For years, one British couple felt trapped in the grind of long workdays, bills, and fleeting family time. Then they did something radical: they sold their house, packed up their lives, and flew with their three children to Bali. Today, they’re not only spending more time together, but they’ve built two villas on their land and are living the kind of life they once only dreamed about.
leaving the grind behind
Back in the UK, Matt Dearing, 36, worked as a carpenter, often clocking 10-hour days, seven days a week. His partner, Carlie Donnelley, 35, was an esthetician. Between the long hours and constant bills, Matt often only managed to see his children for an hour before bedtime. The couple realised they were working to live rather than living to work.
So, in a bold move, they sold their family home for €422,000 along with most of their belongings. With the dream of becoming financially free, they set their sights on Bali—a place Matt had researched extensively, drawn by its year-round tourism and sunshine.
a fresh start in Bali
The family arrived in November 2022 and toured different regions before settling in Ubud, a cultural hub surrounded by rice fields and rainforest. They found a three-bedroom home with a sprawling 1,200 m² plot. The rent? Just €2,300 per year—less than what many families in the UK pay in a single month.
With funds from the sale of their house, they quickly invested in building two villas on their land. The plan is simple but effective: sell one, use the proceeds to build more, and eventually create a steady stream of rental income that frees them from traditional work altogether.
investing in freedom
“The return on investment is incredible,” Matt explained. “Back in the UK, I was chasing bills and barely had time for the kids. Here, we can build properties, enjoy the sunshine, and actually spend our days together. That’s what financial freedom means for us—being able to live on our own terms.”
For Matt, something as simple as dropping off and picking up his children from school feels like a luxury he never had in Britain. Beyond the numbers, he says the people they’ve met in Bali have been warm and welcoming, making the family feel truly at home.
living the dream
Now, instead of working long hours, the couple spend weekends exploring beaches, hiking to waterfalls, and visiting Bali’s temples with their children. The island offers them the slower, richer pace of life they were craving, with family firmly at the centre.
What began as a leap into the unknown has turned into a life where work no longer rules their schedule. For Matt and Carlie, the dream isn’t just owning villas—it’s finally having the time and freedom to enjoy the people and places that matter most.
