Category: Travel

How I Saved $24,227 With Travel Hacking In 2019

by A Purple Life, posted in Travel, Travel Hacking

Surprisingly that title is not a click bait-and-switch, but it is greatly inflated by the fancy flights I’m taking during my Australia/New Zealand victory lap after quitting my job in 10 months. These palaces in the sky are one of the parts of travel that my Mom loves most and I’m so happy that after shelling out $7,000 for a 1/3 off Emirates First Class ticket in 2012 I discovered the wonder of travel hacking, which has allowed us to fly in these wild cabins for almost free. So let’s get into it and see everything I booked with points in 2019! Continue reading “How I Saved $24,227 With Travel Hacking In 2019” →

Another Retirement Prequel

by A Purple Life, posted in Early Retirement, Jobs, Musings, Travel

Our living room view in Ecuador

My trip to Ecuador allowed me to explore more of my possible early retired life and try to discover who Retired Me might be. There are a few goals I have for retirement that I tried to accomplish during this trip, such as:

  1. Go to sleep soon after sunset and rise with the sun
  2. Watch the sunrise and sunset as much as possible

Continue reading “Another Retirement Prequel” →

Ecuador: A Travel Blog

by A Purple Life, posted in Travel, Travel Reviews
The view from our front door

ECUADOR

I’m continuing my series that catalogs tips I learned during my travels so you can have all the insider information. I’m currently writing this from a terrace at the base of 4 volcanoes – overlooking a lake. I had no expectations before coming to Ecuador, but I can now say that the nature views are absolutely breathtaking. Continue reading “Ecuador: A Travel Blog” →

Saying No To A Discount Vacation

by A Purple Life, posted in Musings, Spending, Travel
I keep surprising myself with what I say no to during this journey to early retirement. My friend and former colleague works at a company that offers discounted stays at a Four Seasons in Mexico. It looks beautiful (see above). Their rooms usually start at $400/night and we would get to stay for $75/night so $37.50/person/night. That’s a crazy discount. We would also receive half priced food and drinks…which would probably bring them to regular restaurant prices. Continue reading “Saying No To A Discount Vacation” →