Australian couple share how they were able to quit their 9-to-5 jobs and travel the world while paying off their mortgage: ‘Best decision ever’

A young couple has turned their backs on Australia and the cost of living crisis to explore the world.

Brittany Trovarelli and Mitchell Taylor, both 28 and from Melbourne, quit their 9-to-5 jobs in February and took an indefinite leave to travel.

It’s a lifestyle most Australians can only dream of, with high interest rates and stagnant wages putting further pressure on personal finances.

Speaking to FEMAIL, the couple said they had to make sacrifices for years to save enough money for their international adventure.

They both worked two jobs, had a roommate who helped with the mortgage payments for 12 months, and then moved in with Mitch’s parents for another five months to build up some savings.

At the time, Brittany was running her company Caked Melbourne and Mitchell was a graphic designer at an international video game company.

Now the couple, who rent out their Melbourne home, call themselves full-time travellers who are “professionally unemployed”.

The couple had originally planned a six-month trip in 2020, but Covid prevented that.

Brittany Trovarelli and Mitchell Taylor, both 28 and from Melbourne, quit their 9-to-5 jobs in February and left to travel indefinitely

So far they have visited the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and have just arrived in Italy.

“This is the best decision we’ve ever made and we wish we had done it sooner. It’s opened up new perspectives on life overseas versus in Australia. We feel like we’re living the dream, but it’s just everyday life,” Brittany said.

So far, the couple has visited the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, and recently arrived in Italy.

They plan to stay in Europe for the next few months before heading to America.

To fund their travels while on the road, Brittany and Mitch have a number of online stores selling digital products, collaborate with brands and hotels, and also create content on Instagram. TikTok and YouTube under @brittandmitchworldwide.

The couple has kept mum about how much mortgage they still owe in Melbourne, and are happy to have found a tenant who will help them finance the payments while they are away.

It’s a lifestyle most Australians can only dream of, with high interest rates and stagnant wages putting further pressure on personal finances.

To finance their travels, they have a few online stores selling digital products, collaborate with brands and hotels, and also create content on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

During their trip through Asia, they each spent $60 per day, including food, accommodation, transportation and activities.

They said other destinations, such as Europe and London, were much more expensive, with prices rising to over $100 a day.

Now that they look at Australia from the outside, they can’t believe how bad the cost of living has become.

“More and more people we know are taking on side hustles or second jobs to make some extra money, and it seems like it’s essential these days,” Brittany said.

Despite the poor economic situation at home, the couple plans to move back in September 2025.

During their trip through Asia, they each spent $60 per day, including food, accommodation, transportation and activities

One of the most challenging aspects of the global adventure wasn’t dealing with language barriers or money, but living out of a backpack.

“We are so sick of our clothes! We also really miss our friends and family. We have made so many great friends while traveling, but often we are only with them for a day or so and then they move on to another destination,” Brittany said.

“We ran into a few other challenges, like finding the right passports and insurance. We’re also constantly trying to figure out how to make more money on the road.”

The couple keeps their budget under control by choosing free or cheap activities.

“It can be hard not to fall into the trap of having to do everything yourself, but we also have to consider cost in everything we do,” Brittany adds.

‘For example, we will try to opt for cheaper activities such as hiking, days out on the beach and walking around towns instead of boat trips or excursions where possible.

“We’ve cut out a lot of alcohol and try to only eat out once a day and spend the rest of the day grocery shopping. We try to remind ourselves that long-term travel is different from a vacation.”