A woman who retired in her 30s is opening up about the steps she took to achieve financial freedom and how her life has transformed since.
Christina Schwendeman, who had always been drawn to older men, didn’t think twice about the 13-year age gap when she met Eric.
What caught her off guard was his ambition to retire early and relocate to Italy.
Initially, the former chief marketing officer thought this idea seemed far-fetched. But just two years ago, the couple turned this dream into their reality.
At 39, Christina left her career behind, officially retiring, and now spends her days enjoying life to the fullest.
The couple has already visited 14 countries spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with plans to explore 75 more in the coming years. Italy now serves as their permanent base.
So, how did they make it happen?
“When Eric first brought it up, it felt like a fantasy,” Christina shared with Luxury Travel Daily. “I wasn’t sure how much of it would actually happen, especially since I was only 23 at the time. But the idea of it really appealed to me, if it could actually work out.”
Taking the leap into early retirement came with a mix of emotions. “When Eric said we were ready, I felt a surge of nerves. I had just been recognized as one of the ‘40 under 40’ in my industry, and the idea of leaving everything behind suddenly became very real. It was both terrifying and exhilarating.”
Although she loved her job, Christina realized she loved living life even more. “I knew that if something were to happen to me tomorrow, I wouldn’t regret not spending another day at work when I didn’t have to.
The freedom I’ve gained at this age is an incredible blessing, and I knew I had to make the most of it.”
Now 41, Christina is originally from Florida, while Eric, 54, hails from Ohio. After aligning their professional, emotional, and financial lives, they said farewell to their families and embarked on their new journey in September 2022.
Now, they’re relishing the freedom that comes with retirement and the perks of living abroad.
Eric, who once managed an automotive dealership, explained their motivation: “Italy has always seemed to prioritize quality of life more than the U.S. Moving here was less about leaving America and more about embracing the culture, the food, the wine, and the beauty of the country.”
He noted the stark difference in living costs. “We moved from one of the most expensive real estate markets to rural Italy, so it’s hard to compare. However, our home here costs about a fifth per square foot compared to our U.S. home. Our utility bills are much lower, and while our grocery costs are about the same, the quality of food is significantly better.”
To make this lifestyle a reality, the couple worked with a financial advisor to ensure their investments would generate the passive income needed for an Italian Elective Residency visa and sustain them long-term. They also sold their U.S. home, with their Italian residence now being their only property.
Now, they’re encouraging friends, family, and their over 3,000 social media followers (@fromusatoitalia) to set a goal of retiring early and traveling.
And to experience what it’s like to live on a “constant holiday.”
Christina highlighted the transformative effect of their new lifestyle: “Our quality of life has improved beyond measure, largely thanks to retirement and also to the slower pace of life in Italy.
Start planning and saving as early as possible. Living this dream required a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but it’s something anyone can achieve with the right amount of drive and determination.”
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