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.

Asking for Advice - Traveling with Children

Q and A with a Reader

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Hello there, Billy and Akaisha!

How are you doing?

I just came across your interview with the Mad Fientist, and I really identified myself with your lifestyle. "Perpetual travel" is what I really aim in life, and I'm working on my savings and investments to become financially independent, hopefully in 2026 or 2027. I'm from Brazil. I'm 40 years old, single, but now engaged with my 30 year old girlfriend.

The problem is, unlike me, she does want to have a kid. And although that may not be an obstacle to financial independence (as you show in your website, interviewing some families), I think it may really complicate the "perpetual travel" part.

The Lozano Family who travel

I think traveling the world is not so important to my fiancée as it is to me. Her dream is to have a family, just like everyone else... Anyway, I love her very much.

So, if I may ask you... do you think it's possible to make my dream and hers compatible? Do you know any couples with kids who travel like you do? Does it take a lot more savings to do what you do with a child?

Any piece of advice will be greatly appreciated.

Your story inspired me so much! I've always had this feeling that regular life - buying stuff and paying bills - doesn't make any sense!

Thank you!

Ronaldo

Johnsrud Family at Glacier National Park

Hi Ronaldo,

Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to write.

Regarding your question about having children and traveling the world, yes it can be done!

I think the "secret" is to involve both your wife and your child. Traveling the world is one of the best educations a child can receive.

We have found that the children of traveling parents are usually better behaved, have a more open mind regarding food, can speak more than one language, and have an understanding of the world that other children who only stay in their one neighborhood can have.

If you present this scenario to your wife, and explain to her the benefits for the child, she might get on board. It's not fair that one person has to give up their dreams for the other, so the goal is to blend the dreams. 

Another "trick" is to learn to develop stability while in motion. Think of an ice skater. They zip all over the ice but they have their own sense of stability while they are moving, dancing and jumping. Stability does not mean never moving, never changing, and always being predictable.

When a child learns this kind of flexibility - and confidence in themselves - then when they get out into the world, they are able to handle Change easier. This is another benefit of giving your child a world vision. Things are done differently all over the world. There is no particular one right way when it comes to living your life.  

You might take a look below at these interviews of people with families who have retired early and/or who travel. I am POSITIVE that there are more people like this. You might even look up wandering families on the internet!

Kalli and Jacob with their son

Kelvin and Annalisa Lozano are slow traveling the world with their young son, Elio. In their early 30s, Kelvin and Annalisa jumped off the Corporate working world hamster wheel and dove into this nomadic lifestyle. If you have ever wondered if you could travel the world as a family, read this wonderfully authentic interview.

Interview with Jillian Johnsrud Billy and I were intrigued by this FIRE story for two reasons. One, Jillian and her husband, Adam decided early on to focus on the goal of financial independence together, and two, they are doing this while raising their five children.  

Portable Professionals Impressed with this young couple's travel resume and joie de vivre, we asked that they tell our readers about their location independent living style.

Living Deliberately; A Family in Motion This family is on a mission; one focused on discovery, expansion, learning and finding out what it means to be a human being in an inter-country exchange that began in...

I hope these stories keep your dreams alive!

Thanks again for writing and do keep in touch.

Akaisha and Billy  

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.

HOME   Book Store

Retire Early Lifestyle Blog      About Billy & Akaisha Kaderli      Press     Contact     20 Questions     Preferred Links    

Retirement     Country Info     Retiree Interviews      Commentary     REL Videos