We Spent Too Much. What do Full Time Travelers do Now?

After five years of full-time travel, we've learned that successful long-term travel isn't about spending the least amount of money—it's about having a realistic plan and the confidence to stick to it. Last year, we exceeded our annual budget by 4%, so in this video, we're sharing exactly how we're building our annual travel budget for the next 12 months and why budgeting has been one of the most important tools in helping us travel the world full-time. We'll walk through the budgeting principles we use every year: ✔ Using past spending to predict future costs ✔ Estimating expenses based on travel plans already booked ✔ Building flexibility into the budget for surprises ✔ Maintaining an emergency fund separate from our travel budget ✔ Understanding that monthly spending fluctuates while annual goals matter most ✔ Using credit card points and travel rewards to reduce costs ✔ Choosing economy travel when it aligns with our priorities ✔ Staying aligned as a couple when making travel decisions We also discuss why budgeting doesn't have to create stress or limit adventure. For us, a budget isn't about saying "no" to experiences—it's about making informed choices and turning travel planning into a game where we challenge ourselves to stay close to our goals while remaining open to unexpected opportunities. Whether you're planning retirement travel, considering full-time travel, becoming a digital nomad, or simply looking for a better way to manage your travel finances, we hope our approach helps you create a sustainable travel lifestyle that works for you. If you've ever wondered: • How much money do you need for full-time travel? • How do long-term travelers create a realistic budget? • How can couples manage travel finances together? • How do you account for inflation and unexpected expenses? • Can you stay on budget without sacrificing adventure? Hey Travelers! We're Chris and Steve, a retired couple traveling full-time around the globe. To keep our nomadic lifestyle going, we rely on some amazing resources and partnerships. We're excited to share them with you, along with some exclusive discounts to fuel your own travels! Please take a look at our favorite products Our Carry-ons: Discover our Osprey Transporter Wheeled 40 https://osprey.pxf.io/ospreywheeled40x Our insurance. We use Mondial and/or Genki https://api.mondialcare.eu/assistant-... https://genki.world/with/eatwalklearn Get Great Cell Phone Data for Cheap: We love Flexiroam, and use it around the world. Get your data plan here. https://flexiroamlimited.sjv.io/EatWa... Fuel Your Wanderlust Books: Grab our books, "Two Carry-Ons and a Plan" and “A Nomad Life” for expert tips on minimalist travel https://amzn.to/3IupCEH). Trusted Housesitters: Learn how to house sit with Trusted Housesitters, stay for free around the world, and get 25% off (https://trustedhousesitters.pxf.io/Ea.... Booking Made Easy: Find great deals on hotels and long-term stays with Booking.com. Bookmark our link for great deals! (https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm.... Buy Us a Coffee! Support us with a virtual coffee on Paypal (https://paypal.me/eatwalklearn) or Venmo (@chrisengl). Travel on Rewards: Earn travel insurance and points with our recommended credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred (https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6j.... ► Grab a freebie!: FREE TO DO LIST: The Nomad ToDo List: A Timeline for Everything You Need to Do Before Launching Your Nomad Life. (https://eatwalklearn.substack.com/sub...) FREE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER https://eatwalklearn.substack.com/sub...) FREE PACKING LIST (https:///www.amazon.com/shop/eatwalklearn) Leave a comment below! What are your favorite travel resources and tips? Not Sponsored! We genuinely love these products and services, and hope you find them helpful too. Our videos are not sponsored, but our links above are affiliate links. When you click on them, we get a small commission at no cost to you. Contact Us: For business inquiries, email us at [email protected]. Disclaimer: This channel does not promote illegal activities. All content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. We use affiliate links throughout our descriptions. By clicking on our links, we receive a small commission for what you buy, and it doesn’t cost you anything more to use them. You might even get a discount. Thanks for Watching! #FullTimeTravel #TravelBudget #RetirementTravel #SlowTravel #TravelTheWorld #LongTermTravel #BudgetTravel #DigitalNomad #TravelPlanning #TravelCouple #RetireAndTravel #FinancialFreedom #TravelLifestyle #NomadLife #TravelTips #TravelHacks #LocationIndependent #WorldTravel #TravelFinance #FullTimeTraveler