How to Escape the Toxic Hamster Wheel (like we did)

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to save for retirement? Do you dream of working remotely or retiring early? Are you feeling stuck in the toxic hamster wheel of life in the United States?

If so, you’re not alone. Many people are looking for a way out, and in this article, we’re going to share our experience and show you how to escape the toxic hamster wheel like we did.

Step 1: Take Control of Your Finances

Start your escape plan by taking control of your finances. Draw up a practical budget, scrutinize your spending, and pinpoint ways to save money. Look for opportunities to increase your income, such as starting a side gig or landing a more lucrative job.

By understanding where every dollar went and finding areas to cut back, we were able to free up more money to invest in our future. This financial mindfulness laid the cornerstone for our journey to financial independence.

Step 2: Consider Working Remotely

If you’re tired of the corporate grind, consider working remotely. Working remotely can give you more freedom and flexibility in your work schedule, allowing you to take control of your life and your finances. Plus, with advances in technology, working remotely is easier than ever before.

For the past 25 years, we’ve had remote working jobs with employers, earned online income with gigs, and now we have multiple streams of income from our YouTube channel and blog.

All combined, we earn more than 6-figures per year working a few hours per day doing what we love!

We created an eCourse to share our secrets so you can start earning online income quickly and fund a life of time and location freedom!

Step 3: Retire Early

Retiring early may seem like a pipe dream, but it’s possible if you take the right steps. This means saving aggressively, investing wisely, and living below your means.

Here’s a retire early roadmap to help you reach your goals ahead of time:

Maximize Retirement Accounts: Contribute the maximum allowable amounts to your retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s or IRAs. Take advantage of employer matches if available; it’s essentially free money.

Diversify Your Investments: Spread your investments across different asset classes, like stocks, bonds, and real estate, to mitigate risk and optimize returns. We’re huge fans of ETFs as a way to minimize risk.

Live Modestly: Keep your living expenses in check. Cut unnecessary costs, cook at home, and embrace a minimalist lifestyle. The less you spend, the more you can save.

Continuously Educate Yourself: Stay informed about financial trends and investment opportunities. The more you know, the better financial decisions you can make.

Plan for Healthcare: Ensure you have a solid plan for healthcare coverage during retirement. Medical expenses can be a significant financial burden.

By reducing our expenses, living more frugally, and continuing to save, invest, and educate ourselves, we left the hamster wheel and are living the life we’ve always dreamed of.

Step 4: Consider Moving to a Low-Cost Country

One way to make your money go further is by moving to a low-cost country. This is called Geographic Arbitrage and it may be the most effective route to an early retirement.

Countries like Ecuador, Thailand, and Mexico offer a low cost of living compared to the U.S., Canada and other high-cost countries, which means you can stretch your retirement savings further. Plus, living in a new culture can be an exciting and enriching experience.

Moving to Ecuador helped us achieve our goals so much sooner! The low cost of living and ability to create our own income streams changed our lives. We live on our terms, save for our future, all while enjoying new experiences and adventures, and we’re off that hamster wheel.

Final Thoughts…

Escaping the toxic hamster wheel and taking control of your finances requires effort, but it’s worth it. By taking control of your finances, working remotely, retiring early, and moving to a low-cost country, you can create the life you’ve always wanted.

Watch Our Video On How To Escape the Rat Race

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Amelia Basista

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I grew up in the Chicagoland area and spent most of my career working as a sales rep in the commercial lighting industry. I still work online for a company in Denver doing sales CRM administration. YouTube is my part-time gig, but I'm so happy we can share our Unconventional Life and hopefully inspire you live yours!