How We Went From Empty Nesters to Full-Time Travelers
When our kids left home, we had two choices: settle into a quieter life or embrace the adventure we’d always dreamed of. Spoiler alert: we chose the latter. Full-time travel might seem like something only the ultra-wealthy can afford, but we quickly learned that with the right strategy, it’s absolutely possible to travel full time—even on a budget!
If you’re wondering how to make long-term travel work financially, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into how you can explore the world without draining your savings.
1. Turn Your Home into a Money-Making Machine
If you own a home, it’s one of your greatest assets. Instead of letting it sit empty while you travel, why not turn it into a source of income? While our original plan was to sell everything, we quickly realized we wanted (and needed!) a home base. After our first six months of full-time traveling, we decided to purchase a condo and then turned this condo into an Airbnb which helps us afford long term travel. Here’s how we recommend you do this:
Step 1: Decide Between Airbnb or Long-Term Renting
- Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals – More flexibility and potentially higher earnings, but requires frequent management.
- Long-Term Renting – More stability and fewer management needs, but less flexibility if you want to return home.
For us, Airbnb was the better choice because we could adjust our availability and charge premium rates during peak travel seasons.
Step 2: Prep Your Home for Guests
- Declutter & Secure Personal Items – Store valuables in a locked closet or off-site. We keep everything in a temperature controlled secured storage facility.
- Create a Welcoming Space – Invest in quality linens, comfy furniture, and basic amenities.
- Professional Photos Matter – Listings with high-quality images get more bookings.
Step 3: Automate the Hosting Process
- Use a local cleaning service to handle turnovers. We found an amazing service from our realtor. We are big fans of word of mouth referrals.
- Install smart locks so guests can check in without you. We chose the Eufy smart door lock. It includes a camera and we can control everything from our phone.
- Set up automated messaging for easy guest communication.
By doing this, we are able to afford full-time travel and have a great place to stay when we return home to visit friends and family.
2. Cut Down on Big Expenses While Traveling
Slow Travel = Big Savings
One of the best ways to stretch your budget is to travel slowly. Booking monthly rentals instead of short stays can slash accommodation costs by 50% or more. Plus, staying longer means deeper cultural experiences. Be sure to book a place with a kitchen so you can grocery shop and cook your own food. We have an entire article to help you pick the best place to stay HERE.
House Sitting & Home Exchanges
We have friends who have stayed in stunning homes for free by house sitting! Websites like TrustedHousesitters connect travelers with homeowners looking for pet or home care. Home exchanges are another great way to stay somewhere new without paying a dime.
Travel Hacking with Points & Miles
We fly internationally for free by using credit card points and frequent flyer miles. If you haven’t started collecting points, now is the time! We found this amazing hack to even get Delta miles from staying at Airbnbs.
3. Find Remote Income Streams to Help Afford Full-time Travel
If you want to extend your travels indefinitely, having a source of income while on the road is a game-changer.
Freelancing & Consulting
If you have skills in writing, graphic design, or marketing, sites like Upwork and Fiverr can help you earn from anywhere.
Teaching English or Online Tutoring
Platforms like VIPKid or Preply make it easy to teach online and earn extra income.
Start a Travel Blog or YouTube Channel
It takes time, but blogging (like we do at Jetset Petersons!) or vlogging can eventually generate passive income through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
4. Be Smart About Travel Costs
Use Budget Airlines & Flight Deals
Signing up for flight deal alerts (hello, JetSetClub.co!) helps us snag ridiculously cheap fares. We have flown from the U.S. to Europe for under $300 multiple times!
Cook Your Own Meals
Eating out every meal adds up fast. We love hitting up local markets and cooking simple meals to save money.
Public Transport Over Taxis
Instead of pricey Ubers, we use public transport. Many cities offer budget-friendly multi-day transit passes.
You CAN Travel Full-Time on a Budget
Long-term travel as empty nesters isn’t just for the ultra-rich. By turning your home into a source of income, cutting down travel costs, and exploring remote work opportunities, you can make full-time travel a reality without going broke.
If you found these tips helpful, let us know in the comments! And if you want to start scoring amazing flight deals, be sure to check out JetSetClub.co for exclusive discounts.
