A young couple have turned their backs on Australia and the cost-of-living crisis to see the world.
Brittany Trovarelli and Mitchell Taylor, both 28 and from Melbourne, quit their 9-to-5 jobs and left in February to travel indefinitely.
It’s a lifestyle most Aussies can only dream with high interest rates and stagnant wages placing further strain on personal finances.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the couple said they had to sacrifice for years in order to save enough money to fund their international adventure.
They both worked two jobs, had a housemate for 12 months to help with their mortgage repayments, and then moved into Mitch’s parents house for another five months to boost their savings.
At the time, Brittany was running her business Caked Melbourne, and Mitchell was a graphic designer working for an international video game company.
Now the couple, who are renting out their house in Melbourne, call themselves full-time travellers who are ‘professionally unemployed’.
The couple originally planned a six-month trip in 2020 but Covid prevented them from taking the plunge.
Brittany Trovarelli and Mitchell Taylor, both 28 and from Melbourne , quit their 9-to-5 jobs and left in February to travel indefinitely
So far they have ventured to the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and have just arrived in Italy
‘This has been the best decision we ever made and wish we had done it sooner. It’s opened up new perspectives on living abroad versus in Australia. We feel like we are living a dream but it’s just everyday life,’ Brittany said.
So far the pair have so far ventured to the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and have just arrived in Italy.
They plan to remain in Europe for the next few months before heading to America.
To help fund their travels while their on the go, Brittany and Mitch have a few online stores selling digital products, partner with brands and hotels, and also make content on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube under @brittandmitchworldwide.
The couple remained tight-lipped as to how much they still owe on their mortgage back in Melbourne – but they are glad they found a tenant to help fund the payments while they’re travelling.
It’s a lifestyle most Aussies can only dream with high interest rates and stagnant wages placing further strain on personal finances
To fund their travels they have a few online stores selling digital products, partner with brands and hotels, and also make content on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
While travelling around Asia, they spent $60 a day each which included food, accommodation, transport and activities.
They said other destinations such as Europe and London were far more expensive, tipping the scales at more than $100 per day.
Now looking at Australia from the outside in, the couple can’t believe how badly the cost-of-living crisis has become.
‘More and more people we know are starting side hustles or a second job to earn a bit of extra money which seems to be essential these days,’ Brittany said.
Despite gloomy economic times back home, the couple plan to move back in September 2025.
While travelling around Asia they spent $60 each per day which included food, accommodation and transport and activities
One of the most challenging aspects of the worldwide adventure hasn’t been dealing with language barriers or money, but instead living out of a backpack.
‘We are very sick of our clothes! We are also really missing our friends and family. We’ve made so many great friends while travelling but often only with them for a day or so and then they are off to a different destination,’ Brittany said.
‘We came across a few other challenges like finding the right travel cards and insurance. We are also constantly trying to work out how else we can make money while on the road.’
The pair keep their budget under control by choosing free or cheap activities.
‘It can be tricky to not fall into the trap of doing everything but we need to factor in cost to everything we do as well,’ Brittany added.
‘For example we will try and opt for cheaper activities such as hikes, beach days, walking round towns rather than doing boat trips or excursions where possible.
‘We have cut out a lot of alcohol and try and opt to only eat out once a day and do grocery shops for the rest. We try and remind ourselves long term travelling is different to a holiday.’
