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.

Unveiling the Secret: How You Too Can Travel the World

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Many travelers dream of a life on the road, just like Billy and Akaisha Kaderli. But the question lingers: how do they afford it all?

This conversation starter sparks curiosity in fellow adventurers, turning cafes and restaurants into hubs for travel knowledge exchange. Seasoned travelers share hidden gems, must-see destinations, and insider tips, creating a vibrant travel community.

Cracking the Code: Building Your Travel Fund

The answer to the affordability question is often met with a wistful "I wish..." But Billy and Akaisha believe otherwise. They advocate for creating your own "personal money machine" through smart investing. This approach empowers you to build your travel fund and turn your travel dreams into reality.

Stylin' in Otavalo, Ecuador

Our adventures around the world allow us to interact with many younger travelers in cafes and restaurants. Travelers are a great source of information about where they have been, places to stay and where to avoid. Things to do and the best way to get to a destination are often the topics of conversation.

Many times we are asked about how we can afford to travel for so long and then there’s the predictable wistful response: “I wish I could do what you’re doing.”

That’s when I tell them they can.

Creating a Money Machine

I explain in simple terms about investing and how they can create their own pension or annuity or as I like to call it a "personal money machine." It is right about now when their eyes glaze over like they are speaking with their crazy uncle at a Thanksgiving Dinner.

I bring their attention back by saying they have something that I do not have; time. Usually I get a nod and a blank stare. I go on and ask if they know what “compounding” is. More often than not, they do not have a clue. These are college grads or they are taking a break from school to pursue their traveling bug. But to my surprise they do not understand the concept of compounding, which, in my opinion, is the easiest way to build wealth.

According to Investopedia, the definition of compounding is “the ability of an asset to generate earnings, which are then reinvested in order to generate their own earnings. In other words, compounding refers to generating earnings from previous earnings.”

Bingo!

Sweet simplicity.

The earlier these “kids” get started investing, the more financially independent and self-sufficient they will be and sooner rather than later. Time is on their side. It takes very little to open an online brokerage account buying shares in VTI, (Vanguard total stock market Index) or SPY (Standard and Poor 500 Index). Fees to purchase shares have never been lower nor has it been more convenient.

From the year I was born, the “average” return for the S&P 500 Index has been 10.94 % to the end of 2023. One Dollar invested grew to $1,585.51, which is a fantastic return for letting money work for you, the investor. Imagine if I would have had just $1,000 invested the year I was born. It would be worth $1,585,510.00 today without adding another cent. Amazing! Your mileage may vary and you can check here, but the important thing is for this younger generation to get started now and take advantage of the power of compounding.

We created our own money machine before we retired early in 1991 and we were 38 at the time, older than these young travelers with whom I am speaking. Yet we knew we still had many years for our investments to grow thereby allowing the market to work for us while we traveled the globe.

The compounding effect on their early-in-life investments will pay them dividends far into the future and can become their solid foundation for retirement. If there was one thing I could convince them of, it would be to start investing now, take control of their financial future and build their own money machine.

What's Your Number? - How much money do you need to retire?

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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