It has been asked here, what if you are young and don't have a house to sell? Consider traveling by bicycle. I was able to do this when I was only 18. This is much cheaper and simpler. You'll become super fit and experience places in more detail. After the first 2 or 3 weeks the pedaling part is nothing.

Since the cycling trip I've done some motorcycle trips that lasted a few weeks, and I always felt the pinch of time and money. I started seriously thinking about how I could travel for a longer period of time while I'm still young.

Like so many others on this thread, my answer is related to real estate investment. Do not assume that this strategy is not right for you even if you are young. I scraped every penny to buy a house at age 25, and I too had travel on my mind from the start. Now 3 years later somehow the value of the house doubled. Buying a house may make you feel tied down for a while but then it can set you free. You might as well pay a mortgage rather than rent.

And I don't think you have to be bored meanwhile. I've gotten into so many hobbies during the last three years of home ownership and I know I will miss some of that when it comes time for the big adventure.

The funniest part about this is that you may look like the quintessential normal person… house, car, debt, trips to home improvement store, mowing the lawn, normal job… then one day you've got major cash in the bank and are riding off into the sunset. :-)

When I was 26 and just out of the military my dream was to take an around the world bicycle trip. I was strong, good on a bike, spoke 5 languages. Marriage happened. Trip delayed while she learned how to ride, new ideas. Whoops, babies came. 12 years later divorce. raised kids. last one finshed school. back to bike trip. money saved, maps made. three more months, still not quite 50. boom. tree came. lost arm, broken back crushed ribs, many bad things. arm sewn back. worked. no bike. learned to walk again. back to bike trip. one short one through europe. okay. another short one through europe. hmmm. money gone. college. job. remarried. back to bike trip. teaching old woman how to pedal. stroke. hmmm. motorcycle!! old woman has bad time getting on. Motorscooter! saved money. job is job for trip money, not a career. work long hours. be stingy. plan ahaed invest in bio research, early computer companies. you don't need much to begin. 100 bucks will soon turn into 2 and left alone and rolled over and added to, in 5 years 70,000 is no problem. If you work for MacDonalds at minimum wage and only have 100 dollars a month left over after everything else--invest 50. then go get another job. there is no reason you cannot work 14 hours a day--none. Saved or invested, in 5 years 200 a month can easily sustain a bicyclist for 3 years. No gasoline, no carnet, no insurance, tent, youth hostel. I rode for 23 weeks total and never spent more than 8 bucks a day average. the only time i did was to get into some attraction. you don't have to have a lot of money. just a lot of self-reliance

My wife and I are in Santiago waiting to fly home after 1 year on the road and 27000 miles (Colorado to Ushuaia and back to Santiago).

The key to this is to save hard and rent your house to have something to go back to. We sold ours as we are moving from the UK to NZ but we did not use that money for this trip. For me one year was enough, now in desparate need of using the brain, plus I think you get a little complacent with all that you see and do not fully appreciate everything. See comments from Anne who we met on the road as she sums it up well I think. http://www.annamotodiva.com

We had a weekly budget that we stayed within of US$300 (most of the time) for both of us including fuel excluding bike parts and maintenance. In expensive counties like Chile we camped a lot to cut costs. We had budgeted US$400 for the trip but did not use that, I suspect that including all bike costs (except purchase), etc we will have stayed within that US$400 but we will know in a month after updating our site and checking the accounts properly.

In a month or so we will have our website updated with all costs, etc. It got a bit behind due to tech difficulties on the road with software.

Cheers Geoff

------------------
In South America and heading to Tierra Del Fuego ETA Feb 06

There are a few ways to finance trips as has been discussed. Personally, I am not going to sell the roof over my head to finance what is in essence a holiday. In the UK it costs a lot to sell and rebuy (solicitors, estate agents, stamp duty, removals etc). Before you know it you have spent more on moving than your planned travelling budget. If you want to downsize anyway then it makes sense but if you are happy then no way!

Obviously much depends on your personal circumstances. Disposable income is what is required and this varies massively regardless of income levels.

Working part time is an excellent way to do it. Don't touch your pay and put it in a high interest account.Fifty quid a week will equate to nearly three big ones a year, take your four weeks off from work, more if you can, put enough in the bank to cover debits and disappear with the balance.

I am fortunate in that as a taxi driver I can work as much or as little as I like and take as much hols as I want. If I work hard I can make very good money so ultimately it is down to me to get my arse in the car. I am in a habitual cycle of working, saving, then travelling.

Don't forget that camping costs very little and in Europe facilities are generally superb. It need not cost a fortune. Happy travels !

[QUOTE=davemacc]
I am fortunate in that as a taxi driver QUOTE]

My Grandad used to drive a London cab years ago. He retired in the early 80's, and passed on in the late 80's. You just brought back some fond memories...

Simon

Work on the way!
 

Regarding Matt's message i want to add:

I am on your team man, and let me tell you, it can be done without having all the money beforehand, just a bit fot the start and then just let it flow.
I did it for almost 5 years. You just need time to stop for work here and there, try to work in rich countries and spend your dough in the cheap ones.
There is always underthetable jobs for those willing to, hospitality industry is good, barman or chef for instance, as well as many other jobs that can be done pretty much anywhere. If you are unafraid and not picky about entry level jobs you can do it, and it is a lot of fun.
It takes time though, but... why hurry? and mostly, why worry?
cheers
juan

we scrimped and saved and borrowed to buy a house that more than doubled in 10 years.the house was to be sold - and still will - to fund the trip but then not a course of action I would reccomend, but if you get taken out by a myopic car driver and break enough bones or other parts and - yipee for the compensation culture.now we'll be able to do the rtw trip at an enjoyable time scale and sooner than anticipated.
so what if one legs shorter than the other - i'll just have to remember to put the long one down when i stop!

You could always do it with a sidecar!!!LOL

Jeeez. I originally posted on this thread in July 2005 with the intention to being in South America in Sept 06 :(

My goal was unrealistic being £7K in debt and in a £10K a year job with scaling bills. A pyschotic girlfriend then screwed me out of another 2K and I was totally screwed with my dream floating futher and further away into the distance.

Iv had to really bite down hard and give myself a goal and decided that I was going to do the whole Pan America and then hopefully Australia right after. I wasnt going to let this consumer driven pointless 9-5 world take away my soul.

Its been 18 months after my first post on this thread im now "practically" debt free from saving, selling everything and being a total hermit. Iv had a 50% payrise working in a job I despise and living at home with mother and sister (god help me). Its total hell but now now im well on track for an 08 departure. I could go earlier but im determined to take a wedge of cash with me as im hell bent on not owing money to demonoid credit card companies and interest grabbing loan companies.

Iv got myself a 2003 XT600E and fully prepped it ready to go. Iv got all my gear and kit sorted and im now saving £500 a month and halfway through my Spanish A-level. Im holding back till Summer 08 so ill have £7 grand just for travelling. 18 months ago, I would of laughed if i could see how far iv come and how much debt iv cleared from sheer determination.

My point is (yes there is one) , it can be really really tough to find a way to follow your dreams and at times it seems totally hopless. 18 months ago I was really low and felt that I was actually moving backwards with no chance to escape and live out my dreams. Its now happening and its getting easier and easier as I tear up another credit card and im living for the day that I tell my boss to go screw himself.

My intention is to leave the UK with no debts, no girlfriend, no house and no ties. My new life starts in Summer 2008 and by god its been a long time coming

For all those "umming" & "ahhhing" about not having the means or money.. JUST DO IT... If you really want something, you can and will have it.

Ok, thats my little rant over. Get back to your beers.

Ed

Lucky Me
 

I'm in the middle of my trip. Country 36, continent 6, 57,000 miles.

I was extremely lucky.

My father died having failed dismally to spend my inheritance. Two months mater my boyfriend dumped me (he's still my best friend). Six months after that I was made redundant. I have 'gerall pension to come back to, and who the hell will employ me? My big brother (retired bank manager) thinks I'm barking.

I was nearly 50. Never have the chance again. Rented out the house (the rent doesn't cover the mortgage), put everything in storage (except bikes and the Landy which are with friends) and went.

I'll be far broker when I return than when I went, but what the hell. Spent my 50th birthday in Bangkok, 51st in La Paz (Bolivia) and 52nd in Port Aransas, Texas. Cruised to Antarctica. Sailed a racing trimaran from Port Aransas to Cancun and was then stranded on a Caribbean island over Xmas and New Year without a passport (long story), spent three months living with a family in southern Patagonia while I and my beloved (a 1985 R80G/S) mended, can't tell you.

When I'm in that Old People's Home I'll be a complete bore. But I won't ever say "I wish I'd done that when I had the chance". And I did my dream.

Only one continent to go. Has to be done. Be rude not to.

Maybe it's my age.

Just do it, and sod the rest of them.

Ted,
my sincere congratulations for posting this thread and then doing a check on yourself and still keeping the dream. I guess it is not just the journey but the preparation too that can really count.
I earn far more than you, but have only a fraction of your determined zeal to stash away the $ for my dream trip. But i'll continue to strengthen myself. It felt great to zero out two of my credit cards in the past 2 months.

Thank you all for the inspiration.

I'm just making a note so this thread is visible again as there's some priceless info on it and very relevant to another current thread....
Lorraine

paying to travel
 

it's an old question but still relevant,most of my trips i've worked as much as possible spent as little as possible on day to day stuff.in expensive countries i've hitched camped in a tent in the trees etc lived on bread and jam and coffee from my own gas cooker for 5 pounds for a week.when i got more money again i used a pushbike and could afford tinned fish,then a roadbike,cheap real luxury staying in a campsite hot shower once every 2 weeks instead of a river.now trying to pay a house off so i can rent it and live off that,just get out there,ron.:thumbup1:

Find A New Trade
 

I had a bit of money to start with but nothing near enough to finish. I was worried about how to fund the rest of the journey. I ran out of cash in Senegal and discovered that people liked the films I had been editing of my journey and was offered a professional film contract. So now I make films. I used to make computer games and before that I was a Sculptor.

Seek and ye shall find a way.

Ted,

Hope it works out for you, you've obviously made a massive effort re: finances & deserve to reap the rewards. Good luck & keep us posted on the trip.

Steve