A British couple who gave up their jobs and home to travel the world with their six-year-old daughter say the year-long trip has reduced their monthly outgoings by thousands of pounds compared with life in the U.K.
Hayley, 37, and Lewis Trow, 45, who began their extended trip in mid-July, settled on a travel budget of about £2,000 to £3,000 ($2,300–$3,500) per month. They say that amount is roughly half of the £4,000–£5,000 ($4,600–$5,800) they were spending monthly before they left Cheshire, England, and have found living and rental costs on the road to be about 50% lower than at home.
The family began their trip by celebrating daughter Nyla's birthday at Disneyland Paris, spent four weeks travelling through Italy and later flew to Bali, where they planned to remain and continue exploring until November, according to interviews with Jam Press cited by Fox News. The couple said the idea followed an extended holiday to Australia in 2022 that left them wanting more time together.
Hayley, who worked in IT recruitment before quitting for the year of travel, told Jam Press that both parents had spent years pursuing leadership roles but grew tired of "living for two holidays a year." She said the decision to travel was driven by a desire for more family time and different experiences for their daughter.
The family withdrew Nyla from her local school in the U.K.; they said the process was straightforward and that Nyla now receives online tutoring aligned with the U.K. curriculum and has been temporarily enrolled at a multicultural school in Bali to maintain continuity in her education. Hayley said maintaining educational standards was important but that the move has allowed the family to balance learning with cultural experiences.
The couple acknowledged challenges, including concerns from friends and relatives and the practicalities of spending extended time together. Hayley said tantrums and adjustments to constant proximity have been part of the experience, but added that "compared to juggling the school run with late-night emails…We’ll take the chaos of travel any day." She described the choice as the best decision they have made.
The Trows said saving money was not their primary objective when they set out, but that strict budgeting and lower costs for accommodation and daily living have made the trip financially sustainable. They reported surprise at how much they had been spending while living in the U.K. and said the lower monthly bills on the road permitted visits to destinations they had previously prioritized only for short vacations.
The family travel trend of taking extended breaks or "gap years" with children has received increasing attention in lifestyle and travel coverage, with parents citing educational and bonding benefits as well as financial considerations when planning longer trips. The Trows’ account underscores how changes in housing and daily expenses can shift household budgets when families relocate temporarily abroad.
Hayley and Lewis plan to continue documenting their travels and said they intend to return to the U.K. after the year but have not specified whether they will resume previous careers immediately. Their journey illustrates how some families are re-evaluating traditional work and schooling patterns in pursuit of extended travel and shared experiences.