Overview of ChooseFI Episode 610: Sabbatical Success — Around the World in 367 Days
This episode features Ginger interviewing Zach about how he and his wife took a year-long “mini-retirement” and traveled around the world for 367 days on a surprisingly lean budget. Zach explains how a childhood shaped by financial hardship, a near-fatal health scare, and a long-standing love of travel pushed him toward designing a sabbatical that balanced adventure, frugality, and flexibility. The conversation focuses on practical strategies for making long-term travel possible without derailing financial independence goals.
Key Takeaways
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A year of world travel is possible on a modest budget
- Zach and his wife planned for $50,000 but spent just under $30,000 total.
- They intentionally built in a large cushion so they could travel without stress.
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The trip was designed around flexibility, not perfection
- They did not create a rigid itinerary.
- They gave themselves permission to end early, slow down, or change course if the trip stopped being enjoyable.
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Travel can be much cheaper when you combine geoarbitrage, rewards, and work exchange
- They used cheaper countries to offset expensive ones.
- They relied on free or low-cost lodging, work exchanges, and local connections rather than standard tourist travel.
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Long-term travel becomes more manageable when you simplify
- Backpack-only travel forced them to focus on what they truly needed.
- They found many fears about packing, money, and logistics were larger in their heads than in reality.
How They Made It Work Financially
Budgeting and Spending
- Planned budget: $50,000
- Actual spending: under $30,000
- They also set aside an additional $50,000 on the back end as a safety buffer for re-entry and job searching.
Major Cost-Saving Strategies
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Medical volunteer trips in Guatemala
- Their flights, lodging, and food were covered.
- They helped with clinics and trained local nurses/doctors.
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Workaway
- They used Workaway-style exchanges to trade time and skills for lodging and meals.
- In England, they even had a paid opportunity teaching conversational English to international young professionals.
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Homestays and short-term rentals
- Used Airbnb, Booking.com, and homestays.
- Stayed with local families in places like Vietnam and Peru for very low nightly rates.
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Hostels, but with privacy
- They favored private rooms/bathrooms/kitchens when possible.
- Zach emphasized that hostels can be great for community, especially in Europe.
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Wi-Fi instead of cell service
- They avoided paying for cellular plans for most of the trip.
- FaceTime, Zoom, and email over Wi-Fi handled most communication.
Places That Stood Out
Favorites
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Guatemala
- Hiked near an active volcano and began the trip with meaningful medical work.
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Central and South America
- Loved the combination of low cost and memorable experiences.
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Southeast Asia
- Highlighted Thailand and Vietnam for affordability, culture, and adventure.
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London / England
- A mix of city life and work exchange opportunities.
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Switzerland and Germany
- Notable highlights during their time in Europe.
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New Zealand
- A long-time dream destination.
- Loved for mountains, nature, low population density, and outdoor recreation.
Surprisingly Good Destinations
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Colombia
- Zach described Medellín and other areas as beautiful, clean, and far more affordable than expected.
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El Salvador
- Also exceeded expectations and challenged old assumptions.
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Vietnam
- Memorable for its intense traffic, which somehow functions through local norms and shared understanding.
Mindset and Personal Growth
Why They Took the Leap
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Childhood bankruptcy and financial instability
- Zach learned early how painful poor financial choices and lack of financial communication can be.
- This became a major motivator for personal finance and frugality.
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A serious health scare
- Zach was hospitalized and woke up in an ICU coma in 2018.
- That experience sharpened his sense of mortality and urgency.
What He Learned
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Pain can be a teacher
- He used difficult experiences to clarify his values and priorities.
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Abundance mindset matters
- Zach and his wife actively try to counter scarcity thinking.
- They have a shared mission statement focused on generosity and intentional living.
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Evidence builds confidence
- Successful past financial decisions made it easier to trust themselves with this trip.
- The sabbatical became proof that they could make bold choices and handle the outcome.
Returning Home
- After the trip, they experienced some culture shock and decision fatigue relief from having a home base again.
- Both Zach and his wife found jobs they genuinely enjoyed relatively quickly.
- They were happy to reunite with friends, family, and their dog.
- The experience changed their perspective on home, work, and what financial independence can support.
Recommended Resources and Tools
Books / Ideas Mentioned
- Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
- A classic travel inspiration book focused on long-term, intentional travel.
- Books and blogs about:
- “A year around the world”
- Mini-retirements
- Travel packing and route planning
Useful Planning Approaches
- Research multiple travel stories and build a custom plan.
- Use chasing the sun to reduce the need for heavy winter gear.
- Travel during dry season or favorable weather windows.
- Consider AI as a modern planning tool for route ideas, logistics, and budgeting.
Main Quote / Idea
“Traveling teaches you simplicity.”
That idea captures the episode well: Zach and his wife showed that a year of world travel can be both financially responsible and deeply meaningful when it’s built on intentionality, flexibility, and a willingness to live with less.