How We Afford to Travel in Our 40s (and on a Budget!)
Mar 24, 2025
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The Big Leap: From Stability to Adventure
Will has been working remotely since 2019—without that, what we’re doing now would have been practically impossible. Back in Austria, I had an on-site job, which I quit when we crunched the numbers and realised that between Will’s income and our YouTube earnings, we could make it work. So, off we went with a one-way ticket to Réunion Island!
Budgeting While Living in Paradise
Our approach to budgeting is simple: try to spend the same on accommodation as we did on rent back home. Easier said than done when you're in paradise! Obviously, this depends on the locations you visit. We use Booking.com or Airbnb and often message hosts directly to ask if they offer discounts for longer stays. Not everyone says yes, but when they do, we both save on fees, and hosts typically give 10–30% off. Win-win!
The Costs We Ditched When We Sold Everything
When you sell most of your belongings and have no permanent home, a surprising number of expenses disappear:
No utility bills
No internet or random subscriptions
No car expenses (we sold our campervan!)
No property-related costs (no rent deposits, maintenance, or repairs!)
House & Pet Sitting: A Hidden Gem - Travelling on a Budget
One of our best finds was through Facebook—house & pet sitting! While in Réunion, we landed a dream deal: a couple heading to Australia for three months needed someone to house & dog sit. In exchange, they offered us their gorgeous two-bedroom house with a stunning ocean view and we got to see the sunset every single evening for just 500€/month. Absolute steal!
Getting Around: Ditching the Car, Embracing the Walk
Another major money-saver? Not always having a car. In Réunion, we rented a car twice for a week at a time, squeezing in all our road trips. In Trou aux Biches, Mauritius, we lived within a 1km radius of the beach and shops, meaning everything was walkable. Sure, we do a lot more walking now, but honestly, it’s been great for our fitness (and our wallets!). When we do need a car, we rent it for a weekend and cram in as many adventures as possible.
Our Daily Routine: Making It Work
Right now, Will’s work schedule is shifted by four hours due to time zone differences. He starts at noon and finishes around 8:30 PM. That gives us mornings for beach swims, long walks, or hikes—because by afternoon, it's too hot for anything other than lying in the shade and typing away (like I’m doing right now!).
Can You Actually Save Money While Traveling? YES!
Shockingly, after four months of full-time travel, we’re actually saving around 500€/month—something we could never manage back in Austria!
The Reality of Income: YouTube is… Not Great
Now, here’s the part where things get real. YouTube has halved our income. Last summer, we were earning between 300–400€/month, and now? Less than 150€/month. Ouch. We had hoped our yoga channel would keep growing, but right now, it’s slowly dying. That led me to a tough decision: stay stuck in what wasn’t working or pivot toward something new?
Job Hunting in Mauritius
With no intention of returning to Europe, I applied to yoga studios here. Out of 10 emails, three responded with job offers! But in the end, I turned them down because we didn’t love Grand Baie in the north. The south of Mauritius suits us much better.
Still, facing financial uncertainty was scary. I had some dark months of self-doubt, wondering what to do next.
Transitioning to Remote Work: A New Chapter
In the end, I decided to explore remote work. There are SO many online job platforms, and trust me, there are plenty of opportunities out there. If you’re reading this and dreaming of full-time travel, start by asking your current employer if remote work is an option. You’d be surprised—some of my friends did this, and now one is road-tripping across New Zealand in a camper, while another is cycling through South America!
Since YouTube alone isn’t sustainable, I’m now focusing on writing blogs and articles for digital travel and nature magazines. Making the shift wasn’t easy—yoga has been my life for so long. Helping people find their way to a more mindful life has been a blessing, and I’ve been deeply touched by all your beautiful stories. But, as the saying goes, I can’t live off thin air!
I’ll still upload yoga classes on YouTube, just not weekly. Patreon is still going strong with over 20 exclusive classes, but neither platform is enough to rely on as a primary income source.
Monetising Nature & Travel Content
Moving into nature/travel photography and blogging opens new doors. Right now, I’m:
Writing weekly blogs
Uploading photography to my website and Instagram
Applying for travel writer/editor positions
Crossing my fingers that some travel businesses might fund parts of future trips!
Lessons from the Road: Minimalism & Conscious Spending
Through yoga, I’ve learned that we don’t need nearly as much stuff as we think. Will and I travel with just three suitcases—one for filming gear, Will's laptop and my Mac, and two for personal belongings. And honestly? Even that feels like too much! After a few months on the road, you naturally start shedding about 30% of what you initially packed.
Another game-changer? Conscious spending. We eat where locals eat. In Mauritius, you can get an amazing meal for 2€ for both of us! Compare that to 50€ at a tourist restaurant (been there, made that mistake). Lesson learned.
Slow Travel: The Secret to Affordability
Mauritius allows visa extensions for up to six months, which means two or three trips to immigration in Port Louis, but it’s worth it. Slow travel not only lets us truly experience a place but also saves us money and when travelling on a budget every little penny saved is a plus. By staying longer, we find better accommodation deals, live more like locals and don't need to fly so often, reducing costs.
And here’s my biggest tip: Talk to locals! Seriously. Some of our best experiences have come from local connections, not fellow Europeans. People are generally happy to help, and you’ll discover things you’d never find in a guidebook.
Final Thoughts
And that’s how we afford to travel in our 40s! If you have questions or want to share your own experiences, I’d love to hear from you. Cheerio for now! ✨
