Sharon Gourlay shared her blogger career/lifestyle financial details here 2016. Now in 2019, she’s kind of a big deal, so I asked her to give us an update. Read on for this unique comparison of her lifestyle and business in 2016 and 2019!
Financial Case Studies
Feeling voyeuristic? Want to hack into the lives and lifestyles of other travelers and see how they make a go of traveling as a lifestyle? Well then, these financial case studies are for you!
In this financial case studies series, I feature fellow full-time travelers who are making ends meet on the road with their portable career. There's a huge range of careers, incomes, and lifestyles out there; an ever-growing amount as more and more people embrace the nomadic lifestyle as a way of being.
In this series, travelers bear all - discussing their careers, their incomes, their lifestyles, and the perks and challenges of it all.
Financial Case Study: Lidiya K, Full-Time Blogger
Lidiya K is a full-time blogger and creator of Let’s Reach Success teaching millennials to achieve financial freedom through side hustles. More on her location independent career and lifestyle here!
Financial Case Study: Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, Millionaire Blogger
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner hustled her way from $40k in debt to becoming a millionaire blogger. Learn more about her amazing journey in this fascinating Financial Case Study!
Financial Case Study: Mitch Glass, Project Untethered
Mitch Glass of Project Untethered earns his location independent living through blogging, copywriting, content writing, and real estate investing. Learn more here!
Financial Case Study: Kelly Hayes-Raitt, HouseSit Diva
Kelly Hayes-Raitt has been housesitting around the world, full-time, for the last 10 years! Here’s how the lifestyle helps this HouseSit Diva earn a living.
Financial Case Study: Hannah and Chad, Wall Street Minimalist
Hannah and Chad have developed a truly passive income through Wall Street Minimalist, and are flying around the world (in business class!) for nearly free. Learn how they manage this idyllic lifestyle and what their finances look like!
Financial Case Study: Explore With Erin, Social Influencer and Blogger
Erin’s a social influencer and founder of Explore With Erin, her 2nd blog built from scratch. Here’s what life/finances are like, with kids & (now) a home base.
Financial Case Study: Rosemary and Claire – Authentic Food Quest
Rosemary and Claire transitioned from employees to entrepreneurs in their 40s, with their site Authentic Food Quest paving the way. They discuss the realities of this income and lifestyle here!
Financial Case Study: Mikkel Thorup – Expat Money Show
Mikkel Thorup has a substantial portfolio of investments, real estate, and businesses (including the Expat Money Show) – all of which (more than) fund his full-time travel lifestyle. Learn more about his lifestyle and career here!
Financial Case Study: Where in the World is Nina, Travel Blogger
Less than 2 years ago Nina Ragusa’s travel blogger career was new, and now she makes a living that financially sustains her full-time travel lifestyle! Learn more about how she built her career thus far, and where she’s headed (literally and figuratively).
Financial Case Study: Jon Pepper, Owner of Tigit Motorbikes in Vietnam
Starting a business abroad may seem intimidating, but Jon Pepper built and ROCKS Tigit Motorbikes in Vietnam. Here’s how he did it, challenges and all, and how he plans to be a millionaire in the next two years.
Financial Case Study: Amar Hussain, Blogger and Digital Marketing Consultant
Amar Hussain turned his “gap year” into a “gap life”! The last 9 years has taken him to 7 continents and almost as many income streams! Now the bulk of his work is as a digital marketing consultant and blogger. Learn how he has modeled and changed his career over the years!
Financial Case Study: Jamie Campbell, Gaijin Crew
After a life-changing trip to Japan, Jamie Campbell started his blog Gaijin Crew as a way to financially sustain his travel lifestyle. In this post he shares how amazing – and challenging – these beginning stages can be.
Financial Case Study: Daniel Kiteski, Careers Around the World
Daniel Kiteski has enjoyed a fascinating variety of careers and jobs around the world! In this case study, he outlines what he’s done and where, how he financially sustains his full-time travels, and shares some great advice.
Financial Case Study: Chelse Hensley, Social Media Manager
Chelse Hensley is a digital nomad who supports her lifestyle and world travels as a social media manager. She also blogs at HashtagTourist and is the founder of RechargeSocialMedia. Learn more about her nomadic lifestyle and career as a social media manager here!
Financial Case Study: Susi Kaeufer, Coaching Female Entrepreneurs
Susi Kaeufer took skills she was already good at and built a career of coaching female entrepreneurs. This earns her a consistent 5-figure income each month, and allows her to travel the world full-time, living as luxuriously (or frugally) as she wishes. Learn more about her awesome life and lifestyle here!
Financial Case Study: Robyn Hartzell, Scuba Diving Instructor
Robyn Hartzell’s intended 12-month career break grew into a 32-month sabbatical, after she got into Scuba diving along the way and became a scuba diving instructor. Here’s how and where Robyn (known as Robyn Around the World) traveled and worked as a scuba diving instructor, and what it’s like to dive around the world.
Financial Case Study: Elaine Mendoza, Online Teacher, Writer, Tour Guide
Elaine Mendoza learned she could live and travel around the world for a fraction of the amount of money she formerly needed to live in Washington D.C. Now she fills her days with activities she loves that also earn her money: online teaching, freelance writing, leading tours/retreats, and even professional singing!
Financial Case Study: Will Hatton, Crypto, Adventure Gear, SEO, and More
After a couple of years wandering the world as The Broke Backpacker (literally and figuratively), Will Hatton has revamped his life and businesses, and is actively managing multiple streams of income, including an adventure gear company, running tours, an SEO agency, blogging, and trading cryptocurrency.
Financial Case Study: Fiona Harper, Freelance Travel Writing
In this financial case study, Fiona Harper shares some great advice based on 15 years of freelance travel writing experience. Read on to get her take on work-life balance, setting rates, and the inner challenges of an outwardly glamorous lifestyle.
Financial Case Study: Joanne Amos, Wandering Wordsmith
Joanne Amos is a Wandering Wordsmith who has been running two interrelated businesses while traveling the world full-time for the last three years. In this case study she shares some honest observations and great advice about her career and lifestyle as a wandering wordsmith.
Financial Case Study: Kim and Ryan Desmond, CodingNomads
Kim and Ryan Desmond are the cofounders of CodingNomads, a traveling coding bootcamp helping aspiring digital nomads learn career-changing tech skills while on an international trip. Learn more about how they live their own lives abroad educating an empowering others to do the same through CodingNomads!
Financial Case Study: Laura Nalin, English Teacher and Blogger
Laura has been working abroad as an English teacher since 2013 and it has allowed her to save a huge amount of money to travel extensively. Reach on to learn more about her career/lifestyle as an English teacher and blogger here!
Financial Case Study: Gabriel Traveler – YouTube Vlogger
Gabriel Morris is a vlogger who has been traveling for 30 years (!), and is among the rare but increasing ranks of people who earn a living as a vlogger. Learn exactly how he earns a full-time vlogger living and how it complements his full-time travel lifestyle.
Financial Case Study: Kara and Nate, YouTube Professionals
Kara and Nate are among the increasing ranks of people making a full-time income from YouTube. They blur the lines of work and play by creating daily YouTube videos about their full-time travel adventures around the world. And they make good money too! Check out how Kara and Nate earn their YouTube living.
Financial Case Study: John Clites, Teaching English Online
John Clites is an avid wanderluster, who has visited 30 countries and spent the last 9 years based in Brazil, teaching English online. Learn more about his portable career and Brazilian lifestyle here!
Financial Case Study: Lauren Juliff, Blogger, Author
Lauren Juliff is the author of How Not to Travel the World (great book btw), and a travel blogger who has found an amazing work-life balance that allows her to work just half the year. I’m envious of her lifestyle, and plan to take a few pages from her book (literally and figuratively).
Financial Case Study: Beck Power, Entrepreneur
Beck Power has her fingers in a few entrepreneurial pies that mean she has a wildly variant income and lots of work on her plate…and she loves it. Read more here!
Financial Case Study: Sophia (Communications) and Jayme (Musician)
Sophia works in communications, and Jayme is a musician. Here is how they’ve been able to make their careers work as part of full-time travel lifestyle.
Financial Case Study: Ali Garland, Blogging
Ali Garland makes a great living through blogging, but it wasn’t always that way. Learn more about her career and her excellent advice for wannabe bloggers!
Financial Case Study: Gigi Griffis, Copywriter and Content Strategist
Gigi Griffis has traveled since 2012 with her growing business (as a copywriter and content strategist) and pint-sized pooch. She’s got some great advice!
Financial Case Study: Jane and Stephen, Yoga Instructor and Freelancer
Jane and Stephen have been adventuring around the world for four years and earn their living as yoga instructors and digital freelancers. Find out more!
Financial Case Study: Barbaralicious, Translator and Copywriter
Barbara has been a digital nomad since 2014, living in 40+ countries so far. She earns her living as a translator and copywriter; here’s how she does it!
Financial Case Study: Louise Cottrell, Pinterest Marketing Strategist
Louise has been living abroad for the last 9 years and earns her living as in Pinterest marketing. Learn more about her career and lifestyle here!
Financial Case Study: Jenna Rose Robbins, Ghostwriting
Jenna Rose Robbins has a varied writing career, with a specialty in ghostwriting. I hope you find her career and travel lifestyle as fascinating as I do!
Financial Case Study: Lulakilla, Digital Marketing
Lulu of Lulakilla is a digital marketing freelancer, and has looped the world a few times with her online career. Learn how she does it here!
Financial Case Study: Jessica and Will, WorldTowning Founders
Jessica and Will dropped their careers and 6-figure incomes to start WorldTowning. They prove that you have to put in long hours to start, but it pays off.
Financial Case Study: Ryan O’Connor, SEO Consultant and One Tribe Apparel Co-Founder
Ryan put his lucrative SEO consulting biz on the side to found One Tribe Apparel. Learn more about his career on the road and how it has led to happiness!
Financial Case Study: Alesha and Jarryd (NOMADasaurus), Bloggers
Alesha & Jarryd of NOMADasaurus have been on the road for the last 10 years. Their blogging business more than supports their global lifestyle in all kinds of great locations. Check it out!
Financial Case Study: Johnny FD, Dropshipping, Publishing, Affiliate Marketing
Johnny FD went from less than $1,000 in the bank to more than half a million. Learn about his nomadic career in dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and more!
Financial Case Study: Sam Wood, Blogger and Freelance Writer
Sam Wood earns his living as a freelance writer and blogger while basing in Germany and living/travelling around the world. More on his lifestyle here!
Financial Case Study: Joanna, Online English Teacher
Joanna supports her life abroad as an online english teacher. That’s right – no more being stuck in the classroom! Learn more about how she does it here!
Financial Case Study: Anna, Blogger, Freelance Writer
Anna Phipps travels and works location independently as a blogger and freelance writer. And she shares top advice for people interested in this lifestyle!
Financial Case Study: Carlo and Florence, Content Generation
Carlo and Florence have an extremely lucrative content generation business that allows them to live whatever lifestyle they want, wherever they want.
Financial Case Study: Aaron (NomadsNation) – Jack of Many Trades
Aaron of NomadsNation has done seasonal work, taught English, and online work to sustain his travels for 5 years. He shares a TON of great info here!
Financial Case Study: Conni Biesalski – Travel Blogger
Conni Biesalski is a travel blogger who makes an admirable income purely from travel blogging. Find out more about her careeer and lifestyle here!
Financial Case Study: Colin Robinson – Metrologist
Colin Robinson has a job as a Metrologist that takes him around (and around) the world. Here’s how it works, along with some great lifestyle advice.
Financial Case Study: Rebecca, A Creative Nomad, Graphic Designer
Rebecca traveled for five years, and in the last year went freelance with her graphic design skills as A Creative Nomad. Here’s more on her career and life!
Financial Case Study: Dustin Main – Technology Services Entrepreneur, Tour Guide
Dustin Main has been traveling since 2009, while overseeing his technology services company and dabbling in other ventures like being a tour guide. Here’s how he makes ends meet:
Financial Case Study: Nat and Rob, Bloggers, Consultants, Landlords (Love and Road)
Nat and Rob left their lives in Brazil for the open road, and they earn their living as bloggers (Love and Road), consultants, and landlords. Here’s how!
Financial Case Study: Will Hatton, Former Jack-of-all-Trades Turned Blogger
Will Hatton has been traveling for 9 years and has earned his living many different ways in that time. Now he’s a full-time travel blogger. Learn more here!
Financial Case Study: Dariece and Nick (Goats on the Road), Bloggers
Dariece and Nick have traveled full-time since 2012, and have seen some amazing places, paying for it all with their blog Goats on the Road. Here’s how:
Financial Case Study: Samantha and Yeison, Travel Bloggers
Samantha and Yeison are based in Costa Rica and travel the world with their lucrative blog My Tan Feet. Find out more about their lifestyle and biz here!
Financial Case Study: Dan – Cruise Ship Employee, Affiliate Marketer
Dan is a cruise ship employee, in addition to running his affiliate marketing business and website Wander Pig. Read on to see what cruise ship life is like!
Financial Case Study: Ray and Laura – Online Education Entrepreneurs
Ray and Laura are entrepreneurs with a few online education businesses that kick out an impressive income. Here’s more about their careers and lifestyles.
Financial Case Study: Kevin Casey, Jet-Setting Copywriter
Kevin Casey is The Jet-Setting Copywriter; a freelance copywriter who makes more than enough money to travel the world many times over. More on his career here!
Financial Case Study: Miguel (Travelsauro) – Blogger and Volunteer
Miguel (Travelsauro) has traveled for the last 5 years. While building his blog, he works odd jobs and volunteers for free accommodation. Learn more here!
Financial Case Study: Danielle and Mat – Artists, Freelancers
Danielle and Mat are artists and freelancers who have supported their travels since 2012 many ways. Here’s what they do, and how they’re evolving!
Financial Case Study: Erika Bisbocci – Flight Attendant
Erika Bisbocci lives a semi-nomadic life, working as a flight attendant, and traveling extensively on her time off. Here’s her career and lifestyle details!
Financial Case Study: Sasha and Rachel, Grateful Gypsies
Sasha and Rachel (Grateful Gypsies) have earned money in many ways to support their full-time travels, including being paid to live in Bali! Here’s more:
Financial Case Study: Erin and Simon of Never Ending Voyage – Online Entrepreneurs
Erin & Simon (Never Ending Voyage) have been traveling for 6 years, earning money as online entrepreneurs. Here’s how much they make and how they do it!
Financial Case Study: Kathryn O’Halloran – Romance Writer
Kathryn O’Halloran travels full-time and works as a romance writer. She publishes everything herself, so it’s an interesting career. Learn more here!
Financial Case Study: Christopher Many – Author
Christopher Many’s been nomadic since 1997, as an author. Authors don’t make a ton of cash, and Christopher shows how slow full-time travel costs way less!
Financial Case Study: Brittany and Charlie – Amazon Affiliates
Brittany and Charlie of The Trading Travelers fund their full-time travel lifestyle as Amazon affiliates. Find out more about their lucrative career here!
Financial Case Study: Leif Harum – Website Manager
Leif Harum has been on the road forever, and earns his living managing multiple websites with various income streams. Find out more about how he does it!
Financial Case Study: Tricia Krohn – Seasonal Work
Tricia Krohn pays her way around the world with seasonal work, and gains all kinds of amazing experiences in so doing! Here’s how she does it:
Financial Case Study: Candice Walsh – Writer, Blogger, Social Media Manager
Candice Walsh has been traveling in one form or another since 2010, earning a living through writing, blogging, and more. Here is her advice for aspiring travelers:
Financial Case Study: Shannon Ullman – Travel Blogger, Writer, English Teacher
Shannon Ullman supports her travels with ESL teaching, acting, writing, blogging, and more. Here’s more, along with some great career/travel advice!
Financial Case Study: Agness Walewinder, Marketing & PR
Agness Walewinder works for a company that allows her to live abroad and travel extensively for business & pleasure. Here are the details of her career.
Financial Case Study: LeAnna and Andy Brown – Programmer/Blogger Duo
LeAnna and Andy Brown designed their lives to travel the world AND achieve financial independence AND raise a family! Read on to find out how they do this.
Financial Case Study: Megsy and Tommo – Travel Freedom Network
Megsy and Tommo of the Travel Freedom Network fund their full-time travels with a network of websites/podcasts/ebooks etc. Here are the specifics:
Financial Case Study: Pouneh Eftekhari, International Education Professional
Pouneh Eftekhari has lived/studied abroad for 10+ years, working as an International Education professional. Read on for her great career/travel advice!
Financial Case Study: Nick and Natasha, Teaching English Abroad
In this series, we’re exploring the various careers of world travelers, and how they make ends meet financially while living abroad. Yes, financially sustainable full-time travel is possible! Nick and Natasha are a traveling couple who live and teach in South Korea. Throughout their journey, they live, learn, and venture as much as they […]
Financial Case Study: Aileen Adalid, Online Entrepreneur
In this series, we’re exploring the various careers of world travelers, and how they make ends meet financially while living abroad. Yes, financially sustainable full-time travel is possible! In 2012 at the age of 21, Aileen Adalid of I Am Aileen quit her corporate job in the Philippines to travel the world. Today, she is […]
Financial Case Study: Tiffany Soukup, Working Seasonal Jobs
Tiffany Soukup of Vagabond Way has been on the road since 2001, living around the world and working seasonal jobs. Here’s how she supports herself:
Financial Case Study: Rachel, Freelance Copywriter
Rachel (aka The Digital Gypsy) travels full-time and earns her living as a freelance copywriter. Here’s how she does it!
Financial Case Study: Ivan Velasco and Family, International Schools Teachers
Ivan Velasco and his wife have been teaching at international schools around the world with their two children. Here are the details of their career and lifestyles.
Financial Case Study: Robert Schrader, Blogger and Travel Coach
Here’s a financial case study of Robert Schrader who earns a living as a blogger and travel coach while living on the road.
Financial Case Study: Jon and Kach – Bloggers, English Teachers, Yoga/Massage
Jon and Kach blog at Two Monkeys Travel Group, and have also earned money on the road as english teachers and yoga/massage therapists. Here’s how they do it!
Financial Case Study: Natalie Sisson, Suitcase Entrepreneur
Natalie Sisson, suitcase entrepreneur, has built multiple 6-figure businesses while living out of a suitcase over the last 5 years. Here’s how she does it:
Financial Case Study: Dalene and Pete Heck – Writers, Photographers, Media Marketers
The inner workings of the careers and incomes of full-time travelers Dalene and Pete Heck, whose multi-faceted businesses allow them to live on the road.
Financial Case Study: Rachel Denning & Family, Online Teacher and Web Services
Rachel and Greg Denning and their 6 kids have been living on the road since 2007. Here’s how they earn money and financially sustain their travels!
Financial Case Study: Deborah Benbrook – Rehoming Street Dogs
In this Financial Case Study, we chat with Deborah Benbrook, who currently lives in Thailand rehoming street dogs. Find out how she makes ends meet here!
Financial Case Study: Janet Brent, Graphic Designer
Here’s a financial case study of graphic designer Janet Brent, and how she makes ends meet while living and traveling around the world.
Financial Case Study: Wade Shepard – Journalist, Blogger, Author
Here’s a financial case study of Wade Shepard, who lives around the world full-time while earning a living as a journalist, blogger, and author.
Financial Case Study: Tim Leffel, Travel Writer & Website Manager
This financial case study is the 1st post in a new series to show you how to travel and live abroad. Meet Tim Leffel: travel writer and website manager!
