Trading corporate routine for global intention.
When most people imagine a nomadic lifestyle, they picture luxury resorts, expensive rentals, and lavish spending in exotic locales. But for Black professionals seeking both global adventure and financial freedom, that approach quickly becomes unsustainable.
Nicki Monsees discovered a different approach—one rooted in practicality and intentional choices—that has allowed her to strengthen her finances while exploring the world.
From finding creative accommodation solutions to navigating international healthcare, Monsees shows how Black travelers can build wealth while satisfying their wanderlust. Her journey offers valuable lessons for those looking to break away from convention without sacrificing financial security.
Spending with Purpose
Monsees embraces mindful spending while enjoying local flavors abroad.
For Monsees, the shift from corporate life wasn’t just geographical—it fundamentally changed her relationship with money. “When we travel, I’m okay with taking public buses or getting to the airport on a subway rather than taking cabs just to save money,” she explains from her temporary home in Panama.
This practical approach extends to food, where she prioritizes cultural immersion over excess. “I’m excited to share a snack at three different cafes rather than us both eating at one place and then not having anything for the next few hours,” she shares, highlighting how mindful consumption creates deeper travel experiences.
Finding Home Everywhere
No place like home? Maybe home is abroad.
Perhaps most striking is Monsees’ innovative approach to accommodations. Rather than burning through savings on hotels, she’s discovered house-sitting as a powerful tool for Black nomads.
“We’ve been house-sitting a little bit… We’ve gone to Australia, Seattle, Vancouver, the Finger Lakes, and no exchange of money—you just watch somebody’s pets,” she explains. “It’s like a dating profile. You see their whole house, the responsibilities, what amenities they have.”
This approach preserves capital yet enriches her experience as the cherry on top: “We’ve met new people through that, we’ve hung out with animals,” creating connections that transcend typical tourist encounters.
Healthcare Without Borders
The narrative that quality healthcare exists only in America gets thoroughly dismantled by Monsees’ experiences. Before departing, she strategically used her corporate benefits: “I got Invisalign, I got LASIK so I wouldn’t need glasses, I wouldn’t need to get contacts all the time.”
Now abroad, she’s discovered healthcare accessibility that many Black Americans might find surprising. “I’ve just gone, found a dentist there, got my cholesterol checked, and even with no insurance, paying privately, my cholesterol test was $2, my dental cleaning was $30,” she notes of her time in Medellín.
Building Beyond Travel
Travel isn’t the whole story. Monsees goes beyond.
Unlike temporary travelers, Monsees is constructing a sustainable lifestyle. Her investment in Colombia reveals shrewd financial thinking: “We actually bought an apartment there in Medellín, Colombia, two years ago, a year and a half ago, because we fell in love with it. We saw that it kept moving up and talk about return on investment.”
She manages this property remotely, creating passive income while exploring new destinations—a blueprint for Black travelers seeking both adventure and financial security.
Less Consumption, More Life
The most profound lesson from Monsees’ journey might be her liberation from consumer culture. “Material items are very, very low on my priority list,” she reflects, contrasting her current mindset with corporate pressures.
“I could keep working and try and just go to a country club… or I could stop working, experience the world, always come back if I really needed to, but have such a more, in my personal opinion, fulfilling life.”
