Brisbane family reveals how to leave work and travel through paradise for cheap

A BRISBANE family has proved you don’t need to be rich to leave the 9-5 grind behind and island hop through some of the world’s most idyllic tropical paradises. Here’s how they did it.

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THEY’VE left the 9-5 grind behind, swapped their backyard for the ocean and are waking up each morning to idyllic islands and a bobbing horizon.

And the family of four is doing it for just $312 a week.

The Ho’s from Brisbane embarked on a two year sailing trip in November last year that started in the Caribbean.

Michael, 39, Yolanda, 38, Issac, 14, and Elijah, 12, are now edging towards the Bahamas where they are in search of “that perfect beach”.

Elijah (front left), Issac and Yolanda, living it up on their new life on the water. Picture: The Ho Family

While their enviable endeavour sounds out-of-reach for most, the family said anyone can do it – you just have to want it.

“We are heading further along the island chains towards Cuba and the Bahamas, this will take us to around the end of May,” Mr Ho said.

“We will then cross the Caribbean Sea towards Panama, stopping by Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.”

Issac and Elijah Ho on the top of Mt Pelee volcano in Martinique. Picture: The Ho Family

From waterfalls to climbing a volcano in Martinique and helping with some rebuilding in Dominica, the family is savouring their new lifestyle and the “slowness” of island time.

“In our case, the idea was toyed with for years and it’s human nature to come up with excuses to not make it happen,” Mr Ho said.

“We increased our savings pretty obsessively, we bought generic food, put every saved dollar into our mortgage, I kept our cars going, servicing everything myself, all work which the average suburbanite would call a tradesman for we did ourselves.

Michael Ho on a picturesque beach on the island of Barbuda in the Caribbean. Picture: The Ho Family

“As a reminder of my goal, even my wallpaper on my PC was a beach in Barbuda — and yes we actually went there a few weeks ago — surreal moment I can tell you.

“We don’t have the highest paying jobs, middle income earners in government jobs, Yolanda is in casual work but in the three years we managed to pay down about half of our mortgage.”

However the big question is, how much has this trip of a lifetime cost the Ho’s.

Yolanda Ho at Deep Bay Antigua. Picture: The Ho Family

The family has tenants living in their Bracken Ridge residence and spend a maximum of $1250 a month.

“We have a small sailing kitty to keep us going and we are almost self sufficient,” Mr Ho said.

“We do not stay in marinas and sail everywhere, avoiding using the engines.

“We try to catch a large portion of our food and shop for the cheapest goods.”

Yolanda Ho and her husband Michael say they have been living on $1250 a month. Picture: The Ho Family

“At some point you have to just go and the rest will adjust accordingly.

“Ask yourself if you will regret not doing this later in life.

“Waking up scanning the horizon to realise that you are the only one there is magical.

“Nothing is ever really free, but this is as close as it gets.”

The family aim to be back in Australia by the beginning of 2020.