A couple found an ingenious way to navigate the cost of living crisis, and it means they get to see some amazing parts of the world at the same time.
Angelyn and Richard Burk, originally from Seattle, have made the bold choice to trade dry land for the open seas, realizing that living on cruise ships is actually more economical than paying their mortgage.
With escalating mortgage rates, the Burks found that living on board a boat is a far more cost-efficient option than struggling to save for a home loan while satisfying their insatiable wanderlust.
In May 2021, they bid farewell to their jobs and embarked on a new life at sea, each armed with just a single suitcase - all because they could live on the ship for as little as $43.92 a day.
Angelyn, 53, told 7News: "We love to travel, and we were searching for a way to continuously travel in our retirement that made financial sense."
Along with her husband Richard, the couple has clearly taken to life on the water as they intend to spend the rest of their days on cruise ships exploring the world.
Since their adventure began, the couple has hopped on and off multiple cruise ships, relishing the freedom to sail to various destinations. Their travels have taken them on a 51-day voyage from Seattle to Sydney, where they explored locations such as the Bahamas, Singapore, Italy, and Canada.
Angelyn explained: "Our original plan was to stay in different countries for a month at a time and eventually retire to cruise ships as we got older."
The Burks decided to kickstart their retirement plan earlier than anticipated, devising a strategy that made financial sense and allowed them to live the life we all dream of.
They adopt a frugal lifestyle, capitalizing on sales and loyalty memberships to secure the best deals, all while bidding farewell to the mundane 9-5 routine. By utilizing their savings and selling their home, they achieved early retirement, promptly commencing their new life split between cruise ships.
Angelyn continued: "We have been frugal all our lives to save and invest in order to achieve our goal. We are not into materialistic things but experiences."
She caught the cruise bug in 1992 and her love for holidaying on the sea was heightened when she met Richard, and the pair would cruise yearly, if not bi-annually.
Angelyn revealed to CNN in April 2022 that the average daily cost of living on a cruise ship amounts to $89, which includes the room, transportation, tips, entertainment, as well as port fees and taxes.
Luckily for the couple, this was "well within" their retirement budget and without any hesitation, they set sail for the life they'd dreamed of.
Since embarking on their seafaring adventure, the Burks have spent just a handful of nights on dry land, temporarily staying with family or friends during brief interludes between switching ships.
The Burks are living the high life, and with their sights set on endless adventures and new horizons, they've discovered a remarkable way to conquer the cost of living crisis without sacrificing their dreams.
