for your big move abroad. Donna has years of experience on helping people to downsize and declutter their homes and gives us a few great pointers on how to go about it without it turning into arguments, the tricks she uses to determine what stays and why you should think twice about putting things into storage

For more great advice from Donna check out her free decluttering report at http://declutterandorganizeit.com or for personal assistance her website http://organizeit.com.au

What I learned from Donna’s interview:

Remind yourself what you are doing it for. If you focus on the big picture (the trip) each time you are looking at an item and deciding if it stays or not it will make it easier.
Don’t buy anything new. Resist the urge to keep adding stuff during the purge process. Tell friends and family you are traveling and you don’t need more clutter for birthdays or Christmas, and definitely don’t take the junk they are clearing out!
Get a good system for paperwork. Only deal with it once and stop all junk mail. Scan important documents you need such as tax records as even in storage they are vulnerable to damage.
Purge in waves. It is less intimidating and as you get better at it you will find it easier to keep eliminating more and more at every step.
If you do have new stuff coming in make sure you remove one item at the same time – better still be tough and insist that several items must leave for every new arrival.

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For more great advice from Donna check out her free decluttering report at http://declutterandorganizeit.com or for personal assistance her website http://organizeit.com.au

What I learned from Donna’s interview:

Remind yourself what you are doing it for. If you focus on the big picture (the trip) each time you are looking at an item and deciding if it stays or not it will make it easier.
Don’t buy anything new. Resist the urge to keep adding stuff during the purge process. Tell friends and family you are traveling and you don’t need more clutter for birthdays or Christmas, and definitely don’t take the junk they are clearing out!
Get a good system for paperwork. Only deal with it once and stop all junk mail. Scan important documents you need such as tax records as even in storage they are vulnerable to damage.
Purge in waves. It is less intimidating and as you get better at it you will find it easier to keep eliminating more and more at every step.
If you do have new stuff coming in make sure you remove one item at the same time – better still be tough and insist that several items must leave for every new arrival.

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Many of our interviewees have an ah-ha moment when the decision to travel becomes a reality. For Carmen Tseng it came while chopping mushrooms!

Her partner and her were discussing options for a holiday to Bali when the realization occurred to both of them that they could stay in a hotel there including breakfast each day for less than the cost of their suburban Perth apartment.

From there a plan was hatched. They had always loved travel and once they knew it cost them less than their old lifestyle they were in! They headed off from Australia in January of 2015 and have covered much of Asia before settling in their current location in Germany

Carmen joins us to discuss the moment she realized her new life was possible and how we all have skills that can be turned into a way of making money on the road.

You can follow her blog at http://www.twohundreddays.com and learn how your skills can be turned into the business of your dreams at http://www.gorgeoussuccess.com

What I learned from Carmen’s interview:

Ask yourself “what is the worst that can happen” then be prepared to accept it. Sometimes the mind can blow things out of proportion and giving it a dose of reality may be all that is needed
What skills do you have you can take with you? In Carmen’s case her retail success led to coaching other business owners and the seed of a business was started that she has continued to grow while on the road. John and Monika Mundell are another great example of how you can take a coaching business on the road with you.
Udemy (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=N14wfIQJPlQ&offerid=323058.7&type=1&subid=0 ) offers an opportunity to sell your skills online. If you have a talent or knowledge for something you can create video courses and sell them through the Udemy platform. Carmen has also explored drop-shipping of product, an option also used by Johnny FD. It again shows that lots of small amounts can be enough to sustain you while on the go.

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For most people just moving to a foreign country would be a big enough challenge. Starting a new business from scratch while raising 7 children (5 adopted locally with special needs) and supporting a wife who has moved mountains in terms of helping eradicate leprosy from large rural areas of China would be a huge ask but for Joshua Jagelman it’s just another day at the office.

The office for Joshua is not normal however. He and his home schooled family divide their time between Chiang Mai in Thailand where some of his children receive treatment, his original home in Sydney where he has investments built up over the last ten years from his Chinese base and their two homes in China where his wife Alex works hard to continue serving rural communities in the areas of heath and nutrition.

If you’re a coffee lover check out the locations for Joshua’s fine coffees by visiting http://ynct.co and http://pabloandrustys.com.au

What I learned from Joshua’s interview:

Normally I come up with a list of the key learnings laid out step by step but too be honest I’m still coming to grips with the extent to which Joshua has built a life that I don’t think even he would have imagined 15 years ago. It would have been easy to have stayed teaching in Sydney and I guess he would still be there now if things hadn’t changed. Instead living an expat life has introduced him to a remarkable woman on an amazing crusade, raising 7 children and creating successful businesses that have allowed him to give his family a freedom of lifestyle that others can only envy.

Most people spend their lives avoiding heartache and difficulties. The idea of voluntarily raising children in need of special assistance is not something that many of us would consider doing. The idea of working to eliminate one of the most debilitating health scourges would certainly be a bridge too far. The world is a better place for people like Joshua and Alex and it was a privilege to meet with Joshua and share his story today. I hope you enjoyed it too.

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In today’s interview we speak with Martin and Lorena Cagnotti – two expat Argentinians who made the decision 13 years ago to move from their home town of Buenos Aires to the hubbub of Mexico City. After 7 years there they have now settled into the idyllic seaside community of Playa del Carmen where they are raising their two children through unschooling.

We met up with them to discuss living in one of the world’s largest cities, why they moved to Playa del Carmen and to talk about many of the myths and fears round home schooling and unschooling children and why they feel it has been the best thing for their development.

You can follow their adventures and ask them questions about living in Playa del Carmen at their website, http://thenomadicadventures.com . If you’re a family and into home exchanging with other families of similar age then check out their new home swapping website www.familyhomeexchange.com

What I learned from speaking with Martin and Lorena:

Mexico City has an unfair reputation as an unsafe place to visit. The Cagnotti’s loved their time there and had no issues with safety. Mexico is a city of extremes in wealth and poverty yet all seem to live together side by side with no ill feeling or tension.
Playa del Carmen offers a quieter lifestyle than the busier party town of Cancun only an hour away. If you’re after a slower pace of life it’s certainly an option with an increasing number of expat families and retirees settling there. Like any holiday town it has it’s tourists areas and local areas and it’s important to get out and about and explore beyond the beaches if looking to shift there (if you want to know more about Cancun check out our interview with Jen and Jay Kerwood)
Unschooling is not about leaving your children to run amuck. It is really about letting them discover what they are interested in then showing them how to learn the relevant skills to help them. By understanding why they need to learn and how to practically apply it, it gives their learning more purpose and gives them a reason to learn.
Unschooling or home schooling doesn’t mean your children are outside the curriculum indefinitely. In Mexico they are still able to pass exams that allow them to tick the right boxes for further education and as Lainie Liberti also spoke about more and more colleges and universities are accepting children who have been raised in an unschooled environment.
As Alyson Long and Andrew and Daryl Grant will also testify to unschooling or home schooling does not leave your children lacking for social interaction. The Cagnotti kids still attend classes in art and music and interact more often with other children who are being home schooled or unschooled than they would have done in the classroom environment. They love what unschooling has offered them and wouldn’t change what they are doing.

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Not all expats move to cut costs and living the expat life doesn’t have to mean living on the smell of an oily rag. Today’s interviewees have transformed their lives from management consultants slogging the 9 to 5 and longer, to internet marketing experts who have built themselves a digital empire and given themselves the lifestyle and freedom they’ve always wanted.

In 2013 Andrew and Daryl Grant left the Gold Coast, Australia to enjoy the benefits of Bangkok, taking their two pre-teen children into a new way of living that an online business gives them the freedom to pursue.

Today we discuss with them why they love Bangkok, how home schooling their children has provided them with a better education than they would have received in school, and they share some of the secrets of how they built their own online businesses.

You can get some great advice on starting your own online business from their website resources at www.ourinternetsecrets.com

What I learned from speaking with Andrew and Daryl:

Although Bangkok has a pretty good transportation system the Grants have mastered the art of driving locally and purchased a car. It has enabled them to travel much further than the BTS system would allow them and they feel they’ve got to know the city much better for it.
Bangkok is interesting in the sense that it acts like a series of villages. The way locals interact with each other - and the Grants - displays the sort of small town feel that a city of this size normally wouldn’t have
Daryl feels incredibly safe there, more so than in Australia, and has no qualms about allowing her 15 and 13 year old to travel around the city on their own
They have found by home schooling the kids they get the opportunity to offer them so much more than a standard curriculum. Travel among other things is a big part of their education and the children have enjoyed some unique experiences they would never get in the classroom.
They shared some great advice for building an online business including choosing a niche that you can be the expert in, setting up a business with continuity where you can be paid over and over for your services, and be persistent if you want results

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Many people we interview have life changing moments that serve as the catalyst to their new life abroad. For Dalene and Pete Heck it was a series of tragedies including the death of Pete’s mother and Dalene’s sister passing in her early 30’s that prompted the two Alberta, Canada natives that it was time to make the most of the time they had on this planet. They had been avid travelers during the holidays they had taken but their corporate jobs served as a restriction to the real time and energy they wanted to put in.

In 2009 they hit the road starting in Bolivia and covering much of South America. Since then they have built one of the world’s biggest travel brands and work with many media companies helping them use the travel environment and travel bloggers to build awareness online.

You can check out their journey (and Pete’s wonderful pictures) at http://www.hecktictravels.com

What I learned from speaking with Dalene:

It’s interesting how Pete and Dalene don’t get tied into doing things that might make them more money but they don’t enjoy. They are aware that building their online business and being a travel blogger is a long term journey and that they need to do what is their passion so it doesn’t become a chore.
Like Nat and Jodie these guys are also a fan of Nomador for finding housesitting gigs. They find it more personable and easier to deal with than some of the larger sites where it is harder to get good housesitting gigs. Again it’s about building a reputation and once you have it things get easier.
Travel is about people. Their experience with the locals in Roatan where they were eventually asked to become god-parents to one of the local villagers – that’s the sort of special experience that money can’t buy. If you want to know more about Roatan check out our interview with Rika Purdey
The world is not what the media portray. Dalene was very passionate about her experiences of countries, particularly Turkey, where the kindness of locals can be vastly different to the way the world is seen in the news. ( For more on Turkey check out Leonard Durso’s interview)

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Trying to stay healthy on the road can sometimes be a bit of a nightmare – you’re pushed for time, you’re in a strange environment with no common reference points or places to eat and you’re at your most vulnerable when energy levels get low and stress might get high.

Today’s guest is Karen Wojciechowski who knows first-hand the difficulties of taking care of yourself as an expat traveler. She’s left her native habitat in Perth Australia with her husband and after a stint in Canada is now living the digital nomad lifestyle in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she has established her website www.realenergyfood.com offering advice and consultation on healthy eating.

We caught up with Karen where she talks about her experiences as an expat traveler and shares with us 7 tips for taking good care of yourself while you are traveling.

You’ll find Karen’s Facebook group where you can share advice and get tips at https://www.facebook.com/groups/realenergyfood

What I learned from Karen’s interview:

Drink lots of water. This may seem simple but is probably most people’s biggest let down. It can help reduce hunger pains and keep dehydration at bay. Particularly important if you have just changed climates from cold to warm and your body is still adjusting
Choose your meal. Determine when you will be naughty or overindulge and be good for the rest of the day around it. Also don’t think if you make an unhealthy start you might as well write the day off by continuing to eat badly. You can soon balance the day out again
Bring your own snacks. This not only helps with costs (especially in more expensive countries) but gives you that most important element of all control. If you can control your snacks you will resist the urge to grab anything on the go
It doesn’t have to be long but just do something. Walking a new city you are in is not just a great way to see it but to get that exercise in. Karen has a step counter and can easily manage 30,000 strides while looking around. Keep your exercise shoes packed to make it easier and look out for some of those great 7 minute exercise apps that are available, and check out free fitness classes in new towns which might present different cultural experiences.
Do meditation. This can help rebalance and destress you. Even just a few minutes helps. There are always travel downtime waiting for transport etc when you can manage a quick meditation. Again there are great apps that can help.
Google healthy eating options before you go. It’s better to go armed with information that again gives you control then arriving uninformed and going in an unhealthy direction. Ask the locals who can also help you out when you arrive.
Make health a priority. If you don’t focus on eating well and exercising each day it can soon get out of hand. If you make it a priority you have a better chance of getting the results you want and enjoying your travels more.

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Heading: Traveling the World Without Flying; Di and Dave Taunton

Today’s guests haven’t gone anywhere yet…but they are about to! Di and Dave Taunton are only a few days away from their expat adventure. The catalyst for their nomadic lifestyle was a serious car accident Dave had 12 years ago. Re-evaluating life the two of them headed overseas with their children on a 5 year journey but 2 years in they decided they needed to return to give their children some normalcy.

Dave still felt he had unfinished business and with the kids now grown up he has persuaded Di that it’s time to hit the road again while they can.

Their journey is to tour the world without airplane using cruises and ferries to cross waterways. Starting in Bali they will work their way around much of Asia over the next 3-4 months before heading further afield.

We caught up with them to discuss the planning process to their trip and the fears concerns and excitement that they have about the journey ahead.

You can follow their fresh adventures at http://www.meanderingwanderers.com/

What I learned from Di and Dave’s interview:

I loved Di’s spreadsheet idea of having somewhere to throw all the information that you learn about as you go. I’ve been guilty of seeing or reading about somewhere interesting then promptly forgetting about it so I’m now setting up my spreadsheet. Thanks Di!
There is some great online resources. Di mentioned Trip Advisor of course but the Man in seat 61 is another great one if you are planning to travel by plane or ferry. There are other alternatives to flying and as the Mundells and Chuck and Lori Ros have found there are some great one way cruise deals that can be had for the price of an airfare.
Getting advice from others is a great way to not only gather information but be inspired. Di and Dave credit many bloggers for the inspiration and advice they have provided.
Planning is great in the early part of your trip, especially to give you confidence that you have a roof over your head. Many of our longer term travelers do this less as they go on and realize that short term plans can also work just as well. We’ve found hosting couchsurfers is interesting as most people contact you only a day or two prior to arriving. This seems strange for an over-planner like myself but I understand once you hit the road that you soon get used to it.
Before deciding you can’t live the expat lifestyle ask yourself why and give yourself 5 reasons why you can’t do it. The barriers may not be as real as you think.

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Show Notes – An Uncluttered Life; Warren and Betsy Talbot

One of the first steps in any journey to become an expat is getting rid of the clutter – be it physical or mental – that is part and parcel of any home and any life.

The first step on this journey is having clarity in what you want and what you need in order to achieve it, then eliminating the surplus that sucks your time and energy; be it items, issues or relationships.

Today via livestream Blab we speak with Warren and Betsy Talbot of www.anunclutteredlife.com about their journey towards an uncluttered life from their former stressed corporate lifestyles, how to focus on what you should eliminate from your life and the simple steps to saying no that can release you from the guilt that others might put upon you (or you upon yourself)

If you’re seeking more clarity and less clutter in your life I urge you to check out their Clarity Clinic program at http://clarityclinic.anunclutteredlife.com/ref/12/

If you’d like to join our live stream interviews where you can ask questions via your keyboard check out our page at https://blab.im/theexpatchat and follow us for updates on future livestream interviews.

What I learned from Warren and Betsy:

Uncluttering your life doesn’t have to mean minimalism. Each person’s definition is different and if having a big house is still part of your plans don’t feel you need to give up on it. Warren doesn’t have a mobile – this is part of their definition but doesn’t have to be yours. Do what works for you.
Happiness is not about adding more to your life but taking things away. We all have habits we have created, many of which don’t serve us but we still do them. Even taking little steps can be a good start. Change the way you go to work for example. Question everything you do, everything you spend and everyone you deal with and whether they are there from habit or there on merit.

I love their way of saying No! Don’t say “sure” if someone asks a favor until you know what you are getting yourself into. Be clear in saying no but add “this time” after it so you’re not completely closing the door – and offer an alternative solution that works for you and still helps keep the other party happy

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Shawna Sharee was first inspired to live a wandering lifestyle when she read the book Eat, Pray, Love. Like many she dreamed of travel but thought she needed a lot of money to do it.

It wasn’t until she joined an online program for woman entrepreneurs that she discovered there were others living the life she wanted – and it was the motivation to change her own life. Despite a pay raise that threatened to tempt her away from her dream she set herself the task of ending a toxic relationship and visiting the world. Starting with no plan in mind (and still largely flying by the seat of her pants) she has journeyed through France and the Middle East to her current location of Chiang Mai Thailand where she has embraced the true digital lifestyle of the area.

We caught up with Shawna to discuss the impact the people she surrounded herself with have had on her decision and how positive thinking has allowed her to overcome any hurdles she encounters

You can follow her blog at www.shawnasharee.com and get her travel tips and hints at www.curioushappyfree.com

What I learned from this interview:

I loved Shawna’s saying that smiling is a universal language. Like many others we have spoken with she has been delighted by the kindness of strangers and it’s a timely reminder that everyone is an individual with a desire to be liked.
Skyscanner is a favorite booking site for Shawna and we love it too. It gives you the flexibility to choose the cheapest flights to any location and on any date that most other sites don’t offer.
You don’t need to commit long term to a place until you’ve tried it. Short term accommodation through AirBNB or Couchsurfing can be had and, although short term rentals can be dearer it will often give you the lay of the land before you commit
Shawna is a great lesson in surrounding yourself with positive influences. She draws on so many mentors and coaches to provide her with the strength and belief to follow her dreams and it’s true that your journey is directly related to who you spend the most time with. She is a great believer in things working out so far they have!

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Katya Sarmiento’s time in college certainly gave her a well-rounded education. She embarked on a number of options including air traffic control before realizing a life of travel and entrepreneurship was her true passion. She dropped out of college, quit her part-time job and started her own online business intent on building her future.

Through online contacts and Facebook groups she built relationships and helped others. In return they offered her a place to stay when she visited. She soon realized that the sharing world of digital entrepreneurs not only provided her with knowledge and friendship but new places to call home.

She now spends most of her time traversing America attending events and hooking up with her digital buddies. Her accommodation is largely free and she gets to experience new locations like a local.

We interviewed Katya back home in Miami over the holidays where we discussed her decision to leave traditional education, what life is like as a “digital homeless” and how we need to learn to accept the generosity of others or risk depriving them of the feelings of helping a fellow human.

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You might like the idea of an RV holiday for a couple of weeks – but how about living permanently in a van? For Drew and Brittany Neumann the decision to quit their L.A. apartment for a new life on the road was an easy one. Their adventure so far has taken them all over the U.S.A in the last 12 months and with their recent wedding behind them the adventurous couple are now heading for a new van life in the Europe.

We caught up with them in Florida making last minute wedding plans ahead of their next adventure and discovered their lifestyle, how van life has given them freedom without much of the everyday costs of living and how to find great places to camp for little or no money.

You can follow their journey, catch up with their social media channels and find out more about Brittany’s book Heartfully Healed at their website www.mrandmrsadventure.com

What I learned from Drew and Brittany:

Set your goals before you start. Like Kyle Brady and Olivia Gould these guys set some goals and timeframes around what they wanted which made it easier and clearer to reach their objective.
As Brittany likes to say when one door closes another one opens. Their original plans of teaching English in South East Asia were modified by the opportunity to borrow a family members van and do some touring. A new opportunity was born and vanning became their new preferred alternative.
Putting yourself out there creates chances in so many ways. Their chance meeting with friends of John Lee Dumas led to an invite to an interview on his podcast show, one of the largest on the internet (which will be airing soon) and the opportunity to lift their blog to a whole new level. Their chance meeting with a Canadian musician has led to him joining their wedding to perform a unique twist on their wedding song. These things don’t happen by chance!
Vanning is the ultimate relationship test. It might not suit everybody but can be a great way to find out how your relationship copes with confined spaces.

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For many people living in a place that is 99% Muslim, in a city of over 15 million people with Syria on your border and 2 million refugees pouring into your country – this would be well outside your comfort zone. For Leonard Durso it’s just another experience of life in Turkey.

After becoming dissatisfied with life in Academia (see Claudia Tavani interview) Leonard moved permanently to Turkey in 2010 and has come to love the people, the lifestyle and the affordability of the country known as the crossroads between Europe and Asia. In this fascinating interview he shares his experiences of Turkish hospitality, the affordability of his adopted home, and why he isn’t troubled by the recent events in his neighboring countries.

You can find out more about Leonards life at his blog http://leonarddurso.com

What I learned from speaking with Leonard:

Istanbul ranks higher on the affordability scale especially if living on the Asian side. Leonard has a 3 bedroom 150 sqm apartment with views of the Bosphorus for around $US600 per month - a snip compared to what the same would cost him back home
Despite the proximity of unrest in neighboring Syria and the large number of refugees entering the country Leonard feels safe and at home. The people have been courteous and welcoming to him which has only served to raise the already high opinion he has of Turkish people before he moved
Being an expat has enabled to understand what it’s like to be the “ other” – the minority in a majority country. It is a unique perspective that we should all learn to experience at some stage
Leonard’ s experiences only serves to underline a common theme that comes through with many of the people we interview. That the view of the world that the media portrays doesn’t necessarily represent the truth and that we are guilty of grossly over generalizing about groups in society who are really no different in their wants, needs and priorities than we are.

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Living an Expat lifestyle and leaving the 9 to 5 routine doesn’t necessarily meaning not exploring your own country as part of the journey. For Alabama native Kyle Brady and his partner Olivia Gould their old lives left them feeling trapped and not going anywhere. They had a desire to see more of their own country – Olivia hadn’t even seen a mountain prior to going!

The couple started their planning in September 2014 and after 12 months of downsizing and saving up (they set aside $300 per week by, amongst other things, not eating out) they hit the road with their renovated 16 foot RV and haven’t looked back. As Olivia rightly said, “Why live somewhere when you can live everywhere!”

We caught up with them at Slab City California where they detailed the process of their planning and preparation and how their Etsy store is able to provide them with enough income to sustain their monthly journey.

You can follow their blog at www.drivinandvibin.com and check out their Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenEarth

What I learned from Kyle and Olivia’s interview:

Having a vision board (this worked for John and Monika Mundell as well) is a great way to focus on the outcome you want and can be a wonderful reminder when things get tough as to why you are saving money or throwing out that old dress you used to love. It helped having the extra incentive of a free pizza from their friends but is an exercise worth doing yourselves.
You can RV with a dog. Although they are restricted from taking their pet into national parks they can generally find somewhere that will mind him for the day while they head off on a trip
Check out Etsy as an option for funding your new lifestyle. Like Micah and Jenna Kvidt these guys have found the online world can help fund their lifestyle – in fact the $2000 per month they are making will cover their total costs.
If looking to go the Rv route there is a wealth of online information available to help you and Kyle and Olivia have found a supportive network on the road as well. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when others have the answers for you
You can work RVing to your budget. These guys spend mostly on camping and food however there are places you can camp for free and they are self-sufficient with cooking. They can slow the speed of travel to save on gas.
You don’t have to leave the country to enjoy an expat lifestyle. Like Chuck and Lori Ros and Heath Padgett Kyle and Olivia have learned to appreciate what their own country has to offer. Every country is an expat community to somebody!

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Leon Logothetis was a London stockbroker working in the city. On the outside he had it all but on the inside he felt miserable and depressed. His future looked set in stone until one day he watched an inspirational movie called the Motorcycle Diaries and he realized that his future was not going to improve unless he changed. Inspired he headed off on an adventure to travel the world spreading kindness along the way.

Leon has gone on to visit over 90 countries and inspire thousands with his books and television series including Amazing Adventures of a Nobody and The Kindness Diaries. His work tabling the generosity of others has featured on CNN, Good Morning America and television and newspaper around the world.

We caught up with Leon where he shares his philosophy on kindness and tells us some of the incredible people he has encountered on his journey. You can check out what Leon is up to on his website http://www.leonlogothetis.com

What I learned from talking to Leon:

Bhutan measures its national happiness…shouldn’t all countries do that! Im not sure how they measure it but the fact that they do is a big head start for me. Better put it on my list of places to visit.
We talk often on the show about how travel confirms we are more similar than we think. We also are often amazed at the generosity of others while traveling and Leon’s adventures confirm this. His stories are uplifting and a tribute to humanity. Sometimes we do get the formula right.
Small acts of kindness can leverage into greater benefits to all. Leons story of the homeless man in Denver who offered him shelter led to a $60,000 crowdfunding campaign for the man and the opportunity to leverage the generosity to a higher level.
Trust your 6th sense for danger. This is your body’s intuition and shouldn’t be ignored. Travel is one the best ways to develop this sense further.

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From Greeks Islands to the Emerald Isles; Our Family Sabbatical in Greece and Ireland

Tina Lavelle had traveled Europe when she was younger, and the urge to return had never left. Her husband Ralph had grown up in Ireland and both felt a desire to leave their suburban Australia lifestyle for some freedom abroad. In 2015 they packed up their two children, rented out their home and firstly headed to the Greek island of Zakynthos where they enjoyed 4 sun filled months before heading for Dublin where they are now settled in.

We joined Tina to discuss the process of schooling her children locally in both countries, how accommodation sharing sites like Couchsurfing and Helpx have provided them with much more than saving money and how you can self publish a book of your adventures while away.

You can check out their blog at http://kouklahouse.com where you’ll find their book “ On a Greek Island; A Season in Zakynthos”

What I learned from talking with Tina:

Kids are so adaptable when it comes to schooling. Tina’s children have spent time both in Greek school and now in Irish ones during their journey. Like the Wagoners , Scarlett Thomas and Danna Bowman they found their children can adapt quickly to a new environment in local schools
If you’re looking to earn a little money from your adventure then why not write a book and self-publish? Tina’s husband has written a story of their life on the Greek island of Zakynthos and published via Amazon. Although not likely to fund your entire journey it can provide a small top up in income. Check out our interview with Virginie Carmichael who has also self-published several books
Couchsurfing has been a great way to get around and get to know cultures. Even as a family of four they have been able to enjoy the benefits of local hospitality. They have also used Helpx – another unique accommodation sharing site where people can trade accommodation for work. This allows them to stay longer than couchsurfing.

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Tommy Walker grew up in the north of England with stories of travel and adventure as a part of his life. With many relatives living overseas and an Uncle who had shared his stories of traveling in South East Asia Tommy had long held the goal of seeing more of the world for himself.

Just over 3 years ago he headed off on an adventure to Thailand that was only supposed to be for 3 months. Hooked by the experience he explored much of Asia and Australia for a year and then spent 12 months traveling around South America including visiting Brazil during the World Cup.

We caught up with him in his new short term home of Melbourne ahead of his 2016 adventures which will include Central America. We discuss the short term financial sacrifices a backpacker has to make, what it was like to mountain bike the world’s most dangerous road and how having too many expectations can be a downer for your overseas adventure.

You can follow Tommy’s blog at www.thewanderingwalker.com

What I learned from talking to Tommy:

Tommy’s trip to Paraguay showed him that listening to other travelers is not always the answer. He loves heading off the beaten track and can always find something worth seeing in every country he visits
He is willing to work long hours when he needs to as he knows it provides him with much needed funds and a longer period of time on the road. Much like Tomislav Perko a little bit of time sacrificed to a job can provides months of travel experiences later.

Being a backpacker works best if you’re a social creature who likes to talk to people but don’t worry if you aren’t; the process of travel helped bring Tommy out of his shell and it would be fair to say it may just do the same for you. As Tommy said travel finally allowed him to be himself and it may just be the same for you

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To many parents the idea of raising children in an underdeveloped African nation would seem scary. For Sara Sullivan it’s just another adventure in a life that has seen her explore new boundaries both personally and professionally.

The mother of two has followed up time in Pakistan with starting a family in the Southern African nation where she lives with her family in the capital of Gabarone.

Today she joins us to share her experiences of the Botswanan culture, how she raises her children in a foreign environment and how living the expat life can provide you with some very tangible benefits.

You can follow Sara’s adventures in Botswana at her blog http://outland-ish.com

What I learned from Sara’s interview:

There is such a huge perception at the moment that westerners are hated in Muslim countries. This is simply not the case. Although Sara did see some anti American signage during her time in Pakistan she was treated very well and with great interest by the locals. Our opinions are shaped by the media who allow the actions of an extreme few be representative of the silent majority when it simply isn’t the case.
If you have safari on your mind then maybe skip the more traditional Kenyan or South African options and look at Botswana. The Okavango delta is world famous for the range and amount of wildlife there and the experience is meant to be well worth it.
Botswana sounds like a meat lover’s paradise! Cows are highly regarded and a staple part of the diet. It’s a long way to go for a steak but you’ll find them far more affordable than back home.

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Kay Dougherty was a successful well paid but stressed high heeled member of the Boston financial establishment when the financial crisis hit in 2008 and her company chose to downsize. In her mid 50’s Kay found getting a new job to be a challenge. Always a lover of travel she discovered a new role as a marketing consultant which paid the bills and have her increased freedom to travel more.

Her travel blog of her adventures with her sister drew attention thanks to Kays contagious humor and led to a large social media following which opened up opportunities for Kay to enjoy sponsored trips from travel companies.

Nearly 4 years on Kay is able to travel 3-4 months per year but is on the brink of expanding herself further and devoting more time to travel and earning an online income from it. In this interview she shares her take on becoming a travel writer, travelling safely as a woman and what young people should consider before jumping into an expat travel lifestyle.

If you want travel stories with a sense of humor you’ll love following Kay on http://blondebrunettetravel.com

What I learned from Kay’s interview:

It does take a lot of followers to make a living from travel blogging. Kay freely admits that despite having a large following on social media circles it’s no guarantee of income. She does get a lot of complementary travel opportunities however and that is certainly a perk worth having!
Kay raised a very good point about safety. A lot is written about the dangers of traveling overseas however most trouble spots in foreign countries are easy to identify and stay clear of – more so than is becoming the case in western countries where outbreaks of violence or terrorism are more random.
Kay’s development into travel writing was quite slow. She initially went from an employment situation where her limited holidays were an add-on to her work schedule to a consulting situation (admittedly not of her own choice) where she was able to plan her holidays first and fit her consulting around it. This has enabled her to find her feet, increase her travel experiences, build some key relationships with travel boards, cruise ship companies and other travel providers, and develop her blog to the point where she now has a platform to develop a larger income stream and travel more.

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Well they say love can make you do things you don’t expect. For Andrea Gomez the prospect of moving from her home in Colombia to the Netherlands was not something she had expected growing up in Bogota!

Andrea moved to be with her Dutch boyfriend around 8 months ago - to a small village near the border with Germany, and is slowly getting used to European life including climate changes that she never had to deal with before.

In today’ s interview Andrea talks about what she loves about the Dutch way of life and the process she went through to gain her residency. She also discussed how she was able to start not one but two online businesses with no previous experience.

What I learned from speaking with Andrea:

If you are looking to become a Dutch resident brush up on your language skills. This is a requirement for initial residency and then again, with more advanced skills, when seeking a longer term residency. Andrea initially had to travel in and out of Holland for 90 day periods at a time until her initial paperwork was passed.
What hidden talents have you not exploited? Andrea knew she had some talent as an artist but it took the expat experience to bring it out of her – and develop a surprising little business that probably wouldn’t have started had she stayed in Colombia.
Shifting is a wonderful time to break out of your old mental barriers – many of which are self-imposed. No one knows you and no one cares. It’s a liberating time to explore things about yourself you may never have discovered.
Cycling is the way to go in Holland. The flat countryside lends itself to it and bikes take priority over all other modes of transport meaning accidents are relatively rare.

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Cambodia offers its visitors a land of contrasts. Larger cities like Phnom Penh are fast developing a western style with many of the fast food chains setting up shop. But head to rural Cambodia and you take a step back in time to a place where life is a lot simpler.

One person enjoying the benefits of Cambodian village life is Kirsty Thorpe, an Australian teacher who has been volunteering with a child rescue organization a couple of hours from Phnom Penh.

In todays interview Kirsty shares what she loves about Cambodia, how she came to be involved in helping these young people and what you need to be wary of if you plan on volunteering overseas.

You can find out more on Kirsty blog at https://cambodianlife2015.wordpress.com

What I learned from Kirsty’s interview:

It amazes me the attitude of people who have been through so much. Cambodia lost up to an estimated 3 million people -almost 25% of the population - to Pol Pot’s oppressive regime yet the people are consistently ranked amongst the warmest you can find.
Again South East Asia gets top marks for safety. We’ve interviewed a number of women including Alice Nettleingham who consistently tell us how safe they find it and Cambodia is no exception.
If you plan on volunteering ask where the money goes. Many organizations are honorable but there are others who are profiteering majorly from their efforts. Talk to those in charge, determine if the costs are relative to where you are going and make sure you get full disclosure on where the money ends up. If it goes to the community great, but in many cases administration charges can be inflated.
Would your career benefit from the experience of volunteering? As a teacher Kirsty has been able to further her professional development through her teaching there. Perhaps your job could provide a similar opportunity?

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Not everyone plans a move overseas. For Samantha Wei it was meeting her partner Yeison, a Costa Rican native,that was the catalyst for her move there from the United States 3 years ago. After an initial period of settling in she now considers Costa Rica to be home and has made a new life, and a very successful online business since moving there.

We caught up with Samantha to discuss the process of adapting to a new country and culture, the relative merits of the two towns she has mainly live in Jaco, and El Coco and how they differ to city life in San Jose, and some of the myths around moving to Costa Rica (not everything is as cheap as you think).

You can find out more and grab a copy of Samantha and Yeison’s free e-book “Travel and Discover Costa Rica” via their blog www.mytanfeet.com

What I learned from speaking with Samantha:

Sometimes learning a language can be easier learning with someone else than with a local. They tend to speak slower and are more patient with you as they are in the same situation
Although Costa Rica is cheaper in many ways there are things you need to be aware that are more expensive than the US. Gas is dearer as is purchasing vehicles, and you will be charged an annual tax on the value of your vehicle even if you bring your old car in with you. Some food such as cheese and meat can also be dear as are electronic goods. If visiting home it can sometimes be a good idea to load up on things you can’t find affordably while living there
Internet can be a problem and is also quite expensive. Samantha found however that having a portable hotspot was cheaper than normal internet and gave her the chance to work from anywhere – including the beach!
Healthcare is generally pretty good. You may be looking at paying out of pocket which is cheaper than the US but if you choose to become a resident you may qualify for the government’s monthly healthcare package of around $40.
$US are widely accepted in most places but if you have other currencies you will need to switch to Costa Ricans colones.
Costa Rica has 26 different micro-climates, something for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you are you will only be a few hours away from a temperature and conditions that will suit you!
Check out our other interviews with Danna Bowman and Dan Gaskell for their perspective on living in Costa Rica.

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Part of the enjoyment of another countries culture is exploring the food options. You can discover so much about a country and really discover the rich flavors that are available in each region that are unique to the area.

Two travelers on a quest to uncover the world’s finest foods are Rosemary Kimani and Claire Rouger. The couple left their corporate positions in the U.S. in August 2015 and their journey so far has helped them find the finer detail of food in Uruquay, Argentina and now Chile where we caught up with them in downtown Santiago.

You can check out their tips and free guides at their blog http://authenticfoodquest.com

What I learned from speaking with Rosemary and Claire:

Air BNB can provide you not only with accommodation but a chance to have locals show you their local knowledge
Be wary of inflation in Argentina – they are noticing prices change while they were there and found many costs to be considerably higher than travel books and blogs had stated at an earlier time. They are using trail wallet and are keeping costs to around $US2500 per month so far
One of the best ways to discover local food is to visit the local food market when first arriving in town and you will see what’s available. Talk to the stall owners as they will be eager to share their local delicacies with you
Be aware of eating safely on the road. They recommend checking that the cashier handling is separate to the food preparation, that the stall is kept busy and food is turned over, and they carry their own utensil (fork at one end spoon at the other) if they are concerned about utensil hygiene.
Like Chris Stevens these guys have opened a Charles Schwab account. You can use any ATM anywhere and Schwab will reimburse you the other banks fees. This can add up if making frequent withdrawals.

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If you’re a stressed out business owner working 60-80 hour weeks and dreaming of a life of travel take heart – so was Nicole Connolly. The former Brisbanite ran a successful business but like many we interview, she felt something was missing from her life – mainly travel and the freedom to enjoy herself.

She set out 4 years ago on an adventure with her husband Mike, initially relying on savings but soon built herself an online business helping others – firstly with their social media, but more recently teaching others to build a successful online business like the one she now has.

We caught up with Nicole in the Bahamas where she shares her journey and provides the step by step process to starting an online business yourself.

You can check out Nicole’s story at www.suitcasestories.com or find out how to build your own online business at http://quitthecubicle.co/details

What I learned from Nicole:

Imagine the worst that can happen and if you can handle it then go ahead! In Nicole’s case she always believed that if the travel lifestyle didn’t work out she could always head for home again
You don’t need higher education to be successful. Nicole is proof of that having left secondary school after only two years. She has taught herself through course and learnings what she needs to know rather than relying on “recognized” education.
It’s important to set your goals before deciding what business is right for you. Do you want to be location independent? Is the money important or the lifestyle? Making these decisions can help avoid pain later if you’ve gone down a path that doesn’t match your objectives.

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Would you buy a winery if you knew nothing about wine? What about if there was no one there who could show you and the winery had been in liquidation? Add to it the fact that you were moving to a strange country where you weren’t fluent in the language and had to deal with local business practices that can be challenging and it sounds like a recipe for disaster!

10 years on from their move to France expat South Africans Caro and Sean Feely have developed a working winery and are loving life in the Saussignac region, around an hour from Bordeaux.

Caro joined us to discuss life in France, the challenges of starting a new business in an industry you’ve never been involved in and how the recent tragedy in Paris has affected the people of France.

You can find out more about Feely Wines and Caro’s books at www.feelywines.com

What I learned from speaking with Caro:

Sometimes following your passion does work out. Despite the odds against them these two have made their passion work and are now grateful for the new life they have.
Aren’t neighbors wonderful! Without the support of surrounding wine growers (who might be viewed as competition) Caro and Sean would probably never have succeeded with their venture
Sean and Caro were able to use their Irish residency as a back door to France. It is relatively easy to become an Irish citizen if descended from one. This is a second passport option I’m exploring myself as it provides easy long term access to much of Europe. I’ll be sharing my experiences of applying for my Irish passport in an upcoming issue of The Expat Chat magazine.

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One of the first steps in any journey to become an expat is getting rid of the clutter – be it physical or mental – that is part and parcel of any home and any life.

If you’re seeking more clarity and less clutter in your life I urge you to check out their Clarity Clinic program at http://clarityclinic.anunclutteredlife.com/ref/12/

What I learned from Warren and Betsy:

Uncluttering your life doesn’t have to mean minimalism. Each person’s definition is different and if having a big house is still part of your plans don’t feel you need to give up on it. Warren doesn’t have a mobile – this is part of their definition but doesn’t have to be yours. Do what works for you.
Happiness is not about adding more to your life but taking things away. We all have habits we have created, many of which don’t serve us but we still do them. Even taking little steps can be a good start. Change the way you go to work for example. Question everything you do, everything you spend and everyone you deal with and whether they are there from habit or there on merit.
I love their way of saying No! Don’t say “sure” if someone asks a favor until you know what you are getting yourself into. Be clear in saying no but add “this time” after it so you’re not completely closing the door – and offer an alternative solution that works for you and still helps keep the other party happy

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For Karen McCann and her husband the prospect of early retirement left them feeling a little bored. They had always been avid travelers and a visit to Seville in Spain convinced them that it would be the perfect place to start a new life.

They moved with their dog in 2004 and have loved life there ever since. Karen’s past career as a journalist has led her on to becoming a successful travel writer with two of her travel books already achieving No 1 status on Amazon. The couples experiments in travel – including a nomadic journey through the railways of Europe and a journey they made completely without luggage have allowed them to embrace their new lifestyle and do things they would never have done back home.

We caught up with Karen to discuss the process of moving, life in Seville and how becoming an expat allows you the freedom to truly enjoy yourself.

You’ll find details of Karen’s books and her blog at her website http://www.enjoylivingabroad.com

What I learned from Karen’s interview:

Be prepared for paperwork if moving to Spain. They are experts in it! The McCanns have to regularly renew their visas and do find that things may differ between what the internet tells them and what they might find out when they get to the consulate. This is the Spanish way of life and you need to embrace it. Make sure you start your visa process in your own country before leaving to allow more time
Be willing to try before you buy into it permanently. The McCanns rented their Cleveland home for six months to make sure they were happy in Seville before returning to sell up. Being clear on what you want is important as you will feel some emotional pull during the process and you need to keep reminding yourself of your objective.
It’s not difficult to relocate pets. The McCanns were able to move their dog reasonably easily with them but be conscious of their new environment and whether it is a large contrast to what they are used to and if they will be happy there.
Spain is a step back to a more simpler time. Siestas are still the way in the southern regions and house calls by doctors are still quite common! The Spanish love the family environment and for many westerners moving it’s the return to the simpler life that often brings back memories and has the greatest appeal.
Don’t overpack! I love the experiments these guys do and their journey without luggage sounds like fun. It’s interesting to know however that not having nightwear is the one thing that a luggage-less traveler will struggle without!
For about life in Spain check out our interviews with Molly Piccavey and Alan and Heidi Wagoner

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In the search for the next travel destination many names and places are thrown around. From Asia to South America various publications try and pick the next place that people should start visiting.

In today’s interview we talk with well-known travel blogger Barbara Weibel about Eastern Europe, an area often left off the travel radar. We talk about her favorite city Budapest and one of her favorite countries Croatia, but we also explore a few places often neglected in travel discussions including Albania, Rumania and Bulgaria to name a few.

Barbara joins us for our first live stream video interview to discuss these countries. You can follow her blog at www.holeinthedonut.com or subscribe to join our next live stream chat at https://blab.im/theexpatchat

What I learned from talking to Barbara:

Parts of Eastern Europe still lack some of the infrastructure of it’s western cousin but it doesn’t mean it lacks for culture or sophistication. Concerts and performances are available for cents on the dollar and cities like Budapest allow you to enjoy Michelin star restaurants for well under $US100.
Barbara is able to average around $US30 per day living costs in Eastern Europe, far more affordable than Western Europe. Apartments in cities like Budapest can be had for under $US400 and many cities offer free walking tours from locals who can tell you the best things to see and do.
Barbara recommends bus travel in Eastern Europe. Unlike the west train travel is archaic, slow and unhygienic. Buses travel quicker are more comfortable and often offer free wifi.
Talking to locals will enhance your travel experience. Even if you’re staying in top hotels and taking tours step outside the normal boundaries and see who you can meet. Some of Barbara’s best experiences have come from the generosity of strangers who often go out of their way to share the true culture of their communities.

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Many of our interviewees have become accidental permanent nomads, starting off on a gap year with no plans then deciding to become a fulltime traveler. The next issue is always then income – how to fund the new lifestyle in place.

Chris Stevens had completed a degree on photography back in England before he decided to head away. While traveling through Australia he met up with a guy who had built a successful travel blog who showed Chris how he could build his own online business. He had already trained as a surf instructor and had been earning an income doing that while traveling around. With the benefit of his photography training, surfing instructions and his new established blog Chris was soon able to sustain himself in a variety of ways on the road.

We caught up with him in Vietnam where he shared his story of travel, how he measures his costs and the different ways he can make a living while on the road.

You’ll find Chris at http://www.epicgapyear.com http://www.backpackerbanter.com

What I learned from talking to Chris:

Be cheeky. Chris has established some good brand relationships just by asking, which can not only provide an income source but some free travel opportunities as well. As he says they can only say no.
He is meticulous in measuring costs and like Norbert Figueroa uses the Trail Wallet app to measure expenses. He manages to balance out costs between two of his more favored destinations – Asia and Australia. His costs for 2014 averaged out at $US9000 for the year ignoring airfares but even with flights he can generally stay under $US40 per day which is his target.
Having multiple bank accounts and payment options is important as is diversifying his income. Chris has both British and Australian bank accounts meaning he’s not vulnerable or reliant on one place. He’s not a big fan of credit cards but receives a lot of his online income via Paypal which he can then transfer to a debit cash card for use abroad. Americans traveling can take advantage of having a Charles Schwab account which makes travel easier.
If setting up a travel blog be patient. You don’t always get immediate results and unfortunately many throw the towel in before things start to kick in.

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Back in 2007 Ian Clavis was working in IT in London. The Liverpool native was becoming tired and bored with city life in England and when a friend suggested he could get a position teaching English in China Ian jumped at the chance.

7 years on Ian has made a home for himself in Chengdu, China a large city of over 10 million people near the border with Tibet where he has a Chinese wife and the recent addition of a young son.

I caught up with Ian to discuss life as an expat in China and were surprised to find a country that was far more lenient with foreigners than what I had expected.

If you’re interested in moving to China check out Ian’s blog at https://ianclavis.wordpress.com or you can listen to his podcast where he offers advice on living in China at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/tic-china/id1048429938

What I learned from Ian:

China is more relaxed with westerners than I had expected. Ian is pretty much free to do what he likes there and doesn’t encounter any issues with the authorities. Many people work in China without the appropriate visas but seem to encounter few problems – especially when working online. There are internet restrictions but like Josh Cahill Ian is able to work around that with a VPN.
Recent changes to travel visas now mean that Australians and US citizens can effectively stay 10 years allowing for leaving the country every 90 days. A quick trip to Hong Kong and back is usually enough to satisfy these requirements.
Health care is poor with a shortage of resources. Fortunately private health is good and very affordable. The recent birth of Ian’s son, including 12 months of follow up care only cost $US3000 in total.
Care should be taken when purchasing property. If buying new most places come unfinished and the electrics would need to be redone. Expect to have to finish it off yourself as the standard and pride in workmanship sounds close to non-existent! That said foreigners are now able to buy properties and take out mortgages directly.

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In 2008 Tomislav Perko had it all. A successful stockbroking career in his home town of Zagreb, Croatia saw him eating in fine restaurants, wearing fine suits and living the good life. It was perfect – until the financial crisis saw him lose his and his families investments and left him deeply in debt.

He had been offering couchsurfing space to travelers including Josh Cahill and their inspiring stories of traveling for little or no cost got him thinking – could he travel the world with no money?

Eventually he took the plunge heading off on a 5 year odyssey which included sailing the Indian Ocean and surviving on an average of $10 per day. His adventures gained him attention including the opportunity to Ted Talk, and he has now gone onto to sharing his stories with audiences around Europe.

You can find out more about Tomislav at his blog www.tomislavperko.com

What I learned from Tom:

There are really only 3 travel costs you need to control; transport, accommodation and food. Tom was able to reduce his transport by hitchhiking, and his accommodation by couchsurfing leaving only the third as an issue. Sometimes he could reduce his food costs to nothing by dumpster diving behind supermarkets or grabbing food off diners plates after they left.
Volunteering is a great way to live for free. Tom would either pre-arrange a volunteer stint through an organization like WWoof, Helpx and Workaway or look to help out locally when he arrived at a venue. In these cases he was able to cover his food and accommodation in return for a few hours work.
It was interesting to hear his experience after 5 years of wanting to start settling down. Much like Audrey Scott and Daniel Noll who set up their Berlin base after too many years on the road many travelers do reach a point where constant travel becomes hard to sustain and the need to find a base for shorter journeys is strong.
Hitchhiking is always perceived as dangerous but Tom only had one incident of theft during the 5 years – as we say the world is safer than the media portray.

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One of the most fascinating things with interviewing travel bloggers as part of our show is that you discover a world that you never knew existed before – the further you go in the more people you find and you start to discover a whole community existing below the level of normal everyday life.

At the heart of that community is Tbex – the travel blogger exchange. Tbex is not an organization but a series of three events held each year across North America, Europe and Asia where travel bloggers and advertisers can meet, learn and network with each other to further build their blogs and their business relationships.

From a beginning of 200-300 attendees just a few short years ago Tbex now has around 800-1000 attendees at their events. We caught up with Mary Jo Manzanares Conference Director for Tbex (and an avid travel blogger herself at http://www.travelingwithmj.com ) to find out more about how it operates and what travel bloggers and those starting out need to know if they wish to attend.

You can find out more about Tbex and their event schedule at http://tbexcon.com

What I learned from talking with Mary Jo:

Tbex is surprisingly easy and affordable to join. They place no restrictions on who can go and at around $US127 for a multi-day event it represents excellent value for those wanting to get established in the travel blogging hemisphere.
The conferences offer three great opportunities – firstly it’s a chance to learn with breakout sessions being run by guest speakers and professionals on all areas of enhancing your travel blog. Secondly it offers networking opportunities with unofficial down time and organized speed networking events where bloggers can learn from each other…and thirdly it presents opportunities to establish advertising relationships with industry affiliates eager for fresh ways to promote their products to a captive market.
If you’re looking to establish yourself in the travel blogging space it’s important to be different. It’s becoming an increasingly competitive market and not everyone is able to pick up good sponsorship opportunities. You don’t need to be a fulltime nomad in order to establish a travel blog though with many writers coming from vastly different fulltime and part-time backgrounds.

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Living an expat lifestyle doesn’t always mean having to leave the country (we’ve coined the phrase inpats especially for people who become nomads at home). For Heath Padgett the boredom and long hours of a sales job proved too much. Soon to be married, his fiancée Alyssa and he hit upon the idea of having an extended honeymoon through all 50 States with the mission of doing one days work in a job in each state. They decided they wanted to film a documentary about their journey and before they knew it had a sponsor onboard and were drawing the attention of CNN, Business Insider and Fox News.

12 months on we caught up with Heath to discuss his adventure, their upcoming documentary Hourly America and the myth of work that still pervades much of society – that being busy is the answer to everything.

You can check out Heaths website and the upcoming launch of his documentary at http://www.heathpadgett.com

What I learned from talking with Heath:

Firstly if there are young people out there like Heath and Alyssa willing to question the status quo and take a chance on their future then our future is in bright hands. They have a wonderful can-do spirit and attitude that will never leave them wondering how they will get by.
You can create your own opportunities if you’re prepared to think outside the square. These guys have created a sustainable lifestyle opportunity literally from nothing – it wasn’t even their intention but when you’re prepared to be different people will follow you and opportunities will open up. They now have the world at their feet.
We do specialize in looking busy without getting results don’t we? The guilt of work attitude has to change and be replaced with a desire to spend time on something that you are passionate about and leads to results. More work life balance is needed and this won’t happen until more people question the status quo – but it’s beginning to happen.
If you like the idea of being a nomad but don’t want to travel overseas then don’t. Chuck and Lori Ros spend a good part of their year traveling within the US as do other travelers and as Heath details in the interview you can travel around the U.S. almost as affordably in an RV as living in many expat havens. Find what works for you and just do it!

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You’ll love today’s interview with Stephenie and Tony Harrison. In 2013 these guys hit the road for an undetermined length of time relying on savings they had made during the previous 3 years. (Tony had been a graphic designer while Stephenie was completing research for her degree in neuroscience). 12 months into their journey they knew they wanted to travel fulltime – Tony could pick up work doing graphics and designing websites but what could Stephenie do?

Recognizing her skills in research they discovered an opportunity in Google adwords and Stephenie has now firmly established an online business that she never could have imagined when they left. As she loves to say – you don’t need to see the whole staircase to climb the stairs!

You can find out more about their adventures and online businesses via their website http://www.20yearshence.com

What I learned from speaking with Tony and Stephenie:

You don’t need your income in place when you leave. These guys didn’t even know how long they would go for – but once they decided they needed money they approached it in a very pragmatic fashion. Much like Stacey Kuyf these guys have been willing to make up the income as they go along.
Going home to cement their future was important. They were disciplined enough to return state side to build up their business before leaving again…and they set some very clear income and timeframe goals as to what and when they needed it by. Had they stayed on the road the process of building their business may have taken longer and been more expensive.
They told everyone their plans. It’s easy to be quiet in case you fail but by letting others know what you want to do means opportunities open up – as happened with Google adwords.
Traveling with pets needn’t be a hassle. They have found crossing into Mexico relatively easy. They secured a health certificate for both dogs before going and although they may occasionally pay a little more in rent because of animals, the costs of good quality vet care, which is easy to find, is as little as 1/3 to ¼ of what they would pay in the U.S.
You can find affordable parts of Playa del Carmen – their rent of $US480 per month include utilities and internet for a one bedroom apartment near the ocean…and at $US13 per day to have two meals per day out life isn’t so bad!
I loved Stephenie’s saying about learning to value her happiness. Sometimes you can be made to feel guilty for doing what you love. It’s a timely reminder that we are all here to enjoy life while we have it.

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The economic crisis of 2008 was a catalyst for so many of our interviewees to up sticks and hit to road. Lainie Liberti’s marketing business worked with green entities and non-profit organizations who were among the first to feel the pinch. With her business struggling and her 9 year old son Miro not enjoying his school environment Lainie decided they would hit the road for a 12 month adventure through South America.

8 months into the trip they both realized they were loving it enough to continue but savings were starting to dwindle and Lainie knew she needed a more permanent means of educating Miro. She discovered unschooling and became an instrumental advocate for children being world schooled from the environment in which they travel.

8 years on she and her teenage son are still loving their South American adventure. We caught with Lainie in Mexico where she shares the experiences of what made her hit the road and how their unique partnership and approach to education has provided Miro with an environment in which to thrive.

You can find out more about their adventures at their travel blog http://www.raisingmiro.com and learn more about the world of unschooling at http://projectworldschool.com

What I learned from this interview:

Whether you believe in life outside the education system or not this interview is worth listening to. Lainie has not only gone against the normal approach to education – what she calls radical unschooling – but has thrown the normal mother/child relationship on its head with the partnership arrangement the two have to travel. Everyone has their own opinion on what is right for them but there is little doubt, in Lainie’s case, that she considers it has been a success in raising Miro. Other interviewees such as Talon Windwalker and Alyson Long can vouch for the benefit that unschooling and world schooling has offered.
A blonde woman and a child in South America sounds like a recipe for danger and many people warned Lainie before leaving that she was taking a large risk. In most cases these people were well meaning but were not speaking from personal experience. In 8 years of travel the pair have had one break in – something that may have happened just as easily in Los Angeles.
Unschooling is becoming more accepted by colleges and universities and doesn’t mean children have to turn their back on higher education if they go down this path. Even ivy league schools are starting to look at unschooled enrolees who often approach their higher education with more enthusiasm and better background knowledge than their mainstream counterparts.

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Heading: Raising My Kids in Rural Romania

If you want a simple life there can be few places better to move to than a village in Romania. For Alyson Long and her family of two young boys frustration with the education system led her to take her eldest out of school and, with the families new found freedom, they set about a world travel adventure using their savings of $20,000.

After the first year which saw them sidetracked to the United Kingdom for family reasons they eventually visited Romania, which they promptly fell in love with. They are using it as their new found base and are in the process of purchasing a property while Alyson’s husband tops up the coffers periodically with temporary chef work in London.

We caught up with Alyson where we discussed the benefits of living in a Romanian village and how she brings up her children in an unschooled environment

You can check out Alyson’s blog at http://worldtravelfamily.com

What I learned from this interview:

There is an increasing move by many parents towards using the unschooling approach to raising their children (see our interview with Talon Windwalker). Those that follow this path speak highly of the benefits of doing so and how their children are more responsive to their learning environment as a result.
Romania still offers an old style of living. Cities like Bucharest are modern large metropolis’s but you can still find shades of 19th century life in villages like the Long’s where horse and cart is not uncommon and basic utilities can’t be taken for granted

We’ve discovered yet another way to make money on the road – temping. Alyson’s husbands skills as a chef sees him as a man in demand and he can pick up some short term work pretty much as he likes. The Long family use this as a good reason to visit London and replenish the coffers before heading off on a trip. Living in rural Romania keeps the costs down and means he doesn’t need a fulltime job to sustain their lifestyle

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There are two types of expats – those who move to another country but retain their current lifestyle and live very much within an expat community as they had back home. Then there are those for whom moving is a chance to embrace a whole new way of life and effectively become a local. Molly Piccavey is definitely the later.

She has spent the last 18 years living in Spain, firstly in Barcelona and now Granada where she is largely welcomed as a local. In this interview Molly shares her experiences of living in Granada, why so many expats move home again and what she feels expats need to consider before moving abroad

You can follow her journey and life in Granada at her blog http://piccavey.com

What I learned from this interview:

Be conscious that moving overseas is not a magic bullet. If you are looking to escape from something then be careful you aren’t taking the problem with you! Molly recommends spending the first period of time in a new culture observing how things are done and adapting to the new lifestyle. You are in someone else’s territory and need to embrace the fact.
Be conscious of exchange rates if relying on income from back home. If you can spread your risk by earning some local income this will definitely help
Be careful buying property. There is a lot of paperwork to deal with and Molly recommends getting a local helper to ease you through the experience and red tape
Spain is a great environment for families as the Wagoners showed. Family culture is important to the Spanish and they embrace it in everything they do.

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So often we see examples of people who don’t travel simply because they wont permit themselves to. In this day and age many people have jobs that will let them hit the road – two such examples are Evo Terra and Sheila Dee. Evo’s work as a digital strategist (and Sheila’s as an instructional designer) gives them complete freedom to work from anywhere, and with their child now of adult age they saw no reason to stay at home.

In January 2015 they headed off covering much of Western Europe before heading down under via Thailand, China and Vietnam. We caught up with them in Australia where they shared their definition of what opportunistic travel is all about. As part of their strategy the two don’t rely on any one source of income, running their own podcast and receiving funds through their crowdfunding site on Patreon where they offer supporters postcards in return for patronage.

You can follow their journey, listen to their podcast and support their postcards at www.shevo.wtf

What I learned from talking with Evo and Sheila:

They have been inventive with their income sources using crowdfunding site Patreon to offer postcards from their journey in return for a monthly contribution. Although having only started this year they are already achieving over $300 per month from the site – enough to feed them for a month in many countries.
Skyscanner is a big favorite for Sheila’s flight planning and the couple like to specialize in hunting out the flights that others won’t take.
Work like your internet won’t last. Being digitally dependent can cause difficulties if you have tight deadlines and a poor signal. Don’t put yourself in the position of relying on the internet at the last minute.
You really don’t need stuff – as Sheila says why would 2 people need 3 televisions! Cutting things out of your life won’t deprive you of what really matters – the experiences that define your life.
Despite events that have happened overseas – in some cases around the same time that they were visiting the countries, both Evo and Sheila are very conscious of how the media can make events seem bigger and more dangerous than they are. Tragedies do happen, and you need to be wary, but they have not felt unsafe at any stage of their adventures on the road.

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For Al and Shelly McCullough boredom with their current situation was the catalyst for a move to Panama. Shelly’s job wasn’t proving challenging enough and Al was looking for more satisfaction in life. They had explored Panama in 2012 and decided it would be the perfect starting point for their adventures.

They sold up everything, downsized and hit the road in 2014. 15 months on they have explored Panama, and Nicaragua and have discovered the benefits of housesitting when we caught with them in Panama City. Al in particular has gained a lot of satisfaction from his new found career as a writer and blogger.

You can follow their adventures, see the fun side of living in Panama and get their advice on downsizing and moving away (along with their e-books) at their blog http://panamadude.com

What I learned from speaking with Al and Shelly:

The length of your visa can depend on whether you choose to drive in Panama or not. Having a vehicle does seem to restrict you in terms of length of time you can stay there, or certainly drive, and this may be worth checking out further if you’re planning to go.
Be careful if looking to “fix” speeding tickets of traffic infringements with the officer who stops you. It’s not uncommon to pay “instant fines” there and many seem to prefer it as a means of avoiding a long drawn out process but you don’t want to be the one making the first offer.
Again we’re reminded of the affordability of Panama and Central America generally. The McCulloughs live pretty comfortably on less than $1000 per month while housesitting and around $1400-$1500 when renting. This is not having to rough it.
Explore all your income options. The McCulloughs found a nice little side earner in pet sitting for expats who head away. Although not going to provide you with fulltime income as part of a plan to pick up money from different means it makes for a good little top up.
Check out some other perspectives on Panama with Michael Long and Susanna Perkins

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Most people would love to take a year off and experience another culture. The reality is however few give themselves permission to do it – especially where there are three young kids involved.

For Michelle and Keith Damiani a one year experience for their family in Spello, Italy was something they had planned for prior to having children and saw no reason to change their plans once the kids arrived!

In 2012 they embarked on a one year journey that became more than just covering distance – it was a trip that affected every member of the family deeply – providing both Keith and Michelle with a new perspective on life and their children with increased confidence from taking on a new challenge and coming out the other end as winners.

We caught up with Keith and Michelle to discuss their experiences, why they chose to put their children into Italian speaking public schools, how Keith handled the hospital system after a short bout of pneumonia and the secrets to coping with returning home at the end of the journey.

You can catch their journey at Michelle’s blog http://michelledamiani.com where she has written a book “Il Bel Centro: A Year in the Beautiful Center”

What I learned from talking to Michelle and Keith:

Sometimes we can be too protective of our children. Much like the Wagoners Michelle and Keith chose to enroll their children in a local school rather than an international school which provided them with a deeper experience and a chance to learn the local language. Although a sink or swim moment all three children came to love it and gained invaluable confidence as a result.
Citizenship is an option if you have long term Italian decent. Although there are boxes to tick and the process can be time consuming it is worth considering if you want to spend a long period of time in any part of the Schengen zone. If you really want to speed it up follow Keith’s lead and move on over!
As other interviewees like Daniele Le has discussed there is a huge difference in culture between the more competitive work environment of the US and countries such as Spain, France and Italy where culture is heavily focused around enjoying life and creating a community.
Returning from an overseas experience can be a pretty tough landing. It took the Damiani’s a while to settle. Michelle's advice is to accept how you’re feeling and look for opportunities to view your home environment through new eyes.

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If you’ve ever traveled for any period of time you know that you will need some form of technology with you. Whether it’s a means of communicating with home, a device for checking the internet, a power adapter that can charge your phone or a means of completing your work.

Technology has advanced hugely in the last few years and thing you would never have carried 20 years ago are now a stable part of your luggage. That presents problems as well, as sometimes it’s a question of what should you take.

Today we talk with Dave Dean of www.toomanyadapters.com about what you need when hitting the road, whether your mobile phone is good enough for photographs, what size laptops give you the most power to weight ratio and what he carts in his luggage to get his work as a travel blogger done.

For more information check out the website or Dave’s book Hammocks and Hard Drives

What I learned from speaking with Dave:

I always have an issue with the weight of my laptop and often wonder about buying a smaller one. There is a sacrifice sometimes with having enough grunt on a smaller computer and it depends on whether you need it for work or travel. You need to also consider the weight of the power adapter as many lightweight models let themselves down with a great big plug that can weigh you down again. Dave looks for a computer that is under 1.5kgs in weight and has a 13 inch screen which is big enough for his needs.
If working on the road you need to be aware of backups. As he goes long periods without internet access Dave has a portable back up device even though he has cloud storage just in case he loses data before he can reconnect again.
He finds USB’s with up to 4 connections the best way of charging and avoids the need for multiple adapters
Travel sized products like his mouse and power strips (multi boxes) can help keep weight and bag contents to a minimum
Here Maps https://www.here.com is a great tool for downloading maps when you are online then guiding you when you are offline so you don’t need to use up your mobile data. When Dave buys a SIM card its predominantly for internet access, using skype and Google Hangouts/ Google Voice for any calls he needs to make (Voice is free to any US and Canadian numbers)

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In this global world more and more children are being raised in cultures that are different to their passport – figures show that there are over 4 million children being schooled in international schools and the number is growing.

Although both from Australia Craig and Lorraine Eldred met while teaching in China several years ago and have spent the time since as international teachers, also working in Vietnam and Dubai along the way. As expat teachers with over 13 years’ experience overseas Craig and Lorraine are in the unique position of giving their perspective both as parents and as teachers at an international school in the UAE.

We caught up with them in Abu Dhabi, where they shared their thoughts including Lorraines perspective as a woman living in an Arabic man’s world.

You can follow Craig’s blog at https://eldredofarabia.wordpress.com

What I learned from speaking with Craig and Lorraine:

We live in a changing environment for children. With a global environment and ever changing career paths the children of today will need to learn transferrable skills and how to learn rather than specific knowledge that might become outdated before they even complete their education.
Teaching internationally offers new opportunities for teachers to travel with an ever increasing demand and new positions being offered every day. A preferences towards families which offer more stability has been the preferred option for schools in the past but cheaper single teachers are now becoming more sought after.
It can be difficult dealing with a foreign environment as a woman. Lorraine has trained herself to not make eye contact in both Asia and the Middle East and has to deal with situations such as needing Craig’s permission to get her license and to withdraw money at the bank. Unfortunately the downside of living internationally can be some elements of chauvinism but it’s not something you can change. The only hope is that these factors will eventually change over time.
Like the Curtis Family the Eldred’s have raised third culture children who have adapted well to never living in their parent’s home environment.

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There’s a book inside almost everyone and in Virginie Carmichael there was several! The Quebec native and her boyfriend Chris Lippi are building their own publishing empire once step at a time as they look to travel the world.

Virginie has released 6 novels on Amazon so far while finding time to travel through South America and Eastern Europe. Chris’s skills lie in web development which has helped fund their lifestyle to date and he is soon to launch an app to help new authors get their books to a wider audience.

We caught up with them both between journeys back home in Canada. To follow their journey go to http://farmboyandcitygirl.com or check out Chris’ new app at http://booksproutapp.com

What I learned from speaking with Virginie and Chris:

Virginie has found a little niche for herself writing novels and thanks to the internet there are now opportunities to sell these on Amazon in a way that was never possible before. It opens up a whole new opportunity for those looking to change their lifestyle to travel and the opportunities in this space will only get better. You don’t have to be JK Rowling to be successful.
Eastern Europe offers some beautiful travel options at a very affordable price. Croatia is already well known to travelers but other options like Bulgaria are fast playing catch up on the list of places worth seeing. Some of these countries are outside the Schengen agreement which relaxes the restrictions on how long you stay.
Don’t let your education stop you from travel. Like Brendan Lee, Claudia Tavani and Jodi Ettenberg it would have been easy for Chris and Virginie to feel that they owed a return to the investment in their education. If you’re not happy doing what you do however what price will you pay if you don’t do what you love?

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If you think you don’t have enough money to set off traveling then you’re going to enjoy todays show. Ted and Jen Avery sold up all their home possessions and vehicle raising $11000 in the process and hit the road back in 2012 using the funds to sustain themselves through Central America and beyond. For Ted it was a big move, particularly as he’d never left Canada or taken a flight before 2010!

After a period of time in Sydney, Australia during 2013 where Jen studied and the pair put in a claim for residency, they again hit the road.

We caught up with them in Florida where they shared the secrets to finding vehicles for nothing, how they downsized their life, why the Galapagos islands are easier (and cheaper) to get to than you might think and how airline mistakes can be the source of unbelievable deals if you act quickly.

What I learned from Ted and Jen:

Relocatable vehicles are a great way to get free transport while traveling. These guys have used it to travel right across Canada. Relocatables are hire companies who need their RV’s and cars moved from point A to point B but don’t want to pay for staff to do it. There are websites like http://www.imoova.com and http://hittheroad.ca which provide vehicles that need to get from A to B and sometimes they even throw in the petrol. Nice!
The Galapagos is not as expensive as I thought. These guys were able to easily get to the island reasonably affordably from Quito Ecuador and then booked a cruise at half the going rate from on the island.
If you can travel anywhere and anytime then you might be able to take advantage of airline mistakes to pick up some great fares. Computer glitches and human error do happen and although sometimes the airlines will renege when they find it they will often honor the deal. Much like the Economical Excursionists these guys love to find travel deals!
You have enough money sitting around you right now to go traveling. These guys raised $6000 from just selling their home possessions that they didn’t need which was enough, along with $5000 from their car sale. This was enough to live comfortably on the road for 6 months.

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In today’s interview we catch up with Sean and Jen Boyle who left the sunny San Diego area in early 2014 to hit the road. They’ve have since covered much of Central America and Southern Europe and have recently arrived in Thailand. They don’t believe in roughing it but have comfortably kept to an annual budget of around $US40-$US50000 during the last 12 months.

We caught up with them to discuss Air BNB (where they book 80% of their accommodation) and the pros and cons of house-swapping.

You can follow their journey (and try some of the delicious recipes they have included) at their blog http://venturists.net

What I learned from speaking with Sean and Jen:

Sean and Jen like to spend a short while in each place they visit and have recognized that staying for a month not only gives them a good look around but helps them keep their accommodation costs to a minimum. Air BNB offers a better rate when staying for 30 days but they can often negotiate the rate down to 22/25 days with the renter while keeping their daily costs the same.
Renting out a property versus house swap is always a debate for travelers with a property. If your own property is in a place where higher net rents can be achieved over where you’re staying then you may be best to rent your own place rather than swap. Do consider tax with this though – you might want to talk to your accountant about whether it will be deemed as income.
Although the Boyles are comfortably within their budget and have stopped monitoring their costs to the same extent they do recommend recording costs in the first year so you can keep a handle on spending.
Although their blog includes food they have added recipes from the countries they visit which helps attract a whole new audience of readers.

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If you search the internet for travel bloggers it won’t take you long to stumble across Jodi Ettenberg. Her website Legal Nomads regularly ranks highly on the list of world’s top travel bloggers and has featured in numerous publications since she hit the road back in 2008 after 5 years working as a lawyer in New York. Her long form story telling style of blog has gone against the grain of standard blogging practice but has won her a huge following amongst a loyal group of followers who appreciate the depth and insightfulness of the stories she shares. Jodi’s travels aren’t without their challenges. As a celiac sufferer finding the right place to eat in a new town can be daunting. Her website includes useful advice and tips from those suffering from this disease or gluten intolerance generally and her attitude and spirit shows that you don’t need to let major health challenges stand in the road of being a fulltime travelers. We caught up with Jodi in Chiang Mai where we discussed her attitude to blogging and how street food can be one of the best ways to monitor what you eat. You’ll find details of her stories and her food guide at her website www.legalnomads.com What I learned from Jodi’s interview: 1. Jodi is absolutely right when it comes to travel blogging. You can rank well with posts about 10 best things to do in Penang but in reality you are only providing your readers with information they can gain elsewhere. If you’re serious about developing a blog then you need to inject some of yourself into the story and provide a perspective they would not find elsewhere. This will make you unique and draw a true following over time. Jodi writes long form blogs which her audience appreciates and it’s not unknown for her to write 5000 word posts or longer. Much like The Uncornered Market she has focused on quality over quantity. 2. Even if you suffer from food allergies or a reaction to certain foods it’s no reason to avoid travel. Jodi is a celiac which means certain foods can have an effect on her. She needs to spend more time researching where she will eat than most people but to a large extent she would still be having to do this even if she wasn’t on the road. She has gluten free food guides www.legalnomads.com/gluten-free on her website along with her book, The Food Traveler’s Handbook which is a great starting point for anyone suffering from gluten intolerance who is planning to travel. 3. She finds street food a great way to deal with her celiac condition. It’s difficult in a restaurant to see what’s going on in the kitchen but when it’s cooked fresh in front of you, there is a much better chance to control what you’re receiving. Street food, contrary to popular opinion, is often a good way to avoid general sickness as it enables you to see the general cleanliness and how quickly the food is being turned over.

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What do you do when you’ve left University with a degree in Theatre? Travel the world of course! For Chris Walker-Bush staying at home in rural Australia wasn’t an option – and when a friend suggested teaching English in Korea might be a career move Chris decided it was time to start traveling.

After a further stint teaching English in China Chris found himself in the unique position of helping an African safari company develop their business in the Asia region and he has since been on over 20 safaris in places such as Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.

We caught up with Chris during a visit home to Australia where he discussed his travels and how they have helped him deal with depression. You can follow his journey (and his upcoming 2016 climb of Mt Kilimanjaro) at http://www.aussieontheroad.com

What I learned from speaking with Chris:

A name we associate with genocide has moved on so far in the last few years. The nation is developing well and has moved ahead of its neighbors, such as Uganda, in infrastructure development. The country has modelled itself on Singapore with a benevolent dictator who is unique – he wants to resign but the people won’t let him!
Chris’s interview was very candid in terms of his battling with depression. For many travel might seem like a means of creating more stress for someone already with a lot to deal with, but he has credited travel with the ability to help him overcome it. It has a unique ability to heighten the senses and, as he rightly says, when you’re battling to make yourself understood in a foreign country you have little time for inward focus.
You can turn your own unique talents to any opportunity. Chris credits his job opportunity to a unique combination of travel experience, English teaching skills and his theatre background that helped make him ideal for the position. There is certainly a benefit to making yourself unique when it comes to finding job opportunities on the road!

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A travel agent, an English teacher, a horseriding instructor and now a copywriter. When it comes to making a living on the road Stacey Kuyf has done it all.

The kiwi traveler left New Zealand over 5 years ago and has lived and worked in a variety of countries showing that you don’t need a clear plan in place to start traveling the world. She has always managed to find something she can turn her talents towards and her life has been richer for the experiences she has enjoyed along the way.

We caught up with her in Guatemala where she has been spending the last 7 months and had the opportunity to discuss some of her more interesting working experiences including teaching in China (without a degree), setting up her copywriting business and what she loves about Guatemala.

You can follow Stacey’s journey at http://onetravelsfar.com or contact her via her copywriting business at http://kuyfcopywriting.com

What I learned from Stacey’s interview:

You don’t have to know where your money is coming from to get going. After 5 years Stacey now realizes that something will always come up! There’s no harm in getting some travel funds behind you but there is a variety of work options out there to take advantage of.
China appears to be one of the easiest countries to teach English in with Stacey getting work there even though she didn’t have her TEFL or the usual requirements of a degree. Be careful though – it only works if the school in question is willing and able to fund a blind eye being turned. You might not want to risk this unless you’re pretty relaxed about being deported!
Guatemala is a beautiful country, especially if getting away from the capital. She has set up in the stunning town of Antigua with cobblestone streets and volcanoes on her doorstep. Safety can be an issue however as it’s not safe to be out at night. The town does have a digital hub with reasonable internet though so if you’re a digital nomad traveler with an urge to find somewhere new there is a strong expat community there.

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There’s more than one benefit to having a second passport. Canadian expat Yvonne Ivanescu has used her Polish heritage to enjoy an extended stay in Belgium where she has been completing a Phd – for a very affordable price!

Her tourism course has cost her a total of 800 euros having completed her original degree in Canada and adding on a masters thanks to some hands on experience in Chile.

Yvonne has benefitted from the opportunities of being an international student but her passion for travel has seen her visit much of South America. In our interview we discuss responsible tourism, living in Chile and travel safety which is an area dear to her heart.If you're interested in studying affordably overseas then you'll want to listen to this interview.

You can follow Yvonne’s travel journeys at her blog http://undertheyewtree.com

What I learned from Yvonne’s interview:

Educational options in Europe can be cheaper than North America, Australia and other countries. Yvonne took advantage of her dual citizenship (she has a Polish passport as well) to access her education in Belgium. It also sounds like Scandinavia might offer some interesting student opportunities if you’re willing to do the research.
Yvonne has written a lot about safety and as a young single woman traveling in South America she has had her fair share io issues regarding this. Her suggestions are to be vigilant, make sure you have proper travel safety bags, do your homework and don’t just rely on locals as to which areas are safe, and beware in bars and getting in taxis on your own.
Responsible tourism. We first heard about this when talking with Diana Edelman. There is a big movement amongst travelers towards ensuring that the countries they visit benefit from their travels. Responsible tourism isn’t just about environment it is about economics and making sure that the local culture derives the financial benefits from the tourists they receive.

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There are lots of reasons why people don’t travel; jobs, money, children, health. We’ve managed to make myths of most of them with the interviews we’ve done so far… but the one we hadn’t found an answer to was pets…until now!

Andrew Matheson and Alison Cornford Matheson are a Canadian couple who have spent the last 10 years living in Belgium where Andrew had a corporate position. Inspired by friends they decided they needed a life of less stress and more travel – but with two mature cats how would they manage?

The solution for them was long term RV’íng ( motorhomes) which provides them with transport, cheap accommodation and a home for their pets. With estimated costs of around 20000 euros per year (around $US22000) they get to see much of Europe for considerably less than the cost of staying in Belgium or returning to Canada.

We caught up with them both 4 months into the journey where they share the mistakes they made getting started, where you can stay for free and the benefits of traveling slow (plus the fun of two cats in a confined space!). You can follow their journey via their website http://cheeseweb.eu where they have just released their book on how to appreciate food in Belgium http://cheeseweb.eu/foodie-guide-brussels-local-tips-restaurants-shops-hotels-activities/

What I learned from talking to Andrew and Alison:

Pets don’t have to be a problem. The Matheson’s discovered a travel plan that worked well for them; they didn’t want to rough it, they still wanted to control costs and they wanted to bring their pets with them. RV’íng in their motorhome was the answer.
Try before you buy. They did jump in to purchasing their RV / motorhome and hitting the road without testing it first. It all worked out well but they would suggest you discover if you really like to RV before making the commitment
You need to be very conscious of space if traveling this way. Not only do you need a home for everything but you need to secure it before moving on! It does make you think seriously about what you do and don’t need and is an enforced form of minimalism that they are both comfortable living with.
They highlighted the benefits of cheap accommodation for RV’ers motorhoming especially in France. Aires are free stopping points for RV campers often in great locations that let you stay a night or two before moving on. France Passion is also a website they and friends of ours have used where you can camp on farms for free in return for checking out the farmers local produce (and hopefully buying). They have enjoyed everything from cheese “farms” to Angora rabbits and even buffalo farms during their stays.

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If hitchhiking through Iran, joining the Arab spring or camping (accidentally) in a minefield in Bosnia sounds like your idea of fun then you’re going to love today’s episode.

Growing up as a West German living in East Germany was a strange experience for Josh Cahill. The wall had fallen but much of East Germany was still stark and oppressed. He felt like the odd one out and developed a desire to explore the world and discover the realty of things for himself.

The 29 year old has been on the road now for 7 years exploring many exciting places along the way – in fact he often makes a point of seeing the places that the media will often tell you not to go to (Kabul, Afghanistan anyone?) and his experiences have always been enjoyable.

We caught up with Josh in China where he is currently teaching English and he shared his experiences of life there (including how to get around the internet restrictions) , how couchsurfing works for him, and much of the wonderful journeys he has had so far. His website http://www.gotravelyourway.com details much of his journey.

What I learned from talking to Josh:

Going to China doesn’t have to be a problem if you’re a digital nomad. Josh gets around Facebook and other restrictions by using a VPN server to cover his location and whereabouts.
Again Iran gets a mention. This is the third time now (after Uncornered Market and The Crowded Planet) we have had travelers tell us how much they have enjoyed the experience of visiting there. Access is getting easier with visas now being available upon entry and even Americans and Canadians can find it relatively easy to gain access. It sounds well worth a visit.
Josh is a couchsurfing master having done it almost since the concept was created. He talks about building up your credibility and the benefits that couchsurfing meeting groups can bring when you’re new to a town, not only in finding accommodation but discovering the things to see and do.

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Here’s a question for you… if you could travel the world or spend the equivalent on a one bedroom apartment in Harlem which would you do? For architect Norbert Figueroa it was no brainer decision.

Having become addicted to travel the Puerto Rico native spent 18 months building up his blog while downsizing and cutting costs ahead of his trip.

Over the last 4 years he has visited 95 countries on his mission to see every one of the 195 countries recognized by the United Nations – his biggest challenge will be getting to Antarctica!

We caught up with Norbert where he shares how to get started as a worldwide wanderer, some of the good and not so good experiences of being on the road and how he lives his travel lifestyle for less than $US20000 per month.

You can check out his blog at http://www.globotreks.com where you can find his book The Ultimate guide to Travel the World.

What I learned from speaking with Norbert:

You may need to make sacrifices if you want to choose this lifestyle. Norbert spent a good period of time prior to traveling building up his war fund and was willing to make sacrifices like leaving his apartment to move in with friends, cutting out cable tv and eating in more. He paid himself first by committing up to 50% of his income towards his travel fund. You just need to decide how badly you want it
Norbert has become a master at managing his expenses thanks to his handy tip about the Trail Wallet app. He averages around $US20000 per year of travel, with 2 of the 4 years so far costing him the equivalent of his rent back in Harlem!
He has learned to not sweat the small stuff and has had to learn to lose some of his attention to detail mindset so carefully developed as an architect. Travel really can put everything into perspective.
He has had more than his fair share of scary experiences showing you still need to be careful out there – but the good has outweighed the bad and his faith in humanity has only been heightened by what he has done.

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To many, being a BBC producer sounds like the dream job. It certainly gave Dave and Carmen Allan-Petale a good bragging story at cocktail parties. But deep down, neither of them were happy with their high flying career jobs in London. While at a seminar in Portugal, the two Aussie natives heard some travel bloggers talking about their lifestyle and it ticked all the boxes…could they do it too?

With some savings to their name, they headed off 2 years ago to start their journey. They’ve travelled through North and South America, the Caribbean and a good chunk of Asia, saving money along the way…yes you heard me right, these two make a living while copywriting along the road and are able to live comfortably on around US$2000 per month! You’ll enjoy their sense of humor on this interview, and can find out more about their travels on their blog www.double-barreltravel.com where they have recently launched their book “ Make Your Travels Appy” where Carmen reviews 50 of the top travel apps that can save you time and money while you travel. (Check out the book here on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0166JPL8E )

What I learned from speaking with Carmen & Dave:

If you’re building business, Linkedin can be a great tool to help. You can find out who has been looking at your profile and follow them up. Something most other forms of social media don’t give you the opportunity to do.
Always carry business cards, even if you work online. There are lots of times where you can pick up business face to face so miss the opportunities when they come along
If you planning to go travelling, get some savings behind you to take the pressure off This provided Carmen and Dave with a buffer to enable them to choose their work when the time was right
Remember there are plenty of hubs you can work from in the world when you travel. These guys spent a period of time at Hubud in Bali and have seen nothing but growth happening in this type of working environment. Don’t forget we’ve also got we’ve got a link to the interview with Steve Munro from Hubud on this podcast page so you can check out more about them.
Travel can be lonely. Attending Travel Conferences can provide you support from like-minded people who get what you do. It can be a lonely world for the perpetual traveler. If you are looking to develop your travel blog, conferences like TBEX can be a great way to learn and grow.

Make Your Travels Appy: 50 Travel Apps to Save You Time and Money

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If the harsh Minnesota winters get a little too much for you after a while there is always an alternative. Betsy and Pete Wuebker were ordinary 50 somethings living a suburban lifestyle and working the corporate job – in Pete’s case in a stressful marketing position. Deciding they needed to supplement their income with retirement on the horizon they took to online marketing as a means of building a business and soon realized after a period of time that they were doing well enough to throw in their day jobs.

With freedom now an option they moved to Hawaii, a place still dear to their heart, but after a trip to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014 they decided that a life of travel was what they needed most.

They’ve been on the road since last year using housesitting as one of their primary means of reducing costs while their online income from various sources keeps them in the manner to which they are accustomed.

You can check out their blog at http://passingthru.com

What I learned from Betsy and Pete:

You’re never too late to start an online business. These guys were into their 50’s before they started to learn how to make money online. From a standing start they’ve built a thriving little business that enables them to live their travel lifestyle on their terms.
Have a plan and a vision for your online income. They treat it as a serious business and regularly hold meetings to plan and strategize. Like many others they don’t rely on one income but they do like to bring traffic back through their blog – a central spot where they can build a good following before sending people out to their various income methods.
Their secret to picking up housesitting gigs is to build a good rapport with the home owner. They let their seniority work in their favor – showing themselves as the ideal prospects to look after anyone’s home. They have followed Nat and Jodie’s recipe at the Housesitting Academy which has helped them get more housesits than they might have otherwise.

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How many habits do you live by? Most of us are inundated with things we do without really thinking. Chris Backe sees life very much as an experiment where you question every option you have – including where you want to live.

Since leaving Kentucky in 2008 Chris has lived in South Korea as an English teacher and over the last three years has taken to trialing life for 6 months at a time in a variety of places including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Krabi in Thailand. He is currently settled in Medellin, Colombia where he will spend a few months before trying another Colombian destination then heading for Ecuador – and who knows where else!

If you’d like to find out more about Chris and his social experiment plus check out his impressive range of books he has written on the countries he has visited check out his blog at www.oneweirdglobe.com

What I learned from Chris’s interview:

Life can be an experiment. 6 months in each place is ideal if you want to find out what a place has to offer but not find yourself in a rut. It depends on the size of the city/country that you choose however with some places (Seoul being a personal favorite of his) needing longer to see everything worth seeing.
Renting furnished in Medellin can be a lot dearer than unfurnished. If you plan on staying more than 12 months then buying your own furniture is a good idea
Facebook groups are one of the best sources of information before considering a move. Chris finds this to be far more reliable than any information he might pick up elsewhere (including the media). Old perceptions (like many people have of Colombia) seldom ring true.

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Dan and Cindy Gaskell left the comfort of Wichita Kansas for the climate of Costa Rica only a few months ago. Their website 82 Degree Quest refers to their search for the perfect climate but in many ways it is a metaphor of their search for the perfect life. So far they have found it in Gracia a mountainous city that gives them ideal living conditions with everything they could need

Dan and Cindy did a lot of research talking to others before they moved and they believe hearing others talk about their Costa Rica experiences is critical for anyone considering the move themselves. With that in mind they set up their 82 Degree Quest podcast (link here) last month to talk to fellow Costa Rican “gringos” about their experience of living in the country that has been called the friendliest on earth.

You can check out the website and get the link to their podcast here.

What I learned from talking to Dan and Cindy:

90 days is the limit for a visitor’s visa but you only have to cross the border and return immediately – there is no time frame required before you return – unlike other countries that you might visit in Central and South America. It pays to keep this in mind when choosing your location – you don’t want to have to make a long trek every 3 months to meet requirements.
Once you start the process of applying for residency which can take up to a couple of years you no longer need to do border runs – a definite plus.
You do need to think about income if moving to Costa Rica as you aren’t able to work there as a visitor. In the Gaskells case they are living off savings and can comfortably survive for under $US1700 per month – their targeted budget.

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You can’t get further contrast than moving from the beaches of Sydney to the mountains of Canada – for Kate Wan the shift was a continuation of an expat lifestyle based around her husband’s career in the mining industry.

Having traveled extensively during their younger days the couple have experienced the expat lifestyle in both the US and Canada. For Kate the move overseas provided an opportunity to start her own business which now operates in 3 different countries – but it’s not all about work. Kate has created a business based around work life balance in one of the most beautiful places in the world – and manages to find time to ski a couple of times per week during the winter.

She has written for Huffington post among others and will shortly be releasing a book that has already picked up awards ahead of its launch. You can find out more about her journey via her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tradesecretsbusinessconsultants

What I learned from Kate’s interview:

Sometimes being an expat can empower you to try things you might not otherwise do. For Kate she was able to start a new business from scratch without the pressure of expectation (or failure in front of her peers) while her husband provided income security for her.
Work/Life balance is so often talked about but seldom followed through on. Sometimes it’s about setting yourself up in the right environment that will make you happy and give you the chance to escape when you need to. Working an online lifestyle in a place as pretty as Rossland British Columbia is a natural cure for any overworking disease. Where would your dream working location be?

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Fancy life as a luxury travel writer? Would you like to be whisked around the world, all expenses paid being wined and dined in some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, resorts and hotels?

For Leah Walker it is a dream come true. The Texan girl gave up her former career as a teacher to become a fulltime travel writer only a few years ago. She now writes articles for prestigious publications such as Bonjour Paris, Luxe Beat Magazine and Forbes Travel Guide to name a few.

Despite the glamour and perks that come with the job (she was heading off the next day to Austria to interview caste members of the Sound of Music in celebration of the movies 50th anniversary) Leah’s job is not easy or her real life as glamorous as her alter ego writer gets to portray.

During our interview she shares the realities of travel writing and what you need to be prepared for if you plan on following in her footsteps.

You can follow Leah more closely via her blog at http://leahtravels.com

What I learned from Leah’s interview:

Travel writing may look glamorous but it’s hard work and means writing on the move. It’s important to realize the difference between the image that is portrayed in articles and the real life of a travel writer, who seldom gets to live at that standard in their home life. That said it offers many opportunities and as Leah says herself – it’s not the worst job she has had!
Sometimes the best travel experiences are the unexpected and the free. Leah’s opportunity to stand atop the roofs of Paris was a delightful surprise as well as her special dinner out. Even when shipped around the world to exotic locations and 5 star adventures she always takes time out to get into the street and discover the real world of the places she goes.
Travel is still all about people. They are her best memories of many of the places she has been and again emphasizes that you don’t need to be living luxury to be getting the best out of your travel experiences.

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If you are a digital expert who talks to their clients about being location independent it certainly helps if you can show them by example! That’s precisely what Michelle Frost and her husband Simon did when they embarked on a long term trip around the world with their 3 teenage children.

The Frosts left Australia just over 12 months ago and have traveled through Asia and Europe spending long periods of time in different locations living much like the locals. They have successfully home schooled their children with the support of their school back home who felt the children would be richer for the experiences they would encounter.

We caught up with the Frosts in their current location of Formello, Italy where they had just spent the day delivering the olives they had picked to the factory to be pressed – ah the joys of travel!

You can find out more about them and their journey via their blog at http://upsticksandgo.com or get their tips and advice on being a digital nomad and building your audience at http://mission-mojo.com/ and http://michoninternational.com

What I learned from speaking with Michelle and Simon:

We’ve said it before but kids really are a reason to travel. Their relationship has strengthened as a result of spending quality time together and creating memories that they will never forget
I liked Simons take on safety – as he says everyone basically wants to be happy so why would they gain from hurting you? You still need to be wary for the 0.0001% who aren’t but most people you pass are just like you
I didn’t realize the reciprocal medical benefits between Australia and the UK and Italy meaning your medicare card in Australia can be used for healthcare in these countries – that’s definitely a benefit
If you plan on transitioning back to normal life (even if temporarily as the Frosts are) then you need to rebuild your income stream for the higher costs of living you might encounter back home. They have spent the last couple of months building up their digital business so they can recommit to it more fully when they return.

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Ever heard of Wwoofing? No it doesn’t involve howling at the moon! Wwoof is a means of swapping work for travel where you trade a couple of hours per day in return for accommodation and meals on an organic farm. Today’s guests have successfully wwoofed their way around the world in a variety of countries but in recent years as their desire to live a backpacking life has diminished they have switched to housesitting as a means of reducing their travel costs.

Cheryl MacDonald and Lisa Chavis spend around 8 months of the year overseas while still generating income online working in their respective areas of expertise. For the four months back home they up the rate of earnings and plan their next adventure. Their lifestyle has enabled them to see much of the globe while controlling their living costs and topping up their income during the months they are back in the US.

We spoke with Cheryl and Lisa where they shared their experiences of Wwoofing and talked about the perceived boundaries that make people stop living the type of lifestyle they now have. You can find out more about their adventures on their website http://whatboundariestravel.com

What I learned from talking to Cheryl and Lisa:

Wwoof provides an opportunity to swap work for travel in over 100 countries worldwide. You can choose your destination and generally only have to give up a few hours per day of your time – but it’s not luxury living and suits the backpack fraternity best. As 40 somethings however they enjoyed the experience and didn’t feel out of place with the younger travelers they encountered.
Earning from your old skills is always an option. Who would have thought a pharmacist could still make money while traveling? For Lisa she is able to top up her income checking medical records and doing some medical writing p roving that almost any skill or career can provide you with money while you travel.
Ask the right questions. These two are a glass half full couple! They ask how they can do things not complain about why they can’t and it has opened many doors for them.

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One of the benefits of living an expat lifestyle is that you can save a fortune living in some wonderful countries that offer a high quality of life for cents on the dollar compared to the western world. But who says you have to sacrifice income and live on the smell of an oily rag? Today’s guest has combined the best of lifestyle with building an online business that last month provided him with over $22000 in largely passive income.

Johnny FD (the FD stands for fighting and diving - his two Thai passions) left Los Angeles and a corporate job with Honeywell to enjoy an overseas holiday in Thailand. Loving the experience he returned to his cubicle intent on relocating – after all he knew he could live on $600 per month while there. Depending on savings for the first twelve months he took a dive course to be an instructor but knew he needed an alternative if he didn’t want to turn his passion into a chore. He investigated online income options and created an e-book that generated sales but a coffee meeting with an entrepreneur who made money from drop shipping convinced Johnny that there were more opportunities on the internet than he had investigated.

Three years on and he now has several successful online stores but is earning just over half of his money from affiliate marketing. He hasn’t lost his passion for work but now focuses on building his income rather than trading time for money – his income occurs whether he works or not

In this interview Johnny shares the story of how he got started and some tips on how to determine an online income that works for you. You can follow his exact recipe via his blog http://www.johnnyfd.com

What I learned from talking with Johnny:

Living an expat lifestyle doesn’t mean doing without. Johnny still lives comfortably on considerably less than he’d spend back in the US but his strong income gives him peace of mind and the chance to build investment savings while he relaxes on the beach.
Online income can be erratic – you can’t guarantee it’s consistency but it pays to have more than one string to your bow. Johnny had initially built his income from drop shipping (the process of selling online where the manufacturer sends the goods direct to the buyer and you don’t have to handle it) but now gets just over half his income from affiliate marketing (promoting other people’s products)
Johnny does much of his own work because he enjoys it with limited use of outsourcers. His income however is largely not connected to the time he puts in – most of the time he does spend is on growing his business and adding other forms of income.
Get help from others. When he was learning he would regularly take entrepreneurs out for coffee and pick their brains and he doesn’t stop learning now just because he has achieved success.

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Fancy a lifestyle hanging out with Hollywood A-listers? Life in the movie industry had its pluses but for Brit Gillie Hutchinson the birth of her child in her mid-30’s meant a slower less glamorous life was necessary. She returned to her roots in the fashion industry working for the Countess of Carnarvon at Highclere Castle – a location better known as the setting for Downtown Abbey. To all intents and purposes she seemed to have the perfect career selling fashion for a recognized brand and swapping Hollywood for the landed gentry but for Gillie she never really felt at home.

A 2002 holiday to Gibsons in British Columbia changed everything with her husband and her returning with the deed to a new holiday home. 4 years of visits and they had had enough of just being holidaymakers – and in 2008 the family of 3 moved to Canada permanently. Her husband’s job in computer software was able to provide for them – but left Gillie wondering what to do. Well what else do you do when you have a view of a harbor? Gillie bought a boat and took up sailing and now spends her time giving sailing lessons and skippering charter boats in places as diverse as New Zealand, Croatia and the Mediterranean. You can find out more about her experiences in British Columbia and her various sailing tours on www.ladysail.com

What I learned from Gillies interview:

You’re never too old to make a new start. Not only did Gillie move locations she developed a brand new career in sailing with no previous experience. At the age of 50 when most feel they are set in their ways she took on a new lifestyle of adventure she would never have imagined
The experience of her 12 year old son relocating was not a cause for concern – he has blossomed in his new environment. Sometimes we fear things for our kids that they don’t worry about themselves.
Owning stuff is not the recipe to happiness – we hear this so often with people we speak to, they are generally happier not chasing after the next trophy to add to the show and tell cabinet.
Don’t have regrets – as Gillie says you can always go back to your old life – but you might just find that you don’t want to.

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If others can make money online why can’t I? That’s the question that Sharon Gourlay asked herself in 2013. With her kids still of pre-school age she knew she had a window of opportunity to give up her job, build an online income and move overseas, enjoying the world while living off her digital income.

Within 12 months Sharon had started to get results – she has since built her online business up to $5000 per month and growing while she enjoys living in Penang (very affordably) and traveling the world from her base with her family of 4 (also very affordably).

In this interview Sharon shares the story of how she built her blog, how she finds living in Penang, and gives some tips on how to monetize a travel blog which she also shares via her website www.digitalnomadwannabe.com

What I learned from Sharon’s interview:

You can build a blog worth $5000 per month. We know from our interview with Yeison and Samantha that this is possible. Sharon did it by having a plan as to how she hoped to earn it and working hard on targeting to her market.
SEO is important. Sharon focused on this part of building her blog, knowing that it would take time but would give her strong long term benefits so that she could eventually just focus her time on maintaining her business
Invest in learning what you need to learn. Sharon spent all the initial money she made from her blog on educating herself further
Diversify your income. Sharon has been closed down by an affiliate company so it only emphasizes that you don’t want to rely entirely on any one source of income – you never know when Facebook, Google or someone else will decide they don’t like what you are doing – and remember; with many of these large companies you are considered guilty until you prove you are innocent.
Write quality content. Too often when looking to earn online income or build traffic it becomes a focus about looking for tricks to build your business. As Sharon rightly says it isn’t just about the number of website visitors but whether you are getting the right visitors who will take action. Don’t become fixated on page views either.
Look at Norwegian airlines for budget flights. I just priced a fare from Bangkok to Oslo at $US152. They also offer transatlantic deals – may be well worth a look
You can travel Europe on under $100 per day as a family of four, its all about traveling slow and looking for affordable food and accommodation. Crack those nuts and the cost can drop substantially.

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If you’re looking to travel than teaching English can be a great way to fund your lifestyle as Jack Askew showed in an earlier interview. Jo Bruce headed to Korea from New Zealand 10 years ago armed only with a child care degree which was enough to give her a foot in the door of the English teaching game. Once there she was able to upskill sufficiently to relocate to Malaysia where the criteria for accepting English teachers was much stricter.

Jo is embarking on a new adventure, walking the Te Araroa walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff, the full length of New Zealand which will take her around 5 months and cover 3000kms. She then plans to walk even further traversing the Pacific Crest trail from the Mexican border to Washington State made famous by Reece Witherspoon in the movie “Wild”.

If you’re interested in embarking on a career teaching English overseas, or are an avid hiker looking for inspiration then you’ll enjoy listening to Jo.

What I learned from Jo’s interview:

Korea can be a great entry point for teaching English. As long as you have a degree and fit the mold of European looks (sadly slim and attractive seems to be a helping factor) then you could find Korea is a great backdoor entry into this market as Dain and KJ Leathem also found
Malaysia has a stricter criteria for teaching English however Jo’s time in Korea gave her the chance to upskill with a Celta course and turned her degree into a Masters while living there. She was then able to move to Malaysia with sufficient skills to start teaching other teachers in how to teach English
Ipoh is a very affordable city situated just two hours from Kuala Lumpur and the same distance from Penang. Jo was able to live there in a 3 bedroom apartment with gated complex and swimming pool from as little as $US350 per month. All up living costs including food (she ate out a lot) massages, facials and other perks came to under $US1000 per month, not bad in anyone’ s language.

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Most people would think about visiting a country before making the leap to shift there. Most people would also think twice about relocating their business to a foreign country that they can’t really speak the language of – but Rachel Taylor is not most people. To coin her own phrase sometimes it’s easiest to step off a cliff!

Rachel made the move from Sydney, Australia to Paris, France just on two years ago and has settled in well to the Parisian lifestyle where she shares a flat with two room-mates. Her graphic design and website business has traveled with her and she still gets most of her work from back home along with some business she picks up from the expat community in Paris. So far she has loved the experience and doesn’t regret her decision in the least.

Today we talk to Rachel about the costs of living in Paris and how to relocate your online business successfully overseas.

Rachel can be contacted via her website http://petecreative.com.au

What I learned from Rachel’s interview:

Going to expat meetings can be a great way of building your business locally even if you are an online worker. Remember a lot of expats might not be able to speak the language and would feel more comfortable dealing with someone of their own culture so this can offer you opportunities in a specialist niche.
Paris isn’t as affordable as other parts of Europe or France but if you live like a local you can soon find the places to eat affordably that the tourist set never find out about.
There is no more thrilling experience than traveling Paris at night on the back of a scooter – I will have to add it to my bucket list of things to do!

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To all intents and purposes Danna Bowman had the perfect life, living in Dallas they owned their own business, went to all the right places, spoke with all the right people and by her own confession did a good job of keeping up with the Jones. It came at a price though as they lived on the treadmill of working hard, getting more debt and buying bigger things.

One day they received an email about the benefits of living in Costa Rica – and it got them both thinking. On her husbands 40th birthday they flew off to their new life in Atenas Costa Rica – never even having visited the country before with their two young children aged 7 and 4.

7 years on and they still call Costa Rica home living in the area recognized as having the world’s best climate. Danna loves her new life despite some of the short comings of small town Central American life and is glad they made the move.

Since moving to Costa Rica Danna has been diagnosed with a thyroid problem – you can find out more about this and her involvement in helping others with thyroid issues on her website www.thyroidnation.com

What I learned from Danna’s interview:

Costa Rica have no military – now I don’t think there is many countries that would have voluntarily disbanded their armed forces but it appears Costa Rica is one!
Although Danna educates her kids in the Costa Rican public system after initially putting them into private school she does feel the Costa Rican system is not as focused as the US one. That said she doesn’t feel there would be any issues around them integrating back into the US workforce when they leave school.
It’s not possible for expats to work in Costa Rica. Online work would not be an issue but obviously they don’t want jobs being taken away from Costa Rican citizens. You either need to work online or be retired.
Despite its back to nature image food can be expensive and it can be difficult to get hold of organic food. If this is an issue you would need to look at a way of working around this.

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Sometimes good things can come from bad experiences and you can look back and be grateful for what went wrong. For Nat Smith and Jodie Thompson a failed business deal in Dubai left them with two choices – head home to Australia with their tails between their legs or embark on something new. Deciding that Europe was closer than Australia they made their mind up – but with only a few hundred dollars to their name how were they going to survive?

That’s when they discovered housesitting and its ability to not only provide a free roof over your head but the opportunity to experience a community in a unique way other accommodation just couldn’t provide.

Several house sits later having enjoyed the experiences of Britain, Europe, Central and North America they found people beginning to ask them what their secret was to finding good housesits on a regular basis – and from that House Sitting World was born – their online resource which provides forums, books, magazines and online training for the new and experienced housesitter to learn and share from.

If you’re interested in housesitting then you’re going to live this interview. Nat and Jodie generously share their top 8 tips on what you need to do if you want to get into housesitting. Check out the academy here

Here’s Nat and Jodie’s 8 Tips to Becoming an Effective Housesitter:

Ask yourself WHY do you want to house sit? This exercise is really important and is clearly outlined in both their book and online course - and while it may seem like a silly question… go beyond the surface of “I want to travel or I want free accommodation”
Prepare your being of service mindset- house sitting is far from a ‘Free holiday’ - it comes with responsibilities, not just while on the sit, but also before and after. And ask yourself honestly - can I feel comfortable in someone else’s space and respect their rules and way of living?
Start gathering references asap- again, checklists & templates are in the academy, but try to get your written references stating the skill sets important to house & pet sitting
Brush up on your skill sets- if you haven’t cleaned a pool before, don’t have a green thumb, would feel more confident with knowing pet first aid - get some hands-on experience in the areas that can help you be a great sitter
Sign up to platform like House Carers or Nomadorif you are looking for international gigs. Academy members get discounts for both. Start searching the sites that offer listings in the areas you are seeking - there are Country/region specific sites as well. Don’t fall for the marketing of the largest site (TrustedHouseSitters) thinking they are the best, while they have the biggest marketing budget, in our opinion, it’s a very overcrowded and competitive site now with many members not getting value for their membership fee and making it harder for newbies to get a look in.
Write a great profile/resume- keep in mind what the owner is looking for, they don’t care if you have traveled the world, they want to know that you can lovingly care for their prized possessions - pets & home.
SECRET TIP (no-one else ever suggests this, yet this was the first thing they took advantage of themselves) - use your current or former profession in your headline, don’t be like the thousands of ‘loving, caring, trustworthy, honest, reliable blah, blah adjectives… a trade, professional, job paints a real picture
Do what 90% of people don’t do - record a video & include it on your profile - it’s the key to start getting the best gigs available - guaranteed!

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What’s the best way you could spend $1500 on travel? What if I told you, for that money you could get 28 flights? What if some of those flights were business and even first class? What if those flights enabled you to travel from Europe, through Asia, Australia, New Zealand and back? What if it included some 5 star accommodation and the chance to sip champagne and nibble in airline lounges while you await your flights?

Seems too good to be true? Well it did to me to until todays guest told me they have done it…and they do it all the time!

Leanna and Andy Brown are expat Americans living in Germany, using it as their base to travel much of the world. Leanna and Andy are travel hackers – people who devote a good portion of their time to searching out the best ways to save money on their travel deals. Today we speak with Leanna who shares with us much of the secrets of what they do – including how they come to own 60 credit cards (none of which they use) and why they pay each other on Amazon!

I knew I was going to like this interview, and you will too! Check out their website www.economicalexcursionists.com and their Very cool free tool - the Flyer Miler - for working out which credit card can give you what points for which trip http://www.economicalexcursionists.com/flyermiler

What I learned from talking with Leanna:

I knew many credit card companies gave you bonus points for signing up – I didn’t know that some of them will give you enough for a free flight straight away. Leanna got her sister onto a card that paid for her return flight from the United States to Germany – not bad for filling in a bit of paperwork!
Not all credit card points are created equal. It’s worth taking the time to investigate which ones give the most points – and what those points will get you. Sometimes less points can be worth more for different airlines…there is a reason they give you points and not dollars!
They live by the mantra that "Travel doesn’t have to be expensive – just memorable”. Leanna confesses that they are particularly frugal, but they have prioritized travel in their life and don’t feel they are sacrificing anything in order to achieve it. It’s the same old story – most of what we spend money on is “stuff” that has little or limited benefit after the normal purchase. These guys prefer moments over mementos and are richer for the experience. Living on $35000 per annum is fairly economical living for most couples living in suburbia – but what if you could live on that amount AND see 10 countries per year as well? If Leanna and Andy can do it why can’t you?

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How does 12 months traveling the world with 4 children sound? What if you had to spend 10 of those weeks together in a combi van? For some people this would be too much of a challenge – for the Morgan Family; Jarred, Iri and their four children aged 5 – 13 years it’s been the making of them as a family.

The Morgan’s left Perth, Australia in December 2014 on a one year journey around the world, starting in Bali, heading up through most of Asia, then heading to Europe and Great Britain before leaping across the ditch to Canada and the United States where we caught up with them visiting family in Wisconsin.

The catalyst for their journey was the death of a young relative with leukemia. On the way to the funeral they discussed their own future and the opportunities they could give their children to live life to the fullest – and an adventure was born.

You’ll love this interview about how a normal family were able to transform their experiences and relationship with each other while on the move.

To follow their journey make sure you catch their blog at http://morgansgotravelling.com

What I learned from speaking with Jarred and Iri:

Google flights are a good option for seeking out airfare deals. The Morgan’s found some cheap deals looking at smaller airlines heading out of smaller destinations including a cheap flight from Ireland to Canada. All up they have spent around $US5000-$7000 getting their family of 6 from A to B during the 12 months.
If you’re thinking of a long sabbatical like theirs they recommend doing it in steps. A weekend away, then maybe a week to an established holiday destination before you commit to being a family crammed in a small space for a period of time. Small irritations can become bigger when you’re on the road.

The benefits for children are every bit as good as for adults. The Morgan’s have home schooled and have been able to provide their children with many real life examples during the journey. More formal learning can be accessed online

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If you think traveling the globe has to be all about scraping by on meagre savings and sleeping on dirt floors – think again. There are many travel bloggers who have built very successful businesses from their adventures and today you’re going to meet one of the most successful.

US citizens Audrey Scott and Daniel Noll first hit the road in 2002 living in Prague, Czech Republic while working corporate jobs. After 5 years they decided they needed some adventure and in 2006 hit the road on a journey which, given the savings they had, was expected to last around 12 to 18 months.

They were amongst the earliest travel bloggers out there and realized after a period of time that there were people interested in their story beyond family members. With an ever growing following they worked on their website and blog to the extent that it now provides them with an income through sponsored arrangements and leads through speaking engagements including Ted Talks they have given.

If you want to learn more about their travels and how they have successfully built a thriving travel business from their journey you can check out their resources at http://uncorneredmarket.com/world-travel-resources or see them speak at the TBEX Dublin travel conference

What I learned from speaking with Audrey and Dan:

It’s possible to have a travel lifestyle on steroids. These guys now get well over 1 million website views per annum aside from their various social media and You Tube hits. They have given Ted Talks and are regularly asked to speak at some of the largest travel conferences around. There is a whole industry out there which is bigger than most people realize – it was especially interesting to hear the dynamics of the travel conferences, who goes, and what gets discussed.
It might sound like the good life but there is a point where hitting the road permanently can seem too much. Audrey and Dan hit this around the 5 year mark, as have many of their traveling friends, and hence their decision to settle in Berlin for around 6 months of each year, giving them the chance to nest again. If you decide to hit the road make sure you have a landing plan should you decide you want to set up roots somewhere, at least for part of the year.
As exciting as it is to be paid to do what you love it can be difficult finding a break between lifestyle and earning a living when you make your money from reporting how you live. Audrey and Dan have to try and segment their time and have experiences that they don’t feel obliged to blog about. It’s important to have clear distinctions between “work “travel and pleasure for the sake of your own enjoyment.
It was interesting to hear their approach to writing a travel blog. They have replaced quantity with quality, reducing their number of articles down from 10-15 per month to around 2-4. The articles are longer however and tell more of a story which was a consistent theme they spoke about during their interview. It’s not unusual to find them doing 10-15 redrafts of their posts – something that would shock most bloggers, but it’s a reflection of the quality that they want to put into their articles – not only for readers but for sponsors who they promote.

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If you love inspiring stories of people who don’t let limits stand in their way then you’ll love today’s interview. Gwen McCauley suffered the loss of her first husband in an accident 40 years ago. Looking to escape for a while she booked a holiday to the Algarve region of Portugal, and fell in love with the place.

35 years on at a stage when many people are looking to settle quietly into their senior years the 60 something made two life changing decisions – she was going to relocate from Ottawa to Nova Scotia, Canada and she was going to step up her visits to the Algarve. This year, at the tender young age of 68 Gwen will be spending half the year in Nova Scotia with a full 6 month winter in Portugal where she has an apartment lined up and more work ahead as a restaurant critic.

We spoke with Gwen in Nova Scotia where we discussed living in the Algarve, and how being on a pension is no barrier to living the life you want to lead.

You can follow Gwen’s travels at her blog http://www.gwenmccauley.ca

What I learned from Gwen’s interview:

Don’t let age be a barrier! Gwen is approaching 70 but is getting more adventurous as she gets older. Traveling and getting out into the world can build confidence, especially if you are reaching a stage of live where it becomes easy to put up the shutters.
You don’t have to commit to a permanent move. Gwen has developed a nice combination of expat and inpat lifestyle having moved to Nova Scotia in the last few years. She isn’t having to give up what she loves about Canada and has expanded her group of friends as a result.
If getting a visa extension in a Schengen country keep in mind that the extension only applies to the country in which you get the extent. Don’t extend a visa and expect to go further afield once you have it
If you love what you do then you don’t need to retire. Gwen enjoys working as a writer and between her blog and her restaurant critiques she keeps herself active and busy.

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Sometimes travel is just such a passion you will move heaven and earth to do it. For Italian Claudia Tavani she knew from a very young age that she needed to do it as much as she could.

Born on the island of Sardinia, Claudia developed a love of travel with trips growing up with her family. She eventually left school to study and soon became entrenched in the world of academia, getting her Phd and marking papers as a means of earning in livelihood in the hallowed halls of England and Italy.

But she became increasingly frustrated with life as an academic and embarked on a backpacking trip through South America where she discovered the world of travel blogging during a conversation with a fellow traveler.

Two years on and she has committed wholeheartedly to a life of travel using her home in Sardinia as a base. No more academia for her!

You can follow Claudias story and her travel planning business at her website http://www.myadventuresacrosstheworld.com

What I learned from speaking with Claudia:

Cuba is an enticing country when you get to know it. It still has much of its original flavor but don’t leave it too long before visiting as it will slowly change as most other places found by tourists do.
Nicaragua has again been mentioned. It is one of Claudia’s favorite spots and is fast developing a reputation as an expat haven. Its history is well behind it and the future looks exciting for this Central American country.
Don’t feel because you’ve invested a lot of time and energy in your qualifications that you must devote the rest of your life to it. Much like Brendan Lee Claudia knew her education wasn’t where her heart was but she’s not afraid to take a risk to do what she loves.

Be a patient traveler. Much of Central America needs a lot of patience, but if you relax and just go with it you may find a better person coming out the other end

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If you’re worried about being a victim of the next round of redundancies why not take the bull by the horns and fire yourself! That’s what todays interviewees Alan and Heidi Wagoner did.

Deciding that it was only a matter of time until one of them faced a corporate axe they terminated themselves, sold up the home and with their two younger children relocated to the picture postcard seaside town of Almunecar, Spain.

The children enrolled in a local school without knowing any Spanish and within months were reveling in their new school environment. The Wagoners recently took several months off to travel Asia home-schooling their children along the way.

We caught up with them back in Spain where we discussed the Spanish lifestyle and how to integrate your children into a new culture and environment.

You can check out their blog along with the costs of their new lifestyle and how they raise their children at http://wagonersabroad.com

What I learned from speaking with Alan and Heidi:

Faced with the challenge of having to learn a new language, Spanish and continue their schooling the Wagoner children seemed destined to struggle during their first year in Spain. But in fact they blossomed, demonstrating that challenging the mind with a new language can expand the brains capacity in other areas as well.
We hear it so often from Spanish expats but the Spanish really do live to enjoy life. Money takes a back street to lifestyle with family and children taking top priority in small towns like Almuñécar
During their year away home schooling proved a wonderful way to give their children school lessons with real life experiences. The Wagoner children did research, made power-points of their experiences, worked their math through currency conversions and learned a little more of the local languages where they traveled. It’s hard to imagine the classroom providing them with such a well-rounded education.

Visa requirements are not too onerous for non-Europeans with the initial 90 day visa in Spain providing time to meet the requirements of applying for a 12 month visa. This can then be extended to 2 year and 5 year once the initial period has ended

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Feeling jealous about your children enjoying a gap year overseas? So were Duncan and Jane Dempster-Smith until they asked the question “Why can’t we have a 12 month overseas escape too?” They failed to come up with a good reason why not, and in 2013 headed away on a 12 month sabbatical with the goal of seeing the world and living on $A185 per day – the target for what it would have cost them to have stayed at home.

Experiment over, they decided on their return that it was possible to gear themselves for a more permanent travel experience and, after a short period of housesitting, they embarked on a more permanent overseas lifestyle with the goal of living on the equivalent of the Australian pension of $A92 per day, around $US63.

Well into their experiment the Dempster-Smiths are hitting their expense goals while having a ball traveling the world. In our interview with them they talk through the process of planning, how to ask the right questions before you start and how to keep your travels to an unbelievably affordable budget

You can check out their blog and investigate how to get started on your own adventure with their handy resources at http://totraveltoo.com

What I learned from speaking with Duncan and Jane:

If the children are keeping you from going then clarify why. When Duncan and Jane established their children were seeking financial rather than emotional support it made it easier to make provision and not let guilt stand in the road of their adventure.
Ask good questions. Don’t assume something is impossible, instead ask how it can be done. Their expectations of the budget they could live on was higher than it needed to be until they encountered the experiences of others who were doing it for less.
Slow your travel down. The cost of relocation is significantly reduced on a daily basis the longer you stay in one spot – and you get a truer experience of what a place is like if you can stop to smell the roses.
Again they emphasized the benefits of housesitting as a means of reducing costs. They got a few housesits under their belt at home in Australia before they embarked.
If relocating don’t just consider airlines. Cruise relocations such as their Miami to Barcelona sailing cost $800 for 14 nights – an average of $57 per day including accommodation, all meals, transport and entertainment. Try matching that on an airline!

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Turning a part time travel blog into a fulltime means of income may not be as easy as you think. For Italian Margherita Rag and Australian partner Nik Burns the decision to start fulltime travel wasn’t a hard one.

The two met in London and started their travel adventures in 2009, initially living off savings. They developed their blog which initially had a short hiatus but have committed to using it as a regular source of income in the last 12 months.

In this interview Nik and Margherita talk about their adventures in Europe, their experience in Iran, and offer some great advice on how to develop and monetize a successful travel blog.

You can check them out at http://www.thecrowdedplanet.com

What I learned from Nik and Margherita’s interview:

Look for a fresh angle on your travel blog. There are a lot of blogs out there so you need to offer something different. Nik and Margherita look for different things to do in well known locations or stunning nature spots that don’t get the high profile from Lonely Planet.
Be persistent with it. Don’t expect that the world will beat a path to your door after two or three blogs.
Don’t be afraid to ask for sponsors and freebies. Margherita contacted a bungy jump company offering a review in return for a free jump and found that the company had contacted over 100 travel bloggers and couldn’t find anyone ready to do it!

Iran should be on your bucket list! Far from being dangerous it had some of the most welcoming people that they had encountered on their travels

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You never know where a chance meeting can take you. A train ride to London saw Alice Nettleingham sitting beside a girl who had just come back from teaching English in India. Alice’s life in the English National Health Service wasn’t unhappy but she felt there was more. Inspired by her talk Alice decided to venture out and explore the world and three months later found herself in South Korea.

She has since explored much of Asia, falling in love with the region and its people. She will traditionally spend a good period of time in each place she visits getting to know it properly, and never quite knows where her next adventure will take her.

We caught up with Alice in Taiwan where she has been for the last month. You can check out her blog at http://teacaketravels.com

What I learned from Alice’s Interview:

Being young, female and single doesn’t stop you from venturing out into the world and discovering what the planet has to offer.
Be spontaneous! Within 3 months of her chance meeting with someone who had taught English in India Alice had completed her TEFL training and was on her way to South Korea
Don’t always believe the media. Her father was fearful of her going to Korea due to the rumblings of North Korean trouble but when she arrived she found the people of South Korea were relaxed and found the whole thing quite laughable. Always remember the media love a good story and the best way to find out the truth is to speak to people who have been there.
China offers fantastic trekking, hiking and mountain biking trails – who would have thought!

Taiwan is very affordable. I had assumed as an economic power that it might be on a similar costing to places like Japan but transportation and meals are very cheap there

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Today in our first ever on-location interview we caught up with Daniel Chen, an expat American and Steve Struyck a retired Dutchman who have both made the move to Penang, Malaysia. In this interview Daniel and Steven share their experiences of Penang, why they love living in Malaysia, and the cost of living they have in this country.

It was great to do our own research into expat living while we were here. Accommodation is very affordable, with an average 2 -3 bedroom apartment going for around $400-$600 US per month. Food is extremely cheap, especially if you enjoy the local street markets and Penang itself is an interesting combination of cultures with Malay, Chinese and Indian all being integral to the community – and an ever growing number of Western expats flavoring the mix.

Let’s let Daniel and Steven share their views:

What I learned from Daniel and Steven:

Malaysia offers a number of visa options for expats. In Daniels case he was able to get a 2 year renewable visa based on establishing his online business. Steven took advantage of the My Second Home visa option which gives him a ten year right of staying.
Health treatment is first class. Both were happy with the treatment they had had there; in Daniels case his wife had given birth to two of their children there and not only was the health care good, but it was considerably cheaper than what it would have cost him in the US.
Safety wasn’t a big issue for either of them. Crime does exist but is no worse than they would have experienced in their own home country.
Property prices have increased considerably in the last few years. Both Daniel who rents and Steven who owns his own place had not had any trouble with the process of gaining their accommodation. Many properties are bought up by Chinese investors who leave them empty but this doesn’t seem to be putting too much pressure on rents. Daniel has paid the same amount for the last four years!

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Was he the world’s first digital nomad? Maybe, maybe not... but there is little doubt that James Clark was one of the first people to make an online living while traveling.

The Melbourne native took to the road fulltime in 2003 while earning an income from his website business and he hasn’t stopped moving since. Currently based in Vietnam he spends much of the year traveling between various hubs catching up with online colleagues. James has built his business to now include travel blogging and helping others start their own online travel business.

We caught up with James on the move in Singapore where we discussed his early beginnings, life in Vietnam and where he sees the opportunities ahead for people wanting to do what he does.

You can catch James blog at http://www.nomadicnotes.com

What I learned from speaking with James:

Vietnam is a fast developing infrastructure – although strictly speaking communist it is home to an entrepreneurial spirit helped by a population which is 70% under the age of 40. This gives the country a vibrancy and energy that James loves. Although it is fast developing the cost of living is low with a person on their own able to survive comfortably on less than $1000 per month.
If you’re serious about building an online business start at home in the evenings. It’s easy to start flicking through social media (something he didn’t have to worry about when starting) or watching an average television show but these are the moments when you make your choices in life. Remind yourself that you want to build a location independent business and keep at it for as long as you need to.
Look at options to retain your existing job. Moving away doesn’t mean you have to throw it all away. If you have an accommodating boss, a mobile job, and you love what you do then you might be able to take it on the road with you.
Being a digital nomad doesn’t mean an easy life of checking the occasional email. James still works 35-40 hour weeks but admits that the four hour work week is a little unrealistic for most people. He does find however that he no longer has such as thing as weekends as he works anytime he feels like it
Catching up with friends is a big part of what he does. Being on the road can be lonely but James has regular hubs he visits such as Melbourne, his original home city and Bangkok where he can see old friends and have a little grounding in his life before he heads away again

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Thanks to the growth of the internet more and more people are enjoying the opportunity to work from wherever they wish, anytime they wish. It is the biggest change in our working environment since the industrial revolution created the growth of cities. It provides freedom on a level our ancestors would struggle to comprehend. It’s creating the perfect cloud based nirvana for those wishing to travel.

But even a digital nomad sometimes needs an oasis in the desert.

Traveling the world making money online can be a lonely business – at times you wish you had somewhere to go where you could have internet that works and a place to relax with like-minded online entrepreneurs. Hubud is exactly that.

Founded in 2012 Hubud is a collaborative space established in Bali (hence its name; a mixture of Hub and Ubud). It provides a relaxing environment with work space for numerous online advocates, along with meeting rooms and regular seminars designed to provide you with the latest in technical knowledge.

We met up with Hubud co –founder Steve Munroe on Skype to discuss the future of international working hubs, Bali generally and how Hubud provides Knowmads as Steve calls them, with more than just a working environment.

You can find out more about Hubud at http://www.hubud.org and their education programs at http://turnpoint.io

What I learned from Steve’s interview:

As we become a more online working world the chance to utilize resources like Hubud, where you can have resources and support networks for a fraction of the cost of most western cities, appears to be the way of the future. Technology is breaking down many of the traditional barriers to working and we’re only going to see an increase in the number of international citizens moving from location to location enjoying environments such as this.
There is more than one side to Bali – Kuta gets the attention as the nightlife capital but for those seeking a quieter life then Ubud provides a much more pleasant environment. Steve believes working in a co –space can provide members with a significant increase in their productivity thanks to the surroundings and environment. Cost of living is relatively low and even allowing for Hubud’s expenses a digital nomad will generally not spend a lot more than $1000-$1500 per month depending on lifestyle.

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Sometimes circumstances outside of your control can be the catalyst to finally make the step to becoming an expat.

For Ron Perry the 2008 economic crisis forced him to downsize his web design business and think about how he could run his operations while being location independent. Influenced by The Four Hour Workweek Ron made a conscious choice to reorganize his life and in 2010 he headed abroad setting up shop in Chiang Mai Thailand.

In this interview he talks about the challenges of setting up a bricks and mortar bar in Chiang Mai, the online tools that have helped him build his web design business https://egnite.biz/ to being 10 times bigger than it was before he left and the excitement he gets from living in his new location of Tel Aviv, Israel – and why it’s not as dangerous as most people think.

What I learned from Ron’s interview:

Tel Aviv, Israel is safe. Sure you have to be a little more cautious than other parts of the world but he is comfortable in that environment and has not encountered any problems during his time there. If you’re looking for a bargain lifestyle though Israel isn’t it – with many of the costs being comparable or higher than the United States.
If you’re planning on opening a bricks and mortar business in Thailand you need to be patient, with paperwork issues and various business “fines” being the order of the day. You may find an easier way to make a living!
If you’re thinking of becoming remotely connected to your business there is so many tools available that can help and are easy to use. Ron uses online services from mail forwarding to file sharing, project management platforms to communication websites that have enabled him to grow his business substantially while removing himself from being caught up in the middle of the process.
If you do become a cloud based business you might need to rethink your marketing strategy. Ron went from having a team of on the ground sales people to working with affiliates who were able to promote his services in return for a percentage fee. The result was a much better return on his investment in generating sales.
Don’t tell yourself you can’t do something – ask yourself how it can be done. Ron used this approach with much of the challenges he faced when moving overseas and always managed to work through a solution. Asking the right questions can make all the difference!

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Some business headaches were the catalyst for Tom Bartel and Kristin Henning decision to leave their Minnesota home and start traveling the world in 2010. Their publishing business had met some resistance with the global financial crisis and the couple decided it was the perfect opportunity to put their plans for a location independent lifestyle into gear.

5 years on the couple have now seen much of the world and have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. We caught up with them visiting family at Lake Tahoe during one of their return trips to the US.

They show age is no barrier to travel! You can follow their journey at https://travelpast50.com

What I learned from speaking with Tom and Kris:

Safety hasn’t been a big issue for them traveling, although they haven’t had the best memories of Quito, Ecuador in terms of theft! Even traveling the Middle East they felt reasonably comfortable. They believe that in more dangerous zones you can be better traveling alone like a local rather than in tour groups where you might appear more as a target. As Tom correctly pointed out there may be 3000 Americans killed by terrorists in the last 20 years but over 30000 have died from handguns – he feels much safer overseas and you can understand why!
Travel is very much about the people you meet. Most of their itinerary is now dictated by catching up with friends and fellow travelers they have met along the way. They have already made a number of trips to meet up with friends they made while walking the Camino Santiago in Spain.
Do what works for you. Although Tom and Kris don’t go high end they also prefer not to skimp. They use a variety of accommodation options and recommend that when it comes to travel you find what makes you comfortable.
Spain is high on their most enjoyable venues – as many travelers comment they love the Spanish joy for living and the relaxed way they approach life.

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It took Brendan Lee around 72 hours as a chartered accountant to realize that it wasn’t the career for him. But leaving wasn’t easy – he was on a committed tenure that meant he had 4 years to work – and what about his degree? 4 years of his life looked like going up in smoke, plus the additional time he had to spend working it off.

It would have been enough to worry most people but Brendan had a goal – travel. He knuckled down, paid off most of his student debt, worked out his tenure saving 50% of his salary along the way – and in 2010 embarked on a travel journey that doesn’t look like ending.

His travels have taken him through China, Asia, South America, Africa and parts of Europe – spending 8 months or so of each year overseas with 4 months back in his home country New Zealand.

We caught up with him in Zanzibar where we discussed the affordability of travel; why more people don’t do what he does, and why the current education system doesn’t provide people with the skills they need for the new global world in which we live.

This interview is a little longer than most but worth every minute. You can follow Brendan at http://www.brenontheroad.com where his new book is due for release shortly

What I learned from Brendan:

Most people are fearful of becoming location independent because of the commitment they have made to their current lifestyle. It’s tough when you’ve committed a large amount of time and money on a career path to admit that you’re not happy and walk away from it. Brendan felt this as a graduate accountant but didn’t let it stand in his way.
Talking to Brendan really has me questioning if the modern education system is helping young people or becoming a noose around their neck. Certainly specialized degrees can lead to fulfilling career paths for those who know what they like but for many young people a degree is ending up as a load of debt with no job prospects, or job prospects that aren’t what they really want to do. Wouldn’t it have been easier if Brendan had known he didn’t want a career in accounting without spending 4 years of his life working towards it.
I love how he makes a point of leaving each place he lives in with a new skill or talent he didn’t have before. Salsa dancing in Ecuador; Boxing in the Philippines. Travel can develop you anyway but having a conscious plan to grow as a person in each destination makes the experience so much more rewarding.
Travel can change your attitude to money. Brendan’s desire to be rich largely disappeared once he started traveling and realized happiness and cash didn’t have to go hand in hand and the experiences that truly mattered weren’t going to cost him a lot.

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The Middle East can seem a scary place – and not the ideal location for a single British woman to be heading to. For Amanda Settle spending more time in the British education system as a teacher wasn’t going to provide her with the fulfillment she was after. Feeling disillusioned she took a teaching position at an international school in Kuwait.

Since then she has worked in Qatar and Dubai, meeting her husband along the way. Amanda has now taken a break from teaching and relocated to the Greek island of Rhodes very close to the mainland of Turkey where she is enjoying the slow pace of village life.

Amanda joins us to talk about her experiences as a single woman in the Middle East and how she is enjoying the slower pace of life living in Greece.

Catch up with her at http://www.amandasettle.com

What I learned from Amanda:

Accept the local culture particularly in the Middle East and don’t try and change it. You might be offended by some things that are considered commonplace but remember you are the visitor – so when in Rome! Do your homework before moving to the Middle East – know that it’s a totally different experience to what you’re used to. Talk to others who have done it first
If doing a teaching job there check your contract carefully. They can slip conditions in a little underhanded that you might need to look out for so go over it with a fine tooth comb and make sure you are comfortable with what’s expected.
Rhodes is affordable - try 1000 euros per month - but not as cheap as mainland Greece as goods have to be transported across. Source larger goods elsewhere. Amanda purchase most of her furniture for her rental property in the Middle East before shifting, finding that even with moving costs it was still better than buying it on the island.
Schengen rules allow only 3 months stays with 3 months leaving the Schengen zone so if you’re planning to go to Greece and don’t have a passport that gives you free access to Schengen zones you’ll need to accommodate these requirements. Do your research first.

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Traveling can be a fantastic experience at the best of times but it’s even better when you can combine it with something you are passionate about. Diana Edelman took to the road in 2010 after realizing that her “dream” career in public relations wasn’t making her happy.

She’d developed a passion for elephants ever since first encountering them and badgered her way into a volunteer position taking care of the magnificent creatures in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

After 2 ½ wonderful years there Diana decided to move on to her new home base of Madrid – a city she had fallen in love with on an earlier trip.

We caught up with her and her two traveling cats where she shares her experiences of living in Chiang Mai, the opportunities ahead for her in Madrid and we discussed her passion for responsible tourism

You can follow her at www.dtravelsround.com and find out more about responsible tourism through the website www.responsibletraveltourism.com

What I learned from Diana’s interview:

Chiang Mai is an inspiring location but be wary of the burn season from February until April. The jungle surrounds are burned off filling the town with smoke and haze. It’s a good time to head to the southern beaches if you don’t want to be breathing in the air!
Responsible tourism is a fast growing area which focuses on doing the right thing in the places which you visit – not only from an environmental perspective but also from an economic one.
Spain have recently introduced an entrepreneur visa, no doubt prompted by the economic turmoil going on in the country. If you can present a solid business plan to the appropriate entity they will assess whether or not your business idea is sustainable and will help the local economy. If you pass then you could have a chance to stay longer term.
It’s a good idea to have a back-up plan. Diana is learning to teach English. Even though it’s not her primary objective it will give her another means of income if her writing should slow down at all
Although not comparable to the costs of Chiang Mai (she was able to live for around $US700 per month while there) Madrid can still offer an affordable lifestyle. She is paying around $US750 per month for a 48sqm apartment but she is centrally located which reduces transport costs. All up Madrid is costing her around $US1300 per month to live
If you’re going to write be genuine. Diana has developed a very successful blog because she writes well but she emphasizes the need to be genuine if you want your blog to rise above the many that are currently appearing online. Writing for Google ranking is not the most effective way to build a long term following.

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Although Barnaby Andersun had lived the typical suburban lifestyle of house, mortgage and car for 18 years in Brisbane,Australia he always knew that with a portable business there was a less stressful option that would cost him less and allow him to travel the world on his own terms.

In 2012 he finally made the leap, taking his branding business with him. He started in Bali, before moving to Chiang Mai, back to Bali, on to Canada and New York before settling in over the last 6 months in Mexico. Barnaby sees himself as a citizen of the world and loves the freedom his lifestyle affords him.

He now runs an online business which employs over 50 web designers (all based in the Ukraine) and he’s currently doing it from a beachfront housesit overlooking the Carribbean in Xcalak Mexico .

To find out more about Barnaby check out his website at http://learntolivefree.com

What I learned from speaking with Barnaby Andersun:

Barnaby has given a lot of thought to his lifestyle and embraced it whole hog. He’s not just a temporary traveler with a travel blog – he’s turned his lifestyle into a serious business filled with adventure along the way. He’s mastered the art of cutting costs while maximizing income.
Again Barnaby has emphasized how little it costs to live the location independent lifestyle. His current abode in Mexico costs him around $10 every couple of days for food, being a housesitting position everything else is largely paid for.
It’s never been easier to make an online income than it is today. There are so many online resources that can make the average layperson into an internet expert. Even if you don’t want to make money online simply letting out a mortgage free house can be enough. One of Barnabys house-sharing friends has been traveling the world for a number of years just funded by $20000 in rental income from a place he owns. Maybe you could too.
Try before you buy. Barnaby spent two months living out of a suitcase in Sydney to see how well he would handle it. He believes most people should try it in small steps as you never know what or where might appeal to you as a traveler.
Earning an online income doesn’t have to be expensive to set up. Be prepared that the first thing you try might not work but as long as you don’t throw a lot of money at it nothing is lost. Try again until you find the niche that works best. Don’t forget you don’t need a lot of money to live like a king in many parts of the world.

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Do you consider yourself too old to move countries? Maybe you’re a middle aged single woman who’s fearful of the world… or perhaps you have no skills to earn money with if you do shift. All perfectly legitimate barriers to becoming an expat.

Or are they? Barriers often only exist in the mind – and for Nancie McKinnon they weren’t going to be factors that stood in her way. The Nova Scotia native left Halifax 15 years ago, leaving behind a corporate lifestyle and embarking on her new career as an English teacher.

After a period in Taiwan Nancie moved to Korea where she has continued to teach – combining her university position with the opportunity to take a couple of semesters off each year to travel where she spends part of her time in Chiang Mai Thailand and the rest traveling whichever parts of the world take her fancy.

We caught up with Nancie in Seoul where she discusses the process of becoming an English teacher, what she loves about Korea, and why Chiang Mai and Portugal are two places on her radar for an expat to live. You’ll follow Nancies story and enjoy her Travel Photo Thursday updates at http://www.budgettravelerssandbox.com

What I learned from speaking with Nancie:

Getting a job that allows you to travel is a great way to go. Nancie gets 15 weeks off per year and uses it wisely! It helps to get out of Korea in winter which can be one of the more expensive times of year to be there thanks to heating costs. Nancie finds she can earn enough when she’s working to cover her lifestyle year round, and generally spends substantially less when staying in Thailand than it costs her in Korea.
Again you don’t need “stuff” I loved Nancie’s comment about spending $500 on a coat or a plane ticket – easy decision to make! She is able to live affordably for around $US1500 per month in Korea and even less when traveling in the rest of South East Asia.
Teaching English can give you the opportunity to progress as a career. Nancie started with no previous experience and is now teaching at University level. You can upgrade as you go. Although teaching English in Korea is not as easy as when she started there are loads of other countries you can explore as destinations where English can be taught relatively easily.

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One of the tricks to being able to travel is making sure you have enough money to do it. It’s less expensive than you think but some form of income is still going to be handy! Sometimes this might involve an existing skill you have or sometimes you develop new skills that can be used anywhere you go.

Jenna and Micah Kvidt are Minnesota natives who in the last twelve months have made the world their oyster. Through their website www.wanderthemap.com they’ve been everywhere from Iceland to Japan and large parts of the US and Canada as well. They have developed their skills to the point where Micah earns a living as a freelance photographer and videographer while Jenna supplements their income through her online Etsy store. Like many others they gave up their corporate jobs to travel and haven’t regretted it since

You can follow their travels at http://www.instagram.com/wanderthemap http://www.youtube.com/wanderthemap and on their pinterest and Facebook pages as well

What I learned from Jenna and Micah’s interview:

There are dozens of opportunities to make money online and travel the world. They were both surprised how relatively easy it was to start making an online income using their respective skills. Their travel is now supplemented by a hotel group who they do work for – and the best part was the hotel group approached them!
You need to make sure you treat your income source as a business. It’s easy to get distracted while traveling and not get around to doing the stuff that is important. You still need to make that income and just because your surroundings are exciting is no reason to forget the work that must be done. Make sure you travel slow enough so you don’t begrudge the time you spend on paying the bills.
Don’t forget those air miles and hotel points! Jenna and Micah use these wisely to cover the cost of more expensive areas. They seriously reduced the expense of going to places like Norway, Iceland, and Japan by using the points they had accumulated while saving their money for cheaper destinations and those closer to home.

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To many a comfortable lifestyle in Corpus Christi Texas would sound like retirement bliss and for Anita and Richard Oliver it had its benefits. Anita was still working as a pharmacist while Richard had retired and enjoyed his mornings walking or catching up with friends. They had the typical house with the typical toys – but something was missing.

3 years ago they made the decision to sell up or giveaway most of their possessions except the house and start travelling. After working their way through much of central and South America they travelled to Europe where they fell in love with the Algarve region of Portugal.

We caught up with them back in Corpus Christi where they were housesitting while waiting for their Portugese visas to be come through.

You’ll find their blog at http://noparticularplacetogo.net

What I learned from Richard and Anita:

You don’t need “stuff” to be happy. Both of them found downsizing to be a liberating feeling, Richard called it a relief! They did however emphasize that their approach is not what they would recommend to everyone. If you decide to embark on their journey there is no easy way to go back.You can’t replace 35 years of possessions overnight!
Check out local expat blogs when looking for accommodation somewhere. You will find plenty of fellow travelers who will be willing to share their information on where to stay. Generally the Olivers used AirBNB for up to a week somewhere and looked for cheaper long term accommodation beyond that. They have had a good experience with Air BNB. The only issue they had was quickly resolved by an Air BNB reimbursement
Central American health care can usually be covered out of pocket. Although the Olivers had travel insurance the higher excess meant it was more economical to pay directly for health costs than trigger the insurance.
If looking to get visas to relocate be prepaid for paperwork and the need to be patient. The Olivers aren’t necessarily expecting their Portugese application to be all plain sailing. They have employed a lawyer with the expertise to get their application through quicker and easier but know there are no guarantees with the process.

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Today’ interview is longer than our normal but I think you’ll agree it’s worth every minute.

Just over 4 years ago Talon Windwalker was dealing with depression and his 9 year old son was battling with anxiety. He had become disillusioned in the US and felt the education system wasn’t providing his son with what he needed.

Together they embarked on an adventure that has seen them travel through 6 continents and share the sort of father and son experiences that few others would have had.

We spoke with Talon housesitting in England where we discussed the pros and cons of travel and the opportunities that self-schooling can provide a young boy which traditional education doesn’t.

Their story is inspiring of what you can do with children when you don’t conform to the norm. You can find out more here at their blog http://1dad1kid.com

What I learned from these two travelers:

You can’t let conformity get in your way. It’s so easy to let children be your excuse to not do something. It’s also easy to do what the system says you should do but you need to stand up for what you believe is best for you and your children. That can take great bravery, but if you don’t stand up for your beliefs then what do you stand up for?
Don’t rely on one source of income. If you depend on Facebook or Google you can find yourself losing a good portion of your income if they have one of their shake ups. More than one string to your bow is important so there are no shocks to the system
Much of the Balkan states are now on my wishlist. They are affordable, beautiful and offer a good quality of life for those wanting it. They are also outside the Schengen agreement which can restrict how long you spend in some countries within Europe. Check out Talons website if you want to know more about Schengen and visas, particularly for Americans.
Things always work out. Talon had moments where he wondered where the money would come from but good opportunities would often kick in.
Once more it’s clear that travel can be as cheap as you want it to be. Their first year the two travelers survived on $12000 including traveling South America and going to Europe.

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One of the issues facing perpetual travelers and those wishing to become global nomads or expatriates is “where do I make some money?” Well there are lots of options available online but if you’re into a more traditional form of work and don’t mind giving up some of your privacy then being an au pair or child carer could be the perfect option for you.

Today we talk to Roisin Grace about her experiences of being an au pair in Paris, the do’s and don’ts of being an au pair and where you can start if you’re wanting to become one.

You can follow Roisin’s blog at http://roisingrace.com

What I learned about being an au pair:

It isn’t difficult to become an au pair and no qualifications are required. You can choose to go through an agency or look via Facebook to see who is interested. You might have to give up a little bit of money through an agency but it will give you a little more certainty about who you are dealing with and an out if the arrangement doesn’t work (agencies can normally deal with relocating you if the relationship doesn’t work out)
Money isn’t great with being an au pair but the perks can be worth it. You need to be clear if you are living in or getting your own accommodation. If you live out then you’ll need more money to cover your living costs. Travel may be part of your additional benefits so it pays to ask what the plans are with this
Make sure both parties are clear on expectations. Will you be cooking or cleaning? Setting the ground rules from the beginning for both parties is very important.

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Being a perpetual traveler is one of the new ways to see the globe but 30 years ago it was more a rarity – and even more of a rarity for a single woman to be doing it on her own.

For Leyla Giray Alyanak travel was in her blood. Her parents and grandparents were all expats and she grew up on the move. When the time came to make the decision to end her journalism position and take to the road it was probably no surprise to anybody.

30 years on this multi-national citizen has settled in to France as her home but the urge to travel is still strong and she will again be hitting the road ready to use her multi language skills to help traverse the globe.

We hope you’ll enjoy today’s interview where you’ll discover how travel has changed and Leyla’s opinions on what a modern day traveler would need to do if they want to follow in her shoes.

Leyla is indeed one of the grandmothers of modern nomadic travel. You’ll find her blog and e-book at http://blog.women-on-the-road.com

What I learned from speaking with Leyla:

Earning money while traveling has changed considerably since she first started. There are a lot more travelers and a lot more blogs! That said the internet has opened up more opportunities to make money online making it easier for the modern day expat traveler to earn a living while on the road.
You can take something out of every experience. Even the bad times when traveling, and she’s had her fair share including near drownings and earthquakes, can give you moments that you can always remember even if their bad!
Every travel experience adds to your confidence account in some way shape or form. You gain more confidence the more you try and you expand your comfort zone when traveling just by the art of dealing with your day to day environment.
The best phrase to learn in any language is “What is the word for?” Leyla found doing this and pointing at objects enabled her to quickly expand her vocabulary in any country she was in.

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If your image of the typical house-sitter is a cat loving baby boomer than think again. Laura and Tanbay are two twenty somethings travelling the world and enjoying it without the cost of accommodation.

A chance search for how to live rent free led them to discover the art of minding houses and three years later the two young people have enjoyed many parts of the world while living on minimal costs.

Their adventures have taken them from Australia to the Azores. We caught up with them both in Germany where they were visiting friends and family between housesits.

You can follow their adventures and grab a copy of their e-book: Housesitting in Australia; A Guide for First Time House-sitters at their website http://www.travellingweasels.com

What I learned from speaking with Laura and Tanbay:

Housesitting can save far more than just the cost of renting or hotel accommodation. Food is one of the most expensive parts of living and eating out from a hotel can be a killer. Housesits of course come with kitchens and the ability to save more money in this area. Housesitting also cuts down on possessions and saves money being frittered away on things that you don t necessarily need
Get a police check done before you start. This gives you a credible reference and more peace of mind for people seeking housesitters.
Start with friends and family so you can build references. It can be a catch 22 otherwise – no housesits without references and no references if you don’t go housesitting first
Make sure the rules are clear for both parties. Everyone has expectations that are different and this needs to be discussed, often via skype, in advance.

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So you’re looking at heading overseas and want to set up an online business, maybe a travel blog, to bring in a little money. Trouble is you don’t know the first thing about website building, affiliate marketing, and have never run a Facebook ad in your life. No problem!

The good news is you don’t have to know it all. There are well qualified people with the expertise to do all the technical stuff you don’t know so you can focus on the more important parts, namely sunning yourself on the beach and having a good time!

Today we talk with Sam Patton an outsourcing expert who explains what outsourcing is, why you should use it, how you can use outsourcing both to help with an online business and the personal aspects of your travel plans, and he shows you some cool tools you can use to make outsourcing easier for you if that’s the way you’re planning to go.

If you want to know more about outsourcing and how to get started you can contact Sam through his website www.savetimeoutsourcing.com . He has a great little report on 77 things you can outsource from your business and your life at www.savetimeoutsourcing.com/task-list

What I learned from speaking with Sam:

Outsourcing has three main advantages. Firstly it can save you time which is invaluable if you’re travelling and – let’s face it – no one wants to spend time working if they can go sightseeing instead! Secondly it can be a cost saver if going offshore. Thirdly it fills an expertise gap. As Sam says no one can be a complete business themselves and online outsourcing can provide you with the skills in areas you don’t have so you can get an online business underway sooner
There are some great little tools you can use to help manage outsourcers and control the workflow. Sam touches on a few of these during the interview including some I’ve not heard before.
Good communication is crucial. Most outsourcing breaks down because instructions aren’t clear and outsourcers are left to their own devices. Don’t leave things to chance – keep the communication open and don’t assume it’s all their fault if they don’t do it right first.

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Travel can be tough if you go against the norms of society. You left the career path you had lined up to do what? You’re travelling the world with two kids under 5…are you nuts??

You could listen to others…or you could do what you knew was right for you. For Billy and Scarlett Thomas the standard well-worn path of get career, have kids just didn’t feel right.

There motto is “have kids, will travel” and indeed they do! Since leaving the United States 3 years ago their young family have journeyed through much of Europe, and Central and South America discovering what people and life has to offer along the way.

Today we talk with the Thomas’s during a break catching up with family in Utah (they are about to head to Japan for six months). During our talk they discuss the expectations that society can put on you as a graduate and as parents, and how what they have done have helped both them and their children grow. They also discuss education options for children when travelling and how you can combine travel with running a bricks and mortar business back home.

You can follow their travels on Scarlett’s blog http://dancingontheground.weebly.com and talk with Billy about running a bricks and mortar business remotely at www.highergroundlearning.com

What I learned from speaking with Billy and Scarlett:

Children are not a barrier to doing this. Their children have embraced international travel and the experience of learning in foreign schools. They are happier and healthier for the experience and have to learn to interact with others more freely than what they may have done in a conventional environment.
You can’t (and shouldn’t) protect your children from the realities of life. Their kids have seen drunks in the street and know that the world is not always a perfect place. That’s life – protecting them from it may make you feel better but it doesn’t necessarily serve them in the long run
You can run a bricks and mortar business from the other side of the world. The Thomas’s have not let their business hold them back and have discovered the advantages of earning $US while living in pesos elsewhere. If you’re willing to empower others then your business needn’t hold you back.

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Do you live to work or work to live? This is a question Margo Eggeling finds herself asking more frequently after her experience of living in Heidelberg Germany. Her time away has provided her and her husband with fantastic memories, great photos and an ever expanding group of friends in all parts of the world – but the question of what she wants to do with her life is now foremost in her mind.

A child of the American university system who has to date followed the corporate line Margo has recently returned from her expat experience looking for new adventures. With her husband, a former accountant with KPMG, they are now ready to embark on the next stage of life’s adventures – a one way ticket to Bali is already booked with no clear cut plans of where they will head to next.

We spoke with Margo about her experiences of Germany, how cheap and easy travel is around Europe when you’re based there, the true experiences of Heidelberg beyond the tourist regions and how her experiences have changed her priorities in life.

If you’re keen to find out more you can contact Margo through her blog http://www.theoverseasescape.com

What I learned from speaking with Margo:

As a non-American it comes as something of a surprise to understand that not only do Americans only get two weeks holiday per year, they are frowned upon if they take it! The concept of a gap year for young people which is so common in Australasia and Europe is largely unknown to young Americans. Although Margo’s German friends are encouraging of her plans to get a one way ticket to Bali it is greeted with a little astonishment by those she talks to state side.
European air travel is so cheap! One way flights from Frankfurt to Ireland, a two hour journey, for $US30?? You’ve got to be kidding me! It’s worth basing yourself in Europe just to enjoy that!!
Travel can change you. Margo freely admitted that without their experience in Germany they would never have contemplated their upcoming journey to Asia.
Germany, and particularly Heidelberg as a tourist town, is cheaper to live in than I had thought. Margo’s apartment was almost double the size of what she had in Washington for the same money, eating out is affordable, and groceries cost far less than in the US. Some other costs were higher but had they moved outside of Heidelberg there would have been cheaper options again. Overall they were able to live to the same standard for less than what it had cost them stateside.

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Facing death is the ultimate motivation to revisit your life’s purpose and ask yourself whether what you are doing is truly making you happy. For Barbara Weibel that challenge came to a head in 2007 when, dealing with lymes disease, she realized her corporate life was making her richer but leaving her feeling empty inside.

She hopped on a plane to Vietnam writing the story of her journey while away. Upon returning to the US she discovered that over 1200 people had found her journey worth reading and with that as her motivation she embarked on a permanent travel lifestyle that has taken her to 60 countries over the past 9 years.

Barbara has become one of the world’s biggest travel bloggers and has proven that a single woman in her 50’s can travel the world safely with the right attitude. Her saying “Faith and fear can’t live in the same place” has been her source of comfort along her journey.

We caught up with Barbara in Croatia where she shared her insights into how she lives her life and why the American dream is not delivering on its promise.

You can follow Barbara’s journey at her popular blog www.holeinthedonut.com . If you’re looking to send a picture from your own journey Barbara offers $1 e-postcards of her travel photos. Barbara is a strong supporter of charities in many of the countries she visits and you can support her work with an e postcard from her many travel photos at www.holeinthedonut.net

What I learned from speaking with Barbara:

There are no barriers to being a perpetual traveler. Barbara has not allowed age, sex or any other barrier to stand in her way to doing what she loves. She is happier for the experience and stands as motivation to millions of baby boomers that the best years don’t have to be behind you once you reach your fifties or sixties.
Travel is all about people. A wonderful as many of the countries have been that she has visited ultimately it’s the people that make the difference. You can’t build a relationship from an air conditioned bus during two weeks of annual holidays. If you base yourself in a location and put yourself out there you’ll be continually staggered at the kindness that your fellow humans will show you
Barbara highlighted many of the well-known expat destinations as being well worth visiting (and Columbia again gets a mention from those who have visited there) but what was particularly interesting was her take on eastern Europe, including Hungary, but particularly the Balkan states such as Croatia, and Bulgaria. These places offer a lot with very affordable lifestyles and I feel sure they will become increasingly popular as expat havens in the future. We will be following these areas with more interest.
Being a woman doesn’t expose you to greater travel risk. Barbara has had no incidents in 9 years (outside of the US that is) and believes much of the concern is misplaced

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It’s a long way from California to the west coast of France, especially if you’ve never visited before. Daniele and her husband Mike made the big move after Mike got a job opportunity in the French city of Biarritz, one of the surfing capitals of Europe.

Although something of a culture shock Daniele has so far enjoyed the tradition – swapping the business suits of her former life as a lawyer for the running shoes as she enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle in France.

Today we talk with Daniele as she discusses the culture shocks of France, how travelling opportunities have opened up from her new European base, and why the French have mastered the art of living in a way that is both challenging and refreshing to enjoy.

You can follow her and what’s happening in Biarritz at www.lexpatblog.com

What I learned from Daniele’s interview:

Biarritz is part of the Basque region which shares more in common with northern Spain than it does with the rest of the county. It’s important to appreciate how strong regional cultures are in the part of the world and to be respectful to the independent nature that many of the locals may have
There are some very affordable pockets of France even within cities. Biarritz is a popular tourist area yet it is still possible to live comfortably for around $2000-$2500 per month as a couple. The quality of life is good and the summers mild although Biarritz can be cold when winter rolls around.
You definitely need to adapt to a slower pace if moving there. Long lunchtimes are common with many businesses closing down for up to 90 minutes at a time. The French love life and live for holidays with more holidays per year than Daniele was used to in the US. Long weekends are something that occurs regularly and with some attractive locations including Spain just a couple of hours way, weekend trips is definitely something to savior and enjoy!

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What do you do if you’re a stand-up comedian who has just lost his day job and your artist girlfriend has also lost hers? You move to France of course! Today we interview Tommy Barnes who with his girlfriend left London 5 months ago to get away from the rat race and stress of big city life.

They moved to the Auvergne region of France and have embraced the contrast between their old London existence and what small village French life has to offer. They have even dispelled a few myths about the French way of life that the English have stereotyped the French as having. To many their existence may seem precarious – Tommy has spent his days writing a book he hopes to publish while Rose looks to sell her sculptures, and they currently are surviving on redundancy money. Despite this however they are happier, healthier, and with their recent commitment to buy a house in the Loire valley, they are now determined to make France their long term home

We caught up with Tommy one beautiful summer’s morning. You can follow his hilarious stories about life in the French countryside at http://thomasprinceoffrance.blogspot.com.au

What I learned from Tommy’s interview:

The French are far more welcoming to the English than many English might think! They have both been welcomed by the locals and made to feel part of the community. The community spirit in French villages is a lot stronger than Tommy feels the equivalent would be in England
Buying property in France doesn’t have to be complicated. Tommy purchased his house from a fellow British expat which helped make the process easier. Taking your time before committing to purchasing is also a good idea. Tommy rented in a couple of places and actually finished up buying a place he had previously rented.
Not having a means of income isn’t necessarily a deterrent to making the leap. In Tommy’s case he’d lost his job and moving countries would have seemed highly unlikely in those circumstances but they have both used their redundancies to sustain themselves while effectively reducing their living costs by moving to rural France over the more expensive lifestyle of staying in London.

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If you’re keen to live the expat life but overseas travel and cultures are not for you then why not consider being an expat traveler within your own country? Lots of people are doing it and todays travelers are no exception. Chuck and Lori Ros are combining the best of overseas travel with the chance to see more of the United States and they’re using a multiple of methods to cover the cost of their adventures including swapping work for travel, housesitting, house swapping and some very affordable one way cruise deals we’ll share with you on the show!

They are loving their new life and don’t see themselves going back to the old one anytime soon. If you want to hear more about their new lifestyle and how you can enjoy the benefits of your own country affordably as an internal traveler then listen to what they have to say.

You’ll find out more on their blog at www.chuckandlori.com

What I learned from speaking with Chuck and Lori:

Being flexible is a great way to take advantage of whatever’s going. These guys are very much making it up as they go along; but that’s half the fun of their adventure and gives them the chance to grab great cruise deals like the one way relocation from Miami to Barcelona
If you’re looking at using your house as a lifestyle asset you need to choose what’s right for your market place. When Chuck and Lori first decided to use their home in Georgia for house swapping they struck the snag that no one really wanted to go to Georgia for a break! When they repositioned it as an executive house rental and started earning money they were able to tap into the corporate market in their region. If you want to see your house as an income earner or an expense offset think carefully about the market it is most likely to suit. Maybe the best answer is just to sell it!
Again having a career that allows you to work on the road gives you the chance to top up with as little or as much income as you need. Chuck’s web design work really only ties up two days per week for him while giving him e freedom to move as he likes. If you’re current work isn’t portable is it time to start skilling yourself up in something that is?

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If you’re in need of some heart repairs would you be comfortable with having it done in another country? For many people the thought of this would seem terrifying – but as an expat living in Colombia Michael Kershaw was able to relax confident in a medical system he knew would look after him.

Colombia is fast developing an excellent reputation for both medical and dental care and medical tourism is on the rise. Michael’s hospital visit was covered under his medical insurance with no out of pocket expenses and considerably less hassle and better care than he received in the US.

In today’s interview Michael talks about medical care in Colombia from his first-hand experience plus shares the journey that brought in there and why his life is so much richer for the experience of relocating from the United States. He dispels many of the myths surrounding the safety in Colombia as well and explains why it should be on your radar if you’re looking for an expat location to move to.

You’ll find more about Colombia, and the best places to get a good coffee, on Michael’s blog at www.michaelandgraciela.com

What I learned from speaking with Michael:

I had heard good things about medical care in Colombia but Michael is the first person I’ve spoken to who has experienced and can back it up. Off air he also shared the story of a friend who had a serious heart attack. He was rushed to hospital, had a stent put in, and was home within a week – and no additional cost was required on top of his medical insurance. It seems the stories are true!
I had no idea Colombia was the rose growing center that it is – with 70% of Valentine’s Day roses in the US coming from the country. If you’re a keen gardener than Colombia might just offer you the environment to develop your skills further, and with housing relatively cheap a bit of land can be very affordable if you want to get serious about it. For those interested in growing fruit and vegetables Colombia offers an abundance of natural choices and you can grow to your hearts content - while enjoying the eating as well!

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Colombia is a country that has been struggling to throw off its history of civil war and drug crime. A country that was well off the radar of travelers even 10 years ago has undergone something of a transformation. The capital Bogota offers good living at an extremely affordable price with an ever growing expat community.

Today we talk with Karen Attman, a US native who has spent the last 19 years living in South America, initially in Venezuela and for the last 3 years in Bogota, her husband’s native city.

In today’s interview Karen shares her experiences of Bogota, its affordability and why it is no longer the crime enclave that people have associated it with in the past. If you’re interested in visiting Colombia or relocating there then you’ll find plenty of useful tips and suggestions in this chat with Karen.

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Being an expat doesn’t have to mean leaving your old life behind. An increasing number of people are enjoying the benefits of their home life while spending a significant portion of the year in other locations – and you don’t have to be a retiree to do this.

Jen and Jay Kerwood are Toronto natives who have spent the last 3 northern winter living in Cancun, Mexico. They spend around 8 months of the year there, returning to Toronto during the summer months when the weather is more settled.

Jen and Jay aren’t the baby boomer generation either – they are able to combine a portable worklife with the opportunity to travel and enjoy the best things that Mexico has to offer.

We apologize for the internet quality on this interview.

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So what do you know about Korea? In my case not very much. I certainly wasn’t aware that I could leave my wallet on a public bench and have a better than even chance of getting it back! But this is just one of the many pleasant surprises I found out during my conversation with Dain and KJ Leathem, two expat kiwis who have been living in Korea for the last 12 years.

Today they share with us many of the insights to Seoul that only a local would know, including how keen Korea is to attract international students and why they are able to get their extended education at a cheaper price than in the west, plus why Korea is fast becoming a hub for medical tourism as well.

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It’s a long way from Edinburgh Scotland to the heart of Hong Kong; not just in distance but also in contrasts. For Joanna Claire an opportunity to shift with her employer was too good to turn down and she made the move in early 2015. So far the experience has been wonderful for her making new friends and giving herself the perfect starting off point to explore much of Asia.

Joanna sat down for an interview with us and shared her perspective of being a young woman in one of the world’s largest business hubs. Here’s what she had to say

You can follow her blog at http://www.b-hongkong.com

What I learned from speaking with Joanna:

Hong Kong is a friendly place, especially within the expat community. People are very welcoming to new comers especially as they have often been in the same shoes themselves and Joanna has already made a lot of friends during her short time there. Again, like any travel transition you need to be willing to put yourself out there in order to meet people and take advantage of the opportunity. Being in a work environment as Joanna is certainly makes it easier
Hong Kong is extremely safe. Joanna has not encountered any crime or even heard of it happening to friends or anyone she knows. It will obviously be around and like all big cities it’s important to be vigilant but Hong Kong appears to be much safer than an equivalent western city of similar size.
Hong Kong has more to it than the city itself. There is a rural area offering much more and some great beaches you can enjoy. Further afield it’s on the edge of China which offers unique experiences in itself and it’s a great airline hub. Joanna has already booked trips to South Korea and the Philippines, both only a few hours way and costing her less than $US200 for a round trip fare.
There are two lifestyles in Hong Kong and you can choose the one that suits you. Eating out expat style can come with a heftier price tag, but if you’re happy to eat like a local the cost is much more affordable. Joanna often dines out with her friends for as little as $5-$10 and enjoys a wider variety of flavors as a result

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Getting a gun pointed in your face is often an experience that would cause many to catch the next bus out of town but for Andrew Creelman he hasn’t allowed it to faze his enjoyment of living in Brazil.

Andrew has lived and worked in Sao Paulo as a teacher for a number of years. Initially from England he worked in Japan until a chance beer with a friend one night let to a spur of the moment decision he hasn’t regretted.

Andrew shares with us his experiences of living in Sao Paulo, the good and the bad, and why the longer he spends there the more he feels at home. He talks about the influence the people of Sao Paulo has had on him and how he is richer from the experiences he has had there. He runs his own English teaching business and shares his knowledge on this area along with his suggestions on dealing with Brazilian life through his blog www.whataboutsaopaulo.com

What I learned from speaking with Andrew:

Although security is an issue in Brazil it is relatively safe if you stick in the right areas. The one bad incident he has had he freely admits he was in the wrong part of town. Common sense always applies wherever you are travelling and it pays to ask a reliable source before you go wandering
Maids are standard issue in Sao Paulo. A nice 3 bedroom apartment including internet and a cleaner for 8 hours per week will only set you back around $US1000 given the current exchange rate. Again this can change but if you’re earning online and looking for good quality living at an affordable price then Brazil might be an option for you
Brazil is not for everybody. It has its problems and in large cities like Sao Paulo the contrasts of experiences can be extreme; but if you’re looking for adventure on an affordable budget then don’t rule it out of the equation.

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Children can stop you from travelling – or it can be the very reason to be doing it. Today we talk to a couple who have certainly been leading an international lifestyle and have two very international children to show for it.

Matt and Hannah Curtis have spent the last two years living in Okinawa, a sub tropical island south of the mainland of Japan. Although a Japanese island it sits closer to Taiwan than it does to Japan. Since their arrival the Curtis’s have come to love the island and their people and are firm believers that you’ll get as much from a place as you’re prepared to put into it.

Raising children in a different culture can be a challenge and it doesn’t come without it’s downsides including proximity to family, but the pluses have been worth it. They believe both they and their children are richer for the experiences and today they share some of the challenges of living in another culture, and how it can affect your children in a positive way.

If you want to follow what the Curtis’s are up to and find out more about their travels follow their blog at http://funflyingfour.com

What I learned from speaking with Matt and Hannah:

Enriching your children’s lives is a great reason to travel. It widens their horizons and teaches them more than they could ever learn in a classroom. Both the Curtis children are happy eating most things which will be the result of the experiences they have had.
You’ll get out of a place what you decide to put in. The Curtis’s make the most of what Okinawa has to offer and they are richer for their effort. Others who make no effort in Okinawa find their experience is not so good but that’s the choice they make
Okinawa is well worth visiting. I have to be honest I thought it was a Japanese city until I spoke to them, not an island off the coast. Although visas aren’t easy to obtain if you want to stay long term Okinawa can offer you a different perspective of Japan with a variety of scenery across the land and locals who are more than willing to make you feel at home.

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One of the great advantages of the internet is the ability to create a portable income, one that isn’t time dependent and one you can earn from anywhere in the world. In fact if you’re an expat with a story to share that very fact could be a source of income in itself. If you’re looking for a means to earn some online income as an expat then blogging could be an option for you.

Today we talk to Yeison Kim and Samantha Wei who are enjoying the good life in Costa Rica. Samantha is from the United States and started their blog just on 3 years ago. They are currently getting around 80000 website visitors every month and now earn an income of around $US5000 per month from their blog.

We spoke with them about how to set up a blog, some mistakes they made in getting started and what options are available in monetizing a blog if you hope to go down this line. They share the secrets that have helped them get their blog to the point of being a source of income they can now comfortably live off while enjoying the pleasures of Costa Rican life.

If you’re interested in knowing their tips then listen to today’s show. These guys are very transparent about what they do and how they monetize it and you can get all the details including website traffic and monthly income on their website at www.yeisonkim.com or follow their stories from Costa Rica at http://mytanfeet.com

What I learned from speaking with Yeison and Samantha:

If you want to start monetizing a blog build your email list from day 1. When they started they focused mainly on social media fans but unfortunately you can’t control ownership of these lists and access to them can be more expensive if you want to advertise later. Building an email list gives you control of contacting people and it’s free.
It’s important to have a niche. There are a lot of travel bloggers out there so you need to have a point of difference
Don’t get hung up about keeping Google happy. Write good content that people will want to read and Google will naturally take care of itself (but you can do a few things that will help). Concentrate on making your posts and photos easy to read and neat to look at.
Be genuine. Although they offer affiliate links to their followers they never offer a product they don’t believe in and they are very careful to protect the relationship with their followers. Blogging is not a quick buck. Don’t burn bridges, focus on treating your followers well and the money will take care of itself.

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It’s never too late to become an expat and its certainly never too early. Sometimes a moment happens when you realize that the life you’re living isn’t what you want to do anymore. For Rika Purdey it was one lunch time sitting in the cubicle of her office in downtown Vancouver where she practiced as a para legal secretary. She took one look at the stressed out housewives sitting around her and made the decision that she didn’t want to be still sitting where they sat when she reached their age.

She had booked a holiday to the island of Roatan in Honduras not expecting it to be anything other than a break but four years on she has made it her home and is reveling in her new career as a dive instructor on the island.

In todays interview Rika shares the good and the bad of Roatan and the steps you will need to go through if you plan on getting residency like her – plus you’ll discover why she’s picked up the nickname of the Honey Badger!

You can get more information on Roatan from her website www.cubiclethrowdown.com

What I learned from speaking with Rika:

Access to Honduras certainly isn’t as easy as other Central American countries, you can get a visitors visa but there is quite a bit involved to gaining residency if you want to pursue one of the various methods of getting it.
Be prepared to wait for most things (except strangely enough doctors visits!). Most things require queueing - if you’re going to the bank give yourself at least a couple of hours. Honduras is like much of Central America and you need to be willing to accept the slower pace of life that involves.
Roatan can be more expensive than the mainland and you need to consider the costs of getting anywhere which can add up. As a community though it offers most of what you need – sometimes at a price – and can cater to everyone from the young bar hopping set to older retirees and families in between.

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Love Mexico? Happy to live in million dollar homes for free with the housekeepers and gardeners while the owners are away? If this sounds like the lifestyle for you then you’d better listen to today’s show. Jason and Deidre enjoyed a six figure corporate income in Kansas City but they were stressed, unhappy and never had any money left at the end of the month. The passing of a friend made them realize that life didn’t go on forever and that waiting for retirement was not the best way to live their lives.

3 years ago they packed up and moved to Mexico, spending a year renting before getting themselves into the housesitting game and they haven’t looked back. They regularly get more houses to sit than they can handle, especially from repeat clients, but are still driven by a desire for a new experience.

Click the podcast link to listen to the Mizes sharing their inside tips of Mexico housesitting. You can follow them in more detail at their website http://awolamericans.com

What I learned from speaking with the Mizes:

Mexico is easy to get into with 6 month visas being the norm for most travelers. Even leaving at the end of your stay needn’t be a problem with a 72 hour turnaround before you re-enter the country. The Mizes know people who have spent 10 years travelling in and out on holiday visas – that said do your homework and make sure you have the right paperwork if you’re serious about committing.
Housesitting may not be for everyone but there sure is a lot of wins to it. You do have to shed much of what you own (and many see this as an advantage in itself) and saying goodbye to pets you get attached to can be hard but the pluses (did we mention the million dollar homes) the chance to travel and the serious reduction in travel costs make it all worthwhile.
You can negotiate with rebels. Their hilarious story of being stopped on a country road is worth hearing in itself (don’t let it put you off Mexico though, their experience has been crime free so far)

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Not everyone chooses the expat lifestyle but there are few who regret it once it’s happened. The global economic crisis put paid to Susanna Perkins plans to stay in the US and she was forced with her husband to find a more affordable location. A one week reconnaissance trip and they were off. Although Susanna wouldn’t recommend the speed of her transition the experience has proven wonderful as her husband and her settled into small town life making friends along the way.

Susanna has put her experience to good use. She has shared her experiences and knowledge via her website where she has her free e-book on finding your ideal expat income.

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You don’t have to be seeking a warmer climate to make an expat move. Michael Long and his wife had been enjoying the warmth of Tampa but decided that life had more to offer them elsewhere. Michael had experienced life as an expat in Thailand as a younger man so knew the experience of a shift wouldn’t phase him. With his wife having US and Panamanian citizenship it seemed the obvious place to go.

15 months on Mike has been enjoying the experience but forewarns other expats that although Panama does offer a good life and he’s happier than in the US there are a few things people need to be aware of before making the shift. In todays interview we give a brief introduction to an expat living in Panama City. If Panama is on your horizon you’ll want to listen to Michael before you go any further

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Being a single woman in midlife doesn’t seem like the best time to make a leap into the unknown but for Diane Dupres it proved the making of a new life. Originally from England but teaching high school drama in New Zealand Diane felt like her life needed a change, she was destined to spend the rest of her life “with crochet and cats” to quote her own words!

She made the brave decision to become an expat teacher, taking on a two year position in the Muslim country of Malaysia where she fell in love with the place, the people and the food.

We spoke with Diane between destinations and back in New Zealand where she has just completed her stint in Malaysia and is about to embark in a new role in Jakarta Indonesia. If you’re interested in the experiences of a single middle aged woman living in a Muslim country then this could be for you.(and if you enjoy Diane’s humor don’t worry, we’ll have her back in the near future to share with us how she’s enjoying Indonesia)

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One of the biggest fears for any would-be-expat is throwing away the day job and moving overseas. Unless you’re well set financially then another source of income, however small, needs to be set up.

One great opportunity to earn a living in this area is by teaching English. As English speakers we are blessed to already know a language that is universal and many people are ready and waiting to learn it. There has been an explosion in this area in recent years and with the continuing evolution of the internet the chance to reach a captive market is getting easier and easier.

There are many misconceptions around this topic and today we speak with Jack Askew of http://www.teachingeslonline.com who shares his knowledge about the increasing demand from English learners, where the online opportunities are heading and what you need to do if you want to get started as an English teacher, either online or in a foreign country.

You can get some handy hints on getting started in this space with Jacks free e-book 15 Amazing Tools and Resources for Teaching English Online

Sit back with a good cup of coffee and here what Jack recommends you do if you want to get started in this space.

What I learned from Jacks interview:

Teaching English is easier than you think. You don’t need to be an academic to teach it, particularly in the online environment and you don’t need to have mastered a second language in order to get your point across. Most of the resources are available online that you will need and with a recent free British government course in teaching English having more than 1 million people sign up there is no shortage of demand
You need to find a niche in which to specialize. If you teach English generally you will be facing increasing competition from other teachers but diving into a specialist area and becoming the expert in it is the way to make a good income for yourself (Jack gave the example of helping Australian immigrants deal with passing the English test to be admitted as a citizen as an example)
Empathize with your learners. Learning language can be frustrating for people. If you have a good ability to listen and appreciate what they are going through then you will support them better and grow your business accordingly. Although learning a second language yourself is not necessary if you’re undertaking the expat lifestyle this could be a good skill to have and will help you understand the frustrations of your clients.
Start one on one. Although this doesn’t leverage your time as well as online can it will help you understand the needs of your market and hone your skills better.

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How long would it take you to get tired of Chicago winters and two weeks holiday per year? For Illinois couple Jackie and Junior Minchillo it wasn’t long. The corporate life of all day meetings and working into the night proved to be too much and in April this year they made their move to sunny Costa Rica with their pet dog Harvey.

After some initial problems with the first house they stayed in they have now settled into a local expat community in Playa Langosta a small beachside community of less than 1000 people near the town of Tamarindo and they haven’t looked back.

Their new life now gives them the best of both worlds with their income in US dollars while their costs are in Costa Rican colons giving them far more spending power for their dollar.

If you have Costa Rica as one of your potential relocation spots then you’ll enjoy hearing from Jackie and Junior. You can reach them both at Jackies blog www.daywelllived.com or Juniors website where expats can share information www.expatsknow.com

What I learned from Jackie and Juniors interview:

Check out blogs before you go. They struggled to find information from local businesses before they made the move but the expat community was a source of great help. It emphasizes the need to reach out to people in the locations where you want to go. All expats have been in the same situation and you’ll find no shortage of people ready to help you out, both online and when you arrive.
Your job may be more transportable than you think. Although Juniors web design work was portable Jackie expected to have to throw in her job as a public relations consultant and start fresh, but once she spoke to her bosses they discovered a way she could continue to work remotely from Costa Rica. Is your job more transportable than you think? Don’t assume you have to give up the benefits of your day job. Jackie can continue to do the work she loves but with much better hours and a far more enjoyable and warm environment.
Look at hubs when planning any flights you take. Jackie and Junior found they halved the cost of going to Brazil when they planned a trip from Costa Rica via Miami to what it would have been to travel directly to Brazil from Costa Rica. We regularly find the same thing in Australia when we travel in Asia – a flight routed through the relatively cheap hub of Singapore to other Asian destinations is usually cheaper than going directly from Australia to the Asian country you have in mind.

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Not many people are willing to leave suburbia, head for the jungle and run a business that gives all its profits away, but todays guests are the exception to the rule. Andrej and Karen Brummer said goodbye to two well paying jobs and left their western lifestyle to head for Laos 4 years ago. They swapped their big city lifestyle for an environment of jungles and temples on the edge of the Thailand border and have become an important member of their local community thanks to their western style café that not only provides training in hospitality and English for the local staff but helps fund the nearby schools in the town in which they live.

We caught up with Dre and Karen and discovered what made them choose Laos as the place they wanted to spend their life, how the jungle lifestyle has changed their purpose in life and how you can use your own unique skills to enjoy an authentic lifestyle experience for free.

If you enjoy their interview you can catch up with them both at http://www.swapworkfortravel.com or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/swapworkfortravel

And now…let’s talk to Dre and Karen…

What I learned from Dre and Karens interview:

Its good to spend time somewhere before you commit. Laos is a big jump for many people and is not a decision that should be made lightly. Karen and Andrej spent quite a bit of time there, visiting more than once before they made their final decision to shift.
You can have the best of both worlds. Although they are living near a jungle in Laos they are only just across the border from the relative civilization of Thailand. This gives them the chance to return to a less primitive lifestyle and also access to better quality healthcare – something that’s not so easily available in Laos
Although Laos can be described as a step back in time these guys aren’t roughing it. They live in a comfortable home, have access to western food and pretty reliable internet. Laos is one of the most affordable places in Asia (try less than $2000 per annum for a 4 bedroom home!) and is a country with virtually no crime – far safer than anywhere in the west that’s for sure!

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In March 2014 John and Monika Mundell said goodbye to their 11 pet birds and set sail (literally) on an adventure that so far has taken them to 4 continents and counting. Their journey, often by cruise ship, has seen them visit Papua New Guinea, Japan, Russia, North, Central and South America and across to Europe where we caught up with them housesitting amongst the vines in the beautiful French setting of Pellegrue, a quaint village of around 1000 locals approximately one hour east of Bordeaux.

They took time out of their (let’s be honest) fairly relaxed morning to have a chat with our show about their experiences so far and they provided us a breakdown of their costs to date (John’s the money counter!) which has been surprisingly affordable given how much time they’ve spent on cruise ships (and no cheap inside cabins for these two!)

Enjoy the show and if you want to reach out to them both you can contact Monika at http://monikamundell.com/ and follow their blog at http://www.entrepreneursodyssey.com

What I learned from John and Monikas interview:

How Colombia is not what it used to be. These guys spent several months there and rate it their favorite place to return to. The old image of drug lords and random killings has largely disappeared thanks to a large scale clean up and Colombia is welcoming tourists and expats with open arms – plus apparently it has first class dental care; Monika has already earmarked her next lot of dental work for when she returns.
Cruise ships are a very viable way to get around. These guys were averaging $15 0 per day when onboard a boat, certainly more than the cost of many if their longer term accommodation arrangements in cheaper locations but given they weren’t scrimping 9they admit they could have done it cheaper), and cruising involves food, accommodation, entertainment, and transportation all rolled into one it’s not a bad way to get yourself from A to B.
You need less than you think. They started with several suitcases, packs and day bags but have now jettisoned much of what they thought they needed and are travelling with a combined weight of less than 60kgs – furthermore they aren’t missing for anything proving the fact that much of what we gather in possessions really aren’t necessary to have a happy life.

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Can you really sustain a lifestyle caring for other people’s houses and never have to go home again? Today’s guests are living proof of the fact.

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Not many people would be prepared to walk away from a well-paying career job in the prime of their earnings life, but somebody who was is David Dean. The New Zealander left his corporate position in Australia in 2011 to embark on a road trip that looks like lasting for the rest of his life.

Travatical-formerly The Expat Chat: Recent Episodes

Tony Argyle