**Welsh Family in Top Earning Bracket Set to Leave for Simpler Life Abroad**
A family from Barry, Wales, who occupy the top 1% of earners in the UK, have announced that they are preparing to leave their home country in search of a more fulfilling and less stressful way of life. Clare and Ian Fisher, along with their three children, have captured the imaginations of over 100,000 Instagram followers through their account, Travel the World Family, showcasing their international adventures and alternative approach to family life.
The couple, aged 39 and 36 respectively, have spent much of the last seven years chronicling their travels after a series of personal losses made them reconsider their priorities. The death of Clare’s grandmother and a close family friend, both in quick succession, prompted an emotional reckoning for Ian, who recalls questioning the purpose and impact of his own life. “There was this moment, after the funeral of a friend with children just like us, where I found myself wondering what legacy I was leaving behind,” Ian told Wales Online. That was the catalyst—the family decided to save aggressively, move in with Clare’s parents, and use the opportunity for a transformative trip abroad.
Their journey took them across South East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand—all while sharing their experiences online. Over the years, their children, now aged 13, 11, and 5, have visited nearly 50 countries, offering them rare global perspectives at a young age. Despite their financial success, underpinned by Ian’s relentless progress in the corporate world, both he and Clare found that greater income did not equate to increased happiness. “The rewards of climbing higher were always offset by rising stress and pressure,” Ian explained. “It’s a treadmill, and we realised it wasn’t making us happier as a family.”
What struck the Fishers during their travels was the contentment of people living with far fewer material comforts. Inspired by the simple joys they witnessed in some of the world’s poorest communities, Clare and Ian began to question the necessity of the trappings they had accumulated to make life in the UK feel ‘good’. Clare commented, “We are genuinely happy to give up those things, to wake up somewhere on the beach, eat simple food with our family, and live each day with less.”
The next chapter for the Fishers begins this August, when their family will depart Barry for a fresh adventure. Their initial plan includes four months travelling through South East Asia—a region dear to their hearts—taking in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Yet, they remain open to extending their journey indefinitely, potentially settling in Thailand or exploring other destinations as they go, leveraging their successful social media presence for flexibility.
Education for their children remains a priority, with the two eldest already enrolled in an online Cambridge-accredited school and the youngest set to be home-schooled. The couple are keen to strike a balance between exploration and academic structure, ensuring their children’s learning continues uninterrupted wherever they roam.
When asked about the possibility of returning to Wales, both parents were candid. While not currently planning a return, they acknowledged the importance of keeping family needs central—emphasising that if their children ever wished to return home, it would be a family decision. “It would definitely be up for discussion. But for now, we don’t see that happening. Our children are thriving with this lifestyle,” Ian said.
Despite the glamorous images filling their Instagram feed, the day-to-day reality can be quite different. Ian frequently juggled his former corporate job with the demands of travel, often working remotely in challenging time zones. “There were times I’d have to start work at 3am in Mexico to be on UK time,” he revealed, underscoring the pressures lurking behind the scenes of their so-called dream life.
Through their story, the Fishers hope to inspire others to rethink the traditional equation of wealth and happiness. They encourage those feeling constrained by societal expectations to consider alternative paths. As Ian put it, “Life is unpredictable. Too many put off their dreams for a future that may never come. We’d urge anyone to evaluate if what they’re working towards is truly what they want—and if not, to make a change while they can.”
In sharing their journey, the Fisher family offers a candid reflection on what happiness can look like, reminding their followers and the wider public that sometimes, satisfaction comes not from what we acquire, but from what we’re willing to leave behind.