Hi all!
I'm creating my savings plan for my RTW. I'm curious as to:

1) Did you budget for a re-entry stash if you went off without a job to return to? (my plan)
2) How much was it (if you don't mind)?
3) Was it enough, not enough, just right?

Assume it's not an option to move back in with the folks.

Leap, and the net will appear.

I live by your quote 'Leap, and the net will appear.' It's not the smartest way, but kharma has always been kind to me. When I need cash it comes. If your life has been like that, then after travelling it will be the same - that's my experience, for what its worth.

I save somewhat but not enough to relax when I get back. I have to get my ass in gear too.

I hate to see you go,
but I love to watch you leave.

I'm afraid I don't have as much faith as borderland. But then, a month ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of quitting my job and going on a lengthy trip, so maybe it comes in stages.

One of the reasons I am going to continue working until next year (sept 05) is so that I do have that stash of money for when I come home jobless. For me...only because I was raised to be cautious, I suppose...that would be 5k, or thereabouts. The reason I feel the need to have a stash is because I am planning to move to a new city (an expensive one at that), and past experience in job-hunting in the US has proven to me that it might take a couple of months to find one (and yes, that 5k could get stretched longer than 2 months; I'm pretty thrifty).

Lynn

I'm budgeting a minimum of US$10,000 for after my trip. As my husband will be relocating back to Canada with me, he'll need to wait 3 months before he can even start to look for work (that's how long it will take for all the immigration paperwork). We'll also have nothing. That 10,000 bucks won't last long. After getting some basic furniture, living 3 months with little to no income, etc, etc it will be gone.
Both of us being over 30, we do not want to move in with either of my parents. Not to mention neither of them have the room anyway.
Liz

My blog: http://datigz.blogspot.com

The first time, we had less than $800, the second time we had $15,000 (after teaching English for one year and then traveling for one year.) Both worked out amazingly fine. You do what you have to do. If you don't have a guaranteed place to stay for free for a while though, definitely have a stash for when you return. Otherwise it will double your depression about being back home and looking for a job.

http://www.worldscheapestdestinations.com

I think I'll be returning to San Francisco, which is an expensive place to be, especially without a job. I'm hoping to come back to $2,500-3,000.
Amy

I didn't even think about it to be honest. If I came home with ANY money it was a bonus. In reality, I was lucky bc my old job took me right back and I had a place to live (Mom's) but even so, if I had neither, I'm sure I would have survived.

PC

Check out my RTW blog:
http://blogs.bootsnall.com/claudia

I can always go back to mom - with that in mind, I have about $5k for after trip living expenses. For anyone coming to San Francisco the city, $5k would probably last you 4-5 months? thriftyness being a deciding factor here of course.

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My site on As seen on TV Reviews

I'm not planning on having any cash saved when I return (unless I end up working while away), but I own a house that will be rented out... so I won't be completely broke. I could always sell it or take out a loan against it.

I WOULD consider having some cash for when you return. You would be suprised how long it takes to get acclimated, find a place to live and then find a job. Whenever I am returning from a trip, it's always good to know of a stash of money available, instead of having to stress about it before I get home.

My husband and I are planning on having at least $5,000 -$7,000 saved when we end our trip. We are selling out house before we leave, and estimate that we will make between $5,000 -$10,000 off it. (Only lived there 1 1/2 years.) We are working hard now and saving the money we are using for our trip.