CNBC Make It - 43-year-old living abroad pays $650 a month in rent and never plans to return to the U.S.
The speaker lives in a fully furnished two-bedroom, two-bath apartment for about $650 per month, with all utilities included except for their cell phone bill. They express a passion for travel, which has been a long-standing interest. Living in the Middle East offers a strategic location for traveling to various destinations, including African countries, which are typically expensive to reach from the United States. The speaker took advantage of their location by traveling to places like Bali during their winter break, despite the higher expenses for that month. They manage their finances well, having paid off their credit card debt completely, even after incurring travel-related expenses.
Key Points:
- Living in a fully furnished apartment costs $650/month with utilities included.
- Travel is a major passion, facilitated by living in a central location like the Middle East.
- Travel destinations include Bali and African countries, which are more accessible from the Middle East.
- Despite travel expenses, the speaker maintains financial discipline, paying off credit card debt.
- Strategic location in the Middle East allows for frequent travel opportunities.
Details:
1. 🏡 Living Arrangements and Expenses
- Living in a fully furnished two-bedroom two-bath apartment.
- Monthly rent is approximately 250 real or $650 US.
- All utilities such as water, electricity, and internet are included in the rent.
- Located in a central area with easy access to public transportation and local amenities.
- Apartment complex includes amenities such as a gym and swimming pool.
2. ✈️ Passion for Travel
- The speaker's passion for travel was evident from a young age, demonstrating a natural curiosity that later led to living abroad.
- Travel is prioritized as a significant personal expense, second only to essential bills like a cell phone.
- The speaker's spending habits reflect the importance placed on travel, often allocating funds to explore new destinations.
3. 🌍 Exploring New Destinations
- Living in the Middle East provides strategic advantages for traveling to African countries, which are typically costly to visit from the United States.
- The speaker capitalized on these advantages by traveling to Namibia and Seychelles, offering insights into exploring otherwise expensive destinations.
- In January, the speaker spent a week in Bali, reflecting a peak in personal spending for that month due to travel expenses.
- The proximity of the Middle East to these unique destinations allows for more frequent and diverse travel opportunities compared to living in the U.S.
- Traveling to Namibia and Seychelles presented opportunities for unique cultural and natural experiences that are less accessible from other regions.