I travel the world and live rent-free by pet sitting full time
Charlie Stover, a 35-year-old from Portland, Oregon, lives location-independently through full-time pet sitting, earning $60,000 annually as a money coach while also working as a stripper. They spent three months traveling solo throughout Europe, using both paid and unpaid pet sitting arrangements to save on accommodation costs.
Summary
Charlie Stover describes their unconventional lifestyle as a location-independent individual who uses pet sitting as both an income stream and housing exchange mechanism. At 35 years old and based in Portland, Oregon, Charlie operates a money coaching business that generates approximately $60,000 per year, specifically helping LGBT, BIPOC, first-generation, and neurodivergent clients manage debt and save for retirement without requiring six-figure incomes. To supplement this income, Charlie also works as a stripper on the side. Their living situation is highly mobile, with all possessions fitting into just two suitcases - one large and one small - which has been their lifestyle for a year and a half. Charlie actively seeks out pet sitting opportunities ranging from one week to month-long assignments, utilizing both paid arrangements and free housing exchanges. During the summer, they embarked on an extensive three-month solo journey throughout Europe, visiting multiple countries including England, Ireland, and Italy. Specific pet sitting experiences included caring for animals in Gouda, Netherlands, and a particularly memorable assignment with an upscale orange cat in downtown Paris. Charlie notes that the Paris opportunity was extremely competitive, comparing the application process to applying to Harvard, but emphasizes it was worthwhile despite being unpaid because it allowed them to save thousands of dollars that would have been spent on Airbnb accommodation.
Key Insights
- Charlie Stover operates a money coaching business that generates approximately $60,000 annually while supplementing income through part-time work as a stripper
- Charlie has maintained a minimalist lifestyle for a year and a half, living entirely out of just two suitcases
- Charlie uses pet sitting both as a paid income stream and as unpaid housing exchanges to eliminate accommodation costs
- Charlie found pet sitting in downtown Paris to be extremely competitive, comparing the application process to applying to Harvard
- Charlie spent three months traveling solo throughout Europe, visiting London, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and France through pet sitting arrangements
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] The best part about the lifestyle I have where I'm location independent [music] is that I can decide to go where I want when I want. [music] Caffeine is my drug of choice. In April, I decided I want [music] to go to Europe and spend months there and I made it happen. My name is Charlie Stover. I'm 35 [music] years old and I'm based in Portland, Oregon and my business makes about $60,000 a year. [music] I'm a trans latinx money coach helping [0:32] LGBT bipoc first gen neurospicy [music] clients crush debt and save for a six-figure retirement without needing to make six figures and I work as a full-time pet sitter [music] and a stripper…
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