How an American English Teacher In China Became A Real Estate Investor Back Home

In a recent episode of the Freedom Chasers Six Figure Strategies Podcast, we invited David Sawallisch, an English teacher based in China, to share his story of how he was able to build up over $60,000 per year in passive income. Throughout the episode, Sawallisch offers valuable insights into his journey to financial independence, including the challenges he faced as an English teacher in China, how he started investing in real estate, stocks, and crypto, and the FIRE movement.

David begins by sharing his experience of moving to China to teach English in order to pay off his student debt. He explains that he was able to save a significant portion of his salary as his employer provided him with housing, allowing him to put a third of his income towards savings. Despite the challenges of teaching English as a second language and being in a foreign country, Sawallisch was able to make the most of his time in China by learning about the FIRE movement.
The FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement involves saving enough assets to live off of without relying on traditional employment income. David explains that a simple rule is to multiply annual expenses by 25 to determine how much to save. He keeps track of his spending and aims for an 80% monthly savings rate. The FIRE movement can involve living abroad to lower costs and take advantage of geo-arbitrage. Having cash on hand can also provide opportunities to take advantage of lower property prices or access affordable healthcare. Sawallisch encourages saving money even if one doesn't pursue FIRE.

David also shares his experience of investing in real estate, stocks, and crypto. He explains how he was able to buy a duplex in Minnesota and rent it out while abroad. He chose not to use a property management company because he did not like the turnover fees and preferred a flat fee. He also discusses the benefits and risks of investing in crypto and the importance of doing the research before investing.

The conversation also touches on David's cultural experiences in China, including meeting his wife and the challenges of communicating in a language that is not one's own. Sawallisch talks about his experience learning Chinese while being stuck in a Chinese village due to COVID. He mentions that being surrounded by the language is the easiest way to learn it, and that his Chinese improved tenfold during his six-month stay. He also discusses the difficulty of teaching English as a second language due to the lack of a firm basis in its origin.

Overall, the podcast episode offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of building passive income while working abroad. David's story serves as an inspiration to anyone looking to achieve financial independence through hard work, dedication, and smart investments.

Schedule a FREE coaching call: coaching.freedomchaserspodcast.com

Don't forget to reach out to David Sawallisch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.sawallisch.9/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingfire

👍 Keep up with The Freedom Chasers:
Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_Wkdt-M2rKLmfucReIneg?sub_confirmation=1
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_tfc/
Follow us on Twitter: @tfcp_podcast
https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomchaserspodcast