I was asking the exact same question about a year ago. And now I'm living in a truck parked up in Morocco and shipping to south america in July.

I'm also 44, and I quit my job. I'm not going into personal finance but some stuff is easy to work out. There has been quite a few threads on it, but the way I figured it, was a budget of just under $100 per day covers everything. Some days we spend less than $10, but then we have to allow for heavy stuff like shipping, insurance etc. Then take a look at what you can put together and are willing to put into a trip, and that will decide how long you can go for.

The more shipping, or big mileage days adds up the cost - diesel is out largest bill. For a bike, it's different, but then we dont have any hotel bills. We've spent exactly 1 night in a hotel since we set off last year, and that was just so we could stay there with friends.

We cook all the time, buy local, only have a drink once a week or so. We eat out maybe once per week. Sounds awful, but actually it's nice!

I was in a job where I could take a nice holiday every year, and could pay into my mortgage as fast as I could. As soon as the house was paid for, life changed a lot as there were no more nooses around my neck. I was never a rich guy, but always careful with money.

now, I have the house rented out and 90% of the rental income comes into my bank account, and that goes a long way to keeping us going.

Hope this helps someone else to make the jump, we're not sorry!

Merv.

Yup, that'd be difficult for some folks

I have come to the maybe cynical realisation that there really isn't anything worth seriously working towards, career and job wise in the U.K now. Everything seems to be very fragile and shallow. It's impossible for me to buy property or start a business in my position.

So I just work whatever job I can find for 1-2 years then leave and travel again for as long as possible. Pretty much, until my savings run out and I only have enough left to fly home.

I'm lucky as I have family spare room to live in while home and a large workshop/garage built onto the side of the house. My living costs at home are very low indeed.

I see many people slave and work themselves to death for years and years in a soulless job with absolutely nothing to show for it apart from spiralling debts and increasing living costs.

Make the world your home.... Your neighbours will definitely be friendlier

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I think you are actually luckier than many, since you can live reasonably in peacewith your family and they still accept your commitment to travelling.

In some cases, you would say "no way" to live with them or they would say "go way" to live that way with them, so that's a positive thing, more than many others.

It's no good thing to be living 'at home' in your 30's.... trust me !! I'm just also lucky that my misses has her own place too so I'm not quite living as a teenager lol.

It's a mutual relationship though. I do all the maintenance, gardening and most the chores (which is a lot) for part of my 'keep'...

At my family home that is

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

The 2 off us both work, one persons salary covers all our out goings while in the UK (morgage, food, bills etc) and the other persons salary is saved.
After 2 years of that there is always a friend who need a house to rent for a year and disco we're off on our travels.
Simple as really, the only things we buy during the saving period is gear we worn out/broken on the last trip and full rebuild of the bikes which I do myself.

Cheers
Pete

__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:

Sound reasoning indeed, though sad, that a motivated and intelligent chap such as yourself feels there is no future in the UK. With your background, Ted, could you not start a motorcycle dealership for a niche market, scooters and other fuel efficient bikes, perhaps?

That's still a potential plan..

But around me, all the bike shops are closing... Not opening. The motorcycle industry is struggling right now...


My biggest hurdle will be financing and commiting to such a venture. I'd really just find myself off on holiday instead of working for myself. Id be the nightmare employee

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Balance and compromise.

Apply these terms to be able to stay more or less within the boundaries of this society, but living your life the way you like it (applicable to traveling, riding or chasing butterflies in Guyana).

Some places, such as India or Vietnam, are much cheaper than other areas. You can rent a small 125-150cc bike in Asia for maybe $15/day. On the other hand, you could easily spend $15 for lunch in a Western country.

If you look at some of the other threads, the daily cost estimates for lengthy RTW tours ranged from $50 US to $100 US per day. That doesn't include the cost of air transport or shipping motorcycles. At the $50 end riders were tenting it every day, doing most of their own cooking, having to make hard choices as to paying park entry fees, extra-curricular activities, etc. The folks spending $100/day, on the other hand, were staying in cheap hotels, eating local food, and able to afford extra fun activities.

The longest trip I have ever done was a month touring in Australia. My costs were about $100/day to rent a motorcycle plus fuel/oil, another $1500 for a round-trip plane ticket, and then maybe $50/day for food, camping, etc. I camped out most days but was reasonably comfortable, and had money to enter parks and take tours.

I guess just make an estimate of what you think you will spend, and start saving... :|

__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

It depends on how much you want to do it ....

You can have a new car and a conservatory or spend the same amount on a year and half tour around the world

Dazzer