How to Travel the World for Two Decades: Lessons from a 69-Year-Old Solo Adventurer

Have you ever scrolled through Instagram, seen those incredible travel photos, and thought, “I wish that could be me”? 🙋‍♀️ Well, get ready to meet the woman who is ACTUALLY living the dream you’ve been double-tapping on for years!This week on Expat on a Budget, I’m sitting down with the absolute legend, Mary Bartnikowski. And when I say legend, I mean it. This powerhouse of a woman is 69 years young and has been traveling the world SOLO for the last 20 YEARS. 🤯 Yes, you read that right—TWENTY. YEARS.I literally fell in love with her story when we met, and I know you will too. She is the person I want to be when I grow up!In this super-packed episode, Mary spills ALL the tea on how she’s built a life of adventure, freedom, and purpose. We talk about:🌏 The life-changing trip to Asia that started it all.💰 Her secrets to affording a travel lifestyle (including how she lived in Cambodia on just $500/month!).🚐 The surprising truth about her “van life” setup (hint: it’s not what you think!).🧘‍♀️ How she creates her own opportunities, from teaching photography to living in a temple in Thailand.✈️ Navigating the world as a solo female traveler and trusting your gut.🇮🇹 Why Sicily and the South of France have captured her heart.Mary is a fountain of wisdom, an award-winning photographer, and the ultimate inspiration for anyone who feels that pull for something more. If you’ve ever felt too old, too broke, or too scared to chase your travel dreams, this episode is your sign. 🌟Grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and prepare to have your entire perspective on life and travel completely transformed. Let’s go! 🚀Find Mary and her incredible retreats:Substack: Mary BartnikowskiYouTube: Mary BartnikowskiPhotography & Champagne Retreat in FranceSicily Photography Retreat⏱ TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS:00:08:32 - The Trip to Asia That Changed Everything00:09:15 - Defying Age: Starting Full-Time Travel at 5000:13:52 - How to Create Your Own Volunteer Opportunities Abroad00:15:18 - The REAL Cost of Living in Southeast Asia ($700/Month in Cambodia!)00:24:48 - Why Italy and France are Her Favorite European Destinations00:33:54 - The Surprising Vehicle She Uses for Van Life in the USA00:50:51 - Critical Safety Advice for Solo Female Travelers01:09:13 - Is the USA “Too Comfortable”? The Trap of a Cushy Life01:13:45 - Mary’s Inspiring Philosophy on Aging and Travel01:24:46 - Learn About Mary’s Photography & Travel RetreatsYou can also find a video of this podcast on YouTube if you’d rather watch there 😃Thank you so much for listening! My podcasts and articles on Substack will always remain FREE. I will not put them behind a paywall. If you don’t want to become a paid subscriber but enjoyed this episode, I’d be every so grateful if you’d buy me a coffee as a one time donation. Regardless, I’m thrilled you’re here!Treat me to a coffee?Are you planning a move abroad or do you want to explore the possibilities? I have many offerings!Work With MeReady to Plan Your Own Move?My goal is to help you make your dream of moving abroad a reality. Here are a few ways I can help:Personalized Consulting: I offer à la carte Consultations, an asynchronous Async option for busy schedules, and comprehensive Packages.Online Class: Learn my entire framework in my “How to Move Abroad” course, designed to take you from start to dream destination.Free Resources: If you’re just starting, check out my free “How to Live Abroad” series.I also have some amazing offers from International Living that may interest you!If you’re specifically interested in moving to Portugal, this is a great resource: Portugal Made EasyThere’s also a wonderful guide to help you Live Better OverseasAnd this!!! How to Move out of the USMy Expat Toolkit (The Tools I Use & Trust)Banking & Money:Wise: For transferring money internationally. Use my referral code for a fee-free transfer up to $600.Charles Schwab: The best bank account for expats. No foreign transaction fees and unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide.Chase Sapphire Preferred: My go-to credit card for travel hacking and earning points, with no foreign transaction fees.Travel & Connectivity:ExpressVPN: The VPN I use to keep my connection secure. Get three extra months with my link.eSim Nomad: The most reliable eSIM I’ve found for staying connected on the go.Housing & Petsitting:Trusted Housesitters: How I find and book amazing petsitting opportunities.Kindred: The home exchange platform I used to stay in a gorgeous L.A. bungalow for three weeks.Join the CommunityLeave a Comment: What are your biggest expat money challenges? Share them below!Join the Chat: Connect with other readers in my free Subscriber’s Chat.Share this Article: If you found this helpful, please share it with a friend or on social media. It makes a huge difference! Get full access to Expat on a Budget at expatonabudget.substack.com/subscribe