The retirement age is around 65 right? Sure, that’s when society has deemed me eligible for retirement-related benefits. And hopefully by then I am still in kickass health and ready to swim with jellyfish in Micronesia or make the hike to Machu Picchu.
As great as it sounds to wait 30 years, I decided it’s time for a mini-retirement in my 30s! (Lucky me, I know.) I recently completed my first professional chapter of life. I worked hard for 8 years, and now I would like to step away from the full-time grind and explore life a little more. I’ve also been struggling with some chronic back pain for the last few years so it is time to step away from the desk job for a bit. Working is important (obviously) but so is health and happiness. So I decided to turn my office daydream into a reality and move across the Atlantic!
Why my 30s are the ideal time
Most people that “take time off to travel” fit into one of two groups: the college-age study abroaders (early 20s) and the recent retirees (65+). I don’t have any research to back that up, but let’s go with it. Both are great in their own ways.
The first group wants to experience life in their prime. They are young, energetic, and living life to the fullest. They sleep in hostels, spend all their money, and, in many cases, put a pause on their career goals. But they can really live it.
The latter group wants to celebrate the end of a hard-working career (as they should!). They are older, wiser, and have money to spend. In contrast, they may have less energy to explore and are not in their prime health.
In both situations, travel is a reward that comes with sacrifice. In my 30s, I feel like it’s the best of both worlds. I have established the first part of my career and banked some spending cash. I am still young (maybe not party-all-night young), but young enough to take my shirt off during a grueling hike in the sun. I am wiser and more appreciative than I was in my early 20s. I am fitter and more energetic than I will likely be in my 60s. 30 is a great time to travel!
What about money, honey?
How are you going to afford it? This is the question most people ask. For starters, I don’t have three kids and a dog to support. While I was working my butt off for 8 years, I was smart(ish) with my money. I was really good at tricking myself into thinking I made less money than I actually did. This allowed me to build a modest savings and 401k.
Secondly, I plan to do some freelance contract work along the way. I maintained a good relationship with my former employer so that I could continue to assist with part-time contract work. I am also exploring other freelance jobs involving business consulting, technical writing, recruiting, etc. Who knows, might even serve up some cervezas at the local pub.
My goal is not to work the whole time, but to earn enough income to cover a healthy portion of my travel expenses. In the meantime, I can let my 401k do it’s compound-interest-thing.
Getting off the hamster wheel
The main reason I am traveling is to shake things up. l sometimes feel like I am on a hamster wheel doing the same thing every day. Wake up. Go to Work. Go to bed. Do it again. I have become complacent and comfortable (which for some people, is the goal). However, I am ready to be challenged in new ways and vulnerable to the world around me. It’s time to hop off the hamster wheel for a bit!
Love it! Your 30s are the happiest years of your life. I’m a hamster with 3 kids and I love it. If kids hadn’t been in my crystal ball, I would be truly inspired to hop on a plane and join your inspiring adventure! Great example right here of how to live. Grind your life in your 20s and make something of yourself. Then in your 30s choose your path and follow it to either the baby store or Barcelona. Regardless of your outcome, do what Chase did and you are set up for success no matter what!
AMEN BROTHER! Everyone’s path is different. I love that we get to live vicariously through each other. A tale of two twins…