This is one of the questions we get on a regular basis.
So somehow, we made it work.
Ruth, Kevin, and our dog Whiskey in 2007.
In a couple of weeks, we will begin the 17th year of our alternative lifestyle. We're both 61 years old now. Ruth will be 62 in November, and I will be 62 in February.
We're doing fine financially. We've always said it's not how much you make that matters, it's how much you spend. And although we don't make very much, we also don't spend very much. In fact, 2023 might be the first year in a long time that we will actually spend a little more than we made.
And in three years, we can collect our Canadian pension because we'll officially be "old". The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS). The CPP is based on contributions you made during your working life, so our pensions will be fairly low compared to Canadians who had a full working life. And OAS is given to almost every Canadian who turns 65. But between the two of us, the total of all of this will probably be about $2,500 CAD per month, and this is more than enough for us to live on in many countries around the world.
So, when will we settle down?
My short answer to that is with another question "Why would we want to settle down?"
We're both totally happy with our current life of exploring the world. But we're also proof that nobody knows what the future holds. We both think that we'll keep right on doing what we're doing until something changes. We know people in their early 80's who are doing exactly what we're doing. So we're hoping that we've got a good 20 years to go!
Normally what changes is something health related. We don't take any medications for anything, and we want to keep it that way. It's one of the reasons we do our best to keep up with exercise and diet.
Speaking of which, it's time to go out on our daily 5km (3 mile) power walk! The sun is shining, and it's a beautiful fall day!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice price drop on this Apple Watch Series 8.
And in Canada...
I think once you're use to a certain lifestyle that works for you, you get in the groove and keep it that way for as long as you can. I've traveled a fair amount in my life time but only out of the country in North America. I've always wanted to visit a country either in Asia or Europe but dread the long plane ride....I hate being confined to a small tight space...I'm claustrophobic. I'm ok with riding in car knowing I can get out anytime. I do love, love, love my lifestyle...I have a small bungalow that I putter around it. And, I get to travel to far away places via travel blogs, vlogs, and utube and documentary. There are endless information at hand regarding travel. Thank you for taking us along :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, you are probably right about getting into a grove when you are doing something that you enjoy. I know at the moment this is the lifestyle that we love.
DeleteLong plane rides aren't our favourite thing but they make the rides a lot more enjoyable these days compared to years ago. It is nice having the seatback entertainment to keep you occupied and it really helps to make the time pass by.
It is a good thing that everybody likes different things otherwise things would be far too busy if we all like the same thing. Being happy with what you do is the most important thing. It is nice that the world can come to you through all the various online options.
Have you guys heard from the couple that bought Max….has their journey started?
ReplyDeleteWe have heard from them but right now they walking the Camino de Santiago. I don't think they have plans on picking up Max until the end of October or beginning of November.
DeleteI am surprised to hear that you guys are not financial free after so many years of full time travelling. Both me and my wife are extremely risk aversion about our finance. I follow your blog of travelling through Mexico, US and Europe. Hope some day we have the courage to take the step to see the world like you.
ReplyDeleteWe have never been financially free and if we waited to travel until we were we wouldn't have seen so much of the world as what we have. We think that we are proof that if you put your mind to it, you can travel without it costing an arm and a leg. It helps that we have found ways over the years to work for part of the year and travel for the rest, such as when we were managing the campground in Saskatchewan and leading the RV caravan tours through Mexico in the winter.
DeleteThe biggest thing that stops most people from traveling to other countries is taking that first step, once you make that first step, the rest just seem to just follow along.
Keep doing what your doing. Life awaits you.
ReplyDeleteYou inspire so many people.
Thank you Barry and Jeannie, We certainly well at least until we tire of this lifestyle or something puts a stop to it.
DeleteWe are always hoping to inspire people to do what they dream of doing, whatever that maybe. :-)
I understand now why there are so much advertising on your blog…it’s a bit too much but if it’s a nice chunk of your traveling budget, I believe you have no choice.
ReplyDeleteWe agree with you, it is a bit much but we have asked people if they would prefer to "donate/pay" a small fee to access our blog or to keep the ads. It was an overwhelming vote to keep the ads, most people said they don't mind putting up with them to see our blog.
DeleteYour example is absolutely stunning! It is admirable to see how you are both making your dream come true, day by day ! And the number of years you've been dong it is also astonishing ! This lifestyle is your choice and your 'groove' (as someone wrote) and you are very lucky to share the same projects and vision between the two of you! Yes, it is possible to travel -- and to live otherwise also -- in a fairly plain and minimalist way, avoiding over-spending and not consuming wildly as many do. This lesson applies to all lifestyles, whether people feel like traveling full time (without a home base), part time (that's our case) or live in a bungalow, a condo or elsewhere ! Thank you for your daily posts, which are always interesting, motivating and stimulating !
ReplyDeleteThank you! We are also glad that we both enjoy this lifestyle, it would definitely be more difficult if one liked one way of living and the other different way.
DeleteAs you mention, everyone has they own groove and way of living and as long as they are happy living the life they want that is all that matters but we certainly think that to keep enjoying life whatever way it might be you need to spend less than you make.
I think your lifestyle is inspiring, exciting, and adventurous! We had a taste of it during our full-time travels in the US as well as periods of settling down in Belize and Mexico, but nothing like what you two have done. I would love to have continued our nomadic ways, or at least expat ways, but family obligations called us home. Maybe one day in the distant future, we'll have some more adventures. Your blog continues to inspire this regular reader, so for now, I live vicariously through you two.
ReplyDeleteThank you Emily, we like to think it is inspiring to other people, so it is nice to hear. We don't expect people to be quite as advetnurous as us but if we can just show people what is possible than maybe some would take that first step to doing something that might be out of their comfort zone whatever that might be.
DeleteAnd yes, there are sometimes things that hold you back from what you want to do but give it time or find a way to work around those olbligations even if it is just for a short times.
Yes, family obligations and being caregivers to our parents are obstacles for us 😞
ReplyDeleteAnd those obligations do come into play and we realize that. We changed things around ourselves back in 2009 and 2010 when we stayed in Canada for a year and a half to be around to help out my dad when my Mum was in hospital in the long term care area and then after her death just to be there for support to my Dad and to help him out for the following winter and summer before continuing on on our adventure.
DeleteWe undrstand that not everyone has as much flexiblity.