Hi! I’m Mrs. Scribbles, our family’s planner and scribe.
A few years ago, Mr. Scribbles and I had the full “American Dream”: two tech jobs, long commutes, a big house in the suburbs, three cars, and all the stuff. We loved to travel, but it never seemed to be the “right time.”
2020 changed that. We took a hard look at the life we wanted, made a list of criteria for a new home country, and scouted Spain and Portugal in the summer of 2021. In 2022 we packed up the kids and moved to Portugal. We’ve been savoring it ever since.
What made the move possible was money. Over years of saving, investing, and a lot of honest conversations, we reached financial independence before 40. I write about that too.
What you’ll find here
- Living in Portugal: the D7 visa, residency renewals, healthcare, renting in Lisbon, and buying a home here, written from our own experience, mistakes included.
- Personal finance: how we manage money as a couple, our FIRE story, and the mindset shifts that got us here.
Why “Savor and Scribble”?
Savor: to delight in. Scribble: to write hastily. We want to savor more and keep a record of our experiences for our kids. Hopefully we’ll inspire you to question your own status quo along the way.
Have a question about moving to Portugal? Get in touch. I read every message.