Join the FIRE Movement & Be Free!
F.I.R.E. = Financial Independence / Retire Early
Want time and location freedom so you can retire early? Working online and earning WiFi Income is the first step to achieving that goal. Check out our Online Income eCourse to learn how easy it can be!
Guides & Articles to Help You Achieve FIRE
The FIRE Movement is a money-management philosophy that simplifies your finances and gives you a tangible savings goal to help you gain financial independence and/or retire early. It’s the third pillar of The Unconventional Life and it enables you to be truly free. Here’s a free guide to FIRE…
10 Retirement Visas with Low Income Requirements
/in Blog, Comparisons, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetHave you ever dreamed of retiring in an exotic location where the cost of living is so low you could enjoy a lavish lifestyle for a fraction of what you’d spend back home?
In a previous article, we explored 10 countries where you could live on less than $1,000/month. However, some of you commented that these countries often have retirement visa income requirements that are higher than $1,000.
So, in this article, you’re going to read about 10 countries with affordable retirement visas, having income requirements of $1350 or less per month, and several are under $1000/month! Plus, none require a hefty deposit into a local bank.
Keep in mind that these visa requirements often fluctuate. They may have changed already! The income requirements also vary based on currency exchange rates, which fluctuate quite a bit.
We highly recommend working with an immigration attorney who’s up-to-date with all the latest laws and can assist you in navigating the process.
Geographic Arbitrage: The Financial Secret to an Unconventional Life
/in Blog, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetGeographic Arbitrage isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a financial strategy that has the potential to revolutionize your lifestyle.
Rooted in the age-old economic concept of arbitrage, this practice allows you to maximize your purchasing power by living in one location while earning income from another.
In this post, we’ll explain the basics of geographic arbitrage, and explore how it can be a cornerstone for your Unconventional Life.
How We Paid Off $60K of Debt in 3 Years
/in Blog, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetHere’s an alarming statistic: nearly half of all Americans are getting sucked further and further into the whirlpool of debt.
Not too long ago, that was our story too. But today, we’re writing a very different chapter of our lives, one that’s debt free and set on another continent, far from the United States.
Wondering how we got here? Here’s our story…
Introducing FlexFIRE: A More Flexible Approach to FIRE
/in Blog, Earn Online, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetAmelia and I started following the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement around the same time we decided to sell everything we owned back in Denver and move abroad.
We found the simplicity of the FIRE philosophy to “save more, earn more, and invest more” to be easy, refreshing, and attainable.
The ultimate goal of FIRE is to achieve financial independence and leave the traditional workforce far earlier than the standard retirement age.
Live A Good Life AND Save for Retirement
/in Blog, Earn Online, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetNow that we’re in our 50’s, retirement is becoming more top-of-mind every day.
Well, maybe not “retirement” in the conventional sense because we never plan to stop working completely, but being able to afford a high quality of life in our “golden years” is a priority.
However, we don’t want to sacrifice today’s happiness for a future that may never come. “Tomorrow is not guaranteed” may be a cliche, but it’s one that guides our decision-making every day.
Almost dying has a way of changing your perspective of daily life.
That’s why this article from Entrepreneur really angered me: “What Would You Choose as a Consumer: Living a Good Life or Saving for Retirement.”
10 Best Ways to Earn Passive Income (while you sleep)
/in Blog, Earn Online, FIRE/by JP StonestreetWe used to think that passive income was a myth or at least a pipe dream. And yet, all the financial gurus shout from the rooftops about the importance of passive income streams for achieving financial freedom.
To be honest, it felt impossible to us!
But today, half of our income is from passive income. Well, actually, it’s from pseudo-passive income.
Fully passive income streams aren’t really feasible unless you already have a decent amount of money sitting around with nothing to do.
However, pseudo-passive income streams are realistic and can be incredibly profitable if you have more time than money. They’re capable of earning you hundreds or even thousands of dollars every month with minimal ongoing effort – maybe just a couple of hours per week.
So, let’s discuss passive income and talk about some strategies that you can implement to create a strong passive income flow.
7 Easy Side Hustle Ideas for 2023 (Non-Technical Skills)
/in Blog, Earn Online, FIRE/by JP StonestreetA thousand dollars a month. That’s all you need to earn from working online to completely change your life!
The side hustles in this article do NOT require technical skills so pretty much anyone can do them as long as you have a computer and a reliable internet connection.
You’ll learn how easy it is to get started doing each of these side hustles, how long it will take to hit that magic $1000 per month milestone, and how you can use that money to set yourself free and change your life forever.
Redefining Retirement: Pursue Your Passion and Live a Life with Purpose
/in Blog, Comparisons, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetFar too many people spend their entire lives working hard to make someone else rich, only to find that when they finally cross the finish line to retirement, they’re bored and aimless.
Sadly, this is the reality for many who retire, leading to deteriorating health, depression, and early death.
And now, according to recent studies, more baby boomers than ever are becoming homeless. It takes just one crisis, like a job loss or medical bills, to push someone nearing retirement onto the streets!
The traditional concept of retirement is outdated, but you can redefine your retirement to make it more fulfilling and purposeful while protecting yourself from the dire consequences of unexpected hardships.
Why Does The United States Cost so Freaking Much?!
/in Blog, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetThe cost of living in the United States is OUT OF CONTROL! Many of the things we need to live have become unaffordable for the vast majority of people. Things like food, healthcare, transportation and elder care are being charged on credit cards and driving people further into debt. It’s INSANITY!
You might not realize that the cost of living is NOT sky-high everywhere. In many countries, you can still afford to buy the things you need without breaking the bank.
How We Save $1,200/Month by Ditching a Common Expense
/in Blog, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe SLASHED more than $1200 from our monthly budget by moving abroad and ditching this common expense you can’t live without in the USA.
How To Escape Inflation (by leaving the USA)
/in Blog, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetIf you’re on a tight budget and feeling the pressure of inflation compounding an already high cost of living, you have an escape hatch at your disposal if you’re willing to do something a little unconventional.
There are several places outside the continental United States that have BOTH a lower inflation rate AND a lower cost of living. They also offer extended tourist visas and residency visas to Americans.
Can I afford to live in Ecuador on Social Security? (Quality of Life & Cost of Living Under $1500)
/in Blog, Cost of Living, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe get this question a lot: Can I live in Ecuador on my social security income? So in this video, we take a look at the most common expenses to estimate your cost of living in Ecuador.
Expat Taxes in Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetExpat taxes in Ecuador are simple as long as all of your income originates outside of Ecuador. You will need to pay the IVA on purchases, and U.S citizens have special considerations.
How We Escaped The Toxic Hamster Wheel!!! (and how you can too!)
/in Blog, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetA lot of you have asked how we escaped. How we took back control of our lives. How we paid off our debt and regained our freedom while improving our quality of life.
Be Inspired and be Whoever you Want in Ecuador! An Unconventional Origin Story…
/in Blog, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetAdventure! Romance! Entrepreneurship! Unconventional Life Choices! This video has it all!
Expat Life in Ecuador on Less Than $500/month
/in Blog, Cost of Living, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetIn this article, we’ll take a look at the typical monthly expenses you can expect to incur living in Ecuador. This is a guide to everything you need to know to make a $500 budget work well for you.
Money and Banking in Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetMoney and banking in Ecuador is similar to the United States with a few key differences. In this article, we’re going to share some tips about the best ways to transfer money to Ecuador, access your money from Ecuador and spend it once you’re here.
Expats in Ecuador from Queens NYC: A Truly Unconventional, Heartwarming & Inspiring Story!
/in Blog, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe have the great honor of sharing the inspirational and unconventional expat story of Luis and Kimberly from Soluna Sanctuary & Tea House.
Should You Retire in Ecuador?
/in Blog, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by Amelia BasistaRetirement accounts have taken a hit yet again as we enter the NEXT Great Recession (or worse). You may have never thought about living abroad before, especially this late in life. However, it may now be a serious consideration and you might be wondering if you should retire in Ecuador.
Should You Consider Living Abroad in Ecuador?
/in Blog, Ecuador, FIRE, Live Abroad/by Amelia BasistaSo, you’re considering living abroad in Ecuador? That’s a big decision!
You’ll be leaving your family, your friends and the life you’ve always known. And THAT can be terrifying! But it can also be exciting, adventurous and life changing!
If you’re unsure about living abroad or you’re trying to decide between Ecuador and another popular expat destination, the criteria we used and the reasons that led us to choose Ecuador may help you make this tough decision.