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Published May 22, 2023

226 | Trip Of A Lifestyle To All US National Parks

Join Lauren and Steven Keys from Trip of a Lifestyle as they unveil their path to financial independence, marked by saving $100,000 in two years through frugal living, a thrilling Hawaii sabbatical as a test run for early retirement, and the adventure of visiting all US national parks with clever financial and logistical strategies.
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  • Sabbatical Planning

    Steven and embarked on a six-month sabbatical in Hawaii, driven by a desire to recharge and escape burnout. They viewed this extended stay as a cost-effective honeymoon, spreading expenses over a longer period to minimize daily costs 1. explained their approach:

    Let's bring that savings rate down to zero. Let's not touch our nest egg, and let's recharge for six months.

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    To sustain themselves, transitioned to a part-time contractor role, while Steven pursued tutoring and photography opportunities, allowing them to maintain their lifestyle without depleting savings 2.

       

    Daily Life

    During their time in Hawaii, and embraced a flexible lifestyle, balancing minimal work with exploration. Lauren's willingness to work unconventional hours, such as staying up until 3 a.m., allowed her to maintain her job remotely, highlighting the importance of strong employer relationships 3. Steven described their experience as a trial run for early retirement:

    We pretty much had no schedule. So we got to sort of discover what would we do if we had all the time in the world.

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    This freedom enabled them to explore Hawaii's natural beauty daily, reinforcing their commitment to financial independence and the value of enjoying life along the way 4.

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