Costs of a Perpetual Traveller Lifestyle?

[MJ]

Akaisha, thanks for your wonderful and frank reply regarding single PT.
It's a pleasure reading the opinions and experiences of others like yourself that give someone like myself further support that my ER PT lifestyle can be successful and rewarding. Just 7 to 8 months to go. Seems like a lifetime.

For those of us with questions, some of them can be answers from Akaisha/Billy's website.
It also has photographs of Billy and beautiful Akaisha.

http://www.geocities.com/ba264/20questions.htm


Cheers.

MJ

[Billy]

Hi guys,
We will try to answer your questions, but most are covered on our web-site www.geocities.com/ba264

Regarding living in a low cost high amenity locale, take a look at RV Resorts. They usually have low annual rates, with a ton of amenities. We like to enjoy the amenities WITHOUT the maintenance. Pools, spa, tennis, billiards, cards, library, club house, workout rooms, computer rooms with high speed and WiFi access, craft rooms, and shuffleboard for when we get older. And you meet some interesting travelers and adventurous folks. We have seen them with golf courses and baseball diamonds with electronic scoreboards, well just about anything you might want for your active new lifestyle.

No, you do not have to own an RV. Many places have what are called park models that can be bought or rented. (caution, they do not increase in value, at least that has been our experience, so we call them throw away housing. )

We discovered these places while RV'ing, and are currently basing in the southwest.

Regarding rentals etc. in far away lands, take a look at popular guide books to get started, then once there, ask around about longer term rentals. Everybody knows someone with a place to rent. For the most part, the stuff listed on the internet tends to be higher prices, so do not let that stop you. Plus, we like to see the place and the location before deciding.

Flights can eat up $$$$ so plan well. Or take local buses. They are almost always inexpensive. Another choice is to buy multi-stop or around the world tickets. And don't forget to sign up for miles programs.

Follow your dreams,
Billy & Akaisha
Website www.geocities.com/ba264

[unclemick]

One of my doughnut shop cohorts - retired motor pool sargent - WHO doesn't own a car - lives in the 'permanent' section of an RV park in a mobile home. Can't make up his mind to stay local or spent his extra cash on a small RV.

The park has all the usual stuff - plus shuttles to the French Quarter, Casino's, Airport, and several Eco - swamp tours.

His new neighbor is retired Air Force - which I think he enjoys feuding with - IMHO.

[MJ]

Quote:

Regarding living in a low cost high amenity locale, take a look at RV Resorts. They usually have low annual rates, with a ton of amenities. We like to enjoy the amenities WITHOUT the maintenance.

Hi Billy,
Is the quote from your web page below describe the RV resorts above.

Quote:

DO YOU OWN A HOUSE? We have a low maintenance, high amenity humble abode. This comfortable place in an adult resort community satisfies our needs completely when we are in the States.

[Billy]

Hi Surfs Up,

Billy and I "allow" ourselves $2,000 a month for
expenses - sometimes we are over, sometimes we are under. This includes all airfare, health insurance, rents, car repairs and so on. One thing we learned was that over time, this averages out. We are going on 14 years of data, (4965 days) and over that span, our expenses are $56.14 per day.

We own a small place in a resort area, with an older vehicle, that we put on "storage status" insurance rate when we travel for lengthy periods. We don't use our vehicle much, as we enjoy walking, sometimes even to the grocery store, using a small backpack to bring items back.

Since we used to own a restaurant, we love cooking for ourselves (and do so quite excellently, I might add) so we are foodies, and it is a form of entertainment for ourselves. We live a simple life with simple pleasure,
and we love it.

I am an artist of sorts, so hours are often spent in creative time, we get books from the library, or read online. We take photographs while traveling, and that takes creative time as well. And we both play tennis, a fabulous, inexpensive sport, with lightweight equipment that we often take with us to foreign countries. A great way to meet locals!

Often, while in the States, we will visit with family and friends (on both east and west coasts) so this mixes it up for us, gives us alternatives for places to stay, and meeting people. When in foreign countries we do
apartments instead of hotels whenever possible, pay monthly rents instead of weekly, and weekly instead of daily - you get the idea. We are not tourists, we become locals.

We don't bother to buy name brand clothing, don't have high priced toys, and our needs are simple. We travel, we enjoy each other's company, we have friends, we eat well, we exercise. We take local transport whenever possible, walk, have a friend pick us up and donate gas $$.

We are not on a budget, but we do monitor our expenses. We're both kind of "nerdy", so we love numbers, and I can pull up a report in moments on what our food, housing, or travel expenses in any town have been.

Hey, it works for us! And it really is fun and satisfying. I hope this helps!

The best to you all ways,
Akaisha
Website www.geocities.com/ba264

[ShokWaveRider]

Akaisha:

You mention a small place in a resort. (Southwest where?) Can you elaborate? Where abouts did you choose and what do you classify as small? (Do you own a RV or a manufactured home?)

SWR

[Hyperborea]

Akaisha,

Again thank you for the information. It's one thing to plan for it and another to hear from someone who's done it/doing it.

How did the costs work out compared to your expectations? When you were planning pre-FIRE were you estimating more or less than you actually spend? Anything that came up in PT FIRE that wasn't what you expected? Have your costs over the years been rising with inflation, decreasing as you get better at finding bargains, or staying even perhaps with both factors cancelling out?

Thanks again

[Surfs_Up]

Hyperborea,
Thanks for the links.....I'll check out your findings. The PPO plan I'm looking into covers generic drugs.

Surfs Up

[Surfs_Up]

Akaisha,
Excellent post, thank you !! Its great to see historical data from someone has been there done that. I spent 9 months in SE Asia (Thailand, Loas, Malaysia, Indonesia) in 99..... and spent 5 months in Central America this year (Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador)....so I'm starting to get a feel for what the PT lifestyle is like. Next up is Mexico and South America.

I travel with 1-2 surfboards...a tennis racket would be easier! I like that idea. But surfing is my biggest passion right now.... and brings me to beautiful exotic.
inexpensive locations. When I was in Indonesia (for 4 months) I spent $300-$400 a month (for everything) to stay in huts on the beach and surf many of the best waves on the planet.....fresh fish every day that the fisherman brought by, beer, fresh out of the oven coconut rolls....glad I went when I did though...A little more unstable now since 911 and the Bali bombings.....but I would go back.

I agree with your philosophy that the simple things in life bring the most pleasure.

Best,

Surfs Up

[larry]

Lots of info on the perpetual travelling lifestyle at

http://bootsnall.com

They've got forums and articles about the fine art of vagabonding.

[Lancelot]

I'll throw my 2 baht in...

I'm a single ER PT, but I've lived in Thailand for the past 19 months. My budget is $1,000 per month and I'm usually underbudget on a 12 month rolling average.

Since I intend to remain outside the US, I "roll the dice" with respect to health insurance. One of the guys in my apartment building spent a week in Phayathai Hospital (Bangkok) intensive care ward-the total bill was $1,000 US. Private room, tv, etc. (He told me the ailment, but I've forgotten.) If I were going to spend any time in the US, I would opt for a high deductable plan like Billy & Akaisha do.

Sure, you can meet a lady here, but bar girls are best avoided. Their "job" is to seperate you from your money. Believe me, there are many decent, respectable and trustworthy ladies interested in having a "farang" (foreign) boyfriend.

Everyone is different, but I love the freedom that comes with pt'ing. For me, no material posession(s) is/are worth my freedom.

Jus one guy's opinion.

Lance

[Surfs_Up]

Lance,
I'm joining the PT lifestyle next week.....traveling and surfing in Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua. I have budgeted $16K per year excluding flights...I have loads of frequent flyer miles.

How does your $1000 per month budget breakout for the past 18 months.....food, lodging, beer, entertainment, massage...? Just curious. I spent 9 months in SE Asia in 99 and loved it (Thailand, Loas, Malaysia, Indonesia). I plan on returning to SE Asia!

Best,
Surfs Up

[notTwain]

Just a note that I have been checking out the following site for the expat's info on living in Thailand.

http://bkktonite.com/cgi-bin/forum/index.cgi

If you check out the living and money matters sections it does agree well with what lance professes. my cheers go out to lance. I'd also recommend a candid review of living there by the stickman - weekly reviews and lots of up to date stories.

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/

Surf - please keep us posted on your adventures ... did you say in a week - I do envy your spirit. I'm torturously putting in a few more days or weeks - what for? just another tier of security but then again - when I called my GF that I was was giving my letter of resignation 3 weeks ago, she calmed me saying just chill. How did you make that cut?

Lance, I'm also interested in your budget over there. Amazing you chill with a fan - did your blood adjust to the weather? I love the winter seasons over there, and my plans are early fall ski season in Colorado then mid-winter trips to Thailand. Damn ... I'm dreaming already and not even in bed yet for another drudge at the office tommorow. You're already living the dream.

notTwain

[Surfs_Up]

NotTwain,
Yes, I'm heading to Mexico next week, then South America, Central America.....I'll post when I can from the road. It does take awhile to get everything setup....health insurance, online banking, selling and donating everything.

I would say PT mental preparation is important....you can assume that just about everyone you know will not understand why (or how) you've decided to become a PT. Read Terhorsts book/website and Billys website for some excellent advice. It's a lifestyle that few people would like, but I love it....definetly not for the everyone.

Best of luck,

Surf

[Lancelot]

Twain + Surf's up,

Go for it guys!!!

For me, I was ready to make a change, I had an opportunity to work in south Asia for 14 months and I downsized my stuff before I left the good old US of A. i discovered that I actually enjoy living with less stuff....

I visited Thailand five times in 14 months, so I decided that this was the place for me... Before living in asia, I was planning on retiring to Mexico...

Yep. $1,000 US per month, no el problemo. And Stickman is THE GUY for everyday advise about iving in Thailand.

I spend about 25% on rent, 30% on "Recreation" and 45% other...... (food, groceries, books, newspapers, transportation...)

All the best guys!

Lance

[MJ]

Hey Sir Lance,

Do you mind sharing where in Thailand you hang your hat?

MJ

[Lancelot]

Hey MJ!

I live in central Bangkok, near the "Victory Monument" area. Easy to ride the "Sky Train" (elevated train), get a bus or walk to many places...

I live on the same floor the pool is located on, so I spend alot of time hanging out there.

All the best,

Lance

[ShokWaveRider]

Hi:

Lance:

If I/we was to visit BKK for 1 - 5 months. Where would you recommend is a good place to stay? Monthly rates, furnished, inexpensive. Do they have a website? Average expected monthly outlay for accommodation? Hopefully you get the idea of my question.

SWR

[Billy]

SWR,
Get a popular guide book from your local library, and find two or three options to get you through the first week or so.

Once there, the many local tourist magazines have a ton of apart/hotels for longer term stay. Who knows, you may just some one with a great suggestion.

You may not want to stay in BKK? Then again you might. We tend to get out of BKK for Chiang Mai, but Lance has a great set up there, so it's just a matter of choice.

Good luck to you,
Billy
Web-site www.geocities.com/ba264

Hey SWR,

I live at VP Tower in central Bangkok. Web site http://www.vptower.com/

I pay about 11,500 THB per month (around
$288 per month us. They have a "hotel" on the 16 and 17th floors and you can rent by the week (or day I think)

I paid two months deposit and one month in advance, so it cost me about $900 US to move in. I also signed a four month contract, after that, renting month by month. There is a good mix of US and european expats living here along with Thais, Japanese and a few Indians. i love it here....

Long ago, one old Asia hand told me that one needed about 20,000 THB ($500) each month after paying "fixed" expenses, like rent, insurance, etc. I have found that to be true, so it gives you a rough idea of your monthly budget in Thailand.

All the best,

Lance