#026: Kristy Shen & Bryce Leung: how to retire in your early 30s and travel the world
Dec 14, 2020
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Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung are world-traveling early retirees renowned for their financial wisdom. They share their journey of retiring by their 30s, emphasizing budget travel and investment strategies over owning a home. The duo discusses adapting to pandemic disruptions, embracing slower travel for richer experiences, and the emotional aspects of redefining one's purpose post-retirement. They also promote the benefits of index funds for stability and recommend insightful books for financial literacy and personal growth.
Kristy and Bryce achieved early retirement through savvy investing and maintaining a frugal lifestyle while traveling the world.
The pandemic forced them to reassess their values, leading to a focus on relationships and wellness over traditional achievements.
Their journey reflects a significant shift from societal expectations to intentional living, prioritizing experiences and personal fulfillment.
Deep dives
Transitioning to a Nomadic Lifestyle
The guests, Kristi Shen and Bryce Leung, share their journey of retiring in their early thirties and opting for a nomadic lifestyle instead of traditional home ownership. They successfully built a seven-figure investment portfolio and maintained a budget of about $31,000 US per year while traveling the world. Their initial plans in 2020 included various speaking engagements and events, but the pandemic forced them to adjust rapidly, leading to a return to Canada and a focus on a simpler, more domestic lifestyle. This shift allowed them to engage in cooking, yoga, and meditation, marking a transition from a busy, scheduled life to one that embraces stillness.
Navigating the Pandemic’s Impact
During the pandemic, Kristi and Bryce found themselves forced to adapt to unexpected circumstances, such as spending more extended periods at home instead of traveling. They discussed how their lifestyles dramatically changed from constant travel to staying in Toronto and the uncertainty regarding future plans highlighted the need to reassess their expectations. Despite facing challenges, the couple found opportunities to deepen their relationships with family, notably Kristi's reconciliation with her mother. This introspection led them to prioritize relationships and wellness over previous aspirations for achievement and busyness.
Financial Independence Redefined
The guests emphasize that their journey towards financial independence evolved significantly over time, moving beyond financial goals to a deeper understanding of purpose and fulfillment. They highlight how traditional paths of life, such as job security and home ownership, no longer hold the same value, making investment and personal choice crucial to their success. Instead of focusing solely on accumulating wealth, they advocate for experiences and relationships that enhance happiness. Their transformation reflects a shift in values, emphasizing the importance of living life intentionally, without being chained to societal expectations.
Lessons from Retirement and Burnout
Kristi and Bryce share their experiences concerning the surprising complexities of retirement, including phases of burnout that stem from overcommitment to speaking engagements and projects. Initially, they felt liberated from the corporate grind but noted that retirement presented its challenges, including the need to create a new identity outside of traditional employment roles. The pandemic offered them an unconventional opportunity to reflect on their motivations and to re-evaluate the way they allocate their time and energy, guiding them towards more meaningful engagements. They concluded that genuine fulfillment lies in a delicate balance of ambition and the pursuit of happiness.
Evolving Interests and Future Plans
As their life progresses, Kristi and Bryce are venturing into new creative endeavors, including writing and sharing their experiences while maintaining transparency about their financial journey. They also discuss planning their next book, inspired by Kristi's interactions with her mother about their family history and the effects of intergenerational trauma. Their approach to writing focuses on collaboration, allowing for the exploration of differing viewpoints and character development. This storytelling process is an extension of their commitment to realignment with their values and defining happiness through personal growth and meaningful narratives.
About Kristy & Bryce: Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung are world traveling early retirees. Their story has been featured in media outlets all over the world, including the New York Times, CBC, CNBC, Women's Health Magazine Australia, Germany's Handelsblatt, GQ Russia, and the UK's Independent. They spend their time helping people with their finances and realizing their travel dreams on www.millennial-revolution.com.
