Yeah, that's true .. These guys offices were a beach front hostel shack. All they needed was Wifi and three hours a day commitment.

I read a bunch of your posts TT and I'm right there with you as far a your philosophy on how you want to live. (not working your life away and seeing everything).

I've been that way my whole life and only now getting myself together to finally do it. I'm 27 and have spent the last year saving every penny (and sometimes spending it on stupid things like motorcycle insurance when really I don't HAVE to ride if I want to travel...) Through my saving tactics I've been able to save up 11k by now and I'll have 6k more in 7 months (when I leave). I work a job in Canada that pays around 40k and spend my money wisely. I still owe 35k for student loans but I'm just ignoring it for now. I suggest you find a well-paying temporary job for one year and save like a mad man. Work two jobs even. It's only one year of hell for 2+ years around the world.

Also keep in mind that some people do it with nothing. In high school I once met a couple that were traveling the entire world and hadn't spent even ONE penny. They were incredibly resourceful but also looked like hippies. (not the clean funky ones from movies, but the more dirty real-life ones). You can travel relatively comfy on just a little money. Europe would require clever means of getting what you need (food and a place to sleep).

If you're in Canada still let me know. I'm in Toronto.

IMO there is a thin line between being resourceful and clever... and leaching off other people. The way you are doing it I think is honourable and the self-discipline you show in saving will only help you on the road.

Add long-term
 

Ted,

I agree with your vision and find you are very consequent with your thoughts. You are determined to channel your needs, instead of capitulating.

This need of total freedom is how you see things and life now, but that may voluntarily change, let’s say if you are about to become a father and suddenly your priority in life is stability and a regular income. IMO getting now ready for that eventuality would be a smart move. Fit long-term needs with the very short-term ones.

Thus, finding a job now won’t really fix the situation, but just postpone it. You’ll save, leave to travel and come back broke… and older it will be harder. Actually, your question is about one temporary but more stable job, not about gardening, fixing a bike and painting a wall in a single day, but working 8 hours a day for 9 months in the same place to save. Sounds actually like some sort of stability.

That’s why I think it would be good to build a clear working profile, the core of your CV. And focus on being proficient on that job, for a long term approach. Any other knowledge will be welcome; it will make the difference in your interview. Your needs: something not boring (as working behind a desk); reasonably paid to jump off and travel (or pay the kids’ toys and education one day); with high and constant demand; and preferably something you can do anywhere in the world, beyong regulations and probably languages. I had also thought about WELDING, so great you mention it: procedures are very universal and there’s demand everywhere. And if for some reason you really need top dollar, you can always do it for a while in “extreme places” (oil rigs, artic mines, etc).

However, being you, I’d try to have another clear/possible profile, maybe more “short-term”, just in case you get bored of welding, but with more or less the same conditions (2 separate CVs to swap depending on your need). As others said, you are a native English speaker, so you may go for Teacher of English as a foreign language, just study to get properly ready for it. For years I’ve being teaching Spanish once a week just for pleasure, and enjoy it a lot. I would try it. And in many places they kill to have natives (or even Western or foreigners) to teach them.

I hope it helps. Good luck,

Esteban

PS: Any place to read about the Yukon kayak trip?

SALES!

Anyone can go into sales, and sales skills can be applied everywhere, and great sales people are allways in demand. If you are really good at it you should be able to get by on the road for ever... even in some countries where you don't know the language or you can't legally work.

If no one will employ you and you are close to broke, then set up a quick low investment business. The principal is easy. Buy something where supply is higher than demand low (cheap), and sell it where supply is lower than demand (expensive)... Like buying foreign books or newspapers at the airport newsstand and selling them on a touristy beach (or other attraction where tourists gravitate to)... It might not pay much, and might not provide the means for fast travel in high comfort, but you probably won't starve.

Now, if you got some product you could sell over the phone and distribute online, like some sort of software, then set up a business at home. Bring an IP phone and a computer on the road, and when you can get access to internet, then you can sell to people in your home country in your home language - they will never know you are not sitting in someoffice building in some European capital. If your product is good, and your skills are better, you could potentiall make lots of money and have all the flexibilty you desire.

Personally I would prefer saving up and then go and not need to work or worry about money too much.

Don't have a particular product idea though... and if you can't think of one, maybe a telemarketing company would hire your one man company on purely commission???

Sales is pretty language based. I think t would be extremely hard to sell in a country where you don't speak the language. Persuasion happens through mastery of language IMO.

Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughbred sales, but I think the serious money through sales requires long term relationships in one place. You can earn average money in short term sales, selling advertising, mobile phones etc. but the big money is in corporate/industrial sales where it is all about long term relationships. Which require you to stay in the same place.

The guy that did around the world in 80 trades was really good, but he already had 25k GBP in his backburner to start, plus he did a whole lot of research beforehand and had a film crew to help him grease the wheels in his negotiations.