24. Medical Tourism, Flying With Their Dog, & RV Conversions @ChrisandSara

A Travel Path Podcast

www.atravelpath.com

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Chapters

· 00:00 Introduction

· 08:45 Remote Work

· 11:15 Transitioning to Van Life

· 16:00 Money Tips

· 17:45 Delicioats Ad

· 18:30 Home Base

· 21:45 Renting Their House Out

· 25:45 Current Travel Frustrations

· 29:45 Expenses

· 33:30 Medical Tourism

· 38:00 Traveling with a Dog

· 42:15 Final Five

Hello Pathfinders! What a great show we have in store from Chris and Sara. Chris and Sara have been documenting their travels for many years and have traveled all over the world. It was interesting to learn that although they had remote jobs, they weren’t sold on the fact they could travel until they ended up in Thailand and had an AH-HA moment that they could work from anywhere.

In this episode, learn all about:

Routines

While Chris prefers a routine, Sara likes to mix things up. Living in a van or truck camper allows Chris and Sara the best of both worlds. Since they can fit most of their routine essentials in their vehicle (workout and cooking equipment), they can still follow a routine throughout their day. At the same time, they are mobile and can pick up and move to a new location.

Chris and Sara found that this style works best. When they are in hotels or Airbnbs, they have a difficult time keeping up with their routine because they have to venture to a gym or find a new place for breakfast and a cup of coffee.

Van Life

Chris and Sara pointed out that van life isn’t as glamorous as it is made out to be. They are glad that more and more influencers seem to be showing the not-so-pleasant sides of this lifestyle. Their biggest struggle used to be internet, but Starlink has been a game changer for them.

One of their biggest pieces of advice before starting out is to rent something. This way, you’ll be able to figure out exactly what you need and how big your van needs to be. They quickly realized their first van was more space than they needed, so they swapped that for one that was 5’ shorter.

Money Tips

Like most travelers, fuel is their largest expense. To combat this, Chris and Sara have found that staying put can lower their expenses by reducing or eliminating their fuel cost. On top of that, they like to hunker down in remote areas in the west, and in those dispersed camping areas they often don’t have to pay to camp. These two strategies have made van life very affordable for them.

Renting Their Home

During the pandemic, Chris and Sara bought a house because they weren’t sure what was going to happen with the world. They also needed a space to build their second van. Since they travel so often, they have used their home as a source of income by renting it on Airbnb.

We shared stories of some of the headaches with renting your home out as well as some systems you can put in place to ensure you bring in the right guests. Chris and Sara are also in favor of the idea renting their home out on a more medium-term basis, using Furnished Finder to host travel nurses. Medium or short-term renting allows them flexibility to get back their home if they need to, as opposed to someone who has a year-long lease.

Having a Home Base

Chirs and Sara mentioned that it is nice to have a home base even they though travel full time. Being able to reset, have their own shower and laundry facilities, and just a place to veg out for a bit is refreshing. Plus, it reignites some of that excitement before they head back out, as opposed to if they were constantly traveling.

Current Travel Frustrations

One of their top travel frustrations for Chris and Sara is the language barrier when they are visiting foreign countries. To combat this, they take advantage of apps such as Google Translate or Pimsleur.

Another frustration is dealing with a few clients who see that they are posting on social media. Although the pandemic helped bring familiarity with remote work, there are still some clients who give them a hard time because they believe they should be focusing on their project. Although they meet all their deadlines and Latergram, they can’t make everyone happy. One piece of advice Chris offered was to separate this as much as they can, and even block your clients from seeing your social media posts.

Expenses

Balancing finances while traveling requires careful planning and budgeting. Health insurance premiums, coupled with the added expense of travel insurance, can quickly escalate costs. Chris and Sara have learned to prioritize their health and safety by investing in comprehensive insurance coverage. Additionally, they've encountered unexpected expenses, such as windshield repairs and tire replacements, due to extensive driving. By equipping themselves with the necessary tools and preparation, they mitigate financial burdens and ensure a stress-free journey.

Medical Tourism

Seeking medical care while abroad can be daunting, but Chris and Sara have discovered the benefits of medical tourism. Some people retire to countries like Costa Rica and Mexico, where healthcare is more affordable. Whether it's routine check-ups or specialized treatments, they've found peace of mind knowing that they can receive professional care without breaking the bank. Through careful research and planning, they've embraced medical tourism as a viable solution for their healthcare needs. Of course, do your own research before deciding on which country you wish to get your medical care done.

Traveling with Pets

As pet owners, Chris and Sara understand the challenges of traveling with furry companions. Certain destinations impose strict regulations, particularly regarding rabies-free policies. While navigating these restrictions can be cumbersome, they've found solace in pet-friendly countries like Korea, Brazil, and Mexico. Prioritizing their pet's comfort and well-being, they opt for car travel whenever possible, ensuring a stress-free journey for both themselves and their furry friend. By selecting airlines with pet-friendly policies and adhering to standard restrictions, they navigate pet travel with ease and confidence.

Final Five

What Can’t You Live Without?

· Shower

· Passport

What Have You Learned You Don’t Need?

· Extra clothes

When Is the Right Time to Jump into Traveling?

· There is no perfect time and everything is changeable. People can plan for an entire year, but they miss the spontaneity that comes with travel.

What Could Someone Start Doing Today?

· If you don’t have a remote job, start working your way there. If you have a job where you can work remotely, you can maintain a travel lifestyle even longer. It’s harder to prove to current job or boss that you can do it remotely if it isn’t already remote.

YouTube Channels

· The Dangerz: https://www.thedangerz.com/

Travel Tips

· Thailand

Chris and Sara Online

· Website: https://www.chrisandsara.com/

· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisandsara

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisandsara_

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisandsaratravel

Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chris-and-sara

Videos Referenced

· Auto Rickshaw Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFKEiQ9Hu2g&t=904s

Past Episodes Mentioned

· 18. Chad and Eileen Miles: https://atravelpath.com/show18/

· 9. Linnea and Akela: https://atravelpath.com/solo-female-van-life/

· 19. Courtney and Dakota: https://atravelpath.com/travel-nursing/

Renting Platforms

· Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/

· Vrbo: https://www.vrbo.com/

· Furnished Finder: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/

Language Apps

· Google Translate: https://translate.google.com/

· Pimsleur: https://www.pimsleur.com/

Music

· Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/rocky-mountains

Disclaimer

*All content from atravelpath.com, including but not limited to The Travel Path Podcast and social media platforms, is designed to share general information. We are not experts and the information is not designed to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. Always do your own research and due diligence before making a decision.