I would also say "do it"! When Roynie and I did our first RTW trip in 2001, it was partially paid for with R's pension commutation but, by the time we left, we realised we had massively under-budgeted. We also had good credit, so were able to get a huge temporary spending limit raise on our (joint) credit card. Thank goodness we did, because on top of the planned spending (accommodation, transport, food, fuel, etc.) we also had a couple of mishaps. The result was that we came back we had accumulated a 5 figure debt between the two of us. We didn't have the career prospects that you appear to. I had been an IT administrator and had just turned 40 and R was recently retired after 30 years in the police. We both had to find alternative employment ... and quickly!

But although we had a few scary moments in the months that followed our return - not least our replacement bank cards being stolen in the post and used - we never, for a single moment, regretted doing that trip. It changed our whole outlook on life and gave us the travel bug. We paid off the credit card over about 2 years and have been on several memorable extended trips since.

I think people who are drawn to travel tend to be naturally resourceful. I won't lie and say that toting around for a completely new career was easy for either of us, but it was amazing how many interviewers were keen to talk about our trip!