My Story: Trading the Cubicle for the World

Hi, I’m Tami. I’m an Orlando, Florida native, having spent my entire life in the area. I grew up in Winter Park and later settled in Winter Haven, where I married my warm-hearted and caring husband and raised our two wonderful children.

For 24 years, I worked as a corporate auto claims adjuster. I know what you're thinking... everyone hates the insurance companies, but I was just doing my job! It was a good-paying career that kept the lights on and my kids fed. My husband and I were married for about as long as I worked for that company. Tragically, he passed away, leaving me a widow to raise our two children, who were only 13 and 7 at the time.

I never remarried, choosing instead to focus all my energy on raising my kids. When my youngest turned 19, I was hit with the classic empty-nest syndrome. I found myself at a crossroads, wondering what was next. Was I going to stick it out for another decade in a job I no longer loved, or would I finally chase the dream I’d always had of traveling the world?

The thought of dying before I truly had a chance to live propelled me into action. I was raised as an only child and had already lost both of my parents and my husband; I knew I was next on the list. I refused to rot away in a cubicle. I wanted to live, and to do it on my own terms.

At 53, I took a leap of faith. I left my corporate job, knowing my pension would be available at 55. It may sound reckless, but I cashed out my 401k, paid off some debts, and created a budget that would allow me to live for about three years. I was savvy with my finances and made the money stretch.

Those next two years were the best of my life. I slow-traveled through Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and parts of Europe, staying in Airbnbs for a month at a time. It was a period of incredible freedom and adventure.

After my travels, I returned to the U.S. to visit my kids and share my stories, but my funds were running low. Again, I asked myself, "What next?" That question led me to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Now 55 and drawing my hard-earned pension, I was ready to settle down a bit. Phnom Penh is a "big little gritty city" that has everything you need without the overwhelming scale of a place like Bangkok. For me, it’s “just right.”

Could Phnom Penh be right for you, too? You’ll never know until you get your boots on the ground and test it out for yourself.

Whatever you decide, I’m here to help by sharing my personal experiences and knowledge. You can find more on my website or by watching my YouTube channel, “Don’t Know Where I’m Going Next.”

Cheers!

Tami