How I Sold Everything to Travel the World | A Minimalist's Journey 🌎 🧳

📝 Here's my packing list for long-term travel (use it as a guide to create your own packing list): www.theprofess...
🏥 Here's the international travel medical insurance I use for long-term travel: genki.world/?w...
🏠 I mentioned home exchanges as a way to travel long-term, keep your home in tact, and ALSO, to use your home as collateral to stay in other people's homes for free while you travel! It's a fantastic way to see the world. Here's some more info on that (as well as house-sitting and other unique ways to see the world while enjoying free accommodation): www.theprofess...
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#exploretheworld #nomadiclife #travelprep #fulltimetravel #traveldreams
Selling everything to travel full-time
Downsizing for full-time travel
____________________
Greetings! I'm Nora Dunn, aka The Professional Hobo. I've been a digital nomad since 2006. I help people design their lifestyles and arrange their affairs so they can travel long term while working remotely. (I also have a ton of crazy travel tales to share from almost two decades of lifestyle travel).
For more info, check out: www.theprofess...
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[@NoraDunn]

📝 Here's my packing list for long-term travel (use it as a guide to create your own packing list): www.theprofessionalhobo.com/the-ultimate-packing-list-for-full-time-travel/ 🏥 Here's the international travel medical insurance I use for long-term travel: genki.world/?with=theprofessionalhobo 🏠 I mentioned home exchanges as a way to travel long-term, keep your home in tact, and ALSO, to use your home as collateral to stay in other people's homes for free while you travel! It's a fantastic way to see the world. Here's some more info on that (as well as house-sitting and other unique ways to see the world while enjoying free accommodation): www.theprofessionalhobo.com/travel-tips-resources/get-free-accommodation-around-world/

[@WillN2Go1]

Being an absentee landlord. Property Management costs about 10% of your gross rental income, and there will always be additional expenditures. (A retaining wall? I didn't even know there was one. $15k) A friend recently sold their southern California house for a great price, however, paying off the mortgage (incredible low rate), taxes, etc cut deeply into that. -- You don't get the discounted capital gains if you don't then buy another home. They wanted to live abroad. They now have a couple thousand/month charge for storage (because they haven't yet spent $20k to ship all the stuff- and most of it was just stuff- to their new country. (Which btw changed in two weeks... Forever isn't as permanent as it used to be.) They could've kept the house, rented it out and lived anywhere in the world, including London or Paris, on the rent. They chose catharsis. I know that it can be much less expensive living as a traveler than it is to live in a place like the U.S. (My monthly nut, without my boat, or food, is about $2800. I have cheap rent.) The way I travel is about the same cost or less. I don't cut corners, but I love camping and dirt bagging. I just got back from three months of being the fourth guy on a sailboat. (Amazing trip.) I spent more on additional sailing gear (that I'll use for years) than I spent on the trip -- even voluntarily chipping in to boat, food, equipment costs. I can now repeat this almost anywhere in the world. (A year ago I paid $4000 for three weeks of basically the same experience, but that was my resumé for this trip.) I can also now go anywhere in my boat including around the world. (Most of my friends doing this are on smaller less equipped and slower boats.) One thing my friend's experience taught me (I helped them move) is get someone else to help you decide what to keep and what to get rid of. A guy I knew who counsels clutterers told me, when people lose everything in a fire or flood; they're happy the pet was saved, they miss the family photos -- but over all they're relieved to get rid of all that stuff. Same for travelers. I missed having dry clothes, not my clothes dryer. I didn't drive a car for three months. I love my Tesla, but I didn't miss it. I will always remember the terrific taxi drivers who became the local fixer/go to person. I'd love to see a book with the experiences of 20 or more people in precise details how they moved from 'home' to the world. What it cost, how long it took, what they'd do differently. Wouldn't it be great if you could pay someone who would come over, you'd tell them what you think you want, they'd tell you how it'll really be.... And in a couple of weeks you're on your way - light as a feather. (Carrying only what Nora had after her first year.) Income. If you don't already own a place, probably you shouldn't buy one to rent out. Even with property management it's a job. Buy stocks. I get up in the morning look at the current price, shrug, go make coffee. I do that at home, I did that in the middle of the South China Sea, the north Pacific... Elon Musk is never going to call me up to tell me about the retaining wall that needs replacing.

[@NoraDunn]

Super interesting tip about getting your friends to help you decide what to keep and get rid of! I love it.

[@marcyrodney43]

​@@NoraDunnI'm done that for friends over the years and the line that seems to have the most impact is when I ask them is X item paying rent? Anything I keep has to be paying its own way. And what that means is very personal, The espresso maker, the podcasting equipment, etc.

[@laurice8056]

This is amazing advice even if we’re not planning on traveling. Because we don’t live forever. And we can’t take our stuff with us to the afterlife. Decluttering our environment can be the greatest gift that we can give to ourselves and our loved ones.

[@NoraDunn]

Thank you! And I agree. :-)

[@galpickny]

Fancy coming across this because I just did this. I went to visit MX and stored my items (including car). Stayed in MX for about 6 mos. Determined I will stay in MX for a while longer. Came back to the US to sell/donate EVERYTHING. The weight lifted felt so good. No more car expenses. No more storage cost. The few things I kept are now stored at family member house and what I sold/donated was a blessing for someone else.

[@NoraDunn]

Awesome! Congrats on living a much simpler life now! Woot!

[@dustinfowler7936]

Damn just say Mexico I had to Google that to see where you was talking about

[@mariebrown9415]

Don’t second guess your decision . You did what seemed right for you at that time. Appreciate your insight . You can always buy what you need but your experiences can’t be replaced.

[@NoraDunn]

Well said Marie!

[@rebeccaw9656]

My minimalist journey began when a few years ago in Australia, a third of the country was on fire, and then later that year a third of the country was flooded - or so it seemed. And then there were more floods the next year. And it hit me powerfully, if I lost my home, what would devastate me to loose? And really, it came down to disposable things and memories. All our memories could be digitised down to our phones and tech. Tech kept our memories and our finances and our lives in order. Everything else was just maintenance and could be replaced. We as a family started to think of experiences rather than things.

[@NoraDunn]

Wow - thanks for sharing! I was in the middle of the Victorian Bushfires in 2009 - it was an eye-opening experience.

[@sweetsimpleslowlife2709]

Nora, your experience and story is very similar to mine! Except mine started 3.5 months ago when I sold my house, my car and all of my possessions except foto albums which I gave to my mom. In my case I only had one month to sell everything so I had a couple of garage sales and the last one was a $1 anything 😬😳just to get rid of material things one week before and I sold my car to the dealership the night before our flight out of the country. Talk about stress!!! 😂My daughter graduated high school and she wants to travel the world in search of a new country where she could get college education and possibly live permanently. So we’ve left USA with only a carryon suitcase and a personal bag each and are having an adventure of a lifetime together 😊 Zero regrets and not looking back. Living life today and buying experiences is totally worth it for us.

[@NoraDunn]

Wowee! Thanks for sharing! And good for you for starting off your journey with only carry on! It took me 10 years to get to that point. Ha!

[@sweetsimpleslowlife2709]

@@NoraDunn hahaha, oh yes! Even so, it's still a pain to fling up into the overhead compartment, and we've got two, mine and my daughter's! 😂

[@karidufur8908]

You are so right on! We sold our 3000 sq ft home of 25 years, had an ‘estate sale’ & sold every that we wouldn’t be taking on our travels. Then we bought an RV & traveled the US for 2 years, exploring where we’d like to put new roots down. We ended up in Tucson, AZ in a 1100 sq foot home. It’s so freeing to not have ‘stuff’. But….. 6 years later we are accumulating much more. It does get recycled to the thrift stores - what comes in, something goes out.

[@NoraDunn]

Exactly! Isn't it interesting how easy it is to accumulate stuff again, even after going through the exercise of selling the lot! Glad you're staying mindful.

[@cltinturkey]

For my first overseas job, my household shipment (about 1,000 pounds) was mis-sent to Hong Kong. I received it five months later and lived out of two suitcases in between. I made a list of the few things I had to buy and used that list for every subsequent transfer. When I moved home 25 years later, I didn't recognize some of the stuff from storage. Now I'm divesting again for travel and it feels great. When I'm in the donation zone, the sky's the limit. Every person who comes to pick something up is gifted 3-4 other things they can use. Hooray!

[@NoraDunn]

So interesting that you didn't recognize the stuff you had in storage. The exact same thing happened to me whenever I returned to the few things I kept in Canada! Every time I went through I either forgot I kept it or forgot I had it in the first place!!

[@itsnotme07]

Ahh, the "idea" of "starting over" A "clean slate" A "fresh new season"! Sounds interesting....and it CAN be. I've had the "pleasure" of downsizing multiple times in my life. Most involving a relocation across the US. My first time, it was 1990, I was laid off from my tech job as a Data Center Manager in Massachusetts and decided I wanted to see what California was all about. My Mom had been in Sacramento since 1979...so I could stay with her until I found a place. The move/trip was WONDERFUL! Everything I owned fit in the back of my 1988 Dodge Daytona. The relocation? A complete failure. Not getting into the specifics, but 5 months after leaving Massachusetts, I was back. The next 4 times....yes, 4 more cross US country moves, were ALL successful, as I'd learned a LOT from that first failure. So sometimes, it takes a leap of faith to just try it and if you don't like it you CAN go home again. Today? I haven't moved since 2011....but I'm considering it again (will not be cross country, but could be cross state)...and oh yeah I have LOTS more stuff than ever! We'll see! Great advice Nora!!

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for sharing! Sorry your moves were failures, but that you found the downsizing exercises successful nonetheless. :-)

[@dbencic]

I’m in a process of doing exactly this… 😅… such an interesting process … I knew that the lifestyle was weighing me down, and didn’t really realize how many attachments I had to people and things… However I was drowning in boredom and routine in order to maintain a lifestyle that I really didn’t even care about. As soon as both of my daughters went to college, I started packing selling and planning my liberation.

[@NoraDunn]

Woohoo! Congrats! I hope you enjoy every step of the process :-)

[@bruce6641]

I did the same thing in 2007 after retiring early at 51 and relocating to SE Asia. Sold my house, car, motorbike but unfortunately putting most everything else in storage. After 11 yeqrs I emptied it to find worthless old ski gear, bikes, cd players, large speakers, line phones and even an answering machine! Sell everyting before you depart....except for the house. That was my only regret.

[@NoraDunn]

Interesting perspective, Bruce! Indeed, the things we value before the trip are rarely the things we return to thinking we still need. I was pleasantly surprised at a few things I decided to keep, and flummoxed by the rest. Ha!

[@karmasutra4774]

Why do you regret selling the house? Did you have a job online or just living off investments? Ty

[@storytimewithmisscarra6979]

Your tips are above and beyond. It’s so true that we think we are minimalist and then realize “holy cow! I have so much sh*t!” Thanks for the great video!

[@NoraDunn]

Thank you so much! It IS surprising how much STUFF we have, no?

[@JohnS-zq8ks]

Great video Nora. When I struck out full-timing in my first RV in 2015, I stored too much stuff. I returned to that storage unit 4 years later and $4,500 poorer only to throw away about 80% of it. Now in 2023, I plan to start a 2-year adventure in south America. I'm purging what I have left. I borrowed a high speed scanner that accepts stacks about 3/4" thick and that's helped to dramatically reduce "boxes of crap", but wow, it's a real time sink. Ultimately, the amount of crap one has is proportionate to the available space, subject to an economic constraint (like stg unit rent). My advice. Get rid of it all.

[@NoraDunn]

Ha! I don't disagree, John! And I know lots of people who started with storage units, then returned to them and got rid of everything. But I also know a few people who sold the lot, then realized that life on the road wasn't their jam, and then they had to start over again which was more expensive than it needed to be. It goes both ways I think, and it also depends on how much stuff we decide to keep (aka how big a storage unit we get)!

[@kimsnader8777]

Your comment about keys struck me. My life's path went from the number of keys I possessed representing my weatth and income potential, at the cost of my time, to the lack of keys representing the same. No matter where you go, or how much you carry, continue building skills, knowledge and social contacts. Those are your most valuable keys to happiness and purpose.

[@NoraDunn]

I agree! Thanks for putting it this way!

[@julioalvear1641]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I find your recommendations valuable. Wife and I are planning to retire early and travel for several years while are healthy. Already having a garage sale and yes, one does become attached. We have to just .. let it go, let it go..😊

[@NoraDunn]

Good luck with the letting go! It feels very refreshing in the end. :-)

[@alexandramccarthy4648]

I love the culture of garage sales in the West. We would sell out everything when we went traveling every year and when we come back we go to garage sales and set up our new place. When we leave we'll have a garage sale to sell everything. That "no key" feeling is very familiar to me too :)

[@NoraDunn]

I love garage sales - I also love setting up a new place with used stuff. When I had a place in Australia for a short time, I managed to find a bunch of "empty-nesters" who had garages full of furniture and stuff they didn't need and were happy to be rid of - I furnished a 2br house for almost-free!

[@TheReverseRetirementFamily]

Like you, we decided to just get rid of just about everything. We only kept keepsakes in a tiny storage unit. Other than that, we have carry on suitcases with us while we travel the world. Appreciated your input on the nomadic life! 😊

[@NoraDunn]

That is awesome! Happy travels!

[@gregperez919]

My wife and I retired in March 2020 when Covid hit. We moved from LA to Las Vegas. In March of last year we sold our Vegas Condo and downsized all our stuff into a 10x10 storage unit. Then we became full time travelers. We already owned a condo in the South of Spain that we can only stay in 3 months at a time. But we own it outright with just taxes, utilities, and HOA payments. We use it as our jump-off point to the rest of Europe, and Middle East which we always dreamed of and love. As I type this out I am in a resort in a lovely town of Lymington, England. We have been traveling around England for almost one month. Next month we stay in our Spanish home, then travel to Turkey for the month of May. We are still getting the hang of all this full time travel and our friends and family either admire us or think we are crazy. We just love it. My advice to anyone considering full-time travel is to not put all your eggs in one basket. Have a backup plan, or two in case things don’t workout or if you change your mind or if you just want to consider settling down. We sold our home at a profit and I like to look at property buy possibilities anywhere in the US or the world that suits our liking and lifestyle. You don’t have to be rich. You just have to be bold and strategic. Listen to this lady. She enjoys what she is doing and she does it well.

[@NoraDunn]

Hi Greg, Thanks for commenting and sharing your situation, and I love your advice not to put all eggs in one basket! Happy travels!

[@lindadorman2869]

I did it every way! First, I was a corporate expat with a home in the US I hardly ever lived in and sold in 2014. Then I quit, put stuff in storage and traveled for a few years. I returned in 2016, rented an apartment for a year and closed the storage unit. Then I sold everything and left again for a year. When I came back in 2018, I started a reselling business and now have a live/work space with 3000+ items. This time, I'm planning to sell everything and move overseas permanently. I finally got to the point where I want cash to invest more than owning things.

[@NoraDunn]

Nice! What an amazing collection of experiences.

[@BPe-ie9je]

I sold huge trailer of antiques, family items, it was easier than I thought. Feel like I lost 20 #. Thanks for sharing, always.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks! Glad you had an easy time selling your stuff.

[@deandecoursey2334]

Twenty five years ago, I moved to Thailand and built a house near Chiangmai. I subsequently got married, inherited 3 step children and one of our own. I decided that if we moved back to my hometown, the educational opportunities for the children would be infinitely better and I could return to my construction company that my brother was running in my absence. We kept the home in Chiangmai Mai and I manage to visit it once or twice a year for between 3 weeks and 2 months. I also come from a large family and it’s been nice to be around my 6 siblings for all of these years. I admit, it’s also nice to be half a world away from them while in Thailand. Every time I fly to Thailand, I take personal items, clothing and tools to Thailand and leave them there, so when I finally sell our house in the U.S., I can get rid of or sell anything left. As much as I like traveling extensively, which I have done since 1988, I really prefer to have a home base between my travels that I can call my home.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for sharing, Dean! I like that you have the two home bases.

[@Summer_and_Rain]

I am not going traveling anytime soon, but I am dreaming of just one time in my life, to move into a new place with nothing. So topics like these are golden to me :) thanks for sharing your story.

[@NoraDunn]

It's fun to start from scratch! Thanks for your kind words.

[@nomadjim]

Thank you for sharing your minimalist journey with us! I sold my home and car last summer, then donated almost everything else, as I embarked on full-time travel. I put the small amount of items I still had into a storage unit, like you said, just in case I found out that this lifestyle wasn't really for me. After a year, I have no regrets about what I did. And, also like you said, I find myself downsizing even more of what's in the storage unit every time I'm in town to visit it. Maybe I will eventually decide to get rid of the storage unit as well. Being truly a minimalist is very liberating. And having only a key to my storage unit is indeed a strange thing after having a keychain with many keys on it most of my life. Not having to worry about things is so comforting. I think your tips will help many who are considering this lifestyle. For those of you who are seriously thinking about it, my advice is to do it, give it a try! It's one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for weighing in, Jim! I'm curious: if you care to share, what kinds of things did you end up keeping and putting in the storage unit?

[@nomadjim]

@@NoraDunn I have a rack with some clothes (mainly winter clothes that I'm generally only going to wear when I am back in the wintertime), a small safe (where I keep important documents and items), my trombone (which I still plan to play from time to time in the future), and a couple large plastic bins that have items of sentimental value (like pictures, certain souvenirs, etc.). But as I mentioned, I keep whittling those things down each time I return because I realize I really don't need them, or don't have as strong as an emotional attachment to them as I thought I did. It's funny how once you decide to go minimalist that you still find yourself wanting to reduce even more. Having stuff is a weight around your neck. Reducing it to only what is really necessary is truly liberating!

[@NoraDunn]

@@nomadjim I totally agree!

[@SheSheWanders]

My house is for sale, my campervan is purchased, and now I'm dealing with getting rid of 90% of my stuff. Thanks for sharing your story! ❤

[@NoraDunn]

Wow - happy travels! What an adventure.

[@DD654-jx9kl]

Watching this video is so relying. I’m getting home soon after living 2.5 years in the US, and I accumulated a lot of things that I just want to sell, I have plans to leave my hometown after one year for at least 6 years, so I don’t want to feel that I have stuff at home. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and all of your mistakes! This is so helpful!

[@NoraDunn]

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled this video was useful!

[@JayandSarah]

6 months ago we decided to leave Canada and travel the world indefinitely. Not easy to get rid of things, but we have done it. Sold almost everything and ready to go soon enough. Thanks for sharing, we can totally relate.

[@NoraDunn]

Congrats! How exciting. Happy trails!

[@scottgreenwood5275]

Great advice Nora. I recently retired at 60 with the intent to just go travel and or revisit places and friends I've been to in the past without the thought of returning to life and crazy rents and expenses in Toronto. Cheers for that. I've been gradually been getting rid of stuff, but not quite there yet. I'm working on it, this video helps in giving me some of the direction I need.

[@NoraDunn]

I'm so glad it was helpful, Scott! Good luck in this new direction for you. Sounds fantastic!

[@scottgreenwood3924]

@@NoraDunn cheers Nora! Mabe I'll see ya around town sometime!

[@well-blazeredman6187]

I admire your bravery, Nora.

[@NoraDunn]

Ha - thanks! I was driven by a dream to see the world.

[@SilviaFernandez-kk7nh]

Great and very interesting video indeed. Love every one of your tips. My question would be, how did you support yourself during your travels?

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks! I started out as a freelance writer for various publications, and then became a content creator / website owner / KZbinr for my own publications. Since the pandemic there are SO many ways to earn a living remotely! Perhaps this article will help: www.theprofessionalhobo.com/last-minute-gifts-courses-aspiring-digital-nomads/

[@Erowid_Spark]

Your videos are so helpful and entertaining Nora! Helping me to prepare for my long term travel that begins in September! :)

[@NoraDunn]

Woohoo - coming up fast! Thank you; I'm so glad my videos are helping.

[@the-red-ghost]

Really great video hopefully one day I'll have the courage to do that

[@NoraDunn]

Woohoo! Thanks :-)

[@PapaBradAbides]

Okay last comment😂 I watch the whole video the one thing I would wear share that I've done is create a room next to my bedroom and one on the first floor and one in the basement where I put stuff that I'm keeping and putting the storage or taking with me. Once they have stuff in them I'll go through all of them again and pair them down even more. My bedroom is getting empty for sure but it's the only room in the house that has much left that isn't going to be sold or given away. I have to admit I'm going to miss my really good bed :-(

[@NoraDunn]

That's a great strategy! Thanks for sharing! And thank you for watching my video and for all your thoughtful comments. :-)

[@karmasutra4774]

The problem is if you want to buy something you might price yourself out of the market after a year or so. After what has happened the last few years it is harder to get back in with prices going up. Probably would keep my home and have someone manage it while I am gone just in case ❤

[@steven4469]

I enjoyed your video and your advice. I have spent my whole life just buying stuff. Well I buy stuff and use for awhile and then sell it. But non the less still feel the need to buy stuff. I since sold my house and downsized alot and now live in a 5th wheel as my residence. I still have lot rent but its alot cheaper then my house was. I am now wanting to get rid of all my stuff. Everything cost money, maintenance, insurance, registration and so forth. I want to bail out of the states and live abroad. Not sure where my journey will take me, but I feel a big calling to do it. I retire in January and am starting in South America as my first stop to my journey. Thanks for your help.

[@NoraDunn]

I'm glad my video helped! Good luck with this new chapter in life! I'm with you.

[@Bubs-Travels]

This was so helpful, especially the part about giving myelf time. I have sole most of my big items and now it is a ton of small items. I am fortunate that friends are going to rent my house from me since it is cheaper for them to do that than rent due to high prices. I have about 6 months left till I leave, but that could be cut short at anytime. Thanks again!

[@NoraDunn]

Glad it was helpful! Great that you have friends renting your place while you're gone too!

[@mdbenoit]

Fantastic video! I wish I'd done the same thing as a younger adult. Now I live with a packrat with an aversion to throwing anything out and I find myself falling into the same habits. Your videos have inspired me to streamline my (our) needs for travel, as we usually leave for 6 weeks at a time and usually have a home base. Thanks for your insights!

[@NoraDunn]

Wow - thanks for the comment! I'm so glad you've been inspired!

[@csgyoutubian5208]

Thank you so much for this. You are an amazing font of super-useful information-- not just for travel but living in a better way!

[@NoraDunn]

Wow - thank you so much!

[@MadeNCda]

Great video Nora, and generous of you to share tips too. I need to do a clear out of my place not because i'm going anywhere but because i hate clutter. And I've done so many fluid art paintings that I'd like to see someone actually enjoy them. Need to set a schedule and plan and just get started. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks Kate! I was listening to a podcast by an organizational expert/coach, and she said when tackling big projects like what you describe, it's about setting a timer for 30 mins (or whatever) and just getting started, rather than trying to find time to tackle the whole thing. I think it's a good strategy!

[@MadeNCda]

@NoraDunn Thanks Nora. I appreciate your reply and addtl tips very much. Hope you have a relaxing weekend!

[@LighthouseHorror]

Love this!

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks!

[@jillyinthecityoffical]

If I have to convert an appliance to use it overseas, it's probably cheaper just to buy a new one there versus shipping/bringing with and/or blowing a fuse or worse.

[@NoraDunn]

It depends on the appliance. Hair dryers are ubiquitous, so no need to drag yours along as well as the voltage converter. But a more specialized or expensive appliance could warrant the voltage converter. The last time I checked they're pretty small and affordable these days.

[@ericwilliams8374]

You are so right on.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks Eric!

[@theresamosquito8783]

Love your videos Nora. Trying to gather the courage to start my own journey similar to yours. Learning a lot from your experience. Thanks for sharing.

[@NoraDunn]

Awesome - thanks Theresa! Keep watching! More videos to come on this theme.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We put stuff in a small storage unit in case we didn’t like the full-time travel lifestyle. Going to test things out for 1 to 2 years and maybe we will sell stuff if we do stay on the road 🙂 We did sell 50% of our stuff in a garage sale and made over $1000 and donated the rest.

[@NoraDunn]

Nice! I like the hybrid approach. And how are your full-time travels going so far? Looks like you're having a pretty good time :-)

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@NoraDunn it’s a good balance! Really enjoying life on the road and feel like we found a good pace. In Romania now and enjoying our time here

[@NoraDunn]

@@HelenandTimTravel Nice! What is a good pace for you?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@NoraDunn at least a month in each country and then each location within a country at least 7 to 14 days

[@NoraDunn]

@@HelenandTimTravel Whew - even that is quite a clip! Glad it works for you though. :-)

[@PapaBradAbides]

So I'm putting family heirlooms with my brother, with the hopes that he will hold on to things for my son. I'm also giving most of my other heirlooms to my son that he wants if he doesn't want it and if my brother doesn't want it it is gone.

[@Tony.in.motion]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[@NoraDunn]

My pleasure!

[@Tony.in.motion]

@@NoraDunn My lease is up December 20th. I am bordering selling everything and taking long term travel. But your comment on making an inventory really helps put in perspective how much one needs to get rid of!

[@NoraDunn]

@@Tony.in.motion Awesome! I'm so glad it was helpful.

[@rockskipper0]

I used to travel, but now I am being a house. I have been planting a food forest for the past 5 years ... I'm bord and want to get back to the road . But I don't really know if I want to let my food forest go

[@NoraDunn]

I understand. Perhaps you can get a house-sitter to come in and take care of your forest while you travel ?

[@rockskipper0]

@@NoraDunn I'll figure something out

[@karmasutra4774]

Travel normally like a week or two here and there

[@rockskipper0]

@karmasutra4774 that's what I'm thinking

[@paulyule7413]

Many thanks, Nora, for an original and re-freshing view of life. Your purpose was to communicate this part of your life. I love podcasts of this kind. Your's makes me curious: I, for one, was careful over decades to build economic security for my retirement. For me, not having work results in poverty. You cannot have both: basic finance + security and complete freedom. Underway, you must have worked to pay basic amenities, and to not crash at an age when you cannot do much to save yourself from squalor. My experiments in your direction usually last about 4-6 weeks once or twice annually - not that that is relevant. Thanks anyway.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks Paul! Indeed, I worked and saved (a lot) for retirement in my 20s before selling everything to travel. And I have financially sustained myself ever since by earning money remotely (as well as continuing to save and invest for the future).

[@paulyule7413]

A wise decision. Naturally, one wonders how things really work. You are circumspect. Stay you! @@NoraDunn

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

I did the same. I was reminded of Jacob Marley…

[@ianwhitten]

A really useful vid, thanks!

[@NoraDunn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lydiakualapai8372]

Hi, Nora! Wonderful video. You are so inspiring to watch! Toward the end of the presentation you referenced your e-sim card as one of your two expenses. Could you share the name of your e-sim vendor? There’s so many to choose from and I don’t know where to start. 😮 All the best to you!

[@NoraDunn]

I personally use global data from Flexiroam. It's the best pricing for somebody like me who uses global data 365 days a year. The trick is to wait for their regular 80% off specials and load up on global data with long expiry dates (like 180 days). travel.flexiroam.com/shop#a_aid=professionalhobo&a_bid=11110002&chan=YT If you need an eSIM for data for a shorter time frame/trip, GetNomad is good. Easy to use, competitive rates - www.getnomad.app/?rfsn=7060947.9598e7

[@lydiakualapai8372]

@@NoraDunn Thank you! Safe travels!

[@NoraDunn]

@@lydiakualapai8372 You too!

[@PapaBradAbides]

The funniest part of this whole exchange is I shared one of your videos with my ex-wife... And now she is selling everything and planning on traveling. 😐🤦‍♀️

[@NoraDunn]

Ha ha! Thanks for sharing? Glad you inspired her 😉

[@karmasutra4774]

That's cool you still talk to each other ❤

[@sct4040]

How do you establish a permanent address for documentation? Also, you must have travel medical insurance.

[@NoraDunn]

Yes, and yes! A virtual mailbox works for your address: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4PZY4KYr9ObiJY And here's what one can do for insurance: www.theprofessionalhobo.com/best-travel-medical-insurance/

[@patlsmith404]

I noticed you had a dog....where did your baby go? That would stop me from long term trave!. Great video.💖🚄

[@NoraDunn]

Ha ha! If you're referring to the picture in the thumbnail it was a stock photo. While know people who travel full-time with their pets, it is definitely an additional hassle. Also possible to travel with kids; they just make the experience different (not speaking from experience though lol)

[@PapaBradAbides]

I have a beater car that is paid for My insurance cost $35 a month a storage unit for that car would cost 110 a month and I would park it there to have when I came back to do anything in the United States so I can drive where I need to drive. I have one bedroom with a few kitchen items that I'll be keeping in a small storage unit which is $35 a month.

[@momplusfive]

FYI, I had my storage unit broken into and they stole everything of value and insurance was a joke because I was not in that state at the time they only gave me 10% of the full value. It was more the family heirlooms that broke my heart.

[@NoraDunn]

Oh no!

[@PapaBradAbides]

I'm basically giving anything that I don't want I'm taking pictures of and having amvets pick it up then I get a tax write off. Though I am still giving a lot of things away to close friends. Thank goodness I have a son who really helps out and it's going to help take care of the family heirlooms and put things on Facebook marketplace He's great

[@NoraDunn]

Facebook marketplace is a great place to sell things these days.

[@gregperez919]

Unless it’s been discussed, I think it’s important to discuss the financial aspects of full time travel. For example, many retirees have their Social Security benefits. Some people may use a pension, and 401k savings. Others may supplement travel expenses after selling their homes and walk away with enough equity to travel with. And others, like Nora here, may supplement her income from her online presence. Using airline and hotel credit cards wisely and for their travel benefits. One also has to learn, understand and keep up with all the changing aspects of travel, from knowing when is the right time to visit a country to knowing how to shop for the best travel and transportation. You need to not mind it and even enjoy the challenges. It certainly keeps you on your toes. Lastly, I want to point out once you hit the road you will meet the most fascinating people, who in turn will find you interesting. We noticed that the majority of travelers are women of all ages and senior citizens.

[@NoraDunn]

Yes, it's very important to discuss the finance stuff! I don't get deep into finance stuff on this channel but I do so more on my website: www.theprofessionalhobo.com And yes - we meet so many amazing people on the road!

[@scottgreenwood5275]

P.S. do you think a man's packing list is generally smaller than a woman's? You don't see so many packing videos for men, but it's not necessarily easy or simple for us guys as some people may think. I thank you for adding some suggestions for men in your article.

[@NoraDunn]

Great question! I think the packing list needs are ultimately similar. Women may "need" a few extra things here and there, but fundamentally the rules are universal. For example many/most of the tips in this video can be applied for fellas as well as ladies: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anqloaenhJqbfbcsi=VekDQHllvU9GbGfo

[@user-cw1fz3ur8b]

Could / would you do the same - sell everything for travel at the age of 67? Thank you.

[@NoraDunn]

Great question! And a tough one to answer. Now, 18 years in, I am happy having a home base that I can return to whenever I like, even if it's only for a couple of months in a year. But it does cost money to maintain the base.

[@user-cw1fz3ur8b]

Hi Nora, Yes, there are always costs - rent, etc. However, I was actually referring to other aspects such as having the place looked after ... Do you have a company checking it or friend / family (safety / insurance purposes)? What should your readers know about being absent long term from their homes. Thank you!!!

[@NoraDunn]

@@user-cw1fz3ur8b Great questions! I'll try to create some content about that. I have a neighbour taking care of my place. But you could get house-sitters or home exchangers.

[@PapaBradAbides]

Any advice outside of your videos and I'm watching at this time would be greatly appreciated My biggest concern is health care.

[@NoraDunn]

You can get a global healthcare plan that follows you around the world. This video has more info, and the description (and first comment) has some links to recommended companies for international health care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWLaaaKlZ8Z-mtksi=FTETOwsLNn3ZqPFf

[@PapaBradAbides]

I really need to pick your brain I'll be watching a many of your videos This is awesome this is because this is exactly what I'm going through right this second.

[@BoninBrighton]

We had a storage unit for 12 mths after downsizing… and moving house. We couldn’t even remember what was in the boxes… we got rid of it all. What a waste of money…

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for sharing! Sorry you found the storage unit to be a waste in the end. If it's any consolation, you're not alone. It's a classic move!

[@PapaBradAbides]

That being said I'm giving away everything or selling everything I have to sell my house because it's going to cost me too much to keep going with it and I don't have the werewithal through disability and age to take care of it anymore.

[@domenicoverdone928]

Hi Nora since you are Canadian what about health care , and Canada pension , driver license , all this thing need a address ??? I'm Canadian also.

[@NoraDunn]

For many years, I used a family member's address as my "permanent residence". If that's not available or convenient, you can use a virtual mailing service. Here's some more info on all that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4PZY4KYr9ObiJYsi=o3RhpuF3pc2u2_Dy

[@CA_Doc]

How did you afford to just travel? Did you have an income from travel blogging or a a big savings account to live off of?

[@NoraDunn]

I have a remote career as a content creator (website, KZbin, etc). I started off as a freelance writer.

[@karmasutra4774]

How much money is needed to do this? Are you working on the road? Living off investments? Ty❤

[@NoraDunn]

I work remotely, and have done so for 18 years!

[@geralduy2430]

Have you travelled here to the Philippines?

[@NoraDunn]

Not yet!

[@geralduy2430]

@@NoraDunn okay I hope you can travel here someday I can give you some itinerary

[@NoraDunn]

@@geralduy2430 Thanks!

[@Mikesadventures-m2q]

What is a good international esim? I was thinking of traveling 3 months in SE Asia. I'll be in the Philippines 1st.

[@NoraDunn]

Great question! It depends a bit on where you're going and for how long. HEre's a breakdown I created (and continue to update as I discover more eSIM companies): www.theprofessionalhobo.com/finding-the-best-esim-for-international-travel-your-ultimate-guide/

[@PapaBradAbides]

This was a great post I can't believe it was 8 months ago I wish I'd caught it sooner

[@louishurr393]

The reason I sold my rental was because I didn’t own it. 😂

[@NoraDunn]

LOL!