Let’s face it, routine is not for everyone. After awhile, working the same hours in the same office can get to your head. Unfortunately, sometimes a week-long vacation simply does not cut. If you’ve ever wanted to save up, quit your job, and travel six months, read on! It won’t be easy, but it is possible…
Saving Money And Planning
Of course, the trip of a lifetime begins where so many other journeys also begin: saving and planning. Believe it or not, it could take you less than half-a-year to save up the money required to travel the world for six months. Even in 2020, given how much the dollar is worth in other countries, you only need around $10,000 in your savings account to take off on a plane and not return for half-a-year! Now, if you’re in no rush, you can save up $10,000 in a year or two, just by budgeting correctly and becoming a bit more disciplined.
Now, when it comes to planning, while online websites and forums can help a ton, make sure to also talk to others who have traveled around the world. Meanwhile, as you do your research, be sure to take economics into account. You can make your trip last a whole lot longer if you visit places like India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, instead of Germany or France.
Quitting The Job
Once you have your money saved up and trip planned out, you need to do the hardest part of the process: quit your job. After all, no one likes quitting a job if its a good job! Plus, you might want to work there again, when you return from your trip. So, stick by one of the best rules in life: remain honest. When putting in a two-week notice, or better yet a month’s notice, have a dialogue with your supervisor about your travel plans. It could turn out that they want you to return in six months after traveling! Plus, these days, you might even be able to do a bit of work remotely while traveling.
Even if you cannot return to the company, leaving on good terms will ensure the company remains a fantastic reference on your resume.
Important Details
As you probably know, these are not the only steps one needs to take before traveling abroad for six months. For instance, it certainly worth looking into a good travel credit card, one that will earn travel rewards even while spending abroad. Speaking of credit cards, you’ll also need to take care of bank statements, inform financial institutions of your travels, stop mail service, the list goes on. Doing a quick Google search will yield dozens of checklists you can use to ensure your entire life is ready for a six-month vacation around the world.
One more thing, while the value of travel insurance is somewhat debatable on shorter trips, for longers, around-the-world trips it’s undoubtedly worth looking into. After all, free or affordable healthcare is not necessarily going to be available wherever you are in the world.
Sources: Finance101, NotYourFinancialParents.