Seeds Fam - welcome back. First things first: GO HAWKS! Super Bowl Champs. Best in the world.

My favorite part is how close this team was. Genuine friends. Relationships. Walk and talks. Getting to know each other off the field,

So they can fight even harder for each other on the field.

Highly underrated keys to success.

Or as some might say, “Seeds of Success” (is that cringe?)

Alright, Hawks rant over. Newsletter #3 of the relaunch.

Sabbatical finances.

Let’s get it.

I’ll preface by saying:

This is simply my own life experience. While I cannot say what’s right for you, I will share my journey and encourage you to implement what’s useful, discard what’s not, and make adjustments to create your own path.

Whether you’re planning a trip, sabbatical, or dream of your own, hopefully this helps.

Last week I went deeper than I ever have on a public platform discussing my personal life, career, and decision to take sabbatical.

Recap

During sabbatical, I’ve received many questions around finances and how I afforded to travel/take sabbatical.

So let’s talk about it ⬇️

Again - while I can't say what's right for everyone, here's what worked for me:

A decade of intentional decisions, hard work, delayed-gratification, and sacrifice.

I know. Super lame answer…

But it’s the truth.

If you recall last week’s newsletter, I started this journey -$4k in debt (not including student loans).

So it required me to scratch and claw to climb out of the hole I put myself in.

(Reminder - the DUI happened for me, not to me)

Financial Foundation Summary

💰 Worked extremely hard in sales for 10+ years (100,000+ cold calls, SDR/AE accomplishments, millions sold in software, commitment to excellence)

🏦 Voraciously saved money (for years, said no to just about everything)

🚊 Embraced a 5-6 hour daily commute to take advantage of an opportunity, save transportation costs, and use the extra time to work, learn, & study

(Commute was crazy: 4am wake up + run, 5:10am lightrail to catch 6am bus into city)

🥪 Said no to eating out (oatmeal for lunches, PB&J's for dinner, chicken & broccoli if I was really feeling it)

🥗 BUT - I did invest in taking mentors & peers out to lunch to learn, network, & build professional brand

🏡 While saving, I made small investments in my “future real estate fund,” stock market, 401k's, & HSA (real estate goals were always front and center at my work desk)

🏠 Once I had saved enough, I purchased a house and rented out the primary bedroom on AirBNB while sleeping in guest room

⚙️ Founded & operated AirBNB business alongside career & running a podcast (helped me pay around half of my annual mortgage)

📚 Studied financial literacy in my spare time (books, YouTube, podcasts, people)

⚡️ Invested tens of thousands of dollars into coaching & personal development (podcast here)

*Note - of all financial vehicles listed above, the most important investment(s) I’ve ever made are the investments in myself (health, coaching, books, programs, therapy)

Sabbatical-Specific Planning & Strategy

📖 Read books, watched Ted Talks, and listened to podcasts on sabbaticals (resources below)

🏠 Moved into my parents house at age 31 to save money (thanks Mom & Dad)

💵 Sold most of my possessions or gave them away (all personal belongings are currently in a 12×10 storage shed - or tucked away in Mom & Dad’s house…)

📝 Rented out my properties

🇮🇩 Paid $10/night for lodging in Bali (~$300 total for 3 months)

🇹🇭 $15/night in Thailand

💡 Limited big expenses, averaged ~$3-5/meal

🧘 Invested in a Yoga Teacher Training (something I always wanted to do), which has paid for itself in a couple months of teaching

🚗 Slept in my car during summer roadtrip on BLM land and free spots (no housing costs, limited living expenses)

🏦 I use a high yield savings account for liquid funds (Wealthfront)

💳 Also use Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card which is a great way to purchase flights with points

💭 Am very conscious about my spending (while still saying yes to life)

✈️ Bought cheapest flights possible months in advance (I let the cheapest flights / days dictate my travel departures)

🧘 Came back home for 5 months to teach yoga & house sit - helping me make money to offset living expenses while developing my teaching craft and planning the next move

🤝 Volunteer Exchange Programs - I’m currently applying to yoga teaching opportunities where I would teach yoga abroad as a volunteer in exchange for free lodging and food (some are even paid)

Overall, I built a financial foundation over the last 10+ years that put me in a (comfortable-enough) position to take the leap.

Then I got strategic, put a plan in place, and went for it.

Because I don’t believe there is a perfect time to change your life.

But I believe it’s possible with the right planning, preparation, and self belief.

And if not now, when?

While I love solo travel and continue to think about my future endeavors, I’m keeping in mind a recent quote I heard from legendary Ice Climber & Red Bull sponsored athlete, Will Gadd

“It’s not what you climb. It’s who you climb it with, and how many days can you keep it going.”

I consumed a ton of books and YouTube videos on sabbatical, career breaks, gap years, and travel while preparing for the leap.

Here are some of my favorites:

Books

YouTube Videos

There’s plenty more if you’re interested. I would encourage you to keep a journal handy and jot down notes, ideas, inspiration - don’t hold back.

You never know where the one idea, acted upon, can lead to.

💻 Recent Newsletter Posts

🎙️Seeds of Success Podcast (Spotify)

🎙️Seeds of Success Podcast (Apple Podcasts)

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P.S. - For the next chapter of this journey, I’m open to aligned partnerships and sponsorships with people or brands who believe in growth, curiosity, exploration, and meaningful living.

Please reply to this email if you or anyone you know is interested.

Or if you simply have questions about my journey or your own endeavors.

Cheers to the adventure 🚀