When my aunt Helen passed away unexpectedly in the fall of 2021, I never imagined her final gift would completely change the trajectory of my life. Though we weren’t especially close, she remembered me in her estate, leaving me $20,000 in an inherited IRA. What began as a financial surprise became the foundation for something far bigger: a travel fund that not only carried me across the world but ultimately led me to a new life in Argentina.
Turning an Inheritance Into Opportunity
Because Helen’s gift came through an IRA, it carried certain tax rules. I couldn’t simply cash it out in one go instead, the funds had to be withdrawn gradually over ten years, with each disbursement taxed upon withdrawal. With the help of her financial manager, I set up a schedule to move the money into my own investment account.
At first, I didn’t have a clear plan for the inheritance. But soon, it struck me: this was my chance to build the travel fund I’d always dreamed of. For years I had collected flight alerts and daydreamed with my atlas, but working in nonprofit publishing meant my budget never quite matched my ambitions. Helen’s gift opened the door.
Nepal: The Red Panda Adventure
The first major journey was to Nepal, where I joined a trip with the Red Panda Network, a nonprofit I’d once volunteered with. The experience was everything I’d imagined and more.
Not only did I finally see wild red pandas five in total but I also treated myself to a flight upgrade from Doha to Kathmandu. For the first time in my life, I stretched out with extra legroom, sipping Tom Collinses while watching classic films.
On my 39th birthday, I found myself on a hillside farm, churning homemade butter from cream sourced from cows I could hear lowing nearby. That moment, simple yet extraordinary, reminded me just how far Helen’s generosity had carried me.
Europe: A Eurovision Dream
In 2024, I checked another lifelong dream off my list: attending the Eurovision Song Contest in Europe.
I traveled with friends, landing in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and road-tripping through Slovenia and Croatia. Ljubljana’s storybook downtown matched every fantasy I’d ever had about Europe, while Croatia gifted me the best meal of my life: fresh-grilled fish and asparagus risotto, overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
In Zagreb, we joined a public viewing party for Eurovision that was so unusual for three Americans to attend, we wound up being interviewed by the local news. By sharing Airbnbs, rental cars, and modest meals, the trip remained budget-friendly while still unforgettable.
Argentina: A New Home
But no trip proved more transformative than Argentina. I originally visited Buenos Aires to see a friend and quickly fell in love with the city’s energy, charm, and quality of life.
The food, the culture, the warmth of the people it all resonated deeply. Within a year, I made the leap and moved to Buenos Aires in summer 2024. Over a year later, I can honestly say it’s the happiest chapter of my life. I spend my days exploring vibrant neighborhoods, enjoying asados with friends, and planning adventures across South America.
A Legacy of Adventure
I still have more than half of Helen’s original gift left, and each trip feels like a chance to raise a glass to her memory whether it’s rhododendron cordial in Nepal, malbec in Argentina, or pear liqueur in a Slovenian castle. Later this month, I’ll toast her again when I land in Paraguay.
Her generosity didn’t just give me the gift of travel it gave me the courage to reshape my life. It also changed how I think about estate planning. While much of my (more modest) estate is earmarked for nonprofits, I now want to leave behind an “adventure fund” for someone I love just as Helen unknowingly did for me.
