The Countries That Changed How I See Money Forever
I LOST it all. Millions vanished. But the REAL wealth? I found it in the streets of Kathmandu, not the Dubai skyscrapers.
I’ve made money and lost money—big amounts, at times. But the greatest lessons about wealth didn’t come from the high-rise buildings where deals are made. They came from the streets of Kathmandu, the busy streets of Hanoi, the sun-soaked beaches of Thailand, and the illusions of tall buildings in Dubai.
What I learned from these countries is that true freedom isn’t about accumulating more wealth—it’s about shifting your mindset and redefining what really matters in life.
How Travel Changed My View of Success and Happiness
I was obsessed with the idea that the more money I made, the happier I would be. After all, I had made a fortune in crypto, and I thought that was the key to a fulfilled life. But as I journeyed through different corners of the world, my perspective changed in ways I never imagined.
These experiences didn’t just teach me about money; they forced me to rethink what wealth even is.
The Wealthy Mindset
Here’s what I learned from my travels, and these lessons have changed how I view money, happiness, and success forever:
Happiness is not about how much you have but how much you appreciate what you do have.
Money doesn’t define your value or your worth.
Freedom comes from needing less, not having more.
These are lessons I’ve learned from the following countries that changed how I see money forever.
🇳🇵 Nepal – Happiness Isn’t About Money
If I were to pinpoint the moment my relationship with money shifted forever, it would be in Nepal. Kathmandu.
I saw families living in modest homes, sharing meals with neighbors, and finding joy in the smallest of things. I realized something that shocked me at first:
Happiness isn’t about how much money you have—it’s about how much you appreciate what you already have.
During my month in Nepal, I took the opportunity to pursue something I had always wanted to do: become a certified massage therapist. I enrolled in the Institute of Natural Medicine in Kathmandu, and the experience was life-changing. From Ayurvedic techniques to deep tissue and hot stone massage, I learned how to heal not just the body but the mind.
The power of touch, patience, and learning to be fully present in the moment became the greatest lesson.
But Nepal wasn’t just about training—it was about the way I saw life and money. In a place where people had so little, they taught me that wealth is a state of mind. The act of giving, sharing, and being present in the moment was the true currency of life.
One of my fondest memories was celebrating Holi, the festival of colors (check out my video about it, totally fun!) As I stood there, drenched in vibrant powders, surrounded by locals dancing and laughing, I felt a deep sense of peace and contentment.
At that moment, I understood that the richest people aren’t those who have the most—they are the ones who can give the most, whether it’s love, joy, or time.
🇻🇳 Vietnam – The Value of Every Dollar
Vietnam was a wake-up call for me. I had just come from a month of introspection in an ashram in India—my mind cleared and my soul at peace. I arrived in Hanoi, and it felt like the complete opposite of everything I had just experienced. The noise, the chaos, the vibrant colors—everything hit me at once.
But it is the reality of life.
Vietnam taught me how to find value in the simple things. Street food for $1 became a daily ritual, and I learned how little you actually need to live well. Vietnamese culture places immense value on community and simplicity.
I had a profound realization there:
Happiness doesn’t come with more money—it comes from living in alignment with your true needs.
One evening, I found myself sitting on a tiny plastic stool, sipping a cup of cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee) and eating a Bánh Mì, the most delicious sandwich I’d ever tasted. At that moment, I felt a peace I hadn’t anticipated.
The value of every dollar in Vietnam wasn’t about what you could buy but about the joy you found in the experience.
I remembered a lesson I had learned years ago in a Buddhist monastery: True wealth is the ability to enjoy the present moment. This lesson stuck with me as I continued my journey through Vietnam, and it deepened my understanding that money isn’t a means to an end—it’s a tool for experiencing life in the fullest way possible.
🇨🇿 Prague – The First Time I Understood Currency Differences
I’ll never forget the first time I stepped into Prague. It was a surreal feeling: the history, the beauty, and the cost of everything around me. Beer was cheaper than water. And for someone like me—who had spent years in cities where a pint cost more than a meal—this was a shock. I suddenly felt richer without actually having more money.
Here’s a photo of a younger in Prague 😁
The lesson?
The value of money is relative.
When you step outside of your normal life, you realize that the economy around you shapes your perception of wealth. In Prague, my dollars stretched further, and I realized that the way you use money depends entirely on the context.
One of my favorite memories was at Vytopna, a quirky bar where beer is delivered to your table by a miniature train. I know it sounds ridiculous, but those moments—became part of the narrative of my trip. And as I sipped beer that cost almost nothing, I thought, “This is the kind of experience money can’t buy.”
But, like any valuable lesson, it wasn’t all about indulgence. There was one moment that made me rethink my priorities: I bought a T-shirt that I really didn’t need. It was one of those purchases driven by ego—something to impress my friends. And when I looked at the receipt, I realized that this one T-shirt had wiped out most of my remaining funds.
The lesson? Don’t let your purchases define your happiness.
🇹🇭 Thailand – Freedom Over Fortune
In Thailand, I had an epiphany:
Financial freedom isn’t about accumulating more wealth—it’s about learning how to live with less.
I met a number of expats there, some of whom had left six-figure jobs behind to live more simply. What struck me most was the sense of contentment they had found in their new lifestyle, even though they were living on a fraction of their former salaries.
Terrifying encounter with a Tiger in Thailand
Here, life revolves around a different set of priorities: quality time, simplicity, and connection. I learned that when you focus on what really matters—your health, relationships, and happiness—you don’t need much.
Thai people have a way of living that emphasizes gratitude for the present moment, and I began to realize that this was a kind of freedom money couldn’t buy.
The contrast was stark. Waitstaff in Thailand don’t expect tips—but when you give them one, they light up as if you’ve given them the world. The kindness is genuine, and it’s a humbling reminder that joy can come from the simplest of things.
Money is not the measure of happiness; connection and presence are.
🇦🇪 Dubai – The Illusion of Wealth
Dubai, on the other hand, is a place of extremes—luxury, ambition, and hard work. The skyline glitters with the most extravagant buildings, luxury cars cruise the streets, and money is everywhere. But despite all the opulence, I met so many people who felt empty–always chasing more, yet never truly satisfied.
In Dubai, I experienced firsthand how money can create an illusion of happiness, but it doesn’t always deliver on its promise. I was involved in a business project there and for months, I poured my heart into it, traveling to trade fairs and meeting ambitious entrepreneurs. But slowly, things started to slip away from me.
There was no contract, just verbal agreements. I became less involved as the project grew, and I was burned out before I knew it. Then came the devastating news: the company was bankrupt. It was a crushing blow.
What happened? Where did the money go?
Dubai has taught me something invaluable:
Trust and integrity are more important than any business deal or financial success. It was a harsh lesson that made me realize how quickly things can fall apart if you don’t have the right people around you.
3 Simple Shifts to Reclaim True Freedom
So, what can you do with this new understanding? How can you shift your perspective on money and freedom?
Practice Gratitude for What You Have Right Now
Start today. Take a moment to appreciate everything you have, no matter how small. The simple act of acknowledging and appreciating what you already own will begin to shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.
Simplify Your Lifestyle
Begin to reduce the number of things that clutter your life. This doesn’t mean giving up everything you love, but it’s about being more intentional with what you own, what you do, and how you spend your time.
Shift Your Focus From Earning More to Living Better
Instead of constantly pushing for more money or better material wealth, focus on how you can make your life more fulfilling in other ways. Seek personal growth, meaningful connections, and new experiences that enrich your life far beyond what money can buy.
Here’s My Challenge to You
Do you believe that money is the key to freedom?
Or are you ready to challenge that belief?
Let me know in the comments below what freedom means to you.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to dive even deeper into mastering your finances, eliminating debt, and building long-term wealth, check out my book Smart Money Management: A Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Freedom. It’s designed to help you break free from financial stress and take control of your financial future, one step at a time.
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Catch you in my next post and let’s talk about Why People With Less Are Often Happier Than You!
See you then, and have a fantastic week!