I’m a long-time watch enthusiast. And between eBay and estate sales, I’ve managed to build-up a great watch collection. I’ve got everything from old Cartier dress watches to a quartz Omega Seamaster, and even a 1980’s Patek Philippe.

Additionally, I bought these watches when they were cheap. So, I didn’t spend that much on my collection.

Less than $10,000 total.

Recently, I sold my watches because – quite frankly – I don’t wear them and they’re a hassle to travel with. And this netted me over $12,000.

What did I do with that money?

Bought 1,250 shares of a Colombian oil stock called Ecopetrol. This is a company that pays $1.50 in annual dividends. Meaning my 1,250 shares will pay me $1,875 a year – enough to live rent-free in many cities around the world!

This isn’t financial advice or a stock recommendation.

However, I wanted to share this story because there are several useful lessons that you can takeaway from it.

1. Use What You Know To Make Money

Because I like watches, I naturally know the value of different timepieces.

When I saw a quartz Omega Seamaster selling for $250, I knew it was undervalued. Likewise, there’s a demand for used watches right now. And that “insider knowledge” allowed me to sell my unworn watches for a profit.

You might not care about watches. But there’s probably something you’re into – whether its guns or cars or action figures – and you can use this knowledge to your advantage. Weird as it sounds, there are people who buy old silver quarters for face value – and then they flip these coins for a 16,000% profit!

Sometimes your best investments and business ideas come from things you’re already passionate about.

2. Own Physical Assets

I bought most of my watch collection in 2020 when interest rates were low.

Had I skipped watch buying and done the “responsible” thing of putting my money into a bank account, I would have earned less than 1% interest per year. All while inflation ate away at my nest egg.

Instead, my watch collection appreciated by almost 40% in three years.

That’s 400% more than a “high yield” savings account would have returned.

Stocks and crypto are great – if you know what you’re doing.

But physical assets are a terrific “dumb money” play that protects your wealth from inflation.

Case in point, gold delivered an 11.7% compound annual return from 2008 to 2020 – beating the S&P 500.

If I were looking for a way to beat inflation, without having to research stocks or collectables, I’d go to Buy Gold and Silver Bullion Coins and buy silver bars or gold coins as a long-term store of value.

Precious metals are always valuable and their rate of appreciation outpaces inflation.

Do I Regret Selling My Watch Collection?

No.

Every Instagram guru and social media influencer tries to make you feel like a loser if you don’t own expensive luxury goods. And truthfully, most of these items have minimal benefits – at best.

A $50 bottle of cologne will get you more compliments than a $1,000 watch.

And many luxury goods are incredibly fragile, limiting the situations where you can use them.

I’d much rather wear my Casio G-Shock to a club than a vintage Patek dress watch. The Casio has far more functionality, doesn’t require you to wind it on a regular basis, and it is infinitely more durable.

In other words, you can have a good time without worrying about damaging your watch.

I’m much happier now with my cheap but functional watch collection of a couple Timex and Casio pieces. Plus, the money I made from my old watches is generating hundreds of dollars per month in passive income – providing more opportunities to relax and enjoy life.

Travel is fun. But there comes a point when most people want to settle down. And today’s articles shares a cool expat homesteading idea for living an off-grid, international lifestyle.

This is a cheap, affordable way to buy a fun rural property. Either to live on all-round, or as a vacation home.

Here’s the idea…

Buy or long-term lease a small parcel of inexpensive, “junk” property overseas. This is land that’s outside of any major city. Has no agricultural value. And may not even have sewer or electrical access. A true “off-grid” endeavor.

But one that’s certainly an adventure!

Finding Land For Your Expat Homestead

Junk land is cheap, even in the United States. You can find properties out in Arizona and New Mexico for less than $1,000 per acre. There’s no house, water, or electricity. But modern tech can easily solve all three of these issues.

In other countries?

These properties are even cheaper. And sometimes located in what we Americans would consider “Prime Real Estate.”

Much of South America, for example, is completely undeveloped. Even along the coast.

And oftentimes, these rural and remote locations aren’t even that far from the city.

I went camping in a “remote” part of Mexico. With no houses or people for several miles. Yet, this rural country area was only 25 miles from a major city. And easily accessible by municipal bus.

The land here was too sandy for farming.

And close to the ocean, but not close enough to warrant any hotels or resorts.

The property owners, absentees who live a hundred miles away, would have happily rented this land for the princely sum of $500 per year. Less than $1.50 per day.

In many countries, like Vietnam or The Philippines, an Uber or taxi from your remote location to the city would maybe cost an extra $3 – $5 roundtrip. Zooming back-and-forth every single day is still cheaper than an apartment.

The “House”

If you’re buying a property or getting a long-term lease, you can park a camper on your ground. Either an actual, full-sized RV. Or, a smaller, camper trailer.

This could be expensive, depending on where you’re setting up your expat homestead.

But in the Americas, you could simply drive your camper down from the USA.

Campers and RVs are depreciating assets. And like cars, their value plummets. You can often find one of these vehicles for a fraction of its retail cost. Especially in an economic downturn.

Now that housing and land are taken care of, your new expat homestead just needs power and water…

The Tech

Nobody wants to live like a caveman. While camping and hiking might be fun in the short-term, eventually you’ll need running water. And electricity. And Wi-Fi…

Luckily, modern tech makes all things possible.

And you can enjoy power, water, and Wi-Fi – while remaining 100% off-grid.

First, the big question? Where are you going to the bathroom. Believe it or not, but there are tons of RV and long-term camping guides which provide in-depth information on creating your own plumbing and sewage system. Often for very little cost, using common hardware store fixtures.

Travel-Trailer Homesteading Under $5,000, by Brian D. Kelling is an excellent reference guide.

And it covers all the essentials for plumbing and power.

Solar technology has also come a long way. And a few inexpensive panels can easily charge your phone, laptop, and other devices.

This HiLucky Solar Charger will charge an iPhone or tablet to 50% capacity within 30 minutes or less.

And depending on where you live, buying solar panels could be free – via government tax credit.

Lastly, Wi-Fi. High-speed Internet was once difficult to get outside of major cities. And downright impossible to find in rural areas.

Today, it’s $150 a month thanks to Elon Musk and Starlink.

You can watch movies, work remote, and or do anything else online – from almost anywhere in the world. Including rural Latin America, the Philippines, and the open ocean. A true game-changer.

Closing Thoughts

Travel is great. But eventually you may want to settle down and find somewhere more permanent.

Or maybe you already live somewhere, and just want a cheap and fun vacation property.

In either situation, building an expat homestead could be a great way to enjoy your time abroad. While also giving you an opportunity to own property. And, have a reliable venue you can stay at long-term.

With tools like Starlink, and advancements in solar panel technology, you can live comfortably while enjoying an off-grid and rural lifestyle.