I live in Perth, this is pretty much the end of the world insofar as international travel and proximity to major cities is concerned. Since covid, that curtailed my international travel prospects as the frequency of flights has been reduced as airfares soured.

There were outrageous airfares for a population starved of international travel, there were people willing to pay these prices and the airlines were happy to gouge customers. I did not want to play their silly games so instead I holidayed at home. I had become accustomed to international travel, I was making anywhere from three to five international flights per year so it was an interesting time for me.

We have a weekend house, so my free time was spent 80 kilometers south of Perth, it is on a river so it is a pretty scenic setting. On Thursday evening I would leave work, already halfway there to spend the Friday and Saturday at the house and return home on Sunday around midday. So, whilst I was missing international travel opportunities, the time spent down the house was worthwhile. The house is old, it is far from luxury yet this is what I love about staying down the house, I love the 1950 vibe of the place.

So heading into 2025, I made some decent payments on a rental house I purchased and that will reduce payments over the next three years. Once I roll over this mortgage my payments will be halved so this will improve my income from the property. Then I plan to live overseas in a cost effective country in South East Asia or Europe where I can spend the Perth winter abroad. The rental property will subdise my travel accommodation and I will draw down my superannuation. I am now in countdown mode with approximately four and a half years left in the workforce and really happy now.