Wow I'm really impressed with the quality of replies here, you are all very nice and smart people.
Teaching language can pay VERY well. It's a great Mustachian strategy implemented by several on the forum.
I could definitely give it a go, I have researched a bit in the forum but couldn't find a fine example just yet. Seems like you need a few certifications to teach internationally, like the TESOL. But will keep my mind open on this one.
If I were you, I'd let go of the attachment to a $100k income. I mean, you may well still achieve it, but I would prioritize that lower than the other things. You could potentially be extremely happy with a combo of:
1. Easy flight to family
2. Tutoring language online (and possibly on-site too) + some IT work
3. ...from a LCOL area (e.g., more rural Aus near Sydney, or a LCOL shared dwelling in Sydney, etc).
Then you have an enjoyable life, and the rate of income (so long as sufficient) becomes less important.
Sometimes when we put in place the 3-4 other things that are even more important to us than excessively high income, we become very happy!
The only reason I mentioned 100k is because of what I've been reading on MMM so far. Seems like the motto is maximising income and minimising spending? And earning 100k+ seems as close as ever to me.
But by all means, I could live with less if I could be location independent before being financially independent, I so would. But i've been thinking overnight, what I can also do is negotiate with my employer to work a few months per year in Brazil, this could help alleviate the psychological effect of being far. Or I could rent a double bedroom and airbnb, and bring my mother to spend some months with me whenever she wants. So many options in the table, in theory.
Five years ago I was living in a 1890's cottage, with a fireplace, at the top of the hill, no neighbours in sight, NZ countryside. My roommate had a horse we'd ride, I'd wake up with amazing views. I was earning 45k USD max but my rent was 300/mo. It was great but eventually isolation and boredom kicks in, I need to keep moving.
Maybe for you a $100k/salary means you wouldn't be worried about money and out of debt. Maybe there is something you really want to buy. Maybe it is driven by a desire for respect, that people who make more money get treated better in the places you work or that you yourself will feel like you'd made it and become a success. Those are all perfectly worthy desires, but by setting your goal as make a salary of $X instead of achieving the desires themselves, you're limiting the number of ways you're going to try to achieve your final desires. All things being equal, the fewer different potential ways I have to achieve a goal, the less likely I am to reach that goal.
Very good point there. Up to now, higher salary for me was just peace of mind. I was able to save good money even before knowing about MMM and that felt so good. The ability to say yes to things I never dreamed of.
But after discovering I could change my habits and FIRE, seems like my main desire is to kill my debt ASAP, FIRE and be location independent but I know it will take years.
So sorry to hear of your loved one passing and efforts to see them
There are other occupations where you can at least be around like minded people. Seasonally maybe.
Thank you! Funny this is exactly I was gonna do, I was about to get a seasonal visa to Canada. But then I have this debt and would be good to square that first. The saving ratio would still be so low.
I had so many ideas over the years, just for the last couple of months I can tell it involved music, opening a tour operator business, design a new wristwatch. Jeez I need to sort my mind out.
Sorry, are we talking USD, NZD, AUD?
Sorry I started talking USD then shifted to AUD... sometimes I forget there's a considerable difference but it used to be almost 1:1. Usually, at the end of the day, the relation between COL and salary makes it almost equivalent for 1st world countries.
