Financial Case Study: Ivan Velasco and Family, International Schools Teachers

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!

Ivan Velasco has been teaching at International schools around the world for the last 18 years. For the last seven years, he has been doing it with a family. They’ve lived and taught around the world, and are currently stationed in Chile. Learn more about how Ivan and his family make ends meet below!

How long have you been living/working on the road, and where have you traveled to?

18 years. I’ve lived in Kuwait, Colombia, Guatemala, Malaysia, and Chile.

Please describe what you do for income.

Teacher at International Schools; this involves teaching a regular full (English-language) curriculum in countries around the world.

How many hours per week do you work on average?

How much money do you make?

A teacher’s salary with 10 years experience and a Master’s Degree is around USD 65,000

Do you make enough money to support your lifestyle?

Easily. With dependents it is a bit more complicated, but certainly possible.

What is your vision for the future of your lifestyle on the road?

I will continue to do this with my family as long as we are enjoying it and it keeps supporting us the way it does. This seems like a pretty permanent lifestyle at this point.

Any advice for the aspiring traveler about living and working on the road and managing finances?

You HAVE to take care of your retirement plan. Every little bit helps and it is just about being disciplined. If you do this for a while, you likely have no pension plan set up anywhere, so it’s up to you to save for it. (See also: Retirement Planning for Full-Time Travelers)

Anything else?

If you are a certified teacher with a sense of adventure, the possibilities are numerous. I believe our children are getting an invaluable experience. They have already visited around 15 countries and they are under 7 years old. This lifestyle is not for everyone, but those who do it are generally living very exciting lives.

I interviewed Ivan extensively about his lifestyle and career in Working on the Road: The Unconventional Guide to Full-Time Freedom. Check it out!