I did read tons of blog about overlanders on their worldtrip. To get some gear is that what you can get out of the sponsors. Because each year some people start their trip, asking for stuff - it dont gets easier i guess.

To write a Blog is more for yourself. Specially if you just start to write. Ask yourself how often you click on one of these banner ads - when you read a blog. Just if you click these banner (and watch the content) - the blog writer earn money.

One year ago i start with my Blog www.4x4tripping.com I`m happy that there are an growing amount of readers who like my content. I just use Google Adsence and have earned now arround 60 USD with these Banner Ads.

For my travelblog i have disabled the ads, because of not much return, while 93`000 views. I talked with severall travel bloggers about - they had the same experience. So blog for yourself, for document your trip, for have you can watch in some years, to share experience with other travellers.

I dont want to say that you can`t earn money this way, because i didnt earn it. I want to say that you had to create a blog with really unique content, high quality Pictures or Videos and travelodge. To write quality articles for newspapers in your homecountry, newspapers in the countrys you travel. To get media attention, get into the TV.

If you do that you start something like i would say a "new job", what dont match well to the "some time off" we traveller usually look at our trips.

Surfy

Here's my plan...
 

I intend to ride around the world on a twenty four year old NX650 from Sheffield, England either September/October this year or April 2015. The bike cost me under £1000 although sensible mods have added another £600 and I still have another £300/400 to add the finishing touches.
I am £14,000 in debt and have appproximately £25,000 equity in the house so to round it all up I anticpate having £10,000 to fund my trip.
I am currently working seven days a week three weeks a month to add to my travel fund and to try and decrease my debts.
I have no plans to return and will work to fund my trip when the money gets low.
My advice would be to be creative, utilise your skills and work to fund your trip. Material things don't matter anymore and usually the barriers to travel are self inflicted. You really have to want to travel to make it work, dreaming of travel is exactly what it is.
I also have a seventeen year old Son who I will miss beyond words and a six year old Parson Terrier who has been at my side since he was a pup. Tough decisions have to be made on all fronts but the deciding factor for me is the fact I will do this whatever it takes.

To summarise: Do I need a shed load of money to travel? No.

What do I need? Just the will to turn my dreams into reality.

My plan may seem simplistic and no doubt flawed to some but it's all I have and I'll work hard to make it happen without huge amounts of money, that is my plan.

Well said Steve.. I need to take my dommie RTW too.

Still working on the bike Ted. Not much left to do now after taking your advice on some of the mods needed (Acerbis tank, Renthals, progressive springs etc). Just need to sort the stalling issue......

Stalling oo err. Pm me with the symptoms.. I'll have a think. Probably carb.

Here is a great description on how to retyre at the age of 30 anf dinance this lifestyle: Meet Mr. Money Mustache

THe good thing of traveling on a low budget is that one can earn this money while on the road by placing ads and writing articles for magazines etc. This way one does not become a slave of the consume system but is free and able to travel forever :)

Did you get going SheffSteve??

Some thoughts from the present. I funded a 3 month euro trip, and the 6mth mongolia trip through loans and meagre saving.

Moving to London to work as a despatch rider had me putting away 200UKP a week on average, less during the lean times (thankfully few), and more during the good times (had some real good stretches). I did this for nearly 4 years, though most of the spoils were spent on paying off the mongolia loan (came back owing 6grand UKP) and getting married to the Russian girl I met in Azerbaijan and living beyond our means for a year or so. But I still saved a fair bit to bring to Australia and start me off here.

Now I'm trying to settle here in Darwin and get sponsored by my employer for a working visa. I'm not fully versed on the rules, but I think time spent on the working holiday visa counts towards the citizenship requirements, so if I get sponsored I would be able to apply for an Aussie passport in 2 and a half years. I'm mentioning all this because the money here is way better than in Europe in general, for most blue collar jobs. Tradies often earning $50hr. I've been earning far less labouring, but still in low 30s. The best job I had was working out bush, AUS$1800 a week after tax ($800 tax!!), but zero living expenses apart from booze because your living in the camp.

If you're under 30 and from Europe/Canada/etc, a working holiday in Australia would be a great way to save cash to travel afterwards. If you're older but have a profession or trade, consider moving here on the points visa. Can't afford to pay for travel? Move to somewhere where you can save more money! I've done this twice now. No regrets.

When I leave Australia (either in 6months when my 2yr working holiday ends, or in a few years), it will hopefully be with a wad of cash and on a plane to South America to start the next bike trip.

What all these replies tells me is exactly what we are finding on our RTW trip. There is no such thing as a typical RTW traveller and everyone has a different set of circumstances, budget, comfort level, timeframe and dreams. I'm not prepared to share on a public forum the specific finances of our own trip. However, after currently being on the road for 9 months we have a pretty good idea of our on the road costs. I've broken down our costs by % for all to see on our blog which can be viewed here Tiger 800 RTW | A global motorcycle adventure
Steve

I agree about the Espina del Diablo! I really enjoyed my ride through this past November. Road was in perfect condition for the most part. Great fun, just like California!

I last did the Espina route in 1998. During those times the road was jammed with trucks, with lots of Diesel spilled in corners and plenty of pot holes and gravel as well.

Much better now. I road the "libre" road of course, but switched to Cuota about 5 miles before Durango.

I never saw any Cartel activity either ... all pretty mellow. The road was deserted ... quite cool in November.

If you wonder why your UKP is going a bit further now ... you might note
(and everyone should) that the Mexican Peso just dropped in value from 13 pesos per USD to 15 Pesos per dollar and promised to continue higher.

The UK pound is super strong (Arab oil money in British banks) so you lot have a windfall! bier !que le via muy bien!

Something which will increase the options for middle aged Brits is the change in pension rules that allow access to funds at the age of 55. Whilst I would not advocate people blowing their entire pension pot on a RTW trip it could increase the chances for some people to travel before retirement age. Although I do think blowing it on a RTW trip is a better idea than buying a new car.

BBC News - Budget 2015: Pensions set for another overhaul

I agree and we're certainly making the most of it. When in the USA we hit a high of $1.74USD to £1GBP. it's now at about $1.48 so we were certainly there at a good time. A couple of weeks ago we got $23MXN and that's now dropped to $22MXN to £1GBP. Exchange rate has definitely got slightly worse for us, but still pretty good :-)

I'm a new member and I hate to be negative with my first post, but I honestly can't see any other way to be.

Having read the bulk of this thread it appears that adventure motorcycling is a relatively exclusive activity. If you're not able to finance yourself by selling property you own, and you have no vocational qualification or skill to aid you in working whilst on the move, most of the advice in this thread is useless.

Granted, a few people here do write accounts of scrimping, saving and working all the hours God sends in an effort to pay for a trip, but they are notably in the minority.

The irony seems to be that adventure motorcyling is so often viewed and portrayed as an escape for the free-spirited who care neither for wealth or commercialism, yet from what I've read here the reality seems to be that you need to be in a position of relative privalege to be able to make that choice to become free-spirited and care neither for wealth or commercialism.

Again, I hate to be negative, but this thread has put me off the idea of adventure motorcyling being anything more than a 2 week holiday-level experience.

If however anyone who doesn't own their own house, doesn't have independant financial means, and doesn't have a BA or an IT qualification wishes to offer me a tale of how they managed to travel at length on two wheels, I'm all ears.

You make a very valid point... But I think what you say are the "Minority" are in fact the majority. It's not the rich and famous fluttering around on their jollies. Those people are about but they're easy to spot on their rediculous £20,000 bikes and touratech vulgarity.

Once you actually get out of the "Travel meeting" circuit, you will find the vast majority of bikers you meet outside of the "two week holiday" category are all broke and on old bikes with second hand gear.

Many people who travel have assets to sell or come into money some other way. And there are those who sell everything they own.

Still, I don't think that makes them privilaged. Gaining assets and saving money has taken most travellers YEARS AND YEARS.. They've just chosen to spend their years of hard savings on travelling and not a new car or conservatory.

I'm in the scrimp and save category. I've also taken out loans and sufferered to pay them back. I've had very low times between trips just to fund them. I've also been lucky and had a few grand gifted to me by family. It's a mixture. I've never ever had cash in my bank account for long. I have none now. But I always seem to be going somewhere to doing something. Because I don't waste money on SHIT.

But I stress this.. If you want it enough, you will make it happen... You don't need an expensive bike. You don't need fancy riding suits made from Whale foreskin, folding camping chairs and you certainly don't need to be air freighting your bike to far away continents.

With as little as £2000-£3000 you can have yourself a good second hand bike, effective riding gear and equipment and spend a good couple of months on the road. You can even do it for less.

You can couchsurf, do help exhange (No skills required), or wild camp all over the world. You can eat for £3 a day EASILY if you have to.

I don't know anything about you but I'ts probable that you have loads of gear hanging around that you could sell. You could cancel a expensive mobile phone contract, flog the flat screen telly and make your own home brew instead of going the pub.

There is A LOT someone can do.. You're giving up too easy. Or maybe you just don't want it enough to make it happen. And that's fine too. Just don't make out it's only the deep pocketed upper class with good jobs and educations who can do it. Because that my friend is Bul**hit...

I made a thread a few years ago about how to live super cheap, cut costs and save money to travel. See if you can find it. There were some great ideas.

Don't give up.. Just adjust your mindset.

Ted bier

I wanted to travel, had no savings, no house or anything.

I broke up with my wife after 9 tears of a great relation for she did not want to travel. I sold my 33 year old car for its weight in old metal. I stopped renting the house we had and stored some of my personal stuff in my parents attic, most of it I sold on local market.

I kept a small bag with my two suits and 1 set of casuals clothing. With this on my back I cycled through the city from one friends house to another to spend the night where ever I could. I went to work every morning on the bike. At the end day calling for a new couch to sleep on. This I did for 6 months.

I saved money by doing this, not a lot of money, but by living as a bum I'm now well 5 months of traveling. Not with a bike, but just backpacking.

I'm flying to Mongolia in 2 days where I will continue traveling for at least another 3 months. With a bike I'll buy there. Not a fancy one, but a moped will do.

When I get back I'll be broke as hell, have only a mattress, a stack of books and a lot of stories to tell while rebuilding my life.

Do not say it's only for the silver spoons. If you really want it, it can be done. But it takes sacrifice. I still miss my wife every day...

Alex

Fortune and Glory, kid. Fortune and Glory.

Eddie,
There are ways to make it happen. But as Ted has illustrated, it takes work
and time. Unless you have a wealthy back ground and support from same, then nothing will happen instantly.

Surly you have some skills? Did you ever go to school? Ever had a job? Doing what? Any special training of any kind? Did you work in those areas?

Some or ALL of those skills could mean you have something to offer when traveling. Speak any languages? This too is a useful skill. (teaching English, which I did in El Salvador and Guatemala)

At 21,left my job as a waiter in a restaurant with meager savings in hand, took off for Mexico. Traveled with friends at first in a camper with old Jawa 350 on the bumper. Many sacrifices to make this happen.
:scooter:
My buddy gave me the Jawa in Guatemala, I continued on from there. Ended up buying local hand woven goods from local Indians, exporting to USA, selling it off. This worked out well, financed three additional trips into Central and South America, mostly without a bike, but did involve bikes from time to time.

Ended up living in Guatemala, costing about $100 USD a month, all up. Eventually made it to Argentina (after a year on the road) and got a job with US govt. Antarctic research program, then spent next 3 years there and in Argentina ... getting paid more money than I'd ever dreamed of.

So after 7 years on the road, returned to USA, went back to school and eventually found work. Now I take shorter bike trips, sometimes tied in with work, sometimes on my own or with friends.

So far: All of Mex, cent. America, S. America, bits of Africa, EU, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam ... lots more to go.

I drive a 20 year old JUNK heap of a car (I mostly ride), no fancy phone
(use TracFone ... about $10/month), live on fixed income. (low)

You do make a good point: the commercialization of the ADV scene is dominant, it's what most of the public sees.

The big rallies, the big web sites features rich guys on $30,000 bikes or couples in $300,000 UNI Mogs. So YES ... there is that element. But as Ted points out ... once you get out on the road you'll find more real, down to earth travelers just scraping by, and living on a budget. The HI end guys do just as you state .... it's a high end two week holiday for most, or a package tour to some "Exotic" local. Ignore them, focus on your goals and do whatever it takes to reach them.

Unless you live on 1$/day you have expendable income which means you can save money. The amount of that differs for everyone, but it's equally true for everyone. If you currently don't have any expendable income after your current expenses, then you'll have to give up something so you do.

The question is, what do you want to give up for it. If you can't give up anything then you either don't go, or look for other things to increase your income (second job, career change, investment through education, etc). In the end there are only 2 variables in this equation. Income and spending.

Pretty simple stuff, which applies to most ambitions in life that require funding, I think.

Eddie,

This thread (and the whole web site) is filled with information for people traveling with money because money is the central focus of our society. This is only one means of traveling the world and does a grave disservice to people such as yourself who do not have a source of money available.

The difficulty is not traveling without first saving money. That is easy. The difficulty is in changing your own mindset to view a world that is not centered around money.

There are lots of people on the road traveling with very little or no money, including many on motorcycles. But they very rarely write blogs or visit web sites like this. Many don't even own a computer.

I wrote a blog article about why so few people travel the world (link below). You may find it interesting, but be warned: you may not like what I have to say....

The Choice to Travel

Read the blog, just lovely

You have come to exactly the same conclusion as I did as to as to why people don't travel, although I limit that opinion to people from developed countries. I have said it to one or two but soon realised it is quite controversial and now keep it to myself, a good article well worth a read.

What people want it to be...

http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/imag...rs-56841_1.jpg



What it really is....

http://www.touringted.com/_gallery_/...serialNumber=2

Not Having The Money - is a minor inconvenience
 

I have to say that most of us here are completely missing the point. Why? well, I'll tell you .. and state the blindingly obvious, or perhaps the not-so-obvious:

You see, most of us here are from 'the West', part of a very privileged 15%. That's right .. we in the West represent just 15% of the world's population. 85% can only dream of the travel freedom and concessions that we enjoy and take for granted.

A Westerner can be flat broke and up to his or her neck in debt, even underwater and swamped in debt, yet still enjoy a wealth of travel privileges beyond the wildest dreams of the majority of the planet's populous.

Read this passage - No, Not Everyone Can Travel - A Bubble Burster - from an educated and articulate middle-class Egyptian who's on the other side of the equation. Get the other perspective.

We are rich, and all (or at least most) of us here don't even realise it, simply because we were born lucky - in the West.

You're a 15-percenter, so get out there and start enjoying your wealth, privilege and fortune. The money, the affordability aspect of it all is a minor issue, which can be sorted with a little forethought and planning .. and perhaps just a little more graft. :yes:
.

I wonder if those who are travelling full time or close to full time and doing it on a shoestring, also take the risk of travelling without emergencies travel insurance and also never bother about maintaining an emergency fund for major incidents.

We've been full-timing for close to 9 years, but wouldn't do it if we had to do without basic safety nets.

He makes a good point about visas, that is one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome. But I've met world travelers who did it.... I am amazed at the determination I've seen in some people with restrictive passports!

I'm sure many younger travelers do without. Did you have "emergency funds" and full medical cover when you were traveling in your late teens or 20's? Not many do. I know I did not (beyond modest family help).
More well off or "established" travelers may have the luxury of that "security".

Have you worked in any Non Home countries in those 9 years? Did the states you were in cover your medical? Or did your "Home" country cover you even when out of country? Or private cover? Are you constantly moving on your bike ... or settle in one place, work a while, then move on? Where are you now?

There is a difference. Lots of different situations ... many risk not having a back up plan. Should they totally forget about traveling if they can't afford it? :innocent:

There are alternatives. For instance we taught in China for a couple of years. Wages were low but everything found and we actually saved money and had an experience that isn't available to the vast majority.
We have also spent several months on cattle stations in Australia. Also everything provided so while you can't save money, you don't spend much either.
So we have moved and settled as required. Always a matter of choice than necessity though. If it were otherwise, I would stay home and complain about my lot as the majority are content to do. The smart ones, when realising that a certain course of action just isn't possible, look for other ways of getting out of whatever rut they want to get out of. As has been stated here over and over, if you want something bad enough you will find a way of getting it. If money is the key - and it is - then just work a bit harder or longer. Just look at all the grey-haired wrinkleys getting around the world on everything from two sneakers to 500,000 expedition trucks. They have worked all their lives and only now can do what they want to do. Hardly fair to be envying or castigating them for that. Hard work came first.
Those who think they are entitled will always be disappointed.

Medical? Suspend our private health insurance back home (and anyway, Australia has "free" universal medical care so there is never a problem of not getting treatment you actually need) and use that money to pay for travel insurance when overseas.




On the web there are sites devoted to helping out in return for a bed and meals - all over the world. We did a couple of stints in France - not because we had to, but because we wanted to. Plenty of ways to make money go further. Giving up some expensive habits can also work wonders for a tight budget.

Yes, of course not everyone has the resources or determination or even the desire to go travelling or take up polo or deep sea fishing either. Might suck if you are in the group that just can't afford it, but that is the way things are.

They probably should consider delaying their dream of a 5-year luxury round the world trip and concentrate on achieving something a little more sensible. Some work 40 years and then travel forever. Alternative might be to work for a month and travel for a few days. Same thing really, just need to be realistic.

Love this discussion it's been going on for while!

The way I see it all depends on what lifestyle you choose! Do it for an undisclosed amount of time or travel in smaller segments. Find the career that will give you the lifestyle you dream of, or create it.

At this point I haven't taken more then two weeks off to ride. Next year I'm planning a 3 to 4 month trip. It's taken me 10 years of saving and developing businesses that pay me even if I'm not there. It has not been easy!!! To me it's simply making a decision and not giving up on your dreams, no matter how long it takes. I hope to eventually take as long as I want.

What Americans imagine it to be ...
https://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/M...MG_0704-XL.jpg
What it really is ....
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...-Ic42/file.jpg
or maybe ...?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...20overload.jpg

There are many interesting responses, but I believe Keith1954 said it correctly, without the resources ($$) is is not easy to travel. A person living in a country with low wages will have a difficult time traveling to the modern western countries. People who say to change your lifestyle, minimize debt etc., sometimes miss the fact that todays college students might be owing a 100k after college. If parents didn't subsidize their expenses, than traveling for longer than a few weeks would be a distant dream.

Most of the travel stories I read, hostels, campgrounds and guesthouses I have slept in, are 99.9% from the "wealthier" countries.

Lastly,I have been traveling for about a year and all has been fantastic, but I can not see lasting more than another year due mainly to the lack of being apart of a community.

Good points! Can be hard to feel comfortable "away from home". That sense of community thing is a tough one. Hard to nail down what it is.

But no matter how well you speak a language or how long you live in a place ... you still may not feel totally "at home" there. Or ...? Maybe you will!! ?? :smartass:

So true how international travel is pretty much a 1st world luxury. Not only are less fortunate folks under funded ... they may not even be able to get visas for many countries. Only the top 2% in those countries can afford to travel.

In some cases takes YEARS for working class folks to get a visa ... and must jump through all sorts of hoops to get it. :nono: The rich? No problemo ... they have connections! (trust me on this one ... saw it up close and personal in several countries)

In the US today kids have a much harder time now than they did when I started travel. (1971) I hit the road with about $1200 from my restaurant job, only about $1K USD in student debt and no immediate ties at home and a Honda 50 Cub.

I started a small import/export business and made it work. No big money made, but funded further travel for 7 years. :thumbup1:

For American kids in college or just out of college, good jobs are harder to find now ... and harder to get for new college grads. The crippling debt many are saddled with is devastating. High interest rates that are totally out of step with reality. WRONG.

If me ... I'd say screw it, never pay it back. IMO, student dept should be forgiven. Let the banks absorb this dept. They can afford it. Students have been screwed in this current US system.

I think in the EU things are a bit better. bier

Good stuff Mollydog

"Times are changing"

To clarify community, I still play soccer, enjoy bicycling, and other activities. Even though I have rented bicycles, played soccer (futbal) with the locals, it is not quite the same when you are always moving on. Though, I still enjoy everyday.

All this being said, I am always thinking of moving and working in another country...time will tell.

It is difficult to avoid paying student loans as it is very to difficult to have them waived via bankruptcy and if you do not pay, they can dock your wages, take tax returns, put a lien on your credit. And that is if you are even fortunate enough to pass Human Resources for an interview.

Ahh the laws they pass...

I'm just in the initial throws of putting my travel plans together, which of course includes "how the hell do I pay for this".
Like many on here I will choose to liquidate other 'toys and non essential things' to fund the trip, so in that respect I am fortunate.

Despite how much money each of us may have and how much we can 'liberate' to make these trips a reality, the principle that you have to change your way of thinking, decide what is important, what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice to get it, is the critical issue here.

Very few of us can afford to leave for a year without impacting on our financial situation, our careers, our family or any other number of other things.

The one thing I know for sure though is that I won't be lying on my death bed wishing I'd tried harder to get that promotion or bought that larger house with the better views.

If you go to the grave with money in the bank, you've done something wrong... :)

Sent from my G7-L01 using Tapatalk

Good for you! :D

IMO, younger travelers have an advantage. Many are not yet committed to common trappings (mortgage, family, job, advanced degrees). This is key.

I did major travel in my 20's. No commitments. (I did drop out of University but otherwise did not have many bindings holding me) I managed 7 years before I burnt out on Latin America. (very long story)

Traveling in ones 20's, IMO, is the best time to do it. Paying for it is the hard part ... and sustaining travel for years, even harder. But it can be and has been done. :thumbup1:

But if you look at current long time RTW travelers, most are older, retired ... and God knows how they got enough money to travel ... forever. Many still own a home, have a steady income of some kind. (retirement,investments or whatever) That's good planning I guess.

But do you really want to wait 30 years before traveling? :innocent:

Perhaps the best compromise is to take a month or so every couple years and go ride in paradise, then return and get back on your Hamster's wheel for another couple years!
:rofl:

I agree. Did most then too. You're less hung up about nice things and creature comforted too which brings cost down.

Our way of paying for it
 

We (the better half and I) made the decision about 9 months ago to leave our great country (Aust) and go travelling for as many years as possible. Our plan is to leave in another 8 months at the end of the year and so far things are tracking well.
Starting from scratch.... with nothing this is how we have financed things so far.
We had a good win with some shares that got transferred to the US when the Aust dollar was high and then we cashed them out 6 months later when the Aust dollar had crashed, so we won both ways; that bought the bike. With the remainder we both work in construction and have been working 13 day fortnights (one day off every 14) for 6 months and living off my wife's wage and banking all my wage. Its bloody hard and we dont have a life atm.... and the only thing that keeps us working like robots is our goal, so each day we drag ourselves out of bed and do it all over again..... day in day out. Our plan is to try and save $70,000-$100,000 (aust) before we leave which is doable and if it takes a bit longer to get to this goal then so be it. We have built a shed up the back yard to store all our furniture in as we priced self storage and for the cost over the period we could build the shed and have an extra asset at the end. The plan is to rent the house out which should cover the mortgage with all the furniture packed in the shed. If tenants / anyone wants to break into the shed while we are away and carry a flat screen or leather lounge down the yard then good luck to them..... plus its insured anyway. Everything else should work out...... we hope!!!!
If possible it would be good to try and get some work while moving around but I dont know how successful that will end up, with Visa's etc. Other than that we simply have to watch our money while we are away and try and budget to keep things going. That's the idea and while many around us have said it cant be done, what we say to them is #$@%!
David & Em

Good luck to you both!
With your skills (construction) I'm betting you'll be able to find work in many areas you travel. I only really know Latin America well and can tell you ... they need BIG TIME help in the trades. Plumbing? Not a clue. Electrical? Nearly as bad.
Structural? Better but spotty. They are pretty good at concrete, floors, tile, brick masonry, steps but horrible at most things in terms of legit, safe construction practices.

In Mexico I was traveling with an Electrician friend. He is maintenance supervisor in a US Govt 30 story hi-rise, so serious skills beyond electrician. His office building houses FBI and IRS, plus the Federal Court. So everything works. :rofl:

At one motel in Mexico the owner had serious electrical trouble. My buddy offered to help ... and once the owner realized what he could do ... we never paid for a room or a meal or drinks!

We drank LOADS of his Tequila. (my head still hurts) The Rat's nest of horrible and dangerous wiring was really scary. My friend Patrick was able to sort most it out in about a week, working 4 or 5 hours a day. By the time we left the guy was gob smacked. Everything worked. Stuff that hadn't worked in 10 years was working again. No blown breakers, no smoke, no fire. Biggest problem is getting proper parts.

I don't know your speciality ... hopefully you can do a bit of everything. Everything is what they need. They won't pay much compared to Oz or USA, but I'm betting you can do pretty well if you find the right client. There are people with money ... and often times they just cannot find skilled tradesman ... at all. You will be stunned by the down right shoddy work everywhere. If you have true skills ... you will never starve, that is certain.

bier

In my case, that's what I've ended up with. There never seemed to be the "right time" to do the Big One, and in any case modern bikes, telephony and internet access make things a lot more straightforward than they were 30 years ago. Today, I own my own house, have a remarkably tolerant wife and two great kids who have left home for lives of their own, and in a couple of years time I plan to ride home from Kazakhstan where I'm working now, to my home in UK to retire. It's not in the same league as people who doing real extended RTW journeys, but for me, who has never done a real big trip before, it's enough, and a nice underline to a biking lifestyle that has led me to doing a lot of other stuff besides.

A mate of mine did some epic backpacking trips straight after uni, and I remember him telling me he used to finance the trips by smuggling gold - it was always good to travel with a girlfriend as girls can carry twice as many gold bars as boys :eek3: He also worked washing up and doing odd jobs to finance himself on the road, but such work is generally done by local people for very cheap rates, so not a lot of help if you are after enough money to finance accommodation and continued bike travel.

Another more recent story comes from a friend who rode from UK-NZ and ended up working in a bikers bar in Nepal for a few months, but I think that was more for the people than the money ;)

As regards what it costs for most people I'm in the fortunate position to be able to finance a 2-3 month trip from savings. I don't want to be sleeping on benches every night but neither do I want to blow money on 5* luxury. With accommodation, food, fuel and barring disasters I have a rough budget plan of $100 per day average.

Save half of every paycheck for a year or two.

Don't have any bills (from home) while travelling.

Keep your ear to the ground for work.

Like Mollydog said, and do it now. I'm doing my current trip in bits and pieces. Spreading out your travel, the experience can be savored, and each country taken in at its fullest. I read ride reports of many riders whose trip is to ride from point A in order to reach the goal of the trip at point B, missing way too many experiences and sights along the way. Lately I've been able to leave for 6 weeks at a time, currently riding in South America for under $3,000US for everything, airline tickets included. It doesn't have to be one big trip. Make it an annual part of your life. Do it on the cheap too; small inexpensive moto, watch for airline deals, travel light, and travel cheap. In between, work on your language skills and go for motorcycle adventures in your country of residence.

Reading posts above, I have to add that my in country cost in Peru last year was $2,200US for 6 weeks, which does not include purchasing/renting/shipping a moto or airline costs. That included rooms every night (no camping), food, gas, moto repairs, and personal purchases. Costs of course vary by country and by the exchange rate of the money you bring. I was able to find rooms for $15US fairly regularly, often less, and a couple times up to $20. I went through about a tank of gas, generally riding less than 200km per day on a 250cc moto. I had about $300 in moto repair/maintenance, including chain/sprocket and a couple other items, which is included in my $2,200 trip costs. I consider these costs affordable, making this kind of travel a reality.

I agree that it's an expensive lifestyle/thing to do most of the time. But the experience and memories you get from it is priceless!! It can't be compared to anything. It's worth it! :Beach:

Stop smoking, drink less, spend less, don't doubt your saving potential.

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I've mentioned this before ... but bares repeating:
A good way to save money is to settle in one place for a while. Moving costs money. FUEL, Expensive hotels and un tried restaurants. Keeping the bike fit during constant moving can also take it's toll.

If you find a really nice place to stay for a while, you can save loads of money, possibly could give time for maintenance, waiting for packages or just resting and recovering.

I lived in several places during travels in Latin America. Mostly Guatemala. Very cheap to rent a house, super cheap to live. Same with El Salvador, Peru', Bolivia, Argentina. Great for working on language skills too.

Getting off the gas and settling for a bit can really stop the financial Fire Hose and help extend your trip ... IF YOU HAVE THE TIME. But most set a firm time limit ... miss a lot as they ZOOM by ... and never learn a thing. doh

Like they said, pack it in, sell everything, travel cheap and GO.

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No need to sell everything. In fact you may even make some money if you did it right.

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Probably hard to do if you are young and have nothing to sell (material possessions or job skills) anyway, but one of the advantages of doing the conventional stodgy path through life until the career has lost its shine and the kids have flown the nest, and then doing the travel bit is you might have a house that can be rented out and a self-funded pension that actually increases in value while you are on the road.

No one path that is optimum for all.

A little inspiration...
 

Just thought I'd chime in on this for some inspiration that I like. It's a quote from Sterling Hayden, writing about setting sail to explore the seas, but it seems just as applicable to a long overland ride/drive:

“To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea... "cruising" it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.

"I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.

What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? ”
― Sterling Hayden, Wanderer

Summary: Just go for it.

I'm all for going and finding out how far you get but the first sections is total wank IMHO.

I agree.

I cant stand these hypothetical crap postings about how you can go and "just do it"

Its all rubbish. Would prefer to see practical info rather than pie in the sky bullshit.

Wow, sorry guys. Just meant to share what I thought was a nice piece of writing. Not meant as literal advice to get rid of your savings and then head off, that would be stupid.

To me this means that you might not have every detail figured out and every dollar perfectly budgeted. I think it's aimed at the person (and serves as a reminder to me) that is forever prepping for the "big trip" and is never actually going to go, because they're "not quite ready," or "just need to make a few more preparations."

And to your point, it was written by a highly eccentric part time movie star that was perpetually bankrupt, but also always able to pick up another acting gig to refill the coffers, which isn't an option for most of us. But I think he is a pretty good writer as well.

Anyway feel free to disregard if it doesn't resonate with you.

I found Hayden's words inspirational ... and prescient in a way. "Rubbish"?:innocent:
It's good to dream, even if you can't hope to make the dream happen yet. Got to start somewhere. :Beach:

You got Practical? Lets hear it mate. ?c?
What's your plan for travel? Work 30 years until retirement? Then hit the road and discover you hate it and just want a nice cup of tea like at home? Seen this IN PERSON many times.

So don't wait ... do something, get out there ... who knows ... might learn something.

It's amazing how creative folks get when up against a tight budget. Been there, done that.

During my 7 years in Mexico, Central America and S. America I thought I was on a tight budget ... then I'd run into travelers doing it for HALF of what I was spending. No idea how they did it ... but there they were, living the dream.

Sure, it's harder, uglier travel, no luxuries. But the more you do it ... the better you get at it.

Some of the true scroungers I met on the road I was not impressed with. Lots of scams, some smuggling and other dodgy activities to keep them alive often at the expense of others. Other low budget folks did it on the UP and UP ... and somehow survived on AIR, not much more.

I think the essence of Hayden's advice is somehow get out there and go, so yes, it's a "Just Do It" mantra, but carries some inspiration too. bier

There are no practical informations that really help everyone, but Nike's "Just do it!!!" and this one by someone nobody has ever heard of --

are probably as good a practical advice as you are every going to get - possibly because both sayings put the onus squarely on the would-be whatever so they then have no excuses for not doing what they think they want to do.

Perhaps not giving anyone anything they cannot have easily explains more than the obvious. The really angry people posting here might consider that their anger blockades their happiness which after all is simply overcoming known barriers or obstacles to a goal. Yes, I said it, with no goal there can be no happiness. For it is the struggle, the slow conquering on the way to the goal that is happiness. Achieving the goal is a fleeting memory - little more and without another goal, very little chance of having more happiness.

So, relax your anger, your need to destroy the hard won beliefs of others, (after all it is true for them) and perhaps , just perhaps your path might be a little less rough and maybe, just maybe you will eventually let go the anger, find a goal, start toward it and know happiness.

And, oh yeah, did you ever bother to ask if your angry remarks are just boring or interesting to most folks? I think you know my opinion. And yes you strike a chord with all the other angry people, but is that what you really want?

xfiltrate and a bottle of Spanish Rioja wine

Not really. But i find self-righteous coombajah stuff really boring and impractical for what is a thread asking about something outside the main box.

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Stuff???
 

This certainly is a campfire of sorts we are all sitting around and singing our own tunes.... and if you are looking for outside the box alternatives, please re-read my last post. You see, it is not all "stuff" that is important, matter of fact as I see it...the emphasis on "stuff" is the problem. While you display an interesting insight, and your words do ring true for you , I am sure. I maintain that the anger is counter productive in or out of the box. And. the less "stuff" the better.

xfiltrate

An After thought: For tmotten. it is the escape from the "Cargo Culture" that is the first step, in or out of the box. Can we agree on this? And, "Cargo Culture" not only consists of "stuff" but emotions. You wear anger around and it weighs more and restricts more than your debt and financial obligations. Is that out of the box enough for you?

Subscribing to this thread to get all points of view based on your experience.

This thread turned from instructive to motivational. Most people are already motivated. They just need to be made to see a way.

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LOL - yes, because the HUBB clearly suffers from a lack of practical information...

There is room for improvement.

I never listen to movie actors for advice on money or love. I am amazed at the amount of prep work some people go in for, but while you are sitting around waiting for the savings to mount, I guess its a as good way to pass the time as any. All travel needs time and money, lack of one keeps you grounded. Everyone has their own things that need to be considered. Back when I was young, unattached, free of all debt I remember a supervisor complaining about his job, and I said , well I would just quit. He mentioned his wife, kids, house and dog, I still did not understand the problem(dumb me). This site is for people who have an interest in travel, we all have our limits. and we should respect others(less dumb me)

Practicality!
 

What is practical about nagging and complaining, as characterized by many of the posts here?

You want practical, here is practical.

There are basically 3 ways to earn money. And I assume by practical it is meant here as stated in the title of this thread!

1. Buy products and sell them for more than you paid for them. The difference once overhead has been deducted is your profit or money earned.

2. Provide a needed and wanted service that people are willing to pay for.

3. Manipulate the currency - sometimes called investing. This is the bailiwick of Wall Street. Purchase "shares" or into some financial instrument that returns to you more money than you have "invested." Also, one can buy and sell currencies - as witnessed on many street corners of some major foreign cities. Buy X currency with Y currency and then sell the X currency for more - calculating the split between value of X and Y currency as related to the US dollar.

Now, we all have met the "trustafarians" the Trust Babies living off funds earned previously by "others" who have contributed funds for their care and feeding. I don't hold much stock in these folks - most have no clue what it means to earn a dollar or to earn admiration and respect. These abilities come with the struggle and the winning.

And of course there are the criminals who believe in getting something for nothing in return. This is a good definition of criminality - getting something with no exchange. Some trustafarians are by definition criminals, I have met them, they are criminal in their attitude - believing the world owes them a living.

So there you have it the 3 major ways to earn money and the defined examples of trustafarians and criminals.

Practical enough?

xfiltrate

Yup, that just about sums it up. :thumbup1:

My first few trip (with and without motorbike) were all ill-conceived and unprepared. Just set into the sunset and let things happen. They were most definitely fun but at some point the fun wears off and you start to see the similarities in conversations, events, etc. Then in my case I set an broad objectives but the same occurred and resulted in frustration of other people’s knowledge and objectives. So more detailed objectives became the solution which requires detailed planning. That’s what happened in my case. Dunno about others.

Financial Plan
 

Well said, now if perhaps by chance someone reading here has determined to earn some money as outlined with my last post, I would be negligent if I did not provide a practical Financial Plan so the money could be handled responsibly.

First, money is like a river , it flows, it flows in to you and it flows out depending on how you spend it.

A good financial plan follows. The percentages might be tailored to your specific needs, but all is accounted for in this simple, practical Financial Plan.

In order to have money - for an RTW motorcycle trip, to buy a motorcycle, or just relieve yourself of financial worry, each dollar - actually each cent you inflow - read you earn - should be flowed out through your Financial Plan.

So imagine flowing your money into these separate accounts and only spending money from each account as described. You can use envelopes for each account and eventually have separate bank accounts for each account. With a high enough deposit and balance the bank accounts will be free.


EMERGENCY RESERVE: 10%
Money to buy yourself out of any games you don't want to play anymore. Only to be spent for EMERGENCIES.

LONG TERM SAVINGS: 10%
Money saved for the RTW or some capital expenditure like a motorcycle or home. Also could be money put into a Certificate of Deposit with interest.

PROMOTION:. 10 %
Money used to promote the products you buy and sell, the services you provide, or your financial/currency endeavors. Most business fail because of lack of promotion. Haircuts and business clothes also come out of promotion as does any courses, education that will improve your performance. No, not that performance :)!

FIXED EXPENSES: 45 -50%
Money for payment of all fixed expenses ie, rent/mortgage, all insurances, utilities, auto/moto loans + maintenance/gas, FOOD, communications etc.
NOTE: If your fixed expenses exceed 50% of your inflow of cash on a monthly/yearly basis, you are living above your means and you need to earn more money, or reduce your lifestyle NOW.

PAST DEBTS/PLAY MONEY: 20 - 25%
Money to pay past debts, student loans, credit card debt, personal loans. etc
And, what is left is your PLAY MONEY - money you can spend anyway you like - movies, dates, stuff. As your debt is reduced more of this money becomes PLAY Money.

There you have it, I will answer any questions you might have. This plan has worked very well for me and you will be amazed if you flow every dollar - even dollars you find on the street, through this financial plan how quickly your debts will be paid and your time will be more your own.

xfiltrate

Well I'm gonna chime in here, if I may.

@ xfiltrate, CalDriver, mollydog, Tony LEE, tmotten, mcguyver .. et al.

You are all right guys! Yep, every one of you is bang-on the money (for want of a better expression!) in your very own personal way.

See, back in 2005, when I had turned 50-yo the year before, it dawned on me that I had reached - and had gotten there really far too fast - the beginning of my 'third age' ..

.. and I still had the burning ambition to see what was 'over the horizon'. Now I know you'all know exactly what I mean by that. If you don't, then WTF are you doing here on this forum?

Back then (at age 51), I started seriously asking people, anyone and everyone who I came across that was travelling at the time, and travelling by any means, "How does one afford this lifestyle?" .. which, coincidentally, is the title of this particular thread.

One ageing couple in their late 60s, who I stumbled across by accident, were exploring my neighbourhood in an old beaten-up VW camper-van - [her] a not-too-rich former client of mine; and [him] a recently discharged bankrupt, and self-confessed unsuccessful businessman (obviously!) - said 'just go for it Keith' .. 'you can realise enough money to do it, surely?' .. 'when you get back home, be happy to eat bread and jam, but just GO FOR IT!'

I've never forgotten those words, '.. just go for it!'

A year after that chance encounter with her and him, I had a massive argument with my boss. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that he was a greedy useless w@nker, absolutely crap at his job .. and worst of all, a dishonest b@stard into the bargain.

Career over! With no chance of any sort of decent reference, after that untimely (or do I mean very 'timely'?) confrontation.

I had a few quid in the bank - not enough to retire on, but enough to see me through the next 5-6 years.

F**k it. Let's just go for it! - And so off I went to see what was really 'over the horizon'. I'll eat bread and jam if needs be when I get back home.

10 years .. and 200,000+ RTW kilometres later.

My travels have given, and continue to give me complete peace of mind. I have no more travel ambitions left to accomplish. And I'm saying, for the record; you can't have peace of mind, if you still have lifetime ambitions to fulfil .. which I now don't. THAT's what it's all about my friends. That's what we're all chasing.

How did I fund it all? Well I can tell you:

• I didn't sell or re-mortgage my home. I didn't need to. I still own it outright
• I'm definitely not monetarily 'rich', but I still have some money in the bank. Certainly 'enough' to help me get by comfortably, with dignity
• I'm working again, albeit part-time .. but on MY terms. And I love what I do. I'll carry-on doing what I do for as long as I can .. because I'm a real fan of work. Work really is a good and decent activity. A privilege (especially if you enjoy doing what you do.)

And Nowadays:

• I don't eat bread & jam .. because I don't have to
• I DO eat a lot of steak
• I drink beer and wine whenever I feel like it.

Life is pretty darn good, actually.

I won't go into the details of how I made it all happen, financially-wise. Suffice it to say, if you are of just average intelligence (and have a little bit of 'nouse') you can usually work it all out as you go along.

It generally ALWAYS works out .. at the end of the day.

Summary: If you have the wanderlust - Just go for it!

thanks

Keith

Well put. I’m getting that now. I used to very angsty about it. Had to get another mad trip in. The madder the better. Don't think I pushed it as far as I wanted, but far enough for me now. Lucky I did all that in my 20’s. No way would I do that now. I’m hoping I can keep my travel fatigue at bay on my upcoming trip but doing so was another reason I’ve put so much planning in.

As for affording it. You can do it on a shoe string or you can do it more comfortable. If you can’t save a good % of your salary in a year then you should think about what you can give up or how you can invest in yourself to get more senior and better paying jobs. In some cases it’s a pipe dream too. There are other cool things you can do in your life to give fulfillment. Motorcycle travel isn’t the be all and end all. I think I’m done with it after this one.

Practical or Play?
 

After reading several complaints criticizing posts on this thread, I posted #361
a very practical analysis of three ways to earn money, with the inclusion of a definition of "trustafarians" and criminals.

Then, realizing that earning money is not enough to "afford this Lifestyle" I posted #364 this thread with a Financial Plan explaining that money was like a flow and it flowed in and flowed out and then I provided a plan of how to outflow the money you earn so you will be able to afford this lifestyle.

To my dismay, no one had any questions, no yeahs or nays , no nothing, so I now understand that it is not a practical application that those who criticize here are demanding, it is just a playing field for criticism they seek.
And, that is fine with me if they really want to play and not just take pot shots and vanish.


Eat, Drink and if you want to afford this lifestyle, have a financial plan.

xfiltrate

Why were you expecting questions or comments?

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I don't think it's about affording the life style but more about having the need for it and the determination to pursue it. Money can be earned but if you don't make the step, the affording part just becomes meaningless.

I started planning my next trip at the beginning of last year, roughly 1,5 years before the start. All so that I could get everything done - prep the vehicle, improve language skills, gather the budget and to have even the slimmest chance of finding a friend to join me on the 4 month trip.

I remember that about 15 months before the start date someone told me that he would really love to do it, but he doesn't have the money. There's like 15 months to gather it! As I understood that finding anyone to join me on the entire trip was hopeless, I sat down and started the dreadful budgeting and calculations. The resulting numbers pretty much have defined my life since that moment. I worked on the verge of burnout for a year and only last month eased off the workload. Now I just need to get the car done in two months. But that is a bit of a challenge as it is a rust bucket. Pretty much every mechanic has said that the car should be scrapped instead of fixing it. But I'm stubborn. I just hope I make it in time.

Affording the travelling life style is a fairly big part of the picture but not the defining one. You may have all the money in the world, but if you are afraid to go ...

Comments?
 

tmotten, considering your history of comments, I mistakenly inferred that you might notice the difference between practical and non practical posts and
acknowledge that this thread has recently drenched itself with practicality - perhaps to the point that the armchair observers - disclaiming same - like you perhaps, might actually note the difference in a comment.

I actually enjoyed reading the depiction of struggle and minor victories described so well in formet's post. Here is reality, here is an independent observation that yes, agreeing that being able to afford it is important, but the dream more important, for without the dream financing has no direction - an I agree whole heartedly.

You know who creates the destinies of corporations, of governments, of humanity, it is not the "bean counters," it is not the profiteers, it is not the elected political leaders, it is not the dictators, it is the dreamers, the artists... and when their dreams go dark we have chaos. Without the dreamers, survival potential is reduced. New products, new programs, new lifestyles are the balliwick of the dreamers. The Beginners, the Starters, the Changes, the implementers make it happen, and the Stoppers halt it - but when the stoppers gain control we are all in trouble.

Armies and Police are stoppers and their job is to stop things from happening, while stopping criminals is important.... all too often, the demented political leaders control the armies and the police and they try to stop everything. The first to be stopped are the dreamers - and when the dreamers are exterminated, the changers begin to follow the lead of the Stoppers. This is the demise of every civilization that has been.

Comments? xfiltrate

You lost me with the philosophical stuff mate. Don't rely engage in that. Always giggled at the conversations that I overheard about collective conscious by guys with blond dreads wearing Thai fisherman pants and that on all my travels too. I'm a bit more practical in my approach to things​.
Though your practical financial post was good. Didn't need a comment I though.

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make end meets
 

One needs to know what he wants most in life. For me travelling on motorcycle was a dream since I was a little boy. I found a job I could work 15 hours a day that no one would do when I was 16 years old. I worked one full year to buy the first motorcycle, then left work the following day I got my driver's license. After that I worked 2 to 3 months then go on a trip 3 to 4 months and I returned to do the work no one would do for another 2 to 3 months. I repeated that for 10 years.

I put a hold to this lifestyle to raise the family. Now that the kids are grownup, I retired 2 years ago and I'm back to travel full time this time.

I sold the house, got rid of everything and bought 2 new 300 cc motorcycle, one for Canada, one for Latin America.

I ride in Canada during the summer, and the rest of the year i ride the back country of south america on a chineese dual sport.

I I don't pay rent, I camp yearound for which I rarely pay for. I live the life I have always dream to live.


When my kids can visit me, I rent a small studio on the beach. I cannot be happier.

That's a pretty good blue print for would be travelers to follow! :scooter:
Curious what the work was that "no one else would do"?

Here in California we have 2 to 3 million Mexicanos doing the work "no one would do". Most don't end up having money left over for travel! doh

Sounds like your on a roll exploring S. America. I hope you taking good notes to share with us here!

Please do a ride report for us and do talk about how the Chinese Moto is working out. Lots of riders looking at that option. (including me!)

How's your Spanish? I spent 7 years down there and mine is still terrible.

Good luck! Please chime in once in a while!

In those years I was working on underground works, and most specially water and sewer fixing up **** ups in sewer manhole. I had to break the cement in bottom of the manhole with a jack hammer, and redo the cement job. Very dusty, horibly loud, and very hard physically. It is impossible to do this kind yearound, but doing that 12 to 15 hours a day 8 to 10 weeks twice a year provided me enough money and time to ride 2 long trips a year.

Most mexicans do the jobs most people wont do, but these are not good paying job. But most people working in water and sewer work 12 hours a day and the pay is good.

work in a mine in Canada or Australia and wait for it to close or work summer in wild fire management or fire fighting than you are guarantied a warm winter if you choose the tropics 6 and 6

Cut the cost at home
 

The key for me is to avoid costs "at home".

Get rid of the house.
Buy a small apartment with very low fees.
=> low cost at home.
Or even make a plus for renting out the apartment.

On the road:
Sleep in tent (wild camping), prepare your own food.
Do not drink or smoke. Stay with coffee.

Just my 2c.

Owning a house/unit outright does two things. It secures you in retirement AND provides an income when you travel.

Buy a place and work your butt off to pay it off. 7-10 years is achievable if you focus.

Rent it out to support your travel.



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Cook meth.

Sounds interesting. I bet you could make a TV show about that sort of thing.

Or hit the road fast if your bank makes this kind of mistake :rofl::

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49643015

I keep working. The internet is a wonderful thing. My clients are on the other side of the world and as long as I keep my work up to date, nobody cares that I travel.

I sold up everything back home so now the only rent I have to pay is for where I'm currently staying. I don't run out of money because I still earn a salary every month.

The downside is my travels are limited to places with decent internet, so I can't just disappear for months on end. Still, it's a huge improvement over staying home.

Youtube Videos ?
 

Some travelers spend a lot of time on their YouTube channels.

I have seen complicated formulas about what you can earn on a YouTube channel.
Depends on, viewers, subscribers, clicks on specific links on.....

But i we skip the math. And ask for the reality.

How much income does a good, but not the most popular YouTube channel gives as income ? Without getting paid direct by companies for doing commercials about their products.

Anyone have some real examples ? (Depends on a lot of things is not an answer. I know that)

Without giving any names


Thanks

The key is not your salary, but to to avoid to pay bills while you work
 

We retired early retirement and live in an RV on resort we work for from April to October. No rent, hydro, tax, cable, internet, storage and transportation to go to the job site.. The key is to avoid to pay bills while you work.
,
Everyone think we are miserable because my wife was too young to get a pension, and I left work 8 years short to have full pension which is 70% of my salary.

During those 6 months our expenses are groceries, chlothing, motorcycles expenses (insurance and gas) eat at restaurants a few times a week. We save 80% what we earn and my pension from work adds up to that.

We never live so well. We have lived the remaining 6 months in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Philipines, thailand and the rent cost about $300 a month.

We have ample money to travel rent or by a motorcycle depending of the country without touching my pension from work.

The last year we worked we had a mortage of 18,000 a year, + taxes, heating, cable, internet, car payment to round up to around $4000 a month. We struggled to keep our head above the water.

We should have left work long before we did.

Thats a very good question. I actually wonder exactly the same....

Some Ideas from Pablo
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7xJ...re=emb_rel_end

(His current trip from Argentina to Alaska is planned for 3½ year !!)

Start up cost
 

From Gerald and Austin Vince, the message is clear.
About a long distance trip. (Not life style as nomad forever)

Spend your money on the trip, not before the trip.

Gerlad says that he has seen so many persons with a bike for 20 000£. Plus a lot of extra options for a lot of £. And than personal gear for....
And then they say that they can't afford travelling.

His statement is: Spend 3 grand on the bike. And the rest on the trip.

Hi Erik, that is a good point.

I have a mate who is a concreter and has an agreement with his employer that he takes the winter three months off each year as work is slower.

He uses those three months to head somewhere - buys a el cheapo bike and tours around. Sometimes he just gifts the bike away at the end.

I think we focus a bit too much on one big trip a bit.

Merry xmas