💼 How I’m Supporting Myself Abroad: Savings, Strategy & Soul-Aligned Business

When people hear that I moved to Spain, one of the first questions they ask is:
"But how are you sustaining yourself over there?"

It’s a fair question. Moving abroad isn’t just about flights and daydreams—it’s about figuring out how to make it all work financially and professionally. And while I’m still early in this new chapter, I want to share how I’ve laid the foundation to make this life possible—and how I’m continuing to build it.

Step One: The Visa

I was approved for a non-lucrative visa in Spain, which allows me to legally reside in the country for one year (with the option to renew). But getting approved wasn’t simple. One of the most important requirements was showing proof of financial stability.

Specifically, I needed to have at least €30,000 in my checking account for a minimum of three consecutive months. Even though I had more than that saved—in a high-yield savings account (HYSA)—it didn’t meet Spain’s liquidity requirement. The funds had to be immediately accessible, not just technically available.

This is where things got a little stressful… until I remembered I had something even better:
The equity from the sale of my home.

Selling my condo was a huge turning point. Not only did it free me from the past, it gave me exactly what I needed to make this move possible. That equity became my bridge—covering visa requirements, relocation expenses, and buying me the time and space to grow my business.

Step Two: Building My Business in the Background

While I was navigating the visa process, I was also working full-time in corporate recruiting and quietly building the infrastructure of my business, Cardinal People & Culture.

There were many late nights. Many moments of wondering if I could juggle it all. The visa application itself often felt like a full-time job—coordinating paperwork, consulting with my @michelletheluxnomad-recommended attorney, traveling for consulate appointments.

But I kept going. Because I knew that I wasn’t just building a business—I was building a life.

Step Three: Showing Up Fully—Now That I Can

Now that I’m finally settled in Spain, with my visa approved and my past chapters closed, I can finally breathe—and fully show up for my clients.

For the first time, I have the time, space, and energy to go all in on the work I love:
Helping people find clarity, joy, and fulfillment in their careers, homes, and travels.

I’ve lived the complexity of transition. I know how hard it is to say yes to a new life—and how worth it it is when you do. And now, I get to help others do the same with confidence, intuition, and a plan.

💫 Ready to take a leap of your own?

If you're dreaming of starting fresh—whether it's a new career, a new home, or a new country—I’d love to support you. Through intuitive career coaching, relocation strategy, and astrocartography, I help you align with the places and paths where you thrive.

✨ Book a 1:1 session here or explore my services here—and let’s start building your next chapter, on purpose.