How this 31-year-old travel blogger lives in France on $53 a day
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Kesi Irvin had no idea that her entire life would be spent traveling around the globe.
CNBC Make It host Irvin tells CNBC that Irvin was the person who excelled at all things when I was young. “In school, I had straight A’s the entire time, I had leadership positions … I kind of was always in this mind trap that I want to get a really high-paying job and kind of follow what my parents did, they worked in New York City on Wall Street.”
When she was 16 years old, the New Jersey native got her first internship at Morgan Stanley. She shares that she always dreamed of becoming a Wall Street girl. Her childhood dream was realized when she graduated from University of Pennsylvania (2012) and moved to New York in order to become a financial analyst. But she soon realized that Wall Street did not offer a good work/life balance. She adds, “I began to really desire the life aspect.”
Irvin has always made use of the limited time she had to vacation for overseas trips. However, it is impossible, according to her, “to see the whole world in just two weeks.” She saved approximately $1,000 per month for two years with the intent of traveling around the globe in a year. “I knew I would regret it if I didn’t do it … I was young, single, had no kids and wasn’t making all that much money, which makes it all easier to pack up and go,” she says. You have more chance of life’s difficulties if you don’t act quickly. In 2015, she officially quit her job.
One year later, it was two. Then three. Now, Irvin is a full-time digital nomad and travel blogger living in Rennes. Her travel blog, “Kesi To and Fro,”Irvin has almost 15,000 Instagram followers and this is his main source of income. As Alex finishes his master’s at EIT Digital Master School Rennes, Alex lives in the same place as she. While working in Croatia on a boat, the pair came across each other in 2018. The tourist visa she received for three months allowed her to move into the city. She is currently applying for a longer-term visa.
Kesi Irvin with her boyfriend Alex explore Croatia together
Photo: KesiIrvin
Her hobby has become a lucrative business
Irvin created her travel blog six-years ago as a way to share her experiences and offer recommendations. However, she decided to start monetizing her expanding platform two years ago with the onset of the coronavirus epidemic.
After four years’ constant travel around the globe, it was clear to her that something had to be done. My first blog investment was in a $500 course. Once I had invested in my own education, I knew that blogging was something I would take seriously.
Irvin is a travel blogger who makes money from many avenues. However, brand collaborations are where Irvin promotes companies, products and other items on her platform. Irvin believes she has been paid $300 to $2,000 for each collaboration. She receives the money either via PayPal or bank transfer.
She also organizes group travel and hosts them; she writes paid travel articles; and affiliate marketing. Irvin says that while I may not make as much right now from the last two, it is my primary mission to improve my website’s marketing and advertising revenue.
Irvin was a freelance charter host, working on boats in Greece, Thailand, Croatia, and Greece before she started monetizing her blog. Irvin now makes about $1,000 per month through her blog. She doesn’t need to do any other side jobs. She says, “I am making a living and enjoying a luxurious lifestyle as a travel blogger in France.” It gives me confidence and allows me to travel abroad as a blogger.
She spends it how she likes
Rennes, home to many universities and approximately 60,000 students is where housing was most difficult. Irvin found an Airbnb room for rent in an apartment shared with her boyfriend. Her monthly rent includes utilities and is approximately $405
Irvin reduces her expenses by eating out only once a week and riding whenever she can. Irvin spends $152.25 per week on food, which includes grocery shopping and eating out. She cooks most of her meals at home. According to her, she shares the grocery shopping with her boyfriend. This probably helps keep the costs down a bit.
Irvin states that it is more affordable to live in France than in New York City. Irvin uses her U.S. number, and she pays $55 per monthly for a Google Fi Plan. On travel and entertainment — including parties, concerts and nights out at bars — Irvin estimates she spends $323 per month and $150 per month, respectively. Irvin does not currently have insurance. However, a plan is being considered. digital nomadsSafetyWing is $40 per Month
Kesi’s monthly average spending
Gene Woo Kim | CNBC Make It
Below is a breakdown of Irvin’s monthly spending as of September 2021
- Utility and Rent:$405
- Food $609
- Telephone/WiFi$55
- You can get health insurance $40
- For recreation:$323
- Entertainment$150
Total:$1,582
France: Her daily routine
Irvin states that “I am still trying to figure out what a normal day is like because I’m still discovering this city.” Rennes is a small city, which I love. I feel less overwhelmed.
She continues: “Usually I’ll wake up, grab a tea, have breakfast in my apartment or find a café, then I’ll ride my bike to a café and try to do some work on My laptop. My laptop. So there’s always something I should be doing, and I’ve started to decide what priority I want to give to the day.
Kesi Irvin cycling around Paris
Photo: KesiIrvin
Alex and Irvin should share dinner together every night. Irvin cooks and Alex cleans up. She says, “Then, if there is an event like a concert or a free climbing event, I will sign up because I want new friends.”
As she adapts to life in France, Irvin faced some challenges, including the fact that she does not speak French. She says, “I learned French seven years ago growing up but I have very little French.” “I don’t really know much. This is likely one of the main reasons that I’m so excited to move here. I am the stereotypical American who only speaks English. Irvin is using the Memrise app for free to learn English.
It was another challenge to learn the culture.[I’ve noticed] French people work on their own hours, so stores are only open for a couple hours — they can be open from 11-2, then from 7-10,” she says. I’m still trying to adjust to this time-table.
France: Long-term Visa
Irvin can only stay in the country on a tourist visa for 90 days. She is now applying for a long-term visa. This process involves proof of income, which must be at least $75/day for 365 days. Also, Irvin will need to scan copies of her passport and her birth certificate. She also needs statements letters for the purpose of her stay.
Soon Irvin will travel back to the U.S. to apply in-person as materials must be submitted to the French embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. Because she is self-employed and holds an American passport, Irvin believes that the visa application process will go smoothly. She states that she is not looking for financial gains in France. “I’m working here to support myself.”
Irvin currently has approximately $100,000 in her investment, savings, and checking accounts. “As long as you show enough money in your accounts … for my stay here, that’s typically what people care about,” she explains.
Irvin has spent six years abroad and doesn’t plan on ever returning to the U.S. It is unlikely that I will remain in France. However, you never know. “I never thought I would live in France in the first place … I might end up really loving my time here!”
Irvin has thought about moving to Germany or Guatemala as her next home. Alex is her father. “I am open. Just give me the globe. I will spin it!” She says. “I like random adventures.”
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