How I Secure Reasonable Accommodations on the Nomad Life (Hint: It’s Not Airbnb)
I’ve been traveling full-time since 2020, and while I started out strong on the platform, I now use Airbnb as a last resort due to a couple of bad experiences. So here’s my tried-and-true formula for best results (for me, a solo female nomad) — for long-term stays, I rent direct-to-owner, and for short-term stays,…
6 Reasons to Experience Mexico’s Day of the Dead in Oaxaca With Me (I’m Holding a Group Trip, and You’re Invited)
Day of the Dead celebrations bring hundreds of thousands of tourists to Mexico each year, and while there are numerous reasons to visit Mexico at all times of year — I’ve chosen Oaxaca, and the annual occasion of Day of the Dead, for my FIRST EVER group trip — and you’re invited! Here’s why you…
What I Spent in 90 Days Traveling Mexico: My Quarterly Spending Breakdown
I last wrote a spending breakdown at the end of 2022, when I shared with everyone that I lived on $74 a day as a global nomad (mostly in Mexico and Eastern Europe, with two months in the U.S). The lifestyle I lead would cost probably twice as much in the states — and while…
Essential Albania Travel Guide: The Albanian Riviera, History, and Nature
As part of my four months in Europe traveling the Balkan Peninsula last year, I spent a week in Albania. As usual, I documented my discoveries on social media, and I had a blast — but I got some unnecessary hate about Albania as a travel destination. Here’s my itinerary for Albania, which includes relaxing…
50 Days in Quintana Roo: What I Thought of Mexico’s Most Touristic State — and My Favorite Things to Do
Quintana Roo: it’s probably the most well-known and highly-touristed state in Mexico, and brings to mind all-inclusive resorts, powdery beaches, and turquoise water. That is — unless you dive under the surface. (No pun intended.) After spending most of February in central Mexico, this little nomad and solo traveler decided to venture east to see…
How Did I Get Here? My Financial Journey: From Unemployed and Broke in 2017, to Saving Enough to Leave the Workforce
Six years ago, I was unintentionally jobless. My severance package had run out, I hadn’t found another suitable job, and my emergency fund was all but drained. It took awhile, but I turned it around — and now, I’m semi-retired, working on my own terms and own timeline, and traveling the world. Let me tell…
How Did I Get Here, Love Edition: How I Evolved into the Empowered, Child-Free and Happy Woman I Am
If you’re new here, I’m a single, never-been-married woman in my mid-30s, who is traveling and dating around the world. Over the years, I’ve grown from verbally abusive relationships, infidelity, and body image issues, and I won’t settle for a relationship where there is dysfunctional behavior or treatment, a misalignment of values, or a lack…
How Did I Get Here?: From Periodic Traveler to Full-Time Nomad
Last week, in Chapter 1 of my latest blog series, “How Did I Get Here?” I told you: I’ve always been a writer… the page my canvas, the written word my medium. But, did I ever dream of nomadism? Nope. That later came to me as a complete surprise. Like many of you, I went…
How Did I Get Here? My Career Evolution: From Journalism to Social Media to a One-Year Sabbatical
Things happen in life that change you in a really, really big way. Sometimes, you see the asteroid coming, and you know the impact is gonna be huge. Other times, it’s just a small, average snowball… from that, you would never anticipate the avalanche. While I’ve talked about some of the various big moments I’ve…
Why Your Favorite Nomad Blogger Became a Travel Coach (and What That Is)
I launched my blog in 2017, borne out of a passion for travel, a desire to express myself, and the joy of educating and inspiring others. Now, I’m excited to announce the next natural step in my evolution — I’m partnering with one of the most well-regarded travel agencies in Arizona, Boutique Travel Advisors, as…
Things I Wished I Knew Before Driving to Mexico from the U.S.
While it’s great to have the freedom of the open road, the opportunity to go to far-flung places on my own timetable, and the ability to store a lot more belongings (including my trusty sidekick, Penny) — there are a number of downsides, like the associated costs, the physical and material responsibility, and the mental…
Dog-Friendly Itinerary for San Cristóbal de las Casas: What to Do, What to Eat and Where to Stay
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico, feels like a place I could just sink into. It feels livable; a great place to travel on a budget. I saw and met a ton of travelers, mostly European. There is lively nightlife and bustling cafe culture, and the indigenous culture shines brightly. And there are so many…
How I Pack for a Months-Long Road Trip, and What I Brought to Mexico
I’ve been on the road in Mexico (this time around) for three and a half weeks now, and since I always tend to get the questions, “But, how do you look so cute when you travel, Julie?” and “And, what do people actually pack on a months-long nomadic sabbatical?” — I thought it prime time…
I’m a Nomad: But Stop Asking Me What I’m Running From
“Are you running from something?” they ask me, quizzically, after learning that I’ve been traveling the world for two and a half years as a full-time nomad and solo traveler. I kinda get it: I had all the stability and security and comfort in the world, and I gave it all up. And here’s why.
My 10 Commandments of Budget Travel, From a Full-Time Nomad
I spent $27K traveling the world in 2022 — $74 a day — and one thing I keep hearing is: “Teach me your ways, Julie!” Well, did you know, I DO teach?! I have a ton of in-depth, free information available on my blog, I hold webinars for those visual learners and do one-on-one mentoring…
I’m “Moving” to Mexico: My Experience Getting Temporary Residency
On January 20, 2023, I was conditionally approved for temporary residency in Mexico. This means I can stay in Mexico long-term, past the time frame allowable to tourists (nothing to do with citizenship, passports, or voting). And while I’m (partially) rejoicing now, it’s been a saga months in the making. Do you want to retire…
Unpopular Opinion: Why Are So Many People Scared to Retire? GUILT
In the year-plus since I semi-retired, I’ve noticed something unexpected: just how polarizing and controversial the word “retire” is. (Especially among the generation older than I.) And it’s really no wonder that some people straight up scoff at retiring early, in a nation where busy-ness and overwork is a badge of honor… and when the first…
How I Earned $13K Without Working in 2022
Last year, I shared that I socked away $30K in cash to fund my sabbatical, and I just revealed how I lived on $27K in 2022. So… $30K minus $27K = $3K left to work with in 2023, right? Not exactly. I have a few tricks up my sleeve… dominos I put in place in…
How I Spent $27K as a Global Nomad in 2022
I’m coming upon the end of my first year of mini-retirement, and as usual, I’m sharing yet another spending recap with you (as I’ve done all year long as I’ve traveled across Mexico and Europe)! You’ll recall, at the end of 2021, at age 36, I participated in the great resignation/financial independence retire early (FIRE)…
Dating Diary of a Single Nomad: The Three Most Frustrating Things I Keep Seeing from Men
I’ve been a nomad for over two years now, traveling the world and dating, and this is what I’ve found… · I meet more viable men while traveling abroad, compared to when I lived in one place or traveled full-time in the U.S. · Even with the capability to screen/filter, I meet more men I’m…
