I moved to southern France 2 months ago. I speak French, but the culture shock is more than I was expecting.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Sports
woman in white and blue dress on narrow street in Hyères
Rachel Hosie exploring Hyères.

Courtesy of Rachel Hosie

I was paying $3,000 to live in a cramped Seattle apartment. When I got laid off, I moved out and now live in other people's homes for free as a traveling pet sitter.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
close up of woman with dog
Amber Campbell with one of the dogs she looked after.

Courtesy of Amber Campbell

We had a low mortgage and lived comfortably in Maryland but gave it all up for a fresh start in Georgia. I'm now divorced with a higher mortgage and regret.

Tech Insider : Business
Baltimore, Maryland skyline
Baltimore skyline.

Dee Liu/Getty Images

Growing up, I spent nearly every weekend with my grandmother. She made me see that I am smart and powerful.

Tech Insider : Business
The author on her wedding day with her grandmother.
TK

Courtesy of Leslie Mancillas.

I loved living abroad in Mexico, but thought taking a job in Chicago would help me settle down. It was a big letdown.

Tech Insider : Business
woman in purple t-shirt standing next to sign with a quote that begins
Niesha Davis while on a bus tour of the Englewood Chicago area.

Courtesy of Niesha Davis

After getting a surprise inheritance of $20,000 from my aunt, I started traveling. Now, I live in Argentina.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author wearing a purple hat and standing on a beach.
The author has gone on three big trips so far with his inheritance.

Courtesy of Chris Turner-Neal

We lived in my mother-in-law's freezing garage in Utah for 1.5 years. It helped us save thousands, but I sometimes felt ashamed.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
couple with their dog
Thea Atkinson (right) with her husband and their dog.

Kassidy Meinhardt Photography

I left New York City because I felt stuck in a job that was going nowhere. Now, after 6 years in Atlanta, I'm ready to leave.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
person looking over busy street with new york city skyline in background
Henny Jacobs lived in New York City for years.

Courtesy of Henny Jacobs

My husband and I opened a joint bank account years before getting married. Pooling our money made us feel like more of a team.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her husband in front of a lake in Canada.
The author and her husband opened a joint bank account years before they got married.

Courtesy of Melissa Noble

I lived 2,000 miles away from my dying mother. I traveled to her as often as I could, but caregiving took its toll on my family.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
a man holding the hand of his dying mother
The author (not pictured) lived far from his mother while she was dying.

Djordje Krstic/Getty Images

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