How to Build a Life You Love Without Going Broke

Rugged Destinations
Aug 31
4 min read

When people hear about our full-time travel life, they often assume one of two things:

1️⃣ We hit the lottery

2️⃣ We’re secretly rich

Spoiler: we are neither.

What we are is intentional, creative, disciplined — and willing to rethink what “wealth” really means.

This blog isn’t just for people dreaming of life on the road; it’s for anyone chasing a life they love without emptying their bank account. Whether you want to start your own business, take a career leap, invest in a passion project, or simply live more intentionally — these lessons apply.

1️⃣ Redefine What “Rich” Looks Like

First, let’s call out the elephant in the room:

Most people equate a rich life with money.

But after 13 years building toward this lifestyle, we can confidently tell you: you can be rich in time, relationships, adventure, health, freedom, joy — and still live on a modest budget.

Alex Hormozi, entrepreneur and business mentor, puts it bluntly:

“You don’t need more money; you need better skills, better character, and more courage.” (source: The Game Podcast)

The key is defining what wealth means to you.

For us, it wasn’t about fancy vehicles, luxury accommodations, or having the biggest, best gear. It was about experiences, time with our boys, and the freedom to wake up in wild places.

2️⃣ Prioritize Value Over Status

We live in a culture that pushes status spending — the house, the car, the brand-name everything.

But status spending kills dreams quietly because it ties up your resources in things that don’t actually move you closer to what you want.

For us, that looked like:

Thrift store shopping.
Driving practical vehicles, not flashy ones.
Skipping expensive vacations in favor of everyday adventures.
Choosing gear for function, not name recognition.

These choices didn’t just save us money — they freed up mental space to focus on what mattered.

3️⃣ Build Skills, Not Just a Savings Account

Yes, you need money to chase big dreams. But you also need skills — especially if you want to sustain your dream long-term.

For us, it was photography, media production, and storytelling. For you, it might be web design, marketing, carpentry, writing, coaching, consulting — anything that lets you add value and (ideally) work remotely.

Entrepreneur and author Seth Godin reminds us:

“If you wait until you’re ‘good enough,’ you’ll never do it.” (source: Seth’s Blog)

4️⃣ Cut Costs Creatively

Most people think the only way to save money is to sacrifice joy — cut out everything fun, live in deprivation, grind it out.

We disagree.

What worked for us was getting creative:

Finding discount grocery stores like Grocery Outlet and Winco.
Cooking meals ourselves instead of constant takeout.
Swapping big-ticket entertainment for free or low-cost adventures.
Trading skills with friends instead of always hiring help.

It’s not about living in scarcity; it’s about finding joy in simplicity and realizing how much you don’t need to spend to be fulfilled.

5️⃣ Surround Yourself With People Who Get It

Dream-chasing is hard enough without being surrounded by people who only question or doubt you.

We’ve learned the value of community and networking — finding friends, collaborators, mentors, and creators who are walking similar paths.

These are the people who remind you:

It’s okay to live differently.
Sacrifice now can mean freedom later.
Big dreams take work, but they’re worth it.

Some of the most successful, hard-working people we know — from Alex Hormozi to David Goggins to friends we’ve met on the road — share the same message: success comes from effort, intention, and sacrifice, not magic or luck.

6️⃣ Get Comfortable With Sacrifice (Without Resentment)

Let’s be real: chasing a dream will cost you something.

For us, it cost:

Comfort
Predictability
Fancy things
Stability

But here’s the key: we chose that sacrifice intentionally. We didn’t approach it with resentment. We approached it with clarity, knowing what we were trading those things for.

If you want to build a life you love without going broke, you have to:

✅ Decide what matters most.

✅ Get crystal clear on why you’re doing this.

✅ Make peace with the trade-offs.

7️⃣ Focus on the Long Game

One of the hardest but most rewarding lessons we’ve learned is this: nothing worth having comes quickly.

Our journey to full-time travel took 13 years.

Why so long? Because we weren’t willing to sacrifice our family to speed things up. We wanted to be present parents, build slowly, and bring our kids along for the ride.

No matter your goal — travel, business, art, career, lifestyle — remind yourself:

Play the long game.
Be patient with yourself.
Build a strong foundation, not just a flashy launch.

Final Thoughts: Freedom Comes From Intention, Not Income

At the end of the day, freedom isn’t just about having more money — it’s about aligning your resources with your dreams.

We live in a world that tells you to keep hustling for “more.” But you don’t need more of everything — you need enough of the right things.

Whether your dream is to see the world, start a business, write a book, or raise your kids differently, you can do it without going broke — as long as you’re willing to get creative, stay intentional, and embrace the sacrifices that come with it.