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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Portable Professionals

We met Kalli and Jacob in Panajachel, Guatemala as they were passing their time in a tiny town called Pasaj Cap on the caldera's edge of Lake Atitlan. Impressed with this young couple's travel resume and joie de vivre, we asked that they tell our readers about their location independent living style.

How We Became Portable Professionals

Although now we can’t imagine living any other way than our current internationally nomadic lifestyle, it began a bit accidentally. We had planned to be German expats. I got a job at an international school right after we got married, and it was a really nutty job. I actually just recently found out the school has been blacklisted by the German government and the owner is now facing legal troubles. This was a very stressful experience for me, and within a month I was no longer working there. Jacob, meanwhile, was building an internet business online—an ebook about how to jump higher called The Jump Manual.

At this time I was so fixed in the mindset of Need a job need a paycheck need healthcare need an employer, that I didn’t really pay attention to what he was creating and I set about finding another job— either teaching English or au pair work. So I was sending in resumes, talking to schools and so on.

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile we went to Macedonia to visit Jacob’s brother, then to Israel to visit a friend. By the time we arrived in Turkey, I realized we were already making a full-time living off of this business— and that we could actually travel without needing an employer to fund the ticket—I caught the vision and started getting involved in the business.

The Logistics of Location Independence

It’s been a process of learning what works and what doesn’t.

When we started, we carried with us … Walkie talkies, a Crockpot, and an iron.

We stayed in … shoebox-sized hostel dorm rooms.

We had debt… Thousands of dollars worth from college.

We had no employees and did all the work ourselves.

Now, after five years of non-stop travel:.....We have cell phones. We buy clothes that don’t need ironing.

We stay in furnished apartments for months at a time.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia

We have paid off all debts.

We outsource to the Philippines and work with partners and affiliates.

Also, we now have a baby in tow, and he was born in Mexico.

How do we decide where to go?

When it comes to choosing a location, there are two non-negotiables for us. We have to have internet and we have to have a decent gym (for Jacob’s athletic training.) Other than that, no place is off-limits. Sometimes we go off the grid for a few days but then we need to return to check on our business.

Our top 10 experiences have been:

Skiing in Macedonia

Skiing in Macedonia

Hiking with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Rafting the Nile in Uganda, Jet boating at Iguazu Falls in Argentina,

Volunteering in India, Camel trekking in the Saharan Desert, Campervaning in New Zealand, Hot air ballooning in Turkey,

Gorging on pizza and gelato in Italy, Skiing in a tiny mountain town in Macedonia, and Standing at the edge of an active volcano in Vanuatu.

Biggest challenges:

Visas

Sometimes we move quicker or more often than we would like due to visa challenges. Many countries only allow a month’s stay.

Community

Although it usually isn’t difficult to make a friend or two, it’s the sense of community that can be missing the most during long-term travel. It can be developed—but it has to be a priority and it takes effort.

Language barriers

Communication is fundamental to making friends, getting around, and even eating in a foreign country. When we went to China, we couldn’t say yes or no or even “Coke” or “McDonalds.” The language barrier was so impregnable that we started taking photos of where we needed to go so we could show taxi drivers.

 

 

 

 

Sleep training

Changing time zones and beds has not always been easy on our baby’s sleep schedule.

Traveling full-time with a child

Auckland New Zealand

Auckland New Zealand

Now that I’ve had my baby, I find it fascinating how many people used to tell me: “Travel now without kids… You won’t be able to once you have them.” This is usually said by people who…guess what…don’t travel themselves!

Eleven countries and a year and a half later, I can assure you that, yes, children can travel and that no, your life doesn’t end when children join the family. It requires more work, more stuff, more scheduling and less sleep. But that’s true whether you travel or not. And it’s been worth it.

We intend and hope to continue throughout our son’s childhood, so long as everyone is happy and it still works for our family.

Why location independence?

The real question is, WHY NOT?

Even if you want to stay in the neighborhood you grew up in, financial location independence affords you the freedom to go where you want to, when you want to. Life is short and there are so many experiences in this world that are waiting. Don’t lose another moment! Follow your dreams!

Thanks Kalli and Jacob for taking the time to share your lives with us!

Jacob and Kalli Hiller are passionate about the location independent lifestyle. Follow their adventures around the globe and get inspired on jumpstarting your own adventures on their blog, Portable Professionals

For more stories and interviews of Captivating Characters and Early Retirees, Click Here

About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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