When I tell people that my husband and I retired in our late twenties, I usually get one of two reactions. Either they think we inherited a fortune, or they assume we must live a life of extreme deprivation—eating ramen noodles and never having any fun.
Neither could be further from the truth.
We didn’t win the lottery. We didn’t have a secret trust fund. We didn’t get lucky with a startup exit. What we did was make intentional choices about money, lifestyle, and what we truly value.
Today, we travel full-time, we live well, and our expenses are lower than they were when we were both working traditional jobs. And I’m here to share exactly how we did it—and how you can apply these principles to your own life, whether you want to retire early or just gain more freedom.
Our Story: From Corporate Jobs to Full-Time Travel
I started my first website, Making Sense of Cents, in 2011 as a college student. I was studying finance and accounting, and I started the blog as a way to document my journey of paying off student loans. I had no idea it would become my ticket to financial freedom.
My husband, J, worked as a financial analyst. We both had good jobs, but we also both felt the pull of something more. We wanted to travel. We wanted to spend our time doing things we loved. And we wanted to do it while we were young enough to fully enjoy it.
Over the next several years, we worked hard, saved aggressively, and grew my online business. By the time we were 29, our investments and business income had reached a point where we could leave our traditional jobs and live entirely off our passive income and location-independent work.
We sold our house, got rid of most of our possessions, and started traveling full-time. That was years ago, and we haven’t looked back.
Today, we travel wherever we want—spending months at a time in places we love, from the mountains of Colorado to the beaches of Mexico, from the cities of Europe to the quiet corners of the American Southwest. And our expenses? They’re lower now than when we owned a house and drove to office jobs every day.
How We Achieved Early Retirement
The path to early retirement looks different for everyone. For us, it came down to three key pillars.
1. We Increased Our Income
You’ve probably heard that you can’t save your way to wealth. While that’s not entirely true—saving is crucial—it’s much easier to reach financial goals when you have more income to work with.
When I started my blog, I was earning a small amount from freelance writing. Over time, I grew it into a full-time business. J continued working his corporate job, and we lived off one income while investing the other.
Ways we increased income:
- I grew a side hustle into a primary business
- J advanced in his career and increased his salary
- We diversified income streams (blogging, affiliate marketing, freelance writing, digital products, courses)
- We consistently looked for opportunities to earn more
What you can do:
Look for ways to increase your income, whether through advancing in your career, starting a side hustle, or developing skills that command higher pay. Even an extra $500–$1,000 per month can dramatically accelerate your savings.
2. We Saved Aggressively
We didn’t just save what was left at the end of the month. We saved intentionally. At our peak saving years, we were putting away 50–70% of our income.
How we saved:
- We lived below our means (way below)
- We tracked every expense
- We prioritized saving and investing before spending
- We avoided lifestyle inflation as our income grew
The math of high savings:
If you save 10% of your income, it takes roughly 40 years to retire. If you save 50% of your income, it takes roughly 15 years. If you save 70% of your income, it takes roughly 8–10 years. The savings rate is the single biggest factor in how quickly you can reach financial independence.
3. We Invested Wisely
We didn’t just stuff money under a mattress. We invested it in assets that would grow over time and generate passive income.
Our investment approach:
- Low-cost index funds (Vanguard, etc.)
- Real estate investments
- Growing our online business (which continues to generate income with less active work over time)
- Maintaining a cash buffer for flexibility
The goal was to build a portfolio that could sustain our lifestyle indefinitely without needing to work traditional jobs.
Our Philosophy on Spending
When people hear we retired early and travel full-time, they often assume we’re living a life of luxury. In reality, we’re intentional about how we spend.
We spend on:
- Experiences that matter to us (travel, quality time together)
- Health and wellness
- High-quality gear and clothing that lasts
- Things that genuinely improve our quality of life
We save on:
- Housing (we downsized significantly)
- Transportation (we don’t own a car when traveling)
- Food (we cook most meals)
- “Stuff” (we buy very few physical possessions)
The key is to spend on what matters to you and cut ruthlessly on everything else. For us, that means spending money on travel and experiences while keeping everyday expenses low.
How We Keep Expenses Low While Traveling
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, our daily expenses while traveling are often lower than they were when we had a mortgage and car payments.
1. We Use House Sitting
House sitting has been one of the biggest game-changers for our travel budget. Through platforms like TrustedHousesitters, we stay in beautiful homes around the world for free. We care for pets and look after the property in exchange for accommodation.
Our experience:
- We’ve house sat across the US, Europe, and beyond
- We’ve stayed in homes that would cost $150–$300 per night if we paid
- We get to live like locals in residential neighborhoods
- We spend time with amazing pets (bonus!)
Average savings: $1,500–$3,000+ per month on accommodation
2. We Travel Slower
Instead of hopping to a new city every few days, we stay in places for weeks or months at a time. This dramatically reduces transportation costs, allows us to get better rates on accommodations, and gives us a deeper experience of each place.
Benefits of slow travel:
- Lower transportation costs
- Better rates on monthly rentals
- Less money spent on tourist traps
- More authentic experiences
- Less burnout and more enjoyment
3. We Use Credit Card Points and Miles
We strategically use travel credit cards to earn points and miles that cover flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. This isn’t about going into debt—we pay our balances in full every month.
How we do it:
- We sign up for cards with generous welcome bonuses
- We use cards that earn points on everyday spending
- We transfer points to airline and hotel partners for maximum value
- We book award travel strategically
Average savings: Thousands of dollars per year on flights and accommodations
4. We Cook Most Meals
Eating out is one of the biggest expenses when traveling. We cook most of our meals at home, which is healthier and much more affordable.
Our approach:
- We stay in places with kitchens (house sits, Airbnbs, apartments)
- We shop at local markets and grocery stores
- We cook simple, healthy meals
- We eat out occasionally for special experiences, not every day
Average savings: $500–$1,500 per month compared to eating every meal out
5. We Choose Affordable Destinations
We love expensive places too, but we balance them with time in more affordable destinations. When we want to stretch our budget further, we head to places where our money goes much further.
Our favorite affordable destinations:
- Mexico (Oaxaca, Merida, Mexico City)
- Portugal (especially outside Lisbon and the Algarve)
- Eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, Poland)
- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia)
- Central America (Nicaragua, Guatemala)
6. We Use Public Transportation
We rarely rent cars or take taxis. Instead, we use public transportation, walk, or bike. It’s cheaper, better for the environment, and gives us a more authentic experience of a place.
Cost comparison:
- Car rental: $500–$1,000 per week
- Public transportation: $20–$100 per week
- Walking: free
7. We Find Free and Low-Cost Activities
Some of our favorite experiences while traveling have been free. We spend time in nature, explore local neighborhoods, visit free museums, hike, and connect with locals.
Free activities we love:
- Hiking and walking
- Beach days
- Free museum days
- Local markets and festivals
- City parks and gardens
- Self-guided walking tours
What Our Monthly Expenses Look Like
Everyone’s numbers will look different, but I want to share what our expenses look like to show what’s possible.
Average monthly expenses (for two people, traveling full-time):
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $500–$1,500 (often less with house sitting) |
| Food | $400–$800 |
| Transportation | $200–$600 |
| Health Insurance | $400–$600 |
| Travel Insurance | $100–$200 |
| Activities & Entertainment | $200–$500 |
| Cell Phones & Internet | $100–$200 |
| Miscellaneous | $200–$400 |
| Total | $2,100–$4,800 |
When we’re in a house sit with a kitchen in an affordable location, we’re on the lower end. When we’re in a more expensive location or doing more activities, we’re on the higher end. We have flexibility because we’ve built our finances to support our lifestyle.
How We Earn Money in “Retirement”
Early retirement for us doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means having the freedom to work on things we enjoy, on our own terms, without being tied to a traditional job.
Our current income sources:
- Passive income from investments:Â Index funds and other investments generate dividends and growth.
- Online business income:Â My website continues to earn from affiliate marketing, courses, and advertising.
- Freelance and consulting:Â We occasionally take on projects that interest us.
- Real estate investments:Â We own some rental properties that generate cash flow.
The key is that we have multiple income streams, and we’ve structured them to require less active time than traditional jobs. This gives us the freedom to travel and enjoy our days while still maintaining financial security.
The Principles Anyone Can Apply
You don’t have to retire at 29 to benefit from the principles we’ve used. Here are the core lessons that apply to anyone, regardless of age or income.
1. Know Your Numbers
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Track your income, expenses, savings rate, and net worth. Know where your money is going and where it’s coming from.
Action step: Use a tool like Mint, YNAB, or a simple spreadsheet to track your finances for 30 days. You’ll likely find areas where you can cut back.
2. Prioritize Saving
Pay yourself first. Before you spend money on anything else, put a percentage of your income into savings and investments.
Action step: Automate your savings. Set up an automatic transfer from checking to savings or investment accounts on payday. Start with whatever percentage you can—even 10%—and increase over time.
3. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation
When your income goes up, resist the urge to increase your spending. Instead, direct that extra money toward savings and investments.
Action step: Every time you get a raise, increase your savings rate by at least half of the raise amount. Live on the rest.
4. Spend on What Matters
Cut spending on things that don’t add value to your life so you can spend more on what does. For us, that meant cutting housing costs and cars to spend more on travel.
Action step: Identify your top values. Then look at your spending and see if it aligns with those values. Cut back on categories that don’t align.
5. Create Multiple Income Streams
Relying on one source of income is risky. Building multiple streams gives you stability and flexibility.
Action step: Identify one way you could add a second income stream in the next 90 days. It doesn’t have to be huge—even a small side hustle can start building momentum.
6. Embrace Flexibility
Rigid plans break. Flexible plans adapt. Be willing to adjust your approach based on what life throws at you.
Action step: Build a buffer into your finances. Aim for 3–6 months of expenses in an emergency fund so you can handle surprises without stress.
Common Questions About Early Retirement
Do you ever get bored?
Honestly? No. We have full, rich days. We hike, we explore, we work on projects we care about, we connect with people. Retirement isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about doing what you want.
What about healthcare?
This is a big consideration for early retirees in the US. We use the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace for health insurance. Our income is managed to qualify for subsidies, which keeps costs reasonable. We also have a health savings account (HSA) for medical expenses.
Do you regret selling your house?
Not at all. Homeownership came with a lot of costs and responsibilities. Selling our house freed up equity, eliminated a major expense, and gave us the flexibility to travel. We may buy another property someday, but for now, we love the freedom of not being tied down.
What if your investments take a downturn?
We’ve built in buffers. Our withdrawal rate is conservative (under 4%), we have multiple income streams, and we keep a cash cushion for market downturns. We also have the flexibility to reduce spending if needed.
Can anyone do this?
Financial independence is possible for many people, but the timeline and specifics look different for everyone. The principles—saving aggressively, increasing income, investing wisely, and spending intentionally—apply to anyone. The timeline depends on your starting point, your savings rate, and your goals.
Retiring at 29 wasn’t about luck. It was about making intentional choices: choosing to save aggressively, choosing to grow our income, choosing to spend on what matters to us, and choosing to build a life of freedom rather than waiting for “someday.”
Today, we travel full-time, we keep our expenses low, and we wake up every day excited about what we get to do. That’s not because we have endless money—it’s because we designed our lives around our values.
You don’t have to retire at 29 to take control of your finances and build more freedom. Start where you are. Track your spending. Increase your savings rate. Look for ways to earn more. Spend on what matters to you. And be patient—small, consistent actions compound over time.
The goal isn’t necessarily to stop working. The goal is to have the freedom to work on what you want, when you want, where you want. And that’s a goal worth working toward.
What would you do with more freedom in your life?