Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

An American retiree spent $18,807 on cancer treatment abroad. She said medical tourism saved her money and stress.
By Allie Kelly

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

For more information, pricing and perspectives on my Stage Three Breast Cancer journey, click here

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli travel the world in retirement. When Akaisha was diagnosed with breast cancer, they sought treatment abroad.

Akaisha and Billy Kaderli retired early to travel the world.

When Akaisha was diagnosed with cancer, the couple sought affordable treatment in Mexico, Vietnam, and Thailand. 

They aren't alone: Rising US healthcare costs have pushed some Americans toward medical tourism.

When Akaisha Kaderli was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer while traveling the world with her husband, Billy, the couple had to make a decision.

They could give up the nomadic lifestyle they'd been living for more than 30 years and travel back to the US to navigate treatment through Medicare Advantage. Or they could pay out of pocket for healthcare abroad. They chose the latter, and Billy said he never left his wife's side.

"She was a trooper about it," he said. "I watched her every night and every morning."

The early retirees said their jet-setting "isn't a vacation, it's a lifestyle." Before Akaisha's diagnosis, they spent most of their days trying new cuisines in Southeast Asia and lounging on Italian beaches. 

A serious medical diagnosis can derail careful retirement planning. Business Insider has heard from dozens of older Americans who spent their 401(k) savings on medical bills, went into debt, or returned to work so they could afford care. For older people with limited savings who primarily rely on Social Security, the cost of unexpected doctors' visits and prescriptions can be devastating.  

As healthcare costs continue to climb in the US, some Americans are opting for "medical tourism." Whether it's for elective procedures or lifesaving treatment, people like the Kaderlis are looking for ways to afford healthcare without breaking the bank. While data is limited, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that millions of Americans seek healthcare in another country every year, most commonly in Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. 

 "We're 72 and we've had a great life," Akaisha said. "I'm not looking to die, but I wasn't going to spend my money on hospitals and drugs."

Akaisha Kaderli received breast cancer treatment in Mexico and Southeast Asia.

The Kaderlis sought cancer treatment abroad to save money

The Kaderlis said they were early adopters of the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement and have continued to maintain wealth through long-term investments and low-budget living. Before retiring in their late 30s, Akaisha ran a restaurant while Billy held jobs as a chef and in a brokerage firm. They invested most of their money in the S&P 500 and, when they stopped working, began traveling — often living for months at a time in countries with a low cost of living.   

The Kaderlis said they kept an American health insurance plan through their mid-50s so they could receive care in the US if they needed it. Most US-based insurance doesn't work abroad, and Kaderlis kept the plan as a safety net for any serious medical needs. They later enrolled in Medicare Advantage around the time they qualified for Social Security at age 62.

But when Akaisha was diagnosed with cancer, the couple said they quickly decided to avoid the American healthcare system. They don't know exactly what cancer treatment would have cost them in the US with Medicare, but Billy said he's confident the choice saved them money, and it "would have taken much longer to go through all the hoops" of finding in-network providers. Stage 3 breast cancer treatment in the US typically costs over $100,000 — and even patients with insurance can be left with steep bills to pay.

For a total of $18,807 out of pocket, Akaisha received diagnostic testing in Thailand, follow-up exams in Vietnam, mastectomy surgery and radiation in Mexico, and some recovery care in the West Indies. Her treatment regimen lasted a few months from the day of her diagnosis. 

"I wanted to live my life, and so I took the cheapest option," Akaisha said. "This is the option we would have taken anyway, but I don't like the idea of spending $100,000 or $200,000 on a medical procedure when I can get a wonderful type of care for $20,000."

Now, Akaisha is done with her treatment and is recovering. She and Billy don't plan to slow down their travel anytime soon: They're living in Arizona for a while before spending the summer in Mexico and Thailand, the colder months in the Caribbean, and the spring in the Mediterranean. 

"It just gets better and better," Akaisha said. "This is the life we were meant to live." 

For more information, pricing and perspectives on my Stage Three Breast Cancer journey, click here.

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Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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