|
R E T I R E E A R
L Y L I F E S T Y L E
~ S I N C E 1 9 9 1 ~ |
Advertise on
RetireEarlyLifestyle.com
info here
|
In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 3rd decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
|
Break Your
Routine Without Breaking the Bank
By Billy and Akaisha
Kaderli
The Motley Fool
Yahoo News
Success stories are
regular features of our Motley Fool Rule Your Retirement newsletter service,
where we share profiles of people who have become financially independent. One
of the most remarkable stories we've come across is that of Billy and Akaisha
Kaderli. In their late 30s, they left their fast-track lives and started
traveling the world. Here, Billy and Akaisha encourage finding a fresh
perspective by adding some affordable travel to your life.
Need a new perspective?
With the news on a continual loop telling us how poorly the economy is doing
today and what it's likely going to do tomorrow, unemployment figures up and
seniors being forced to go back to work, sometimes it's good to get some new
mental scenery. Take a trip. But if your portfolio has been ravaged, how can you
afford this seeming "luxury"?
During the nearly 20 years of our retirement, we have asked ourselves this same
question many times. The answer is more likely to be, "How can we afford not to
go?" Refreshed orientation gained by traveling has profound value.
Time to get creative
Those of us who are skillfully living the retired lifestyle know that most
spending occurs in the four categories of housing, transportation, taxes and
food. When one travels, even for a long weekend, three of those categories get
hit pretty hard. That doesn't mean you can no longer afford a break from the
routine. Some imaginative rearranging will produce rewarding leisure time away
from the mundane and still save you lots of money.
We've all gotten pretty comfortable with Internet travel sites such as
Mobissimo
and Kayak -- comprehensive travel search engines that provide information on
airline tickets, hotels, cars, cruises, and other travel necessities. Many sites
offer some of their best deals for last-minute travel. Travelzoo (Nasdaq:
TZOO)
has its Top 20 list of the week's best travel deals, which the company's expert
team researches, evaluates and then recommends to you. There are hotel specials,
vacation specials, cruises, shows, events, and airfares.
Think cost-conscious
OK, so what if even with
these deals and packages, the getaway still seems out of your financial reach?
You can save on lodging by trying one of the many sites that make various
housing options available for travel:
•Extended-stay hotel sites list affordable studios with housekeeping, in-room
wifi, and kitchenettes.
•The organization Couch Surfing helps you make connections worldwide or across
your state. You overnight 'free' in members' homes; stays can be as short as a
cup of coffee or a night or two, or as long as a few months. All places are
rated, couch-surfing etiquette is offered, and tips on safety for both sides of
the deal are posted on the site.
•Craigslist is also a solid source of finding apartments, housing, temporary
housing, or rooms for rent. Simply click on the state, city or country you will
be visiting and begin searching!
•If you would like to secure house-sitting jobs while on the move, try the
Caretaker Gazette.
•Want to swap homes? Home Exchange allows two families to agree to trade homes
for a defined period of time. You can live like a local, not like a tourist,
thereby saving tons of money.
•Sites like Vacation Rentals by Owner offer worldwide networks of vacation homes
for rent by the owners themselves. This is an option that presents affordable,
substantive value with the local touch.
Stay safe
This is all well and good, but what if you are a single woman traveling alone?
The Internet is an amazing resource these days.
Journey Woman is a travel
support network for women, and the site gives safety tips, travel secrets, guide
services, and suggestions of what to pack. You can choose from spas, cruises,
tours or eco-adventures, and they'll tell you about women-friendly cities, how
to best travel with children, or how to go it alone.
Similarly, Women Welcome Women
World Wide helps women to make friends in foreign
lands or just around the corner. You can travel to faraway places or choose to
have a woman stay in your own home.
And if educational travel appeals to you, try
Elderhostel. Learning adventures
are available across our 50 states and around the globe with subjects including
history, culture, nature, music, outdoor activities and study cruises, whether
you are traveling as a single person or as a married couple.
Learn more
For more on all these ideas and several others besides, we have a page full of
useful information on our
Retire Early Lifestyle Travel Page.
Gaining a renewed perspective, especially during these challenging times, is a
worthwhile pursuit. The humdrum of daily life can push you into the doldrums, so
why not break out of your routine and come back strengthened?
|
