Matt and Jane, a Singaporean couple, have embraced a nomadic lifestyle, travelling full-time across Europe alongside their beloved beagle, Meiji. The pair shared their story with 8days.sg, revealing years of careful planning and saving that enabled this bold move.
Since June 2024, the couple, aged 42 and 38 respectively, have been journeying across various European countries after resigning from their public sector jobs and renting out their five-room flat in Sengkang. Their travels began with a flight from Singapore to Amsterdam and have taken them through destinations including London, Wales, the Netherlands, Albania, Austria, and currently, Croatia — mainly exploring by car, which they purchased for their trip.
Their Instagram account, manwomandoggo, offers a visually stunning glimpse into their life on the road, featuring breathtaking landscapes, forest treks, and mountain vistas, paired with practical tips on budget travel and managing trips with pets.
Jane explained that their lifestyle change has been a decade in the making. “We started saving seriously around 2015 once our careers stabilized,” she said. “We focused on regular investments and aimed for early retirement with an emphasis on travel and a more relaxed pace of life.”
While they kept the exact savings amount private, Jane mentioned they managed to save nearly 90% of their income by controlling expenses, renting out an extra room, and investing in dividend-paying stocks. “We lived off dividends even while working and never felt too restricted here in Singapore,” she added.
Over the past year, the couple has spent approximately S$50,000 (about US$38,300), primarily on accommodation. Despite concerns about travelling with their 10-year-old beagle, Jane shared that Meiji adapts well: “Though she’s calmer than when she was a puppy, she’s healthy and enjoys the travel life. She sleeps during long drives or rest days and plays when we explore. She’s an ideal companion.”
The pair had originally planned to start their travels in 2020 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This extra time allowed them to declutter their flat, donating and selling items over nearly six weeks via platforms like Carousell.
Looking ahead, Matt and Jane intend to keep this nomadic lifestyle for two to three years before returning to Singapore. However, they don’t plan to resume full-time work. Jane shared, “We might explore part-time or flexible work and small business ideas. Matt is interested in pawnbroking gold and silver, while I’m passionate about dogs and might pursue something related.”
Their journey exemplifies a well-prepared leap into an unconventional lifestyle, combining financial savvy with a love for travel and their furry friend.