I started dating an older man at 23, which means I could retire in my 30s

CHRISTINA Schwendeman lives a life that millions of people dream of.

At the age of 39, she gave up her ambitious career as a marketing director to travel the world with her older boyfriend.

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For Christina, the move was a logical choice after she met Eric, a former car dealership manager who was 13 years her senior, at a bar in 2006.

Christina was only 23 when she met Eric, then 36, and they started talking about early retirement in beautiful Italy.

They are now 41 and 54 years old respectively, but what was once just a ‘fantasy’ is now the couple’s reality.

Christina and Eric describe their life as a “constant vacation”.

They visited 14 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, and North and South America.

“When Eric first came up with the idea, it sounded like a fantasy,” says Christina.

“I wasn’t sure how much of it would happen, especially since I was only 23 at the time.

“But I loved the idea of ​​it, if it actually worked.

“I was nervous when he said we were ready to take the plunge.”

It was extra difficult for the nomad, as she had just received major accolades in her career.

“I had just been named one of the ’40 under 40′ in my industry and the idea of ​​leaving it all behind suddenly became a reality,” Christina recalls.

“It was very scary and exciting at the same time.

“I loved my job, but I loved life even more.

“I knew that if I died tomorrow, I would never look back and wish I had worked one more day when I didn’t have to.

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“That freedom was a huge blessing, especially at my age, and I knew I had to make the most of it.”

Christina, originally from Florida, USA, and Eric, originally from Ohio, will be touring in September 2022.

Now they enjoy the freedom of early retirement and the benefits that come with living abroad.

Christina adds: “Our quality of life is infinitely better than before.

“That is largely due to my retirement, but also to the fast pace of life in Italy.

“Start planning and saving as early as possible.

“To achieve this dream takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but it is truly something that anyone can do with the right amount of motivation and determination.”