Ten years, 42 countries, and a spreadsheet full of every penny spent, Theo McGregor has finally answered his father‑in‑law’s favorite question: how much does a decade of early‑retirement world travel really cost? The final tally stands at $306,824 for two people. That figure covers everything from rent and groceries to excursions, local transport, and beer, about $30,000 a year on average.
Theo and his wife Ellen quit their U.S. journalism careers in 2015 and have been on the road ever since, mixing long stays in Mexico, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Their biggest single expense is housing, nearly $91,000, mostly paid through short‑term rentals. Health care reached $37,000, including treatment for Ellen’s early‑stage cancer in Croatia and a broken wrist in 2022.
During the pandemic, the pair spent over two years in the Philippines, helping local neighbors with community projects while grounded by travel restrictions. Now in their 60s and mid‑50s, they live on rental income and investment withdrawals, no pensions or Social Security yet.
Theo calls their ten‑year journey “a bargain and a blessing.” He plans to keep tracking every dollar as they roll into the next decade of slow travel, still grateful, still curious, and still raising a toast to life on the move.
My Take…
Ten years. Forty‑two countries. One epic spreadsheet. Theo McGregor finally gave his father‑in‑law the answer every traveler dreads: the grand total. “$306,824.” That’s two people, ten years, all‑in, rent, groceries, bumpy tuk‑tuks, and a heroic amount of beer. Roughly thirty grand a year. Excellent article!!!
Click on the link below for the full article:
https://www.earthvagabonds.com/what-it-cost-for-10-years-of-budget-slow-travel-in-early-retirement/
