Leaving the U.S. to travel full-time with my kids wasn’t some spontaneous decision. It was years in the making. I was burned out. Tired of living paycheck to paycheck, chasing a sense of stability that always felt out of reach. I kept thinking, what if life didn’t have to look like this?
I wanted more for my kids than just weekends and overpacked holidays. I wanted time. Experiences. A different pace. I wanted them to see the world for themselves—not just read about it in textbooks.
I didn’t come from money. I didn’t have a safety net. What I had was the decision to stop waiting for the perfect moment and build something better with what I had.
Here’s how I got started traveling full-time as a single mom on a very real budget—and how you can too, even if it feels impossible right now.
Leaving the 9-to-5 Behind
I used to think stability meant a job, a routine, a fixed address. But the deeper I got into that cycle, the more trapped I felt. I barely saw my kids between work and obligations, and I wasn’t showing them the version of life I wanted them to believe was possible.
So I made a plan. I sold what we didn’t need. I started stacking money every way I could. I simplified our lifestyle. I read everything I could find about long-term travel, digital income, and parenting on the road. And then I booked the first one-way ticket.
That moment changed everything.
How I Fund Full-Time Travel on a Budget
Travel Hacking with the Chase Sapphire Preferred®
One of the first steps I took was signing up for a travel rewards card. I still use the Chase Sapphire Preferred® today because it’s one of the best tools I’ve found to stretch my travel budget.
It helps me earn points on everyday spending, and those points turn into flights and hotel stays. The sign-up bonus alone was enough to cover two roundtrip tickets. Since then, I’ve used points for flights across Asia and hotels in major cities, all without paying out of pocket.
This card isn’t just about perks. It’s about access and flexibility, which matter when you’re moving around often.
Choosing Places Where My Money Stretches
I didn’t start in Europe or Australia. I chose Southeast Asia because the cost of living is lower, and the quality of life is high. We’ve been able to live comfortably in places like Thailand and Vietnam for a fraction of what I used to spend back home on rent alone.
In places where meals cost $2 and a nice apartment is under $700 a month, your dollar goes a lot further. That gives me the room to invest in occasional splurges—like Disneyland in Shanghai or a fancy brunch—without guilt.
Working Online
My income comes from multiple streams now, but I started with one step. I launched an Etsy shop with digital products. I built a blog. I shared on YouTube and social media. Little by little, it grew.
There was no big launch. Just consistency. Some months are tight, others are generous. But I’m not dependent on one employer, and that freedom means everything.
Staying Safe and Connected on the Road
When you travel full-time, especially with kids, your devices become your lifeline. I use Surfshark VPN to stay connected, protect my data on public Wi-Fi, and access important websites when I’m in countries with restricted internet.
It’s not just about watching Netflix abroad. It’s about being able to handle banking, school resources, and work without worrying about security or censorship.
What It’s Really Like
This isn’t some picture-perfect lifestyle. It’s real, and it comes with challenges—language barriers, visa runs, homesickness, logistical puzzles. But the freedom, the time with my kids, and the growth we’ve all experienced make it worth every hard moment.
We’ve learned to adapt fast, to live with less, and to value what actually matters. My daughter isn’t learning about the world from a textbook—she’s living it.
Want to Travel Too?
If you’ve been thinking about building a life of freedom, travel, and purpose, my upcoming ebook will walk you through the exact mindset shifts and practical steps I took to go from stuck to global.
It’s not free, but it will be worth it. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned—saving tips, income ideas, how to plan your first long-term trip, and what nobody tells you about this lifestyle.
Stay tuned. The ebook is coming soon.
Join my email list and you’ll be the first to know when it drops.
Sign up here to get early access and updates
Travel Tools I Actually Use
Credit card: Chase Sapphire Preferred®
VPN: Surfshark
Flight search: Skyscanner, Chase Travel Portal
Accommodation: Agoda, Booking.com, long-term stays via local groups or Facebook
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to wait until your kids are grown. You don’t need a massive savings account. You need a plan, the right tools, and the courage to take that first step.
If you’re dreaming of a different life, I’m here to tell you it’s possible. I’ve lived it. I’m still living it.
Stay connected. This is just the beginning.
