Living The Dream: If We Can Do It, So Can You

Living The Dream

So we are living the dream as they say. Travelling the world, gaining new insights and learning about life. It’s impossible I hear you say. Perhaps we are rich or special. But in fact we are just a regular family who decided to drop our role as the normal Australian family and live the life we dreamed of.

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I bet you have questions, and I bet we have answers. In fact I’m going to share with you our top 5 questions that we are always asked and then I’m going to go one step better. After I’ve answered them I am going to get other travellers to answer them too. People we’ve met or know who are out there living the dream. It might not be in the same capacity as us, but well... you can get to know them in the coming weeks too.

But first our answers…

Erin

What is the first country you visited? Who with and why did you choose it?

My first international destination was Bali, Indonesia. I was 18 years old and I went with my family – 7 of us. I didn’t get to choose it; my parents did it for me. The first country I decided to visit was Netherlands. I had moved to London when I was 20 years old and decided to take a group tour to Amsterdam by myself. It was one of the bravest and funnest things I did in my life at that point. I went from naïve-girl to travel-woman!

When did you start a travel lifestyle? What inspired that change?

We started travelling May 2012 full time, even though previous years we travelled extensively. The change was inspired by one too many trips out of Australia where the cost to keep coming back was ridiculous. Why did we have to come back? Turned out we didn’t. My husband inspired the change.

Do you have a base you travel from? Or is it continuous travel? And why do you choose that style?

We currently travel continuously. Maximum stop we have had was 2 months in Israel recently. I would love to move to a base next year and travel from there, because this last 15 months has been tiring – but amazing! We choose continuous because we wanted to just go and see everything. It has been the easiest way in our opinion and the cheapest.

How do you fund your travel lifestyle? Is it something you do when travelling or are you a saver?

My husband runs his own web design business. He does business while we travel just like he did back home. As long as he has his laptop and Wi-Fi business continues on. We saved a little to have a nest egg in case of an emergency return, but haven’t touched it yet. Since travelling we have saved money that we couldn’t while living in Perth, Australia.

If you could tell yourself one tip before you started your travel lifestyle, what would it be?

I would have started sooner. I would have gone as a couple before kids. I wouldn’t have worried about building a house or climbing the corporate ladder. I would tell myself there is always somewhere for you, don’t be afraid to take the step and look for it. 

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Josh

What was the first country you visited? Who with and why did you choose it?

My first trip was to Israel when I was 9 months old. My mother took me because my grandfather passed away. The first trip I chose was a 12-day trip to London, UK in 2001 in between university semesters. Erin had stayed far too long and required some gentle persuasion to book her ticket back to Australia. I felt this was easier done in person.

When did you start a travel lifestyle? What inspired that change?

We started our travel lifestyle in May 2012. I was inspired because of a discontentment with the status quo. We enjoyed travelling and it made a lot of sense. I asked the question, “Why do we have to stay in one place?” and we didn’t, so why not?

Do you have a base you travel from? Or is it continuous travel? And why do you choose that style?

Currently continuous travel, because there is so much to see and not enough time. It’s a black hole. You take one step and then there is something else to see that sucks you in. It’s an addiction.

How do you fund your travel lifestyle? Is it something you do when travelling or are you a saver?

I am a web developer by trade and I continue to work on the road. Do you need a website? :-)

If you could tell yourself one tip before you started your travel lifestyle, what would it be?

Bring the pram. And forget the winter clothes.

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Mia (4 years old – I may have taken some creative license)

What was the first country you visited? Who with and why did you choose it?

Singapore. I went with my Mum and Dad when I was 8 months old.

When did you start a travel lifestyle? What inspired that change?

I started with my Mum and Dad when we left in 2012. They inspired me. 

Do you have a base you travel from? Or is it continuous travel? And why do you choose that style?

Continuous. Because Mum and Dad say so.

How do you fund your travel lifestyle? Is it something you do when travelling or are you a saver?

I’m very lucky my Mum and Dad pay for everything. I hope they keep this up until I'm at least 30. :-)

If you could tell yourself one tip before you started your travel lifestyle, what would it be?

Bring candy and travel. 

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Caius (3 years old – I may have taken some creative license)

What was the first country you visited? Who with and why did you choose it?

My Mummy and Daddy took me to Bali when I was 5 months old; we went with my big sister, Mia.

When did you start a travel lifestyle? What inspired that change?

Mummy and Daddy inspired the change; they chose it when I was 2. I didn't have much say in it but that's ok.

Do you have a base you travel from? Or is it continuous travel? And why do you choose that style?

I dunno. 

How do you fund your travel lifestyle? Is it something you do when travelling or are you a saver?

Seems my Dad has a magic wallet, don’t know how he does it.

If you could tell yourself one tip before you started your travel lifestyle, what would it be?

Wear shoes.

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Stay tuned for our next Living The Dream post which features another top travelling mum & her teenage son. Hope you found this post at least a little humourous, if not inspiring.

Reader Comments...

"I respond to every comment by direct private email. I look forward to your feedback" -

Love it! :D hopefully based in Melbourne next year!! :D

Rhiannon Aug 16th, 2013

LOVE it!! Particulrly the kids, they're cute :)

Alyson Aug 16th, 2013

Awesome!! Kids are really growing up fast heh!! Great idea starting this post by the way.

lisa batten Aug 16th, 2013

Very funny especially the kids

Karin Aug 16th, 2013

This is great guys! Very funny and informative too. Nice idea. Let me know if you are looking for other families to contribute.

Heidi Wagoner Aug 17th, 2013

This is such an inspiring blog. Your kids are very cute and lovely. Traveling with family is such a great bonding. You will have fun at the same time you will be able to gain new friends and experiences. Thanks for giving as an inspiration to travel around Australia specially with family.

Jack Kent Aug 20th, 2013

This is great to read! As someone looking to take the leap soon to travel extensively I really enjoy hearing these stories. We are a family of 5 and honestly if we had to keep flying back home it would kill us. Luckily I can work from home but I still need to increase income so the wifey wouldn't have to work. What do you do for the kids and schooling?

Thomas Aug 28th, 2013

I would love to do something like this. I travelled a lot pre-kids, including throwing the job in and travelling the world a couple of times. I'm not brave enough to do it with children. Maybe when I make more money from writing!

Bronnie Sep 4th, 2013

Great read as always

Karin Mar 8th, 2014

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