A few years ago I was working with a woman who was always very interested in my travels and complained that she could not do those things. She was in a job that didn't pay a lot of money and stated she could not afford it. One day in conversation I asked her where she had always wanted to go and her answer was London. I told her within two years she could afford to go if she was willing to make minor changes. She didn't believe me and asked me what I was talking about. I calculated how much money she could save in two years if she didn't go to the latte bar at work everyday. We then calculated how much she spent a year on her shoe addiction and I told her if she took half that money and saved it for travel and continued to spend half on shoes she would have the money for her trip. When I left that job in 2007 to go traveling for 10 months I bought her a small coffee pot for her office as a going away gift so she could save money. She still hasn't gone to London.
Tell me about people you known and what they have given up to travel?
What have you given up to travel?
Do you have friends who don't want to travel badly enough to give up their lifestyle?
love to hear your stories.
Reply to this I have not given up much in order to travel. I believe in the combination of international studying or internships and international work as much as possible (which is especially easy in IT or consulting work) plus using all you holidays (around 6 weeks in Germany). This is quite a lot. You can put this to an extreme with freelance work and chose your home base quite freely or if lucky and possible remote work from nice locations. As student when I had little money I only gave up the possibility to have an own inexpensive car as I used quite a high proportion of my little money for travelling. But I was living in a big city of my choice (Berlin! coming from a little town in Bavaria) and didn't really need the car. Still I have not archived all my goals yet like working and living in fantastic destinations of my choice like Hongkong or New York but at least I came around a little bit. Later in life you might need to think about compatibility of traveling and family which is not the case for me as I have no luck with women.
Reply to this Fortunately, Linda and I have lived and worked in North America, Asia (18 years) and Europe (18 years) that gave us an opportunity to travel extensively around those and nearby continents. We've been able to budget for travel while also meeting our other obligations by living comfortably and not "keeping up with the Jones." We travel independently and comfortably by making our own travel arrangements; typically costing a third or less of first class tours. We use airline affiliated credit cards to pay for most expenses, paying the balance due each month, and using the frequent flyer miles accrued to pay for airfare, which is a large savings. We tend to take one two-three week trip overseas each year for which we budget. Traveling much longer, and especially going on an extended RTW's, would be beyond our budget. Sometimes we take vacations alone. Linda prefers to visit family, and I like going to new destinations and different adventures. For example, from 4 Sep to 8 Oct I will walk the Camino de Santiago for a total cost of $1360 for airfare, ground transportation (mostly walking), room, and board...pretty good for five weeks in Europe.
Reply to this To live our lifestyle, I guess we have given up having a nice house, our own furniture, decor we chose, having a car, having a pet and living close to friends and family.
But it doesn't really seem like something we have given up, as such, it's just a different lifestyle.
Some people think they want to visit somewhere or do something, but when it comes down to it, they would rather do something else. For many, that latte and those shoes are more important.
Reply to this In response to: Msg #197685
Kris and Kate--
Good point, for us travelers, we don't really view it as giving up but certainly wanting something different, something more.
We are with you.
Reply to this I live in a self-effacing home. I drive a lovely but aged car. I don't waste a lot of money on garments and we don't eat in awfully costly restaurants. This allow us to travel.
Reply to this I gave up living the 9 to 5 job! After college, I went to Greece for 3 weeks and caught the "travel bug". I was working a 9 to 5, and could only focus on the next place I wanted to travel. Then I applied to a flight attendant and some how was accepted! It was the greatest decision of my life. You learn so much about yourself when you travel 😊
Reply to this If I could do it I'd say I'd join people in giving up the 9-5 job and making travel my job somehow, or moving to part time work so I had the time to do something each week. Travel is my priority and I'd sacrifice spending on anything like clothes or those expensive nights out in order to save enough for those special experiences. It's very difficult to balance it all though, and is good to see some people have managed it as it gives hope for more.
Reply to this There are some 9 to 5 jobs that allow you to take extended periods of time off work to travel. We all have to work to travel and find different ways to make it happen. A 9 to 5 is not for everyone.
Reply to this A few years before my top friend was incapacitated by an inexorable sickness and was anticipate a analysis that would mean additional deterioration. She was a solitary parent and I regularly traveled the seven hours between us to escort her to her countless of medical arrangements as an advocate and observer. I had told her that if she was diagnose with the sickness that was accepted, I would sell my business and go in with her to give the mind and parenting support she would require. She called one day inform me that she did not take delivery of the diagnosis we had usual and dreaded. Although still ill, she had a chronic situation that would not worsen. I sagged with relief, and punctually determined I needed to get out into the wilderness for some time to reproduce. Hours later my tent was erected by my preferred lake and I was assessment life by a campfire.
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