A testimony from Keren Threlfall
A few years ago, we were a signature away from serving as overseas missionaries, and I’d always assumed we would raise our children abroad. To make a long story short, that opportunity didn’t end up panning out.
Although our future plans aren’t totally clear, what has remained is our desire to learn from and live among other cultures. As a growing family of five, we realized that there would be no perfect time, unless we created the opportunity, saved our money, and boarded an airplane.
How We Did It
After paying off my college debt, we set up a specific travel fund and started saving. Earlier this year, we found tickets to Ecuador at an unbelievable price — $399 round-trip for adults and $299 for children! With enough in our travel fund for tickets, we decided to take our overseas trip now — one we had previously thought would take several more years of saving.
Living in Ecuador
The cost of living in Ecuador is low compared to the U.S. We first purchased groceries in local markets, and ate at home. Soon, we realized that for the same price and far more cultural enrichment, we could eat one meal at a restaurant every day.
One place offered an elegant, organic, 4-course meal for just $3 a person! To get there, we walked 1.2 miles into town (and sometimes paid the $1 taxi ride home).
To fund our living costs while there, I found an at-home job on Craigslist, and finished it in about three weeks. It was nice to have these expenses covered before leaving the country!
Sparing a few days off for travel, my husband also worked full-time (and overtime!) while in Ecuador, which kept our cash inflow the same. The most expensive parts of the trip were actually Stateside — the rental car and hotel stays on either end of the trip.
Reflecting
Traveling internationally is often considered a luxury — most people believe it is something that only the wealthy can do (unless you're missionaries or military). And trying to do so with three young children probably means you’re crazy!
We're extremely grateful for our income, but it's not above average. In fact, at our income level, we technically still qualify for some of our state's government assistance!
Like Laura Vanderkam emphasized in her book, All the Money in the World, people often spend excess money in socially acceptable areas without thinking twice. However, when we choose to put money toward something that is not mainstream, we either feel guilty about it or judge others' choices.
We do a few things that save us money in more mainstream areas, but choose to spend it in less popular categories, like international travel! For example, we have no cable TV subscription, rarely eat out, use a cash envelope for groceries, and use only cloth diapers, to name a few. What would I rather do — spend $100 for my family to eat out a few times a month, or save $100 to pay for half of an international flight? 
Regardless of the future, which we still hope includes living internationally, we now have a lifetime of memories from our Ecuador trip. And one of the best parts about memories? Making them!
Keren Threlfall is a mother of three and wife to Daniel. Although she holds a degree in Biology, Keren considers herself a lifelong renaissance soul. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, reading, writing, and finding great deals.
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Aldi
1 Flour Tortillas – $0.99
1 Cantaloupe – $0.99
1 Carrots – $0.99
1 Roma Tomatoes – $1.29
Total with tax: $4.56
Health Food Store
4 Ears Sweet Corn – $0.25 each
2 pints Blueberries – $1.99 each
2 Mangos – $0.33 each
0.61 lbs Apricots @ $3.49/lb – $2.13 (Wow! I thought the sign said $1.99/lb and I just realized that I must have read the wrong sign. That’s what happens when you have a very tired and hungry toddler with you while shopping…at least I didn’t buy 10 of them!)
Total with tax: $9.32
Dillons
1 Kroger Frozen Apple Juice – $1.29
4 M&M’s Candy – Marked down to $0.49, used 2 $0.50/2 printable (doubled) – Free after coupons
1 Kroger Brown Rice – $0.89
1 Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies – $2.50, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $1.50 after coupon
1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99
1 bag Dove Dark Chocolates – $3.50 (A huge splurge for me…and sometimes, you just need to splurge a little.)
2 Bayer Aspirin – $1.86 each, used 2 $2/1 coupon from the 6/23 RedPlum insert – Free plus overage after coupons
0.79 lbs Broccoli Crowns @ $0.99/lb – $0.78
2 Kroger Cheddar Cheese (block and shredded; 16 oz each) – $2.99 each
2 Larabars – $1 each, used $1/2 printable - $0.50 each after coupon
1 Cucumber – $0.59
1 Green Bell Pepper – $0.59
1 Great Grains Cranberry Almond Cereal – Marked down to $1.29
1 Hunts Spaghetti Sauce – $1, used $0.40/1 e-coupon - $0.60 after coupon
1 Kroger Butter – $2.59
4 Oranges – $0.69 each
Total before coupons and sales: $42.35
Total with tax after coupons and sales: $26.24
Total for all grocery items: $40.12
Menu Plan for this Week
Breakfasts
Cereal, Fruit, Oatmeal, Applesauce, Homemade Bread (I make this with freshly ground whole wheat and it is the best recipe EVER!)
Lunches
Cheese Quesadillas, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Leftovers, Fruit, Cheese & Crackers, Baked Potatoes
Dinners
Spaghetti, Sautéed Green Beans, Biscuits
Chicken Fajitas, Cantaloupe
Vegetable Soup, 30 Minute Rolls
Chicken & Rice Casserole, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Steamed Broccoli, Tossed Salad
Savory Crescent Chicken Squares, Corn on the Cob, Tossed Salad
Pancakes, Eggs, Hashbrowns, Fruit Salad
Dinner with my parents
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