A BRIT has decided to quit his job and drop everything to move to Thailand – he now lives in a dream villa and saves £10,000 a year.
Richard Klein, 20, now enjoys the sweet life in paradise in his three-bed home with a pool and Jacuzzi as "it's cheaper than London".
Richard decided to move to Chiang Mai in June after travelling Asia and falling in love with the country.
The ex-athlete has been travelling with artist sister, Santa, 29, since October last year and they've both settled in Thailand.
After realising he could work online from anywhere as an Amazon seller, the 20-year-old quit his job as a compliance and emigrations officer.
Richard and Santa now live in a lux three-bedroom villa with a pool.
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He says he only spends £700 on rent, £2.50 for his water bill, and £25 to £30 on electricity every month.
His family had been paying around £1.5k-a-month for their home in Twickenham, London – double the price of Richard’s rent in Thailand.
“I found in the UK every person you meet is going through the system and not sure what they are doing," he said.
“You have the ability to express yourself in Thailand.
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" It’s cheaper and the weather is nice.
“There are lots of digital nomads here," he added.
Richard started making money online alongside his corporate job and decided to travel to Europe in summer 2021.
After getting the travel bug, he backpacked around Asia before falling in love with it and deciding to move.
Richard and Santa say they could have found something much cheaper if they went for a smaller home, but are happy to pay £700 a month.
They are able to live in Thailand on educational visas – and Richard is learning Thai boxing, Muay Thai, to comply with his.
He said: “There are no financial restrictions. It’s flexible.
“It’s brilliant – a much nicer environment.
“Chiang Mai has the hustle and the bustle and the nature.”
Richard said the cost of living is very cheap and a night out will cost him a maximum of £30.
“Shots are £1 and it's £1 for a dinner.
“You can drink all night long and not spend more than £30," he revealed.
Richard is now sharing tips for other people to start a business online to encourage them to move out and work remotely.
He said: “Day to day it can get a bit lonely.
“It’s a very different walk of life. It’s a beautiful country.
“I’m really glad I moved. I wouldn’t change it for the world, I don’t have any regrets.
“You feel alive out here.”
Richard plans to stay in Thailand for the next few years, as he also manages parties on several islands near Chiang Mai, but wants to keep travelling and living in other countries.
He said: “The world is your oyster.”
Richard is not the first one to make a savvy move to save on bills and rent.
A couple spent 18 months living on ships after booking 51 cruises as it was cheaper than retirement home fees.
Marty and Jess Ansen, from Australia, spent a year-and-a-half in the sea while saving money on their rent.
The couple say they had missed cruising the oceans after the pandemic hit and the industry was brought to a standstill.
Since then, the pair have spent most of their days on a cruise ship, preferring the lifestyle to the one they would otherwise have on dry land.
Marty and Jess revealed they have been aboard the Coral Princess ship since June 2022, A Current Affair reported.
According to Marty, he told his agent to book whatever became available – which is how the couple's cruise got to be so long.
In Littlehampton, mum-of-one Sara Shepherd was sick of never having any money left over at the end of the month.
So the 54-year-old charity worker sold her £300,000 three-bedroom semi-detached new-build house and bought a waterboat.
The move meant she was able to cut her monthly bills by £350 a month, saving her a whopping £4,200 a year.
The £150,000 waterboat, which was paid for by selling her home, costs £450 a month in mooring fees but this is £300 cheaper than her mortgage.
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"I just had a moment," Sara told The Sun. "I just saw the show home boat and something about it just captured my imagination.
“I could see myself on it. I could see us on it. And when I did the maths I realised I could be much better off too. It was amazing."
How much is Richard saving?
Here is an estimate of how much Richard might be saving since he moved to his paradise villa
RENT PER MONTH
London – £1,500 for a family home
Thailand – £700 for a three bed villa with a pool
BILLS PER MONTH
London – £150 to £250 average on utility bills
Thailand – £30 on water an electricity
A SHOT
London – at least £4
Thailand – £1
A FULL MEAL
London – at least £15
Thailand – £1
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