Garrett Gee sold an app to Snapchat for $54 million. That’s the starting line for most people when they talk about The Bucket List Family. But honestly? The money is the least interesting part of how they built a travel empire that survived the 2020 lockdowns and the constant "influencer fatigue" of the mid-2020s.
It started with a yard sale.
Instead of sitting on that $54 million pile of cash, Garrett and Settie Gee sold everything they owned. Their cars. Their clothes. Their furniture. They decided to see the world with their two young kids—Dorothy and Manilla—using only the $45,000 they made from that yard sale. They promised themselves that once the $45k was gone, they’d go back to a "normal" life in Utah.
But it never ran out.
Why The Bucket List Family is Still Dominating Travel Content
Most travel creators burn out after three years. The logistics of flying with three kids—they added Calihan to the mix along the way—is basically a full-time job in itself. Yet, the Gees have managed to turn a family vacation into a global media brand that feels less like an ad and more like a high-production home movie.
They aren't just "bloggers" anymore.
Think about it. They’ve stayed in the best hotels on Earth, but they also spend weeks on a sailboat or living in a van. That range is what keeps people coming back. One day they are at the Giraffe Manor in Kenya, and the next, they’re dealing with a toddler blowout in a budget airport terminal. People crave that contrast. It makes the $10,000-a-night suites feel earned rather than just flaunted.
The secret to their longevity? It's the "30-Day Rule."
Early on, they decided they wouldn't travel forever without a break. They constantly recalibrate. They’ve had "seasons" where they lived in Hawaii for months or bought a home in Florida to give the kids some roots. This isn't the nomadic life people imagine where you’re always out of a suitcase. It’s a hybrid.
The Snapchat Deal: A Curse and a Blessing
Let's address the elephant in the room. The money.
Garrett was a co-founder of Scan, a QR code company. When Snapchat bought it in 2014, he was barely 25. That kind of wealth creates a massive barrier between a creator and their audience. If you have $54 million, why should I care about your travel tips? I can't afford your life.
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The Gees knew this.
That’s why the "Yard Sale" wasn't just a gimmick; it was a psychological reset. By vowing not to touch the millions, they forced themselves to learn the business of content creation. They had to pitch brands. They had to edit until 3 AM. They had to build an audience from scratch because if they didn't, the $45,000 would disappear and the dream would end.
Managing a Family Brand in 2026
Privacy is the new luxury.
As Dorothy, Manilla, and Calihan have grown up, The Bucket List Family has had to navigate the tricky waters of "sharenting." There is a growing conversation around the ethics of filming children for a living. You’ll notice a shift in their content lately. It's less about the kids' private moments and more about the "family adventure."
They are pivoting toward being "adventure designers."
Instead of just showing their kids eating breakfast, they’re showing the logistics of how to dive with whales in Tonga or how to navigate the Amazon. This protects the kids' personal lives while still providing the travel "how-to" that their audience wants. It's a smart play. It moves the brand away from "look at my cute kids" and toward "here is how you can have an adventure too."
The Real Cost of a "Bucket List" Life
Travel isn't always pretty.
The Gees have been open about some of the scarier moments. Like the time Garrett got a life-threatening infection or the constant struggle of homeschooling on the road. It’s easy to look at a 60-second Instagram Reel and think it’s all sunsets. It’s not.
Logistics are a nightmare.
Visas are a headache.
Jet lag is a constant companion.
They often travel with a small team now—editors and producers—because you simply cannot film high-quality 4K video while also making sure a five-year-old doesn't wander off in a crowded Moroccan souk. The "family" is the face, but the business is a well-oiled machine.
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What People Get Wrong About Them
A lot of critics claim they are just rich people pretending to be humble.
But if you look at their "Bucket List Foundation," you see a different side. They’ve used their platform to fund surgeries, build schools, and help families who are going through actual crises. They aren't just taking; they’re giving back in a way that feels surprisingly sincere for the influencer space.
Also, they don't just stay at 5-star resorts.
Some of their most-watched content involves them staying in hostels or sleeping on the floor of a local’s house. They seem to have a genuine curiosity about people. That’s something you can’t fake. If Garrett is talking to a goat herder in Nepal, he’s actually listening. That curiosity is the engine of the whole brand.
How You Can Apply The Bucket List Philosophy (Without the Millions)
You don't need a Snapchat payout to live like this. Not really.
The core of what The Bucket List Family teaches isn't about luxury travel. It's about intentionality. Most people spend their lives waiting for "one day." One day I'll travel. One day I'll quit my job. One day I'll take the kids to see the ocean.
The Gees just decided that "one day" was Tuesday.
If you want to start your own version of this, start small. You don't need to sell your house. You just need to change your perspective on what a "vacation" is.
- The Weekend Rule: Treat your own city like a tourist destination. Find the weirdest museum or the hardest hike within 50 miles.
- The Budget Swap: Skip one big purchase a year (like a new TV or a couch) and put that exact amount into a "memory fund."
- Skill-Based Travel: Don't just go to a beach. Go to learn something. Scuba diving, cooking, language—it gives the trip a purpose beyond just relaxation.
What’s Next for the Gees?
They’ve been doing this for a decade. The kids are teenagers or approaching it. The "cute toddler" era is over.
We’re seeing them move into more permanent "home bases" while still doing massive, 2-month expeditions. They are also moving into products—gear that actually survives the way they travel. Think rugged luggage, travel-friendly apparel, and educational content for other families who want to world-school.
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They are becoming the "National Geographic" of the social media age.
Actionable Steps for Your Own Family Adventure
If you’ve been watching The Bucket List Family and feeling a mix of inspiration and envy, here is how you actually start moving toward that lifestyle:
1. Audit your "Stuff" vs. "Experiences" Spending
Open your banking app. Look at how much you spent on Amazon or Target last month. Now look at how much you spent on experiences. If the "stuff" column is 5x bigger, that's why you feel stuck. Shift the ratio.
2. Start a "Micro-Bucket List"
Don't write "Visit Japan." Write "Eat at that authentic ramen shop in the city." Small wins build the momentum for big trips.
3. Learn the "Service" Component
The Gees often say their best trips involve service. Find a way to volunteer during your travels. It changes the entire energy of the trip from "consumption" to "connection."
4. Document Intentionally
Stop taking 1,000 photos you'll never look at. Take five minutes of video a day. Write one sentence in a journal. The Gees are successful because they curated their memories. You can do the same for your own family archives.
The reality is that The Bucket List Family succeeded because they were willing to be uncomfortable. They traded a mansion in Utah for a backpack and a dream. Even if you only do that for a week, the growth you'll experience is worth more than any tech buyout.
Go book the flight. Or at least go for a hike. The "yard sale" is optional, but the mindset is mandatory.
Insights for Future Travelers
- Risk Management: Garrett often talks about "calculated risks." Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, whether that's money or time.
- Family Sync-ups: Before any big trip, have a family meeting. What does everyone actually want to do? If the kids hate museums, don't force them into the Louvre for six hours.
- The "Slow Travel" Hack: Staying in one place for two weeks is often cheaper and more rewarding than hitting five cities in ten days. You get better rates on Airbnbs and you actually get to know the local baker.
Travel isn't about the destination. It's about who you become while you're trying to find your way there. The Gees just happened to film it.