BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi all

My first posting!

How do I do it?

I am 24, co-habiting, with a mortgage and a job, yet, all I dream about is "travelling".
How do I do it?

What do I sacrifice?

Any words welcolmed.

Thanks...

Welcome...
Well..hopefully more people will jump in and respond to your post.
It sounds like there are a few different questions and things that you are wondering about....
Any idea where you want to go? Do you have a set time that you want to travel? Or does it not matter....providing some more info will go a long ways towards people offering their tips and suggestions.
Well..
First off I can tell you that I am doing and maybe this will help.
I am 28, ben at the same job for 5 years+ and have recently decided that there is no reason why I shouldn't pick up and try something diferent....despite giving up a steady income and benefits and all of that. Once I made this decision, the next thing was to put all of my tasks in order and form a plan..
I have a car, and school loans that I am paying off and an apartment that I have leased for another few months.
In a weird way though, it all kinda falls into place.
First--I did a budget..and now I know how much I have to pay before I take off for world unknown.
However, even though I know how much I have to pay, there is no way that I will be able to afford it on my current salary and staying in my apartment....., so I am moving home in Feb(sweet lord..help me..),That way...I will save money for a few months and leave next October (2004).
There is always a way...you just gotta decide what you can give up and what you can't..
Will your sig-O travel with you?
If so, then you have an ally..and the two of you can travel and plan together..(if not, then that's a whole other forum altogether....although the advice will be to pick up and go...anyway...lots of folks here are very passionate about traveling regardless...)
As for what you sacrifice..well..that's a tougher question. It really depends on what you value as opposed to what you can let go.
Me? I am giving up a small cozy apartment close to NYC, a car and most of my material possesions not to mention a job (because I can't travel for a year AND keep my current job..) not to mention living in this area for a while.
Am I scared?...shitless..
but now I feel as if I have no other choice...because if I stay and don't travel, I will regret and lose my shit at my desk under soul-sucking flourescent lights..
and regret is the worst thing ever in life! EVER!
Let us know how you turn out and please feel free to ask/post as much as you like...

"Happiness is to know when you've found it"

One more thing...
For inspiration go to the following forum...

"Corporate Wasteland"    
scroll down.... and find the post called just
"Just do it!!!!"
There you will find people who are all motivated to do the same thing.....
It's a movement that not many people know about...but now you do...
Good luck!

"Happiness is to know when you've found it"

Moelicious I'm so with you!!!
I'm 27 and doin the same thing, but at the end of this year. I'm quitting my job of seven years and I'm already getting nervous, but I know for a fact that it's worth it. I might not ever come back!!! Peace.

Secrets to saving up for a trip

1.Bank 10-15% of what you make right off the top. pretend it is a bill that must be paid.Pay yourself first!!!!

2. Liquidate...sell off everything you have accumulated and turn it into cash. If you can't carry it, you don't need it.

3. Learn to buy more for less.

Example:When chicken is on sale at .49 cents a pound...stock up, buy several. Don't buy it when it hits a high of $1.49 or more. Look for other stuff that is priced right. Learn the price curves of comodities...even toilet paper!

Don't buy convienience foods. That same chicken that cost you less than $2 for a 4 lb bird, would cost up to $8+ at KFC.
Example: you just pocketed $6 in savings in a single transaction.

5 such transactions a week= $125 savings a month! In ten months that is =$1,250.

Turn your hobby into extra income or find a way to do something you like as a second income.

Get a second part time job. bank all its income for your trip.

There are many more, but use your imagination. Put these tips to work immediateley. Look at what you spend, and concentrate on buying right!

...a penny saved, is the same as a penny earned! Everything saved goes towards your trip! Start today and learn new habits!

Thanks for your replies.

Moelicious, yeah, suppose I was a little vague about my situation.

I have done a RTW trip before, when I was 18 I took a year out before Uni and went away with a female friend. I was away for 4 months and had the time of my life, mainly in Oz. Loved every minute of it, apart from maybe when I got really ill (due to dehydration), in Bali. Actually I was okay, just passed out in bed for a week, my poor friend however was frantic. We'd only been away for a week and she was really homesick. But, once we got to Oz it was plain sailing.
Didn't relish coming home and never really settled into Uni (packed it in after a year) and have had itchy feet ever since.

Don't have any definite ideas of where I would go. Would love to spend a year in Oz or maybe NZ. Would also love to see more of Asia. As for who would I go with? I dunno. I would kind of love to go alone (although the thought of it terrifies me). However, I am in a relationship. I would be happy for my boyfriend to come but he really has no desire to do it, he is content with just doing what he is doing now. I just really don't want to look back and regret not going for it. Then there is my family, who wouldn't try to stop me going but would worry about me sooooo much, especially if I went alone, that I would be terrified of causing my Dad to have a heart attack! Plus my Mum has been ill over the past year and I would hate to not be around if things got bad again. There is also my flat, which I share with my boyfriend. We are all mortgaged up, guess it just makes me feel really tied down.

So many excuses…
I know anyone on here would probably just say "go for it".

Guess I am just wondering if anyone else out there has been in a similar situation. Would love to know what you did.

Cheers…

PS. Thanks oldhippy for the budgeting advice. Suppose I ought'a forget about fresh seafood and organic veggies from 'Marks and Spencer' and get down the market to buy some spuds!!!
As for turning my hobby into an extra income, don't suppose too many people would be happy to pay me to drink their beer!
No, seriously, I am hopefully going back to college to study Holistic Therapies and should be able to make some extra cash from giving massages etc. (not talking anything dirty here!) Was hoping that I may also be able to make some extra cash whilst travelling, doing that, as well. What do you reckon?

Man..
If you go back and read my post Honey B., you will see how similar our situations are.
Although I have yet to tell them, my folks are gonna freak. I have pretty much always lived close to home, and thery are jusy not used to a vagabond life style, even though i'm not really doing a "vagabond" life style so much, but NZ is pretty far.
The thing is, after a while they will accept your decision and deal with it and realize that it's something that makes you happy and something that you want to do.
They will adapt...(I hear you about the family illness issue, I worry about my folks too..)
First off...NZ is the place where I will be going next year Oct'04 (for a year).
I found a program where you can apply for a work-abroad Visa until you are 30.
If you want to check it out, go to http://www.bunac.com and select the country where you want to explore. However this isn't the only way...there is more than one way to do what you want (it's the law of the universe..)
Anyway, Me? I'm going for it....life is short, everyday is another opportunity, etc. etc. However, that is just me.
The short story is that you gotta do what you feel is best for you of course, although I will admit that there is a lot to think about in your case. Again though, these are things that you have to decide for yourself and it really depends on how badly you want these things. There are a whole series of people that will tell you that your inner desire to travel outweighs all...including relationships. (Now I am not that hard core...) however I am big about regret and not regretting anything.
You are not alone, there are lots of people that feel hesitant and worry about "what's gonna happen". I honestly have no idea what will happen between now and when I leave, when I leave and when I come back. However when I weigh the options, (going vs. not going..saying that I lived in NZ for a year as opposed to staying here because it's what's safe and what I know...) I have to pick NZ, that's what i'm going for..hope this helps.

"Happiness is to know when you've found it"

My two bits:

If you have qualms about going, that's why it's going to be good.

e.

http://www.theglobaltrip.com

Any skills you have is worth cash on the road. You only need to be a little bit of an extrovert to let folks know about it.

..."As for turning my hobby into an extra income, don't suppose too many people would be happy to pay me to drink their beer!"

The trick here is: Use your imagination...if you enjoy hanging out in bars locally, you get an extra job getting paid to be there...waitress or bartender etc.

Expanding on this concept....In Japan, as an occidental bar hostess, they will pay you big bucks just to drink with them! It is a career choice there...with no hooking nessesary.

The goal here is: If you already would be in a bar for nothing..find a way you would get paid to hang out in a bar. Do they have brew pubs where you are from?...This is where they make and sell the stuff on site?

If you like beer... use your imagination and get emersed in it...until it pays a premium.That is the goal to finding extra work in an area you enjoy.

I just wanted to say to old hippy - you rule dude - your tips for saving money are spot on. If you want something bad enough - you'll scrounge anyway you can. Eat cheaper chicken, and wipe your arse with one-ply paper. It all means more money in el banco for the trip.

Remember: bring double the money you think you'll need and 1/2 the shit.

Old Hippy, we are in Portland now...as always, you are welcome at BNA HQ.

BootsnAll is Blogging all over the place:
http://www.BootBlog.org

Thanks for the good words Sean.

You can bet I'll take you up on that special boots perk next trip to Portland!

oldhippy

I think a lot of us are in the same situation.
I am 26 and spend the Christmas holidays getting drunkand moaning to my dad how I hated my job / car / flat / life etc.
When I sobered up I realised I should stop moaning about things. Its taken a lot of thought but now I have sold my flat, serendipity has meant I am to be made redundant from work (thus giving me money to spend) and I am about to sell my car.
I may have to move back to my dad's for a while but it is going to be worth it. Having found this site of like-minded people I am now even more determined to do it, even though my friends think I am insane!
The lucky thing for me is that when I finally told my dad my plans (he is not well so I was not sure of leaving for a year or so to travel) he was 100% behind me. He said that the travel bug has always been in me, and he was very suprised I had waited so long to finally go and see the world. He is really behind me and as he has travelled the world many times, is full of advice for me.

"He who follows his own path needs no map."

Thanks novice, yeh, I am coming to the same conclusion...just need to bite the bullet and go!
Scary? Sure, but I really don't want to live a life full of regrets. Wanting to travel really is the only thing I have ever been sure of.
I am starting a course in Sept, so won't be able to go for at least the next year, gives me time to save up and figure out how to tell my partner that I'm going off travelling without him.
As I have said already, my Mum has been ill, so I know how you are feeling about that, but I guess you are only ever a plane ride away.
Happy travels…

Hi HoneyB,

What I'm going to to with my dad is give him my email address and my old computer (and lessons on how to use it!) and make sure I always have enough emergency funds to get home again.

My dad was told he would only live for 2 years - and that was 7 years ago. He did everything he wanted to do during the first 2 years - so now he is a very contented guy.

He told me he would get more of a kick out of postcards and emails from me than he would from the boring phone calls and visits I make now. He reckons there will be more gossip and interesting stories if I go away

"He who follows his own path needs no map."

This reminds me of two great quotes....

If you want something enough you will find a way and if you don't you will find an excuse.

And my new favorite quote of all time

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. -Helen Keller