A few years ago my wife and I decided we were finished with our hurried lifestyle. We were always racing. Between work, school, and everyday routines - we were done. We were sick of rushing out the door, pushing food on the table, and just missing out on life. So, we decided to make some changes.
1) We minimized. We got rid of pretty much everything we didn't need and we stopped shopping. Once we had less in our life to worry about, we had more time to spend with our family.
2) We paid off our debt. We made every penny count and put all our efforts into paying off what we owed. As soon as our debt was gone, the possibilities grew.
3) We decided to travel the world. We wanted to totally break free from our uncomfortable comfort zone. Unbeatable experiences, time, freedom, education - this is what travel offered us.
Our Goal: To design a simple, sustainable lifestyle that affords our family the opportunity to travel the world, spend time together, and help others.
This blog chronicles the ups and downs of our quest to achieve this goal.
About Our Travel Plans
We launched our travels on January 13th, 2013 and are currently on an 8-month road trip around North America. We're camping, catching up with family and friends, and visiting all those adventurous places we've always wanted to take our kids.
Many people often wonder how we plan on paying for our travels. We're not rich, but for the past few years we have worked hard to simplify our lifestyle and pay off our debt. We'll now be able to afford to travel for a few years and learn how to sustain our travel lifestyle as we go.
We also travel on a pretty strict budget. For us, long-term travel is about adventure and discovery, and traveling on a budget pushes us to get creative and appreciate what we have. Many think that budget travel is limiting, but we feel it's actually the opposite. Traveling on a strict budget pushes us outside our comfort zone - and that is exactly where we want to be.
About This Site
I try to keep this site as simple as possible. No ads. No banners. Just good stories and information.
I created it to help myself, my family, and you, but also to meet lots of interesting people who want to make change happen.
If you're looking for some help or need some advice on travel, change, or blogging - I'm happy to help. Email me at Justinmussler at gmail.com and I will do my best to help or get you connected with someone who can.
And if you have tips on this site, I would love to hear them as well.
About Us
We're the Musslers. Just a regular family of four on a big adventure.
Stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter and please sign up for our RSS Feed.
We are really glad you're here and look forward to connecting with more people who are also in search of a Great Family Escape.
I JUST LOVE THIS! I think this is a fantastic idea and your going to inspire so many other families out there!
Super cool! I love your 30 day adventures and Pretty Smart Villages projects!! Very creative. Once we get settled for a few weeks in France in May, I'll definitely fill some votes on some great places we've encountered so far. Wishing you all the best in your plans. May all your dreams come true!
Aweosme idea! Love this website!
I look forward to reading about your travels.
Hi Justin and Heidi
I love reading your stuff. I know that you have done a lot of research on traveling families and have found many inspiring stories that you love to share. I think you have a great writing style and it is one of the most engaging blogs I have read on traveling with a family. Thanks.
Do you know if there is any information/websites... A way for traveling families to connect and meet up while on the road. There seems to be a few families doing it but do they ever meet outside of the virtual reality?
Michelle,
Thanks so much for for the kind words. That means so much.
I would certainly try http://www.vagabondfamily.org, lot's of great families there.
Keep in touch, and thanks again.
I can't wait to see how you do it. I am quitting my rat race job next year to home teach my children. There are probably a lot of things that will pop up on your travels work wise. I didn't get a chance to read your whole blog but to give you an idea. I took our kids to Mali last year for 6 months. My husband came for 3 of those months. It was a language adventure for us since Mali is where my husband is from. Anyway I found a job teaching english 9 hours a week and although it would never have been enough money to buy a plane ticket it was enough to pay rent, feed us and provide us with spending money. Now that we know that its possible to leave the rat race we plan to be debt free in a couple of years so we can make the same plan as you! Keep in touch we may cross paths one of these days.
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for the story. I think we will probably go the route of teaching English as well. We have both done it before and we are not really looking to "make" money. We just want to sustain our lifestyle and have the freedom to roam. Time is our currency. Look forward to swapping travel ideas.
Justin
Hi,
I just found your site in google and i think this is the best thing
you can do with your life.
I think your children will be grateful when they grow up and you won't regret a minute that you left your job and your old life.
I want to do the same thing in the near future, it's just a bit harder for me cause i'm alone.
Wish you good luck and looking forward to your adventures.
Hi Guys we are a family from Australia who have just packed up our city life for a trip around our country with our three boys in a Kombi Camper. We left 5 weeks ago, it has its ups and downs but sure is hard to break out of the old habits but day by day i am getting use to it. We have already seen some great places. Follow our adventures and we cant wait to see yours
Yes! they say just do it. When you have a young family it will take a bit of planning. Whatever your adventure brings I'm sure it will be a wonderful experience for you and your children. So many of us dream of doing this, but never make the break. Good luck to you and your family where ever you travel takes you. I applaud your courage and enthusiasm.
travelyn recently posted..Romantic Road | Attractions Germany |Small Group Tour
Awesome idea! It will definitely be an experience for everyone. I look forward to reading all about it.
A the day approaches...I feel your level of excitement and anxiousness. Congratulations...this is a journey of a lifetime that is so passionately beautiful!
Hi Justin,
Reading your blog-posts are like reading our own thoughts! We left Sydney for Europe about two months ago and have been travelling happily!
Enjoy your journey: the travels, self-discovery and new direction in life. What an awesome way to live!
Best wishes
Sonja Steyn
Thanks Sonja! I'm gonna check out your blog! Would love to see how Europe is treating you.
Good for you guys- An awesome adventure at every turn. Stay safe and have fun
Jealous
Bill and Lins Reed
Thanks guys!
Don't be too jealous. We have a lot of work to do!
I love this! What an amazing adventure for you all and I can't wait to read all about it.
I was happy to find your Facebook page - which led me to your blog. Looking forward to vicariously traveling the country with you and your family. My husband and I dream of doing this and are working to downsize and pay off our debt so that we can do the same. I only wish we would have considered it sooner when our children were still living at home but we bought into the typical American lifestyle of full-time work for the both of us, school & after-school activities for the kids, mortgage, etc. You are very fortunate to be able to share this experience with your children. Enjoy your travels!
I know! Very lucky!
I think it's great to be where your at. If you get to a point where you can travel, maybe get a little place, the family can visit, meet-ups. There are benefits and downsides to every way. Good you are choosing to go with what you have!
All the best! Thanks so much for stopping by!