4 Steps to Full Timing Part 2
Sunrises like this are what we chase now as full time travelers.
Part 2. Financial Freedom
It could be said we had a turbulent relationship with money at different times during our marriage.
Some moments we were in sync financially. Saving first and living comfortably but well within our means.
At other times, we were not. Finding ourselves with credit card debt rolling over month to month, a car payment, and a lifestyle that felt good in the moment but was not sustainable. Reflecting on this now it is clear, we got caught in “keeping up with the Joneses” syndrome.
Thankfully a byproduct of downsizing is that by doing so, you upsize your existing finances.
With less stuff and smaller space, you don’t need as much money to keep it operating.
There is less area to heat or cool, less yard to water and maintain and so on. This allows you more freedom to pay off debt or save to get ahead.
We love getting a good deal! This was our new to us purchase in 2021 to allow us to enjoy the trails and beautiful country in Wyoming.
Our goal before we could travel was to be debt free!
No mortgages, no car payments, no interest-bearing credit card debt. We wanted to owe no one anything, so we could truly be free!
Bringing some of the things that hold memories for us was a no brainer. This was our dining room table that Andrea modified several times moving with us from two houses and now to it’s outdoor deck spot.
A friend at the gym once told me this and it has stuck with me ever since.
“When people graduate high school, they are at the zero point in life. They own and owe nothing. They are as free as they will ever be to do exactly what they desire.
Then throughout our lives we begin to acquire “things”. These things need to be paid for, maintained, and need us to make a certain amount of money to keep them.
We slowly move below zero due to our commitments of financial payments, support and of our time for our things, that we are no longer free.
Most people spend the rest of their lives trying to get back to 0 or on the plus side to be free again”.
For us, we sacrificed and worked hard to be above 0. We have assets, but don’t owe anything to anyone.
We are truly free to travel, pursue passion projects (like the podcast), and work jobs that satisfy our natural curiosity because we want to, not because we must.
This is the freest we have felt in our lifetimes both physically and mentally.
We are physically free to roam and can do so with a clear mind not worried about paying for things, but instead focused on finding our next adventure.
Next week: #3 How Do We Make Money on the Road?