A couple have revealed how they sold almost everything they owned and swapped their Herefordshire home for a life travelling the world with their two young children.
Ruth and Steven Rowe bought a one-way ticket to Sri Lanka in 2023 after deciding they wanted more time with their children before they started nursery and school.
The family, who now travel with just two suitcases, have visited 17 countries, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador and Indonesia.
They spend around four weeks at a time in Airbnbs and say they have saved roughly £12,000 a year compared with their former life in the UK.
Ruth, 34, and Steven, 35, had been renting a barn conversion in Eardisley, Herefordshire, but decided to take the plunge after having their two children, Aurora, four, and Atlas, three, during the Covid pandemic.
As quoted by the Mirror, Ruth said: “We sold pretty much everything we owned, which was an exhilarating experience - we mainly sold it through Facebook Marketplace and car boot sales. So our car, our furniture, everything but a couple of memory boxes with some of the children's things inside and a few clothes.”
The family initially left with two large suitcases, a smaller case, a stroller and some toys. They have since reduced their belongings to just two suitcases.
Ruth added: “Possessions don't make you happy, life experiences do. We bought a one-way ticket to Sri Lanka not knowing if or when we were coming back and we haven't stopped since.”
The children are being world-schooled, with lessons built around their surroundings.
They have picked up Spanish in Latin America, learned about volcanoes while hiking in Peru and practised counting with different currencies.
Ruth explained: “We give them no screen time at all, which I think has taught them patience on their travels and to be more creative when they are bored sitting on a bus.”
She said the children’s confidence had grown and that they were now happy talking to people of all ages.
The family currently spends around £2,000 a month, while Steven runs his online coaching business remotely.
They have spent the past five months travelling around India and plan to visit another 10 European countries next year in a campervan.
Ruth said: “It wasn't a case of we hated the UK - we just love the world.”
The family have no plans to return permanently for now, with Ruth admitting she only misses friends, family and British chocolate.