Retirees At 44 And 47? How This Couple Saved $2.2 Million To Retire And Travel The World

CNBC Make It interviewed a couple who left life in the United States behind to retire early and travel abroad. Dianne and Guillermo, 47 and 44, achieved FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and decided to quit the 9-to-5 to live their dreams. 

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"We had saved up $2.2 million and decided to travel the world in search of our forever home," said Dianne. Before retiring, Dianne worked as a real estate agent with a small team she led in the D.C. metro area. Guillermo spent over 20 years in the telecommunications industry and served in the Marines for four years. Before they retired, their combined income was around $270,000 annually, and by 2018, their net worth was $2.2 million, which grew to $2.6 million by 2022 while they traveled. 

Guillermo and Dianne were taught the importance of saving money while growing up. "My mother specifically had always talked to me about saving and retirement accounts, buying a home, making sure you had emergency money, no debt," Dianne recalled.

A tragic event significantly influenced their decision to retire early. Dianne's stepfather was diagnosed with cancer, and shortly after his passing, her mother was also diagnosed with cancer. "I spent more than a year taking care of her and realized I didn't want to wait any longer to retire. I started talking with a financial advisor, found the FIRE community, and came up with a plan," Dianne said. She presented the plan to Guillermo, convincing him with detailed financial projections.

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The couple first settled in Mexico, where they lived for three years — a year longer than they initially planned due to the pandemic. Their living expenses were around $2,700 per month in Mexico, compared to the $7,000 monthly expenses in the U.S. After that, they wanted to explore more of Europe and settled in Lisbon, Portugal, where their monthly expenses averaged around $3,700 a month. 

Their financial success is due to diversified investments. Dianne shared, "We have our money mostly in real estate and Roth IRAs. We like Vanguard. We’re into index funds, which I think a lot of the FIRE community is also. So we manage our money ourselves. We don’t have a financial advisor. And we also have money in brokerage accounts and high-yield savings accounts." They have also ventured into cryptocurrency, leveraging Portugal's crypto-friendly environment. Additionally, they retained three rental properties in Virginia, providing a steady income stream.

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Since retiring, they've adopted a structured daily routine. "We actually get up at six or seven in the morning and have our coffee and breakfast. We take the dogs for an hourlong walk, typically, and we come back and do stretching and exercising, which has made a huge difference not only in our physical health but our mental health as well," Dianne explained. Guillermo works on their travel videos, while Dianne manages their finances and explores new hobbies like learning about cryptocurrency and taking various lessons locally.

"One of our greatest achievements is achieving FIRE, actually taking the steps, having the courage to quit the 9-5 job and to live off our investments," Dianne said. Guillermo added, "It’s so much greater than just thinking about how much money you need to accumulate. But instead, how you’re going to spend what you have now and have a healthier life, have better experiences."

Their story is a testament to the power of financial discipline, smart investments, and the courage to take control of one's life. For those considering a similar path, consulting a financial advisor can provide personalized advice to help align your investments with your long-term goals.

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