NFA Finance

We just recorded an episode of The Non-Compliant Life about leaving America. People move to other countries for all kinds of reasons—cost of living, a different lifestyle, or just wanting a change.

Then today’s blog prompt showed up:

“What’s a country that’s at the top of your bucket list?”

I had to laugh a little.

Because if I’m being completely truthful, I don’t have one.

I sat there trying to think of an answer. Was there somewhere I’ve always wanted to go? Some country I’ve been dreaming about visiting?

Nothing came to mind. And I’m not going to pick a place just so I have an answer to a blog prompt.

Visiting Is Different From Leaving

I realize the question is about visiting. You can take a trip somewhere without wanting to pack up your life and move there.

But even with that distinction, my answer stays the same.

I have zero desire to leave the country right now, and I don’t have some international vacation I’m dying to take either.

Maybe that sounds strange to somebody who loves traveling. They might have ten countries picked out already. Good for them. If that’s what excites you, go do it.

It just doesn’t excite me that way.

I can appreciate that there are beautiful places all over the world without feeling like I need to get on a plane and see them all.

I Know What Gets Me Excited

Give me a car I want to build. Give me a road trip, a car show, or a reason to get behind the wheel and head somewhere.

I can get excited about building a restomod into something I can drive all over this country. Taking it to events. Putting miles on it. Meeting people along the way and making stories out of the whole experience.

That’s something I can picture myself doing. That gets my attention.

I’ve got businesses I want to build. Things I want to create. A whole lot of life I still want to live.

When I think about what I want to do next, that’s where my mind goes. It doesn’t go to picking a country off a map.

And honestly, there’s plenty right here that I haven’t experienced yet.

You Don’t Have to Want What Everybody Else Wants

Sometimes a question like this makes you feel like you’re supposed to have an answer ready.

Of course you have a dream destination. Everybody does, right?

Well, apparently I don’t.

I don’t know exactly why. I’m not going to make up some deep explanation for it. I just don’t feel that pull.

Maybe someday something will catch my attention. Maybe there will be a particular event, an experience, or a reason that makes me say, “All right, I want to go do that.”

If that happens, I’ll look into it.

But today, I’m not sitting here wishing I were somewhere else.

If You Want a Change, Make One

My feeling about where you live is pretty simple: if you don’t like it, figure out what you can do to change it.

I know moving takes money, planning, and effort. It isn’t always something you can do tomorrow morning. But if living somewhere else matters to you, you can start working toward it.

For me, moving to another country isn’t a goal I’m trying to reach. I don’t feel like I’m missing out by staying here.

I want to keep building a life that makes me want to get up in the morning. There’s enough in front of me right now to keep me busy, interested, and looking forward to what comes next.

So what country is at the top of my bucket list?

None.

That’s the honest answer. And I’m perfectly good with it.

— Nicholas Francis
Modern Day Dealer