How Americans Build a Life Abroad: Carl Richards on Risk & Mindset

Carl Richards is a certified financial planner, the New York Times Sketch Guy, and the author of Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches. If you are an American thinking about moving abroad or already living outside the US, there is a reality that most people encounter far too late: the fear of leaving rarely matches the regret of staying. Carl moved his family from Utah to New Zealand in 90 days. He spent his savings to do it. He would do it again without thinking twice.

This episode covers why most of what we worry about never happens, how living abroad detoxes US work culture, and why the families who dream of moving rarely actually go.

Key Takeaways

How a Whiteboard Led to the New York Times

Carl was explaining a complex topic to two smart clients. They stared blankly. He stood up at a whiteboard and drew boxes and arrows. They said, I get it now. He put those sketches on the internet. A year later, only his mom and sister read them. Someone forwarded them to an editor at the New York Times. The editor asked for one. Then another. Carl did a sketch every week for ten years. His lesson: show up, be consistent, and put yourself at risk for good things to happen. There was no predictable path. He kept going because explaining things that mattered felt like a compulsion, not a decision.

Moving the Family to New Zealand

Carl's wife, Corey, had always wanted to live abroad. They tried France. It never worked. Their landlord sold their rental house and gave them 60 days to leave. A friend at yoga mentioned she had a house and car and kayaks in New Zealand. Corey came home and said let's go. Ten days later, they had plane tickets. Ninety days later, they moved. They planned for one year. They stayed for four. Their daughter was going into her senior year of high school. Their son was a freshman or sophomore. A younger daughter was two years behind. Those are not ideal ages to move. All three children say it was the best thing the family ever did.

The Detox from US Work Culture

Carl did not realize how consumed he was by money and work until he left. In the US, money and work had become the organizing principle of life. People say they will sleep when they are dead. They fit hobbies in around work. In New Zealand, that static disappeared. A friend told Carl to stop asking people what they do for a living. Ask about their next holiday. Ask about their family. In a French cafe, Carl asked for scrambled eggs after the breakfast menu ended. He offered to pay double or triple. The server said, now I understand you think this is about money. It is about food.

The Worry List and Why People Do Not Move

One of Carl's sketches shows a page titled "A list of things helped by worrying." The page is blank. Worry is circular obsession. Planning is different. Make a plan. Write it down. Obsessive worrying has never helped anyone. Carl met friends in the US who said he was doing their dream. They said they would move if they could afford it. Carl knew their net worth was ten times his. He told them that was not true. Either do it or stop wanting to.

What Living Abroad Teaches You About Money and Work

If you have the inkling, just go do it. Figure it out later. It will be inconvenient. It will be expensive. It will be hard. That is the point. Everything takes more energy than expected. A grocery store requires full attention. Driving on the other side of the road turns a four-hour trip into an eight-hour trip. Carl complained to his daughter about how hard it was. She said it cracked her up that he thought he could have an adventure without it being hard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is moving abroad worth the financial cost?

Most people who say they cannot afford to move have the money. They are using cost as an excuse. Carl spent his savings to move his family. He would do it again.

What is the right age to move children abroad?

There is no ideal age. Carl moved a high school senior, a sophomore, and a middle schooler. All three children say it was the best thing the family ever did.

Does worrying help with major life decisions?

No. Worry is circular obsession. It does not solve problems. Making a plan and executing it is different from worrying.

How much advance planning is required to move abroad?

You do not need a perfect plan. Carl's family bought plane tickets ten days after hearing about an available house. They moved 90 days later.

What is the hardest part of relocating to a new country?

The cognitive load. Simple tasks like grocery shopping and driving require full attention. Everything takes more energy than expected. That is normal.

Find a Vetted Expat Advisor

• Find a cross-border financial advisor or tax professional specializing in US expat investing and tax planning at the Passport to Wealth directory
• Qualified professionals serving US expats are welcome to apply to join the directory