Giving up work ???
 

What do people do about work commitments when they are planning any extended trip? Do they all have jobs they can go back to / work in any country - or are people just selling up and making a massive life change / starting again? I so desperately want to do this, but there are niggles in the back of my mind about any consequences (financial etc) ...

I suppose it depends on what you want to do, if you want to return to your current country/job, then see if your employer will grant Leave Of Abscence, mine had agreed to 3 months unpaid leave, some will give more.

Finances are down to what you can afford, we have been saving for a couple of years and have equity in our house to cover us i needed.

If you are going on a really really really long trip, then either rent out your house or sell it and use the money for your trip.

Best of Both worlds
 

Hi There Stevie

Obviously I can only talk about what we are doing....but here goes

Me and the wife are 1 year into saving up for 3 years to do a trip of a lifetime, and also change our lifestyle altogether.

At the end of the 3 years we will have saved up enough money to travel overland in a Land Rover to Australia for one year. And a little bit for when we get there. Once we get there we are going to look for work for a couple of years and then try and continue onto South America. We may not take this option, depending on the circumstances. We are both fully prepared to quit our jobs forever, but we are in the lucky position that both our companies have branches in Sydney, so when we do quit we are going to try and get a 'transfer' to these braches. Maybe that will work maybe it won't.

If it doesn't then we will look for other oppotunities out there. I work in IT and the wife in television/engineering.

We are going to rent our houses (her old one and our current one) whilst we are gone, moving the mortgages to interest only. We currently do this for one house, and have it fully managed by a letting company, which is expensive but worth it, as they do a great job. Currently the rent pays the mortgage and the fees and thats about it. But hopefully, if our luck plays out, in the future we may get a small return also.

Our long term plan is to leave our office bound jobs behind us, but currenty they are a handy tool to get money.

One thing to point out is before we developed the plan, we were just your average people turning up to work each day, not really thinking about the future. Now we both feel we have purpose, and it has actually made working more bearable as there is a reason to it. Not bearable enough to want to do it forever though !! :)

Hope this gives you some food for thought

Cheers

Stevie, The niggles will always be there, but so will a job.
If you are really worried take the longest leave your employer will give and start with that.
My plans have been to work and save for five years then quit, rent the house and go.
It is much easier the second time...
Cheers

Hi Cameron ! You talk about the "second time" Have you already done a big trip - what did you do with your work / what do you do. A lot of people who've replied seem to have transferable skills, or work for companies with offices worldwide. Although I finished University OK, I ended up working with the police, and have worries about working again if I pack this in (I am 40 just now) - I hate it with a passion anyhow. What do you think?
Cheers, Stevie

You gotta do it
 

Hey Stevie, if you really do hate it with a passion my advice would be to do it whatever! The one life you have should not be spent doing somehting you hate surely?

As a policeman I would guess there are plenty of transferable skills, even if not in the safe job.

I may have transferable skills, but the long term plan is to get out of my business and do something I like. Or at least something that I find rewarding.

Perhaps spend the next few months reading some blogs, either attached to the HUBB or from elsewhere. You soon realise there are plenty of people in your position who are out there doing it. All it took was that brave decision at some point. But that seems to be the hardest step, once you do that its easy.

Obviously I haven't actually left yet, so perhaps its all hot air? I won't know for another two years, but I've never felt so positive, so enthusiastic as I do now. And that's purely because I made that decision.

Good luck and use the force!

If you are good, your employer will want you back - at any time.
Any employer - the same.
Think positive about your abilities, including selling them, then get on the road!
That road may not be there in the future - employers will always be.
Enjoy.

Hi Stevie,
The last time I had to quit my job as they would not give me a long enough leave of absence.
My wife and I did a "quick and easy" one year RTW. Europe to Turkey, South East Asia. Aus, and NZ.
On our return she went back to her work and I did odd jobs for a year or so and then went back to my former employer.
We will quit again in five more months, and will be travelling to Central and South America.
The problem is that motorcycle travel is VERY ADDICTIVE...and once you start your views on working center on how to fund the next trip.
Tony, Cornish, and Bruce are all correct. This website has answers to most of your questions, check the blogs and Ezine. Attend a HUBB Rally and Talk to people there. You will be amazed at how much they want to help.
Good Luck

giving up work
 

hmm... I´m a bit like you! In one hand I am terrified of giving up what I have worked so hard for, namely building a (lucrative) career, and getting out of my bleak childhood council estate, via working like hell through university and then building (with tremendous difficulty and via emigration!) a career.
In another hand I do realise that I have one life and I´d better make the best of it before it is too late. It´s a tough call.
I´m giving up work in 2 months time. Turning my back on what have been so incredibly difficult to build will be really tough, but work or money will never give me what I need right now. The only thing I can hope is that when I come back 1 year later I will be able to sell myself for a decent price either to my former company or any other.

Ok well maybe I´m just going through "mid-life crisis" !

I don´t have any answers, the only thing I know is that I have always tried. Sometime I´ve failed. Well guess what? When I failed, I cried, then picked up the pieces and tried harder. I did not give up. And in the end it did pay! One of my brothers has NEVER tried anything hard, paralised by fear of failure. Result is...., well, not great.

Failing is hard, but not trying is even worse!

My 2 cents!

Good luck,

Plan ahead
 

If you plan the trip a couple of years ahead, your current work environment suddenly has a different purpose and seems more bearable then before. It gives you something to look forward to and the extra time may also serve to acrue long service leave or holiday pay. I am self employed and I have the advantage that my business partner looks after things for trips of up to several months in duration. For longer trips I will have to investigate employing a "manager" and accept that I can only draw a retainer wage.
As for the house, my first preference would be to rent my property out if the rental income goes somewhere near meeting the repayments. If you sell the house and want to buy again after say a five year trip then you end up back on the exact same roundabout of working to repay loans.

Clear as mud eh! It's like stepping off the edge into the unknown, but a life style change is good, make the decision, stick to it and enjoy the trip to the max!

Glen

If you have the chance, do it!

I'm looking forward to when my children will be big enough to live on their own. Then I want to make some real long trips.

I have five children. One is married now and the other four (ranging form 11 to 20) live at home and go to school etc. My wife and I work very hard to pay for schools and everything else they need so going on a realy long bike trip is not possible now, but every year I get on my bike for two, three or four weeks and leave on my own. (Unfortunately my wife is not very enthousiastic about long motorcycle trips and rather stays at home)
If I wouldn't take that few weeks trips I would get crazy. It helpes me to be able to cope with the long days work and the stress of four adolescents at home. I enjoy those trips so very much, a few weeks without worries. Riding my bike, enjoying the scenery, meeting interesting people and seing nice places. I can look back at some very nice trips and I'm looking forward to the next.
I'm giving my wife and children what they need and also I enjoy riding my bike to interesting places every year. That is not to bad isn't it.

What I want to say, make the best of your life within the possibilities you have.

I have to say you should just go for it!

When we went away we were both in good jobs which we jacked in, we owned a house which we sold, owned cars which we sold and anything that was left after that was put in storage. Had an awesome trip which is the best thing we have ever done.

How has it effected us now... Well we both have a much more adventurous and confident outlook on life. I was always pretty confident in myself but it bordered on cocky, now its just a calm inner confidence and nothing really phases me nowI'm back at work. Work has changed completely - I have set up my own consultancy doing what I did before but for myself. I now earn more in a month than I used to earn in a year and it comfortably tops 100K so I have not lost anything. But it was the trip that gave me the confidence to get out and do it.

If you are in a position where you have to sell up etc then just do it. If you are not then whats stopping you? Jobs are two a penny and can be got easily when you get back. Life's for living not sitting in a stupid office!

GO FOR IT!!!!

Stevie

Now you have got the message !!!!!! GO.....



Grant and Susan

This thread is so positive throughout, even inspirational, it should be given greater promenence.

Im 26 now and planning to go away on a 6 month Pan America in 2008

Iv taken 3 years saving to clear big debts I accumilated in Uni and lavish adventure holidays and im just getting somewhere in life with a job thats starting to open doors for me.

Im now planning to save madly for the next 16 months and then to travel for 6. Ill come back home with nothing.. not a penny or a place to live. My old job will fill my place within days so Ill be starting at scratch again with my thirties approaching.

Am I shit scared ?? YES, VERY

Then I think of my job. Sitting at a desk doing pointless tasks watching to clock go round with me with it. Its not a life that I like or dislike, its just the same comfortable job day in, day out.

Im hoping that I either find something which attracts me on the road away from all this boredom and pointlessness or gives me a kick in the arse to go and truely find something that is meant for me...

So ill be 30, skint, jobless and not really any skills that are easy to make money from.

But so what !! Lifes for living. Why age and crumble in an air conditioned, white light office when there are such wonders in the world that we only see on TV.

Think you job as a cage, which in reality it is.

Ill see you on the road, you owe me a beer.

Listen whacker, forget the beer, if you ever jack it all in, stop talking about and actually DO that trip, I'll buy you a case;)

:helpsmilie:

Give me the money and im gone tomorrow. Iv had to dig my way out of 7k of debt and now im saving £600 a month.

Im living with my crazy mother and overeating sister just to pay debt and save the money to get away . Im border line suicidal. I deserve a fooking medal.

Mines a case of Starophramen please :D

Oh mate...
 

Listen, forget suicide, just get some credit cards, book a flight and come to Locombia - Santa Marta, sun´s cracking the flags, the Club Colombia is ice cold, and there's a case of it waiting for you. A chica too! How's the weather in Liddypol?

No, you kiss my arse.

Man your so right but I wont feel free if I'm still paying bills in this country, especially with no job. I want money before I go, not stress about accumulating bills I cant pay

Liverpool is cold, wet, miserable and windy.. Just like in the Summer :)

As I flogged my way through a three year degree, working night shifts to pay the bills, I stuck up pictures above my desk of what I wanted, it really helped.
get a picture of the bike (or truck!) you want, pictures of the places you want to go, the people you want to meet and use the time to plan, it will keep you going through the hard times when your mums having a go about the washing up and your sister has emptied the fridge of all it's edible contents!!

I am doing and have done the above right now :)

I find cheap wine helps more:thumbup1:

tastes better than meths, even strips paint better!!

Fear of the unknown
 

I think the secret for those of us that are not retired to be able to accomplish our goals of traveling is to overcome the fear of the unknown. Why don't we just go for it? Fear of what bad could happen. "I'm giving up a good job and don't know what I would return to". "What if something happens on the road and I don't have $5000 sitting in the bank?". Fear is the mind killer.

Truly, what is the worst thing that can happen? I have lived abroad many years and done many things in my life. I have known so many people that had nothing but a hut to live in, barely any food, and NO work, but were unbelievably happy. I have known far more on the opposite end of that spectrum.

Do what you can afford. Do what you can't afford. There is always a solution.

Good luck!

You will get a job
 

Stevie

I'm suspecting that when you say you "work with the police" you are not a police officer but in an admin role of some sort? If that is so look around the office and ask yourself who is the newest starter? Where did they come from? Who was last to leave (not retire)? Where did they go? Do you hear from leavers and do they regret leaving or are they glad? (If I'm wrong and you are a police officer (1) I apologise, and (2) you have a very transferrable skill.)

You will then see that there is staff turnover in any job as people change companies/ areas or even careers.

When you get back from your trip you will still have the experience you have today plus the personal growth that comes from the trip, so if your current employer won't have you back, someone else will. I've found very little age discrimination (at 47) and it's a big enough world that there will always be another employer. If you hate the job as you say, you may want to change direction anyway, and you will be able to.

Plan:

Younger daughter leaves school
Short motorcycle ride: Nordcap, St Petersburg, South to Greece, north through Italy and home. Back to work.

It won't be fast as we'll take time to see where we visit and to smell the flowers

before it's gone.......
 

Everybody who I talk to from HU says exactly the same advice as you've got Stevie, Go Now!!! (but not yet -see below)

I'm hitting 60 this year and have had a BIG life change that shook me to the core. All the years of planning, all the training, all the scrimping and saving for that armchair, pipe and slippers, gone in a few weeks courtesy of Big C. Now, alone, I look around and see that tomorrow sometimes never comes. I took chances, changed jobs many times and careers 4 times to better myself and get more enjoyment from my job, in the end it is ashes in my mouth, but it did rock and roll sometimes.:cool4:. My eldest brother on the other hand had one job for 35years, now sits in with his pipe and slippers watching mindless quiz games on tv :eek3: and says, 'I wish I had had interesting jobs like you? FFS he thinks my boring life was exciting!!!!!!!!!

Check this vision of mine for the not to distant future.
At last a good nights sleep in a decent neighborhood, boy if your friends could have seen some of the sights you've witnessed these last few months on your trip around the world. Some people still don't speak English for God sake, despite the Microsoft money being poured in! Well your mobile phone/tv/translator took care of those few aboriginols who refuse to learn Western Speak.(c) microsoft. Still the Ford/BMW Electrobike purred along without a hitch. The solar panels and odd municipal recharge kept her going all the way. Suzie, your Garmin Guide, never set a foot wrong, every direction was just perfect, and those Exxon Lodges seemed to have been sited as if they knew the range of the bike along the Google South American Touring Trail. The views of the Andies, breathtaking, and because you timed the trip so right, only a few thousand other moto tourists around you each day. Now, when your boss asks you the scariest part of your trip, he'll be amazed at your ability to handle emergencies, the way that download of your passport wouldn't load in Thailand would be enough to scare the shyt out of anyone.........

Go soon before you get dragged under by mediocrity - but not just yet - let me have some of the world to myself first.:lol2:

And remember, the man who gives you a job is not thinking of you, he's using you and thinking of himself, so what you gonna look at, the grindstone or the mountains?

I always intended to retire early... but a car crash wrecked my knee and bumpstarted the process.
so we downsized and moved to france.. without any pension. the first two years here were some of the happiest for a long while. sadly I got rear ended by a lorry load of pigs and it wrecked the same knee but differently.
Neverthe less i would hate to have to go back to work. I can tell you now, the only thing stopping you from doing what you want is you. actually makingthe first move is the hard bit. Looking back through my life, the few regrets I have are things I did not do, not things I did. When you come to cash in your chips, only your memories have any value.

I am curious on other's opinions on this topic. I am new to this board, but it seems like a great community.


Essentially, my plan is to work enough to save enough so that I do not have to do this job any more and can travel, etc. I know that is what several of you guys do as well.

My question to each of you is this: how long would you work to save money? For that reason, it is always tempting to say to myself: "Work one more year and save another bunch of cash. Each year you work gets you another 3 or 4 years off in the future." But when do you say that it is enough.

I should also add that I am young (in my 30s) and have a wife and kids (school age). That means I am not taking off for two years straight on a RTW right now anyway. I could, though, take a few months. But how long do you put off your dreams?:mchappy:

Grow
 

1 option I see in your circumstance is for your company to grow. Take on a couple of junior partners that can keep things going while you take travel breaks.

Just a thought.

Rick

It all depends on how far and for how long you want to go ???

6 Grand will keep you going for 6 months in the Americas...

As a lawyer, can I asume you rake in a fair buck ??

Ed

That is really the essence of my question. You can see from my post that I make quite a bit. It has taken me a good ten years to get this far. I know right now I could quit and live comfortably for a few years, but at the end of it, I would have to go back to work making about 1/5 of what I am making now.

So the issue is: how long do I try and make this kind of good money?

That is a thought I have had, but, unfortunately, it isn't practical. Junior partners start taking off with your clients if you are not around.

I think the question you have to ask yourself is: What is more important ? Money or life ??

Imagine travelling and seeing exotic new places and meeting people and experiencing things which is beyond most peoples comprehension.

You seem well motivated, educated and good at your job (or you wouldnt be where you are today) so I doubt you would have a problem finding another well paid job at the end of your travells or even starting again from scratch. 1/5 of your income sounds like it maybe still more than most earn anyway.

May i ask how old you are ??

You may find that after 12 months of travelling, all your previous ideas of "contentment" are no longer relavent and your perspective on life may change completely and you will probably hate the thought of going back to your old job and career.

Do you enjoy your job or is it just a good way to make good money ??

If your serious about wanted to get away and travel, then save hard for 12-18 months. I bet that would be quite a wedge huh ? You could travel for years OR just go for 6 months and still have a nice nest egg to see you over until business picks up again.

You are in a very desirable situation which most would envy. You have the money and means to do whatever you want and also have the skills and experience to fall back into a job when you return..

I guess you already have savings or a house too ?

But... I think that if you do let lose and go for it, the idea of coming back to a long day at the office for big bucks probably wont hold the same appeal as it does now.

Travell comfortably for 12 months and see how you feel after. It sounds like you need a change in your life.



Another option is to give me $20,000 and ill go travelling for you and send you all the pictures :Beach:

Once upon a time in a land far away.
 

Stagbeetle said
--------" Check this vision of mine for the not to distant future.
At last a good nights sleep in a decent neighborhood, boy if your friends could have seen some of the sights you've witnessed these last few months on your trip around the world. Some people still don't speak English for God sake, despite the Microsoft money being poured in! Well your mobile phone/tv/translator took care of those few aboriginols who refuse to learn Western Speak.(c) microsoft. Still the Ford/BMW Electrobike purred along without a hitch. The solar panels and odd municipal recharge kept her going all the way. Suzie, your Garmin Guide, never set a foot wrong, every direction was just perfect, and those Exxon Lodges seemed to have been sited as if they knew the range of the bike along the Google South American Touring Trail. The views of the Andies, breathtaking, and because you timed the trip so right, only a few thousand other moto tourists around you each day. Now, when your boss asks you the scariest part of your trip, he'll be amazed at your ability to handle emergencies, the way that download of your passport wouldn't load in Thailand would be enough to scare the shyt out of anyone.........------"

I like it mate , too funny .
It sounds a bit like some of the ride reports on ADVrider !
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

ps -- What page in the Touratech brochure do I find the pipe and slippers mount ? - and do you favour the NorthFace slippers or the special lightweight slippers from Mountain Equipment Coop ? Do you prefer aromatic tobacco for dual sport riding or old shag ?
Will my knitted cardigan be ok without the "zip in" fleece liner on colder nights in the Andes ?Are Goretex underpants all they are cracked up to be ?
All these questions need to be answered .

Over a year ago there was a excellent thread devoted to ways to earn a living while on the road. I'd volunteer to look for it, but I've been in Costa Rica for a year, and am leaving to head to South America in two weeks and don't really have the time to look.

And on that note, I'd decided I wasn't going to head south until I'd saved $4000-$5000. Well, six months later I don't have nearly that amount. In fact, if I said how much I did have, most would be shocked. But at some point you say, The hell with it, I'll just go!!!!! I'm a writer/photographer and PLAN for the fact that with some ideas I have, the money will come. Way too risky for some, but it's always worked before. :-)

Once your away from home, it all seems soooo much more doable!
Lorraine

Life's a bitch, aint it.
 

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

If you are good at what you do, when you get back you'll be better. May have lost a few yards to start with, but just think of those photos on your office wall and the anecdotes you can pitch in with:cool4:

Wife + kids makes it harder, buy her a 4x4 and get them to drive back-up, I dunno.......

Or just wait, fingers crossed until you are older.

Me, I'm getting away, really away, for the first time this year, aged 60, and I'm not coming back until I've been all the way around, damn it.:clap:

Well, like I said, it is really more a matter of "when" than "if." I realize I need to make this decision myself, but I was wondering what others would do. Work 10 years and retire and travel at 42 for the rest of your life (but probably not like the work for 10 years) or stop at 32 (my current age), travel for a while, but have to start all over again at 35.

Difficult one
 

Will you really need to start all over again? You have your experence behind you now. I have started completely new careers several times, in completely new fields and don't regret any of it; Industrial Photographer, Agricultural Mechanic, Oil Rep, Self Employed Jeweller, Electronics Customer Manager. That last one nearly drove me mad - literally.

Now I'm a self declared Two Wheeled Adventure Traveller (TWAT) (Twat= English for idiot) So don't take any notice of me, I'm not the most reliable card in the deck.

Anyway 42 is not old, nor is 60 from where I'm standing, enjoy your kids growing up, earn lots of money, don't loose sight of your dream. and get in plenty of practice, you don't have to do it all in one go you know.

See:- two oppsite views from me in one post:confused1:

I like that !! :)

Now i wont mind being called a TWAT :)


Where I live, twat is rather more offensive than Idiot though... Slang for "Fagina" or a very very irritating person and general complete arse.

linguistics
 

Oh dear, I had hoped to steer clear of this verbal minefield by defining it as 'idiot'

If you all want to go in search of it's vulgar roots you can check out the Old English origin here (did you know conversational English usually contains over 85% Old English - no, not that word, it's Dutch:nono: )

Twat - Definitions from Dictionary.com

Now following this natural break, back to the topic....

Up in the northwest. You can say "I was well twatted" meaning you were drunk and also "To Twat" someone is to punch them....

right.. back to the thread !

I must be a GIT .
Geriatric Impecunious Traveller .

Wot hair?
 

There is only one cure for grey hair. It was invented by a Frenchman. It is called the guillotine.-- PG Wodehouse

Sorry Dodger, old fruit, but Wodehouse was wrong - my hair fell out before it had chance to go grey, and Mrs MarkE has albinism, so her hair will never be anything but pure white. No grey hairs in our house (na-nana-na-na).

It appears I'm a TWAT and an apprentice GIT.

What was the original thread about again??

Here's the link to that original post which got started in 2004. It's definitely worth checking out to find out how others have managed the jobs/lives:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ight=job+money

Lorraine

It didn't cut and paste the full url but that old thread is now close to the top...
Lorraine

Unfortunately, it would involve starting over. Being an attorney means keeping clients. If I lose those clients now, I will have to spend years trying to get them back if I tried again. Obviously, I could try a different career (and that is very tempting), but I won't make nearly the same $.

Iv been in my job for 2 years now and been working my way up and by the time I have saved enough to get away I will of been here 3.5 years.

Im giving up 3.5 years of ass kissing, appraisels and promotions to go travelling and you know what.. Im VERY glad.

I can sense myself going stale and need a change.

When I come home im going to try and set up my own business. Its something iv always wanted to do but probably never would if I wasnt already leaving my current job to go away.

Look at it an excuse to open open your horizons and find something you will truely be happy doing.

There's always the option of going in-house as counsel when you get back, or going into the business side and still using your law skills ... law is a skill that gives you quite a bit of flexibility outside of just "being a lawyer". But you're right, it's the old golden handcuff problem! Good luck with your decision.

Giving up work? Where do I sign that contract?!!!!

I know it is a tough one. That is why I was wondering what others would do if they made that kind of money.

Man, If I was a lawyer I wouldn't hesitate. I always assumed that you guys can pick up jobs like that (I'm flicking my fingers now). Or am I mistaken, or you might not want to work for someone else. The more money I make the easier it becomes, and the quicker I feel like packing my bags.

my 2 cents

I'm currently 30 (hitting me hard right now) and work in Engineering (Civil). I'm currently working for my 12th company and this company (where I've just handed in my notice yesterday) is my first permanent job. I've been mostly doing CAD because I didn't have any drive towards a better position because I was always to busy planning my next trip. I think I've been on 7 now with one a big bike trip. This has taken me 9-10 years to organise/ fund, and I've managed to find a wife in all this time who's gotten into it.

I tried a working holiday in Oz when I left Uni and got hooked to living out of a bag not worrying about the rat race immediately. Seeing my dad losing his health over his career might have something to do with that, but in the end of the day I've moved into design and am earning the same as my peers. Same for my wife (although she's travelled less) as she has now made principle.
She's also given up her job. We're moving back to Europe to save enough money for another trip at the end of next year. We'll need to save 55k Aussie, and are confident we'll manage. I used to pack my bags when my account reached 3k GBP. Then I worked out how much I owed Visa when I got back.
She's pretty much guarenteed a job anywhere as she's a traffic engineer, and probably won't loose out on pay or position. I'm more design related. Problem with me is that it all depends on which software you design with. Luckily it's growing but certainly not market leading. So I'll always face the choice of having to take a drafty role over a design/ creative role. Easy choice for me. I realise it becomes a juggle when kids are involved. That's why we won't have any. And it also depends on what you do for a living. There have been a rare case where I had to work cleaning hotels for a while (few weeks running out of money on a trip), but you got to do what you got to do.
The way I see it is, I live now. Who knows what'll happen at the back end.

All that babbling made me forget what I really wanted to say.

It's the notion that is leaving something forever. You'd be lucky (in some cases) if that happens. But usually we slot right back in where we left. We've come back to some companies, and because time goes so fast in an office, it's like you never left.
The longest I've ever made a trip last was 9 months. Got pretty sick of it all at the end so returned and went again after I got sick of working.
Most people I've worked with don't stay in one for for more then a few years anyway.

One thing I've noticed
 

I got by on £2k a year as a student (and had a great time) and get by on my current salary of £xxk a year. My overdraft and overspend is about the same.

I think when we come back I will be back nearer the £2k a year. But at a guess that is when I will learn to shop in Kwik Save for my beans rather than Waitrose.

I think what I'm trying to say is every salary I have ever had is not quite enough, because a) I waste a lot and b) aspirations increase

Change those two and you can surely take several steps back. I hope anyway ....

I think maybe the first thing you have to do is realise that if you are in any sort of carear salary then you are probably way overspending to what you really need. And you are going to have to think - Can I give it up? If you can then it's going to be easy from there .......

Obviously taking sensible precations before you go is going to mean you have to take less steps back ...

Well, speaking only from personal experience as another lawyer, i'm putting off the travel long enough to build up the retirement nest egg, and get the kids to an age where they can appreciate longer travel. For the time being, we do lots of short (2 weekish) trips to get them hooked on the idea (kids are fighting over whether to go to china or egypt next :-)), then we're planning to pack the family and head off in a year and a half or so (when we're mid-40s) for a 2 year wander (though by 4x4, not bike). I figure that I can either come back to what I'm doing now, or go in house, or switch professions entirely (e.g. teach in africa or something) - it may not make as much, but I'm pretty sure I can find *something* that will pay the rent.

Besides, from what you've said, you've built up a practice pretty fast, and pretty well. If you're able to do that as young as you are, then it's a pretty good bet that you'd be able to build something again if you wanted to, when you get back. So if I were you, I'd save enough to have (i) money for the road, and (ii) a bit of a cushion for when you get back, and then i'd hit the road!

Actually, we don't. My wife and I have always lived well below our means. We are much more about saving.

When the Roman Emperor Nero took power , his civil servants said to him, "What shall we do first?" . Nero replied, "First, let's kill all the lawyers!".

Sorry!

Amazing Adapting
 

I'm always amazed when I am thrown into or I throw myself into new challenging/scary/bizarre/crazy situations, how quickly you adapt.

I am very lucky at the moment to have a job in London that is paying me a lot of money (as a result of some good experience and also cheekily asking for a raise that I never imagined gettting, and getting it).

I am due to leave for Australia in a couple of weeks time (eek!) and the trip, which is really more of a move to a new country than a holiday, is slowly mentally mutating into something that feels more like a holiday for the rest of my life. As I will be turning 30 soon after getting there (EEK!), clearly I won't be in a position to never have to work again (damn DAMN).

I will definitely miss the nice big chunky weekly income - going from a lot to nothing is fairly scary - but it depends on your motivations and your goals as to just how scary that is, and just how concerned you are about trying to ensure that you will be in a position to earn that big salary again (after reality sets in and the holiday is over). But then, it's a question of which reality you want to set in :)

I am very happy with the reality of being a bum for a while, living carefully off some savings and relishing not having to work again and chase that big digit salary.

Accumulate as much good work experience as you can before you leave on a trip, and see if you can line up some future contacts for your return, if you are hoping to slot right back in.

But who knows, travelling might (hopefully) change a few perspectives and priorities. Whose to say that you don't return and set up something of your own, or start in an exciting unexpected direction :thumbup1:

It's always a shock to be back amongst crazy society after being away. You can limit the detrimental impact, but it really depends on your own priorities.

Man, I'm rambling. Sorry.

Just think of the really great experience that you will gain by having to dig deep when you get back and build up a client base. Easy is boring anyway! A bit of grit and determination never hurt anyone.

Worrying about something in the future means that you aren't focussing that energy on the now, and on the exciting adventure that you could be due to have. There is only so much planning that you can do for your hypothetical return. By the sounds of things you have the skill, the experience and the brain cells to be absolutely fine when you get back.

Bon voyage!

I certainly think the challenge on returning would be half of the fun. It is really more of an issue for me of two things: (1) my responsibilities to my wife and kids; and (2) how much do you save now to try and make that holiday last and last.

Concerns understandable
 

I haven't read the whole thread (ok, so sue me :) ) so I don't know if familly is a concern to you or your concern revolves mostly about the financial part.

But lets assume that family is not the problem. It's the issue of giving up a secure job. Perhaps it even pays well? You have a bunch of good friends outside of work as well as on the inside. Maybe your job situation even has the promise of a not too distant promotion possebillity? Maybe your life is just heading in a good direction and you are starting to feel content. Maybe this is in fact what's allowing your mind to even contemplate a RTW? Something a troublefilled life is less like to allow (at least that's my theory).

I am personally in the rather priviledged situation to be able to take an extended leave of absence from my place of work. 6 months. In my oppinion not long enough to do an actuall RTW but on the other hand too long to be called a vacation in the general sense. I am also priviledged to own a house that I through blind luck purchased at exactly the right time. Now, 8 years later, the value of this house has more than doubled and I am able to liqudate some of this into actuall cash. Don't ask me to explain it, because money matters was/is never my strong side. Suffice it to say that this action finances my 6 month trip across Africa including the purchase of a brand new Yamaha XT660. I do still have my Cagiva Elephant 900, but judged it too heavy and beaten up for a trip such as this. The last few months of mechanic bills on the old gal has left me apprehensive about taking it too far from my house :).

Aaaaanyway....as you can propably see, I am one of the very fortunate people who is able to make the decision on a whim. No financial problems (at least not big ones), no family ties, friends aren't going anywhere, and a job that's waiting for me upon my return. I do recognize how much more fortunate I am, compared to those who actually saved up for literally years to do it, living on oatmeal and working through their vacations. Ok, I'm exagerating I know...but you get the idea. I tip my hat to those who have shown the dicipline to do it.

For me, what it all boiled down to in the end was the reasons why I wanted to do it. The accomplishment, the adventure, the "reving down" from life for a bit, or just pure boredom? I'd say a little bit of everthing. Allthough the adventure part propably takes the largest chunk. When I was a boy, my familly lived in Botswana for two years. I've always known that at some point in my life I would come back. As a tourist, mind you. How the mindtrail from a vacation in Francistown, to a cross-africa trip on a motorcycle came to be, I'm having a hard time to explain myself.

Sorry for rambling. I tend to do that.

Let me end by saying this; Allthough I am not a devout christian/catholic/hindu/muslim whatever, I do have a religous bent in me. I do believe that there are certain paths that are meant to be trodden. Kind of like being given a hand of cards upon your birth, and you play them as well as you can. By doing this trip, I feel like I'm stealing a few extra cards from the deck, when God is not looking. And to be honest, I don't think he minds all that much.

How long do I postpone?
 

Not being flippant but it's like holding off buying a car, bike or flash TV. If I don't do it now, next year it'll be cheaper and I could get an upgrade for the same price. It's exactly what we all do when we postpone making a big decision in our lives.

The question really is how much do you want it? Do you want to jack in your job when you're frayed at the edges and close to breakdown? Make decisions when you can - before they are made for you - Life has a way of flipping every situation on its head...

I think I know where you're coming from...I'm 32 and have spent 6 years forging a career and have come from Chief Shit-Shoveller to hitting the glass ceiling. My salary has gone up alot over that period and I could sit here and pick up that payslip every month for the next few years.

However, against the advice of my peers and family, I'm planning to quit next summer and go with my g/f from Mexico to Argentina over 4-6 months. She's worked 6 days a week for 10 years in London and raised a kid (now 20 :eek3: ) and basically needs a break before she goes crazy!

I reckon that money will always be a lure, and the more you have, the more you need to accumulate. As the Persians would say: how many mouthfuls can you eat at a time?

If you've climbed the ladder and built a business empire it can be replicated again. Pick a date and stick to it! And...kick my arse if I haven't disappeared in a blast of smoke next summer :thumbup1:

MS

The Other End Of The Spectrum
 

I hear talk of lawyers and people with mortgages who (comparitvley) earn decidedly more than my friends and I who are currently saving for a RTW trip HOPEFULLY in 2009.

Our salaries combined (3) probably equate to half that of the average lawyer/solicitor:thumbdown:

Despite that - We are saving with what little pittens we have - We'll sell our sportsbikes closer the time and probably finance the trip via Loans, kidneys and other non-essential body parts. The jobs we have (all the same company) are not "long term" by any means, but they are a regular income and provide a little stability in the run-up to the RTW trip.

I personally have sold everything I do not require: TV, Computer (not this one!) and anything else I don't need. I've moved in with my parents to cut down on costs and sold my car - If you want it: you'll find a way!

Finding a job on your return is something I know plenty about (move to Ireland to look after ill Grandparents) I came back and found a job within three days. However, in highy qualified roles I can imagine the difficulty.

I refer to work as: Something you do for 40hrs a week to kill time before you leave, however the money has it's uses.

**ramble over**

"Pick a date and stick to it! And...kick my arse if I haven't disappeared in a blast of smoke next summer."

Someone here will, that's for certain! And if girfriend bales, go anyway!

"Make decisions when you can - before they are made for you -"

Sometimes when there's that quandry, you have to wait till all the pieces fall into place and only THEN will the decision happen naturally, and not forced. Those forced decisions made out of panic/desperation are sometimes the once that kick back at you....oooooohhmmmmm.
Lorraine

That is the magic question, though: what date do you pick? One year from now or 10. A year from now and you can travel for 4 years and come back to very little. 10 years and you might not ever have to come back.

Of course, it also goes into the mix that I have three kids under 18. But they can travel with me at least part of the time right?

Kids obviously come first but for everyone's sake isn't it better you fulfil one of your dreams instead of putting it off and telling your children/grandchildren of the great plans you had instead of the amazing trip(s) you went on? A life lived in regret is not a life lived (or something!)

Use it as an excuse for them all to fly out and meet you in some exotic location for summer/winter hols...

Regarding the work aspect, are you seriously thinking of RTW for the rest of your days - if so, fair play but I think after a while you may want to come home and work again. I've had four days off in the last three years of work and I feel like jacking it in tomorrow. However, in my heart of hearts I know that after being away for months/years I would at some point want to change my environment and come back.

Your drive to build a business may need nourishing again in the future as much as your wonderlust needs fulfilling now :mchappy: - just a thought...

MS

I am not thinking of RTW for the rest of my days, but the flexibility sounds pretty good. The thought of taking time off right now sounds pretty great, but the thought of coming back and starting from zero (maybe not that low) is more than a little disheartening. Building a business takes dedication and hard work. It is not really my burning passion to start one over again.

Like I said, the question of the day for me is "how much longer?" The longer I work now, the more options I have. OTOH, the longer I work now, the longer I work now.

Sounds like you have already made your mind up to stay for a few more years :cool4:

Good luck with both your job and the trip when you take it...

MS

If you have a house rather than completely sell up try downsizing to a flat. Nice to have roots if you plan to return.

I was an Engineer before I went away Backpacking for 18 months, was not so easy to return. Companies offered me work but I was not interested in the Rat Race.

Once you have travelled you will not want to go back. On route you could find alterative work, I trained and worked as a DiveMaster.

Your choice, keep some roots back home or SAVE SAVE SAVE and stay away as long as you can. My next trip I plan to make my life on the road.

I lost my job !!
 

Well, I found out last week that the company I work(ed) for has gone into liquidation.

I was meant to be returning there in the Spring to pay off my travelling debts as it was really well paid but now i have no job to go back too. SH*T !!!!!

On the possitive side, this means I have no limit to my travels now and have decided to slow down even more, lend some cash from my old ma and stay on the road for a couple of more months.

Ill now only just be leaving Argentina (where I started) when I should of already been back at work :)

Drowning in Negativity
 

Hi,

Not sure if anyone's still looking at this thread. Hope so, coz I need some inspiration.....

Been riding for 30 years. Currently running an FJR1300.

Question 1 - would you keep that or trade it for an 1150GS?

Next, I can think of a million reasons NOT to do a big trip on my bike including;

• An 82yr old, widowed father who I see at least twice a week and is becoming increasingly dependent on me. I take him shopping. I take him to the doctors, to his hospital appointments. I do his washing. I cut his hair. I mow his lawn. I look after his ever-more delapidated house (or I try to). I have power of attorney so I look after all his financial affairs.He's had 2 heart attacks and three strokes and is on at least a dozen tablets a day, for the rest of his life. I could no more leave him for a week than fly to the moon.
• I'm 47yrs old, married, with 2 kids aged 14 and 13yrs - every single penny goes towards keeping them fed and a roof over their heads - a situation that I cannot see changing for at least another 10-15years.
• We have a monster mortgage, at least 4 credit cards - 3 of which are 'maxed-out', and an overdraft on our overdraft. How on earth do I suggest to my wife that I'd like to go away on the bike for a month or more?
• I'm a police officer and, where I'm currently working, a 'career-break' is simply not an option (we've already been told that all leave for Christmas 2009 has already been booked!)
• My wife is menopausal - her hormones are checking out, whilst my 13yr old daughter's are just kicking in - it's like World War 3 most days in our house (a good reason to cut and run, but I genuinely fear for their safety if I wasn't around to keep them apart)

But, apart from those reasons listed above, there's absolutely nothing to stop me!

C'mon folks - I'm just an ordinary guy - like 99% of you on here. How the f*ck do you EVER get to escape and rack up some big miles on your bikes?

Hmmmmm hard one there.

You certainly do have a lot of responsibilites at the moment and with absolutely no offence meant, you need to sort out your financial situaton before going on an expensive trip. Thats for sure !

This guy your looking after, there is an infastructure in place in the UK to look after this guy. You seem very tied into this situation which is very good of you but you cant let it control your life..

As far as hormonal women and kids are concerned, thats a reason to go on a trip in itself.. Everyone needs a time out.

Remember, travelling doesnt have to be expensive. You could camp your way around most of Europe or stay at YMCA's etc. Chop in the FJR1300 for something more economical and cheaper. Im sure the cash left over would pay for your trip in itself. Anything bigger than a 600 is completley un-neccessary and usually totally impractical to travel with anyway.

It all depends where you want to go, what you want to do and more importantly, how determined you are you realise a dream !!

If your just looking for us to get yourself and family into further debt and abandon your wife and kids for a bit of a jaunt then I dont think we can help here !!


Oh, and how would you chop in an FJR1300 for a GS if your already self- confessed, SKINT !! ????

Most of the folks on here who travel a lot don't have dependent relatives .
They are young and fancy free , or middle aged and uncluttered with children , or [semi]retired "empty nesters".
Sounds like you will have to wait a few years mate , at least you have a regular job and can plan ahead a little .
Get rid of the borrowing ,that's the real noose round your neck .
In the meantime take short trips and enjoy your dad's company, he won't be around for ever !

Thanks
 

For the wise words.

You're all right of course. With my current financial commitments, planning anything other than a Sunday morning ride out is madness.

Guess I'll just have to keep watching the DVD's and count the days to retirement!

I wouldn't quite give up yet. But with those commitments, I wouldn't be planning something for 2009 yet either.

Just work towards taking some longer and longer rides. Ease into it. Start out with an overnighter Sat to Sun. Then a long weekend, then a week, etc. Believe me, it won't fully satisify the longing for a RTW trip, but it scratches the itch a little bit.

As I indicated before, I am not intent on waiting for retirement to live some of my dreams. No guarantee I will make it that long. But making sure my family is well taken care of is definitely a priority. At the end of the day, though, my wife and kids do much better with a happy daddy.

Worrying And Waiting
 

Hi, Stevie, go for it. Keep worrying and delaying...you will end rivaling me for Oldie of the Day. All that should I or shouldn't I proof of being a responsible citizen? At least you have plenty of years in which to obsess. Wait long enough and you may travel on a Scotish passport! I plan enjoying my 75th with friends in Guatemala having ridden on my Honda 125 from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego and back. BLOG at home

"I'm 47yrs old, married, with 2 kids aged 14 and 13yrs - every single penny goes towards keeping them fed and a roof over their heads - a situation that I cannot see changing for at least another 10-15years."

I hope you're not planning on keeping your kids fed until they're 23 plus???!!!! Boot them out to be real adults in 4 and 5 years, and that's at least one problem gone. Not saying this coldly, but a child does need to be an adult at some point.

Good luck on all the other points, I'm sure with your genuine desire and the obvious commitedness you have, you'll get there in the end.
Lorraine

Well Dodger

It seems from what you say that you have too many commitments to do RTW - you'd never relax if you did go - but can you get, say, 3 months off somehow and do a big trip instead? And RTW isnt the Holy Grail of travel, as Ted Simon once quietly pointed out at Horizons Ripley one year- remark which seemed not to have been heard by many.

Myself, I prefer many longer trips to the RTW experience, wonderful as that would be. I'm thinking of places like Samarkand, Tashkent, Timbouktou, Syria, and so on - as well as my regular trips round Europe, especially the new larger Europe.

Just a thought......get yourself down into South America for example...now that would be tasty!

Sympathy
 

I'm a tad older than you, but started my family a bit later. I made the mistake of planning a big trip before the youngest could be left alone, relying on grandparents and her developing maturity. When the latter didn't happen as quick as I hoped I replanned. Then she started having/causing problems at school (possibly partly my fault) so I replanned again. She seems OK now but I'm not willing to risk anything yet. Those plans are now on ice until she turns 18. I'm hoping she'll be at university then, but if not I was living alone at that age so she can learn. Harsh, maybe, but I don't want her "growing up" like some of her friends, who look likely to remain dependent on their parents for the rest of the parents' lives. The phrase "to grow up and leave home" does capture a certain truth.


I was probably quite evil in a past life, as I have two daughters. You have my sympathy. Can anyone explain when the mood swings start though; Mrs MarkE's mood swung once and I'm still waiting for it to swing back!

I admitted I was being selfish, but persuaded my wife that as the only male in the house I needed "man time" I take up to one week, on the bike and agree to check in daily (some areas however have very poor mobile coverage, honest!). All I have to do is remember to bring back some sort of bribe for my wife and promise to remain faithful - not difficult as living with three women means I don't really want to seek more female inputs to my life (my daughters made me a misogynist!). This year it will be a run across France to Trier, along the Mosel valley (very slowly), then onto Cologne for Intermot before returning via Utrecht to visit friends. It's not the big trip, but that is still planned.

You refer to 2 kids but only one daughter - would a father & son weekend be wrong? Again,. it is not a big trip, but it will help scratch the itch. Tie it in to school work; I took the elder daughter to a few stoneage sites for a weekend - it fitted her school project and we had a great time.

Make your way in the world
 

On this subject of the modern British family and it's current tendencies:
The best quote I recall on this was from an acquaintance of mine as he went to live abroad following his divorce. Regarding his grown-up kids (in their late teens from memory) --


"I've given them a good education and good manners, the rest is up to them".

Once you've done it.....
 

You always wonder why the f*ck you ever came back. I do. I worked in Thailand for almost a year, teaching scuba diving on Koh Tao, a tiny island north of Koh Samui. I earned barely enough money to live on, and mostly subsidised it with money i had in the bank in England. And never in that year did i get out of bed in the morning miserable, bored, fed up with life...never! You can worry about how it will effect you when you're old, and take the safe route of being comfortable in retirement, when having done nothing with your life. My dad has enough money, yet at 64 all he does is work, because he has nothing else to do. That is not going to happen to me. I would rather take the risk now, while I can, then wish i had when i cant. When you get old all you want is to be dry and warm, and have food on the table..... thats enough. So what if you have half a million pounds in the bank when your 70.... its only going to someone else.. eventually.
So I'm gonna go and do it while i can.... sod the future, I'll deal with that later.
I took this view on life when, on new years day 1997, i got a phone call telling me my best friend had dropped dead... He was 25.
You never know the future, so if you want it, do it, and f*ck the consequences.

My Plan
 

I've enjoyed reading everyones contribution to this thread. Its nice to know that real people are out there traveling, or planning to travel, and its not just the rich guys. To the rich dudes, more power to you, I'd be doing the same thing if it were me. Anyway I'm in my early 30s, got a wife, kids, and a plan. I'm active duty military, which has allowed me to travel 13 European countries on motorcycle so far, which now caused an ADV travel addiction. I can waste hours just thinking about my future RTW trip. Very non-productive, but at the same time it helps me put up with all the crap that I get to deal with. While I'm not thrilled with my career (wont start complaining), it will allow me to retire at the age of 45( I still need to work), my youngest kid will just be starting college, and hopefully my investment that I've dedicated to this trip will come back from the -45% that its worth at the moment. This RTW trip has stopped being a fantasy, and is now a goal. Best of luck to everyone.

Tim

It is like anything in life, it depends where your priorities are. Traveling is top on my priority, so I get to travel while I'm young and healthy.
The nice thing is that once you have traveled for a year or more on a tight budget, you can eazily start any kind of job anywhere in the world earning little money and you will be used to spending as little as possible. You do not need that new car or bike, you dont need to have 10 sets of clothes, you dont need to have a 2 or 3 bedroom house. . . . You see what I mean.

Johan

Delay for the right reason
 

Well...put those boots on and have a go kicking - we didn't throw in the towel and disappear!!

Instead of spending May packing rucksacks we unloaded a small little boy to add to our collection of one :clap:

Both my wife and I are ecstatic and enjoying family life but clearly life on the road will have to be postponed for a while. I am finally taking my four wheel test so perhaps it may be a van around the world instead of a bike. The missus won't hear of a sidecar for her with the little 'un perched on the back....lol

Back to watching dvds and reading the books in between the nappies and bottle feeds....

MarbleStake

The true cost of it all.
 

It is amazing how many of these threads are actually very similar. I responded to a post only a few hours ago and then found this thread. This thread is roughly about finance. I have read many travelogue books and looked at as many blogs as I can and for me the one thing missing from ALL of them is costings. Some of them provide important information such as miles travelled each day etc. What I would like to see because it would help me greatly is a list of costings at the end of each section such as filled up with fuel 3 times today, spent XXX on fuel, stayed at campsite cost = XXX spent XXX on food and entertainment. Spent so much on ferry and had to pay xxx to border guards etc. Running totals like this would be of an enormous help to people trying to figure out if they can afford to go in the first place.

I know some will say it is not relevant because we all spend differently or inflation and travel exchange will alter over periods of time but all of these things can be factored. If anyone out there has already done this then please let me know the website url so I can figure out how little or how much is really needed. I am not asking for exact details but fuel, accommodation and general expenses are every bit as important as some of the stunning photos I have seen on some blogs. I guess a few others may find this helpful too. It may even help some people to plan their trip by avoiding expensive places in favour of what can be accomplished now and going back to expensive ones when finance allows.

I am guessing that a budget of around 10 pounds per day might well suffice in some parts of Asia or perhaps South America but that will increase surely if you are in Europe or North America by as much as 400%? For the traveller with a limited budget it would make sense to avoid Europe for long periods and go somewhere cheap?

Apologies if anyone thinks I am talking out of my arse but if I don’t ask no one is going to tell me!!

People don't really write about it because it is soooo different to everyone. People have different tastes, do different things, have different opionions on value and comfort etc..

You need to know where you are going and for how long first mate, then you can start narrowing down the costs !

Cost always matter, especially when traveling. It would be better to save up on travel especially if you'll be leaving work for the longest time. As for my case, there always comes a time when I just want to leave home, leave work, leave everything behind. But that would be far from reality.

Seeing as it is nearly a year since the last post, maybe we need to revive this.
Found an interesting blog/book: The Art of Non-Conformity � Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

Why you should quit your job and travel around the world.

I can get my head around selling up stuff, saving like crazy, renting out the house and heading off. I can see living very cheaply when travelling, and I can picture the pleasure that can bring.

What I cannot see is what happens when you get back, money all gone and the desire to go again. And what happens when you hit the age when medical problems or what not means you've to stay put. it's not as much fun or as easy to live cheaply in Ireland as it would be in Tanzania, argentina or thailand. What happens then? anyone been there and done that?

Merv.

Hey Merv,
Think of it not like a trip, but as a lifestyle change. Do you need to "get back" Do you need to rent out the house, or can't you just get rid of it?

In the US as is my case. Medical expenses are outrageous. It is a benefit to bugger off and live somewhere with socialized healthcare. As we get older we do not want to settle down in the states as it's a liability. A couple years ago there was an aging couple living in their truck outside of a grocery store, bankrupted due to health expenses. That is how we are treated here.

Our plan is simple, give it a year see what happens. Perhaps 1 year will turn into 30...

There is a very good book by Tim Ferriss called 4 hour work week. Inside are hints and tips to make living your life..however you want it...work. Now for us travellers..that can mean being on the road and still bringing in an income (not that I've got to that stage yet!!) Not all ideas are going to work for everyone, but there are always some things you can implement. It also has a good webesite resource tool.

The 4-Hour Workweek and Timothy Ferriss

Cheers
Adastra

I'm finding that to travel the amount I want means working an amount I don't like at all while I can. The NHS cut my hours to three days a week, which was great until I decided I needed to get on the road again. In the UK if you have two jobs the second one gets taxed at a ridiculous rate - 33% even though it's minimum wage. I did the maths and I need to do 55 hours a week or thereabouts for a year. On the plus side this is making my desperation to leave all the stronger!
Luckily I have a nice short trip coming up to break the monotony - thanks to Adastra for that one!!

I am not really an experienced traveler but I know one thing: it would be absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to bring me back in the office and have me sit there from nine to five. I don't take it as I am traveling, this is just how I like to live right now. I do whatever I can to buy petrol and food, building and landscaping jobs mainly... and I am not a professional builder or landscaper. Having a house rented out or some other permanent income would be great but I don't have that luxury. In Europe and some other places helpx.net is a great way to save money and meet people... I recommend it to anyone.
Anyways, the best advice given to you was, start with a short trip. One to three months... you will see if you like it or not. Maybe you just need some thinking time and then a new job with less stress and more time for yourself.

I love how when after you travel, 1-3 months, is a short trip ;)

I'm now 7months in and now trading out my 07 BMW G650XC for a '75 XL350 in the States and heading back to Guatemala to hook up with mates on similar bikes to be able to keep riding for a longer time

on costs I've gone from spending $200USD for a night on a hotel in a booked out city and being too tired, wet and cold to care about the cost to being put up for free from people you meet on the road, the longer on the road you are the more contacts you make and it can get heaps cheaper

I've just come back from a 6 month trip through Africa.. I went to my job-centre today to look for work and a little support before I find a job..

They told me I was a "habbitual resident" and probably not entitled to anything... :eek3:

Sorry for working and paying tax all my life your heighness !! How dare I want to travel a little....
*******!

That's annoying for you Ted. There's no simple legal definition of 'Habitual Residence' just a mass of often contradictory case law. Also they should have said 'you're not habitually resident' so are not entitled.....

There was an initial proposal to exempt returning UK nationals but apparently this fell foul of the EU Convention on Human Rights as it was 'discriminating on the basis of nationality'!!
This was the comment from a Judges reccommendations following a case in '99:

"People coming back to the UK from any country and re-establishing their ties here should be treated as habitually resident as soon as they return "

"Have you ever lived in the UK before? If so, how long for and how did you support yourself? " is a KEY question they are required to look at when making the decision - you should be able to lever off this.
You also have the 'right to reside' which is a crucial factor, as is your future intentions. Any legal situation relating to future intentions is a bit vague and it cannot be held against you if you do not fulfil those intentions.

Basically it's a massive grey area and the chances of the person you spoke to being well informed are low, try again - if you get the same ask to speak to a supervisor etc. A refusal based on failing a habitual residence test (which it sounds like you didn't get to do?) does not stop you placing another claim immediately afterwards.

I wen't to claim incapacity benefit after I broke my back - I had an armful of x-rays and was in a full body cast, I still got some ar*&£ole jobsworth tell me no and that they 'see this sort of thing all the time'! Keep on trying, it's only the people that never work that know the system well enough to walk in, get cash and walk out.....

Yeah.. I obviously contested their decision and now its going for assessment ! I was only out of the country for six months and working/paying tax until literally the day before I left.... As much as I HATE to be claiming on the system, It is necessary and I have been contributing to it for most of my life.

Thanks for the info.. I will use it against them :)

You're going the wrong way dude!
 

[quote=olyflyer;327159] and heading back to Guatemala to hook up with mates on similar bikes to be able to keep riding for a longer time
/quote]

:oops2:I hate to point this out but....according to your Spot tracker, you are heading North.....and Guatemala is..... errr.... down!:funmeteryes:

WHAT?????? - you VOLUNTARILY gave up a job to go on holiday and now want to claim benefits when you get back?? As a hard working tax payer, you can piss right off, matey. My taxes are not to provide lifestyle enhancement and convenience for the likes of you and there are probably millions of others who feel the same way. The world don't owe you a livin' pal - get with it, son.:thumbdown:

[QUOTE=Bertrand;327370]Hey Bertrand, I'm not into short cuts, there is a track I'm told if you follow the Appalachian trail north, go past a pole in some white land in the north and keep riding till it gets hot again and passed a line on the ground, but not the dotted one, you should be very close, or put the time drop bar on 7 months and then you'll see why I used the word 'back' in the sentence :D:laugh:

Hey docsherlock that's my plan too I figure it I have paid taxes so I can use a bit of help when I return till I gets me a job and start paying them again, better than some of the guys I know who dodge work completely and get the dole and worse than others but hey, the super rich don't pay taxes they pay accountants, so get on their case

I have to agree with Docsherlock, I have packed my job in on several occasions to go off travelling and have gone job hunting immediately on my return if I had not arranged one before leaving. The welfare system is there for people who lose their jobs not choose to go off travelling.

Well you're as much of a ***** as him them, quite frankly. The welfare system is not there for your convenience when you want to go off traveling, it is for the unfortunate, genuinely unemployed.

Whoah chill out dude! you need a hug, I got laid off mate and I will not be lying to get the dole if I can get it, so be it, if not, so be it

so stop ass-u-me-ing you know me and don't judge lest ye be judged

ride on brother!!

In which case you are entitled to claim - good luck with getting another job. Sorry I made an inaccurate assumption.