Quick note from Michelle: Today I have a fantastic post from Brendan. Brendan is a former Chartered Accountant from Auckland, New Zealand who has been traveling full-time since 2011. I love full-time travel and enjoyed reading his story about saving $45,000 in three years to create a life of travel. Below is Brendan’s post:

When I meet people on the road, the same questions usually come up.

“Where are you from?”

“How long are you staying?”

“Where are you going next?”

And eventually a question I dread:

“How long have you been travelling?”

Most expect an answer like three or four weeks, maybe a couple of months. I cringe a little when I tell them the truth.

“Six years.”

That answer sparks curiosity: How do you do it? How do you make money? Don’t you have permanent jet lag? What’s Colombia like? Are park benches in Sweden really from IKEA? But the conversation always comes back to the beginning — how I made it possible. That’s what I want to share today.

Related read: How To Travel On A Budget And Still Have The Time Of Your Life

My path began like many long-term travelers. At 21 I graduated and landed a decent job with a steady paycheck at a decent firm. I became an accountant, following my mother’s footsteps. But very quickly I knew it wasn’t for me. I had bigger dreams; I wanted to see the world.

I was on a three-year contract, so I made it my mission to save aggressively during that time. I didn’t realize then that I was building the fund that would take me around the world multiple times. I knew I wouldn’t be an accountant forever and I wanted to make those years count.

Three years later I had saved more than $45,000. I handed in my resignation on schedule and set off on a journey that continues today.

While the adventures themselves are worth telling, the non-adventures that made them possible are the real focus: the disciplined preparation, the months and years of deliberately stuffing away paychecks, and the mindset changes required to see a long-term goal through.

Saving $45,000 isn’t easy for most people. It took perseverance, commitment, and a change in how I viewed money. It wasn’t just clever saving hacks — it was adopting a savings-oriented lifestyle that prioritized long-term goals over immediate gratification.

Here are the key lifestyle shifts and habits I used, with practical takeaways you can apply.

I lived at home with my parents and family

This was intentional. My then-girlfriend and I talked about moving out or buying property, but financially it didn’t make sense. I was fortunate to have the option to stay with family, and many colleagues did too but chose not to for lifestyle reasons. Rents were around $150 per week. While an apartment and the young professional lifestyle were tempting, the savings from staying at home were too valuable to give up.

Saving over three years: $23,400 (at $150 per week).

Related article: 30+ Ways To Save Money Each Month

I only spent $7 a month on my phone bill

This was around 2010–2011, at the start of the smartphone boom. I kept using a basic phone from high school without internet, so my bill was roughly $5–$7 per month. A smartphone plan would have been closer to $25 per month, not counting the device cost.

Saving over three years: $648 (at $18 per month).

I brought lunch from home every day

In my first year I spent a lot on lunches — $15–$20 at cafes near the office. Midway through that year I noticed how much this added up and started bringing simple lunches: leftovers, tuna and rice, fruit. Average lunch cost dropped to $3–$4 instead of $15–$20.

Saving over three years: Around $5,000.

I spent almost nothing on clothes

Our office dress code was strict — suit, shirt, tie, polished shoes — but I kept costs low. For most of my career I owned one suit and one pair of shoes and wore them every day. I had a few inexpensive shirts and ties bought overseas and a cheap belt. Many colleagues bought new clothes regularly; I resisted the pressure to keep up appearances, which saved substantially.

Saving over three years: Estimated $2,000–$3,000.

I didn’t have a gym membership

Gym fees felt costly. I played sports with friends and exercised at home instead of paying about $50 a month for a local gym. With discipline and creativity I stayed fit without the recurring membership cost.

Saving over three years: $1,800 (at $50 per month).

I quit drinking

After-work drinks were common in my office. Friday nights could easily cost $100 or more. I challenged myself to stop drinking at social events, parties, and weddings. There was a stretch of about eight months when I didn’t drink at all. Beyond financial savings, giving up alcohol improved many areas of my life. Drinking often leads to extra spending — food, taxis, cover charges — so quitting cut those costs too.

Savings over three years: Easily over $10,000.

No coffee

I’m not a coffee person, and I made a conscious decision not to start the habit when I entered the nine-to-five world. Coffee was free at work, but avoiding outside coffee purchases still helped reduce discretionary spending.

Saving over three years: Maybe $1,000.

I ran a small side business

I ran a tiny eBay-style side business flipping goods and selling items in my spare time. It only made about $50–$100 per month, but that extra income helped and kept me occupied instead of spending on nights out.

Extra income over three years: Around $1,500.

Learn more: Make Money While Traveling – Yes, It’s Possible!

I paid for everything with plastic so I could track spending

I charged almost everything to my card so I had a clear record of monthly spending. Each month I reviewed my bank statement to see where money went. The biggest drains were often weekend nights and expensive lunches — which is why I stopped drinking and brought lunch from home. Tracking income and expenses is a simple but powerful habit that reveals unconscious spending and helps you take control.

Related read: How To Take A 10 Day Trip To Hawaii For $22.40 – Flights & Accommodations Included

Playing rede, Tanzania

I had a goal

I always knew I wouldn’t have my regular paycheck forever. My three-year contract meant I had a limited window to save. That deadline gave me extra motivation. I didn’t set a precise savings target initially; instead I set a strict monthly spending limit. Whether you choose a dollar goal, a time period, or both, having a target is powerful — especially if you’re not naturally frugal. It helps shape behavior and keeps you focused.

I moved money offline and invested

One trick I used was keeping most of my cash in investments or accounts away from easy access. I only kept $50–$100 in checking. If I wanted to spend, I had to log into my account and transfer money, which created a friction point that curtailed impulse buys. It also meant my savings were often earning interest or returns in stocks or fixed deposits.

I educated myself

This was perhaps the most important step. Financial literacy matters. Working in accounting exposed me to people with great incomes but poor money habits — debt, multiple houses and cars, and unnecessary purchases. I spent time reading finance blogs, learning about markets and investing, talking to colleagues in wealth management, and following financial news. Understanding interest rates, good versus bad debt, and investment basics made a huge difference.

Improving your financial education isn’t hard: ask questions, read reputable blogs, read books, and apply what you learn. It works.

What happened next?

In early 2011 I handed in my resignation and started traveling full-time. Today I’m a nomad, living in various favorite cities while working as a blogger and freelance writer. The early years of disciplined saving, financial education, and deliberate choices made this lifestyle possible.

For anyone saving for long-term travel or another big goal, here are four final tips:

Every bit counts

Small savings add up. Saving $1,000 is just saving one dollar a thousand times. Skip a coffee here, decline a bottle of wine there, and over years this compounds. Saving creates positive momentum: saving begets saving, just as spending often leads to more spending. Build habits that make saving automatic.

Reward yourself!

Celebrate milestones. Set rewards alongside your savings goals. When you hit $1,000, treat yourself to a nice lunch. At $5,000, take a weekend trip. This motivates you and channels discretionary spending into controlled rewards. Don’t deny yourself completely — plan rewards so you enjoy progress without derailing it.

Don’t beat yourself up

Everyone slips up. I did too. After a tough week I’d sometimes splurge. Don’t punish yourself — learn from it. Ask why you overspend: stress, hunger, boredom? Address the root cause rather than dwelling on the money. Money can teach you a lot about your behavior.

Be proud of what you save, regardless of others

Ignore others’ results. You might think my story is impossible because you have different responsibilities. Any amount you save is an achievement. Set goals that fit your situation, stay committed, and be proud of your progress. We’re all on our own journeys.

Good luck, and safe travels!

– Bren

Brendan is a former Chartered Accountant from Auckland, New Zealand. He has been traveling full-time since 2011 and shares stories, lessons, and travel advice on his blog, Bren On The Road.

Are you interested in traveling full-time? Why or why not?