Living As Digital Nomads with Chelsea & Todd Parker
This final season of my show is going so fast and I only have a little over five months left to share with you the remaining topics and guests before we say our final goodbye in October. I have a number of shows this month focused on travel in anticipation for summer. I’ve been a financial planner now for over 14 years and in all those years I think every single one of my clients was always planning for some trip during the summer months and this summer is no different. Whether the trips are for weddings, family reunions, kids’ baseball games, concert events or just because, travel is something we are always planning with our clients.
Joining me today are my longtime clients Todd and Chelsea. They’ve been on the show before and they join me this month to talk about how travel literally changed not only how they view life but how they now live their lives as digital nomads, and soon Baby Parker will be joining her parents for the digital nomadic lifestyle. I am always so inspired by Todd and Chelsea’s adventurous spirits and I hope you are too.
What are we drinking?
Todd - Water
Chelsea – Water
Shannon – Black Cherry Schweppes
Podcast Notes
The Journey to Becoming Digital Nomads
Shannon, Chelsea, and Todd chat about their last podcast appearance, where you can hear more in-depth about how they became digital nomads. What started with a half-joke turned into a life they never imagined as full-time digital nomads in Bali expecting their first baby.
Travel can be powerful and transformative. For Todd and Chelsea, traveling gave them permission to pause. They had the time to slow down and think about what they truly wanted to do and who they wanted to be.
Their plan wasn't always to become full-time digital nomads. Everything started to unfold once they were unable to leave Bali during the height of the COVID lockdowns. Now, they own a property and a business there.
Their travel style has really changed since they started this whole journey. They used to plan everything down to the minute, but now they keep things much more open, even planning days without plans.
Financials & Logistics of a Nomadic Lifestyle
The key to making any big change in life is preparing and planning for the journey. Chelsea and Todd spent a long time saving and planning before they left. Once they decided to stay in Bali, they planted the seeds to continue a long-term life there.
They do not have to work full-time because they've embraced a less expensive lifestyle, which can be supported by freelance or part-time work.
It's important to make intentional decisions about what you want. Todd and Chelsea have a fantastic life, but it looks different than they thought when this journey started.
Managing finances across international borders can be challenging, and the moving parts can feel frustrating. The important part is to find an accountant who understands your work and situation.
There are resources out there for folks living a nomadic lifestyle, especially because it has become more common in the last few years. However, each country has its own rules, laws, and culture, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution for handling logistics.
Lessons Learned & Future Plans
Stepping away from your life to try something different means things will look different, and your relationships will change. This was the most challenging part for Todd and Chelsea when they first started traveling, but they have found ways to make it work.
Chelsea and Todd reflect on the incredible lessons they've learned from their travel journey and more nomadic lifestyle. It can be hard to fully appreciate everything while it's happening in the moment, but the journey has been tremendous.
If you have a scary dream or goal, don't be scared to try, even if you're unsure how it will shake out financially. Trust in yourself and embrace the journey—when you're doing what you're meant to do, the financial pieces will fall into place.
Chelsea and Tod are working on many exciting projects, including Chelsea's new business as a travel advisor.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is to trust your gut. The idea may sound crazy to you and maybe to everyone you know but if your guy is telling you to go on an adventure, then I believe you should answer the call.
Resources Mentioned:
MAYM 483 - With Chelsea and Todd
Random Three Questions
Where do you imagine taking your daughter for the first big trip?
What is your favorite meal to have in Bali?
If you were given 1$5k and told you had to travel, where would you go?
Connect with Chelsea and Todd
The Airbnb Instagram: @VillaRaeBali
Chelsea: @Chelsearaetravels
Todd: @bergenandbedford
Todd's Website: https://toddroneparker.com/
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook Page, and let me know what you want to hear.
As many of you know, other than running this podcast, I’m the founder and CEO of The Financial Gym, and we are celebrating 10 years of this journey. Now more than ever, I see the importance of the work we do every single day. Rising inflation, the return on student loan debt, high-interest rates on loans and mortgages, and volatile stock markets make it a time where, now more than ever, you need a best financial friend to help you make the best choices along the way.
At Financial Gym, you get paired with a Certified Financial Trainer, who we call your BFF. Our team has coached clients through every financial season, whether they were living paycheck to paycheck or headed into Financial Independence and Retirement. As a reminder, we work with individuals, couples, or business owners.
The exciting news of 2024 is that Financial Gym now has a sister company, FG Advisory Services, available for people looking for more traditional financial advisory services like asset management delivered by a team that looks and behaves nothing like a traditional financial advisory services company. We literally have a solution for you, no matter where you’re starting from. So what are you waiting for? Head over to or send friends to financialgym.com to get started today. Our warm-up calls are free of cost and judgment, so you have nothing to lose.