Happy New Year, everyone! It’s that time where we consciously (or subconsciously) reflect on where we are, where we’ve been, and maybe even make some goals and plans for the future.
- I published my first eBook, to wonderful reviews and feedback from readers
- I was recognized as a G Adventures Changemaker and invited to celebrate World Tourism Day in Peru, and decided to hike the legendary Inca Trail while I was there — lifechanging!
- I soft-launched my first group trip in Oaxaca, and scheduled several more
- I traveled on an incredible 15-day expedition to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, and had a “whale” of time (full recap coming soon!)
- And I found my tribe in Mexico City, a place that I promise to return to… but I have more of the world on my radar in 2024…
What’s new for this nomad in 2024
⭐️ MY TRAVEL PLANS: HASTA LUEGO for now, MEXICO
In 2023, I spent most of the year in Mexico, and primarily Mexico City, and in 2024, I’m going INTERNATIONAL — really international.
I don’t have all my travel plans figured out yet, but I’ll definitely be visiting Oceania, Southeast Asia, and Northern Africa in the first half of the year (and a lot of other places in between — you’ll have to keep a lookout on social media!). My second half of the year could be all over the place… I’m keeping it spontaneous and flexible, per my usual travel style — capturing opportunities and embracing moments as they come.
While I won’t be in Mexico the majority of the year (just the fall, perhaps), I’ll still renew and retain my Mexican residency. It’s my “home” sweet home.
⭐️ MY FINANCIAL SITUATION: Barista FIRE and MORE INVESTMENT in my travels
In 2022, I spent $27K as a global nomad across Mexico and Europe. In 2023, I increased my budget and spent more, traveling to Mexico, South America, and Antarctica. I did this for a few reasons: the inevitable cost of living increases in Mexico, AND a desire to live a little larger. But in 2024, I’m more-or-less throwing away the budget.
What?! How?!?!
Well, I still haven’t won the lottery or come into any other kind of a payday, but I am increasing my budget for several reasons, and because: I’ve figured out a formula to sustain my lifestyle.
- I am barista FIRE, a form of semi-retirement and financial independence where a person withdraws funds from savings and/or investments while continuing to work for a supplemental income. I still have funds to draw from that I attained while sacrificing and side hustling in my former life.
- Together, my withdrawals and my supplemental income finances my life. My supplemental income sources come from my businesses (my eBook, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, group trips, and part-time travel coaching, advising, nomadic lifestyle mentoring, and other opportunities that periodically come my way! If you enjoy my content, please shop from some of my referral links — it costs you nothing but helps me out a lot!). I’ve flipped the script — it’s not about how much money I can make and how much I get to spend, but how little can I work to adequately pay my bills and thrive — and whether I enjoy how I spend my time.
- I will try to spend as much time as possible in low cost of living countries, so my dollar will continue to go farther. In higher cost of living countries, I’ll see if I can bum a couch, volunteer, or secure a sponsorship. It’s all about balance!
- I can always work more, or get a real job should I really, really need to in the future — but I believe in abundance and opportunity. I know things will work out… and in the meantime, I’m going to live it to the ABSOLUTE FULLEST. I get it — some of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences cost a bit more money. Why would I travel to the ends of the earth and not make the absolute most of it?! (I’ll say it again — I can make more money, but I can’t make more time!!)
What hasn’t changed? I’ll keep inspiring you to travel and/or explore nomad life!
I started my blog in 2017, after a month-long trip to Europe (where I made a ton of mistakes and learned a LOT) — because I wanted to create the informational and inspirational content for others that I couldn’t find. Now, I’m reaching 90K blog visitors per year.
I went on my own financial journey to budget and save for a freer, more flexible life, and I’ve been very open on my blog about that — because I want to encourage everyone that one, it’s monetarily attainable, and two, it’s ok to temporarily leave the workforce, refresh, renew, and satiate your curiosity — whether with a sabbatical or a mini-sabbatical.
I affiliated with a travel agency in early 2023, because I was hearing the same thing over and over — “Julie, can I travel with you? You make planning look easy, I can’t figure out when people are going to be able to go with me, and I NEED MORE exploration and culture in my life!” So I started to select, market, and administer group trips, bringing people together in their zest for seeing the world in a broader light.
There’s still space on my women’s only trip to Morocco, my co-ed trip to Oaxaca, and my just-announced journey to Kenya. Let’s make some goals and plans for the future that include more life, more adventure, and more amazing shared experiences ❤️
Related post: I’M ONE YEAR INTO MY SABBATICAL — HOW IT’S GOING
All about my just-announced Africa trip: Safari with me!
Experience:
- Baby elephants and giraffes
- Safaris and game drives, in search of the Big 5
- Swimming and sailing with dolphins
- An authentic experience with the Maasai and Mijikenda peoples
- Nairobi, Mombasa, and a beach getaway
- And gorgeous, comfortable accommodations, full amenities, and professional guides, through top-rated tour operator SKYIN Travel
Dates: January 3-15, 2025
Download the adventure brochure, full itinerary, inclusions and exclusions, and pricing… and take $500 off per person for everyone who signs up before January 31, 2024!
Plus, get a walk-thru of the itinerary and inclusions from the founder of SKYIN himself, Skyler Mason, in my next free webinar. Register now!
Whether you join me on an upcoming trip or not, in the year ahead, it’s my sincere hope you embrace more travel, more adventures, and more life-enriching moments… cheers to a new chapter filled with endless possibilities, exhilarating experiences, and dreams come true ❤️
👩💻 Become a member of my Facebook group, open to anyone traveling or thinking about traveling with me on a mini-sabbatical trip — you’ll find announcements, tips, and can chit-chat with other group participants.
