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20 Mar 2009
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The Recession Stole My Dream!!
Well, finally the economic crisis seems to have hit me, and two of my biggest clients have gone bust owing me money. Meanwhile the taxman is wanting his money, so it looks like I have to go find a job to go with the one I already have, or sell the car, or sell the bike.
If it weren't for the taxman I'd say "bugger it" and go, but I have a feeling if I don't pay them, they won't let me back.
So, am I the only one who's putting their trip aside for a while till things pick up? Or, are you lot all off now hoping to return when things get better.
Oh and if anyone wants to buy a 2005 Renault Twingo with 22k kms on the clock or a 2008 Derbi Terra Adventure then let me know.
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20 Mar 2009
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Sorry to hear about your situation, whatever you do try and keep the bike and don't sell anything or miss anything treasured, in haste, back in 1982 just before the TT I was out of work and my brother offered to lend me the money to go, which I declined, regretted it within a couple of weeks when I was earning again, the bike will keep you sane(!).
All the best
Dave
ps, what line of work are you in?
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20 Mar 2009
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I do French - English translation, and used to teach English too, and it's not like I don't have a roof over my head, so can't complain.
I wondered if there's people who think to themselves that now is the time to go compared to others who might think that now definately isn't the time.
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20 Mar 2009
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Hi Alex, yeah tough call. I had my bike in Depot Vente for 2 months, until the first nice day in Feb, I called them up that week and got the bike back saying to myself, I'll eat like a peasant if need be. I have since been on a week bike trip on my own and it was a blessing in disguise. It did wonders for my confidence. So crisis or not, It only affects you if you let it, you just have to watch your expenses, and cut out on the extras bro.
Take care hang in there, it'll iron itself out. Change is good they say, I worked at Pigier as an english teacher for a year, I also did teaching modules at the university, all is possible when you have nothing. Keep looking and open your mind, something will come, and save you from having to sell your boney (south african word for bike)
Hang in there
Ta-all-the-way
Old aikido saying " after the storm  , comes the sun  "
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20 Mar 2009
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Sorry
Sorry to hear about that. Try and keep the bike if that is what is keeping you sane.
We have been saving up for three years and go in 3 weeks. Very little could have stopped us, and we are happy to go mid recession, but it was always going to be bye bye careers hello dreams for us.
Part of the thing that excites us is that we don't know where we will be and what we will be doing at the end of the trip in two or three years.
All i say is don't give up on the dream, even if you have to postpone a little.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Cheers
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20 Mar 2009
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I think Dave Ede is right - keep the bike to stop you going bonkers. You will regret it if you get rid of it.
These lousy banks and lousy politicians have harmed many of us....you're not alone..
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20 Mar 2009
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After a bit of thought about your original question, I would say that if you have the finance, and things at home can be taken care of, then go, by staying at home your finances will be dwindling even more and in the end you'll end up a little depressed. When work and finances pick up you then won't want to go as you will be wondering where the next € will come from. At least by travelling now you will budget the trip much better, and spend some quality time sleeping under 5 stars instead of in 5 stars, where are you proposing to go on this trip?
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21 Mar 2009
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Don't worry about the tax man, if you owe him money he will welcome you back with open arms 
I also dithered for a few months deciding if my trip was now doable while our dollar here was worth so little.
In the end I am going to the states next week. I asked and was told, that although $1000 AU is only worth $680 US, I can actually over there still get $1000 AU worth of spending power.
So, it was just a confused brain telling me I was losing that much in the exchange rate.
After selling up and all that, it would cost me more to get another job, house, car etc etc etc than it would to do the trip.
I am going
I hope that helps in some way.
Cheers
TravellingStrom
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21 Mar 2009
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At long last I've had sense to stop doing overtime at work. The extra money was nice, but the stress of doing a six day week has finally become to much. Unfortunately, the fall in income will put my planned 8 week trip to the Middle East later this year in jeopardy.
But on a positive note, my short term loss may well turn out to be a long term gain. Pushing my trip to late spring 2010 will hopefully enable me to stretch it to at least 12 weeks. This year I will just have to do with shorter trips - which may well be a wine run to Cahors (who said the spirit of adventure was dead!).
So although my plans have changed the bike is still staying - it helps me stay sane and now a little bit more relaxed.
baswacky
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21 Mar 2009
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Hi guy's!
We are allready on our trip since 2006.
We are now working in OZ and the company we 're working for is short before bankrupt...... The plan was working till end of 2010 and than travel for 3 years without working.
Plan's are changing all the time ...we just need to find a new way.
Live is like an afrikan border there are allways many ways to reach the other side 
Btw a friend told me that you can earn good money in Taiwan as a english teacher!!! Without knowing any Mandarin;-)))
Greatings from OZ Werner+Claudia
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21 Mar 2009
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Well I hope to keep the bike, although I'm not certain it makes sense economically. Sure it's got better fuel consumption, but then I can't get a week's worth of Lidl shopping in the boxes so I'd go more often, and then it's not more economical after all.
But I figure there's other things to sell first if I have to, and at least I can say it's a relatively cheap way to have fun.
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21 Mar 2009
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The key is to be flexible with your plans. Offset them if you must but keep your hand in..
Up until November, I was working in Motorcycle Sales and most of my earnings was comission.
The summer was great and I payed off most of my previous travel debts and was on the way to saving £1000 a month so I could go travelling again in late 2009... Africa/ Aus or the Americas again..
Well, my sales dropped DRAMATICALLY due to the financial collapse and I was forced to leave my job as it just wasnt worth the travel bills anymore, amongst other things. 
I'm now working for a 3rd of my previous salary and saving only a couple of hundred quid a month... When will I be able to afford another proper trip again ?? Who knows !!!! It REALLY SUCKS !!
Well, to keep myself sane i've planned some British and European riding tours this year and some cheap(ish) trail/enduro holidays on dirt bikes.. OK, they're only a couple of weeks at a time at most, but it will have to do for now..
I've now got a cheap old battered Africa Twin and everything I do now is on a strict penny pinching budget... Far different to my lavish spending on my old XT600E
Many people holding back on travelling for now, your not alone.
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22 Mar 2009
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yup me too. I needed to sell my house to do the trip but got my timing wrong so it looks like I'm here for the duration
I hate my life!! lol
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23 Mar 2009
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Well I had an offer too good to refuse on the bike, only €50 less than I paid for it, so I sold it. And tomorrow I'm across to the UK to pick up the exact same bike, but with only 825 miles on the clock from a dealer in Godalming, and thanks to the recession and the collapse of the pound, a whole £1200 less than I just sold mine for.
And they've even offered to come down to Portsmouth and pick me up from the ferry terminal.
So after the ferry crossing, a few bits and pieces in Sainsbury's and the cost of re-registering the bike here I'll have a slightly newer bike and £1000 in my pocket.
Maybe this crisis isn't so bad after all.
As for big trips, I've decided not to, and instead I'll be a tourist in my own country (even though technically it's not mine). I realised that we often tend to look far away for our adventure, when in fact we can find it anywhere, and quite often we never really get to appreciate where we live the way people visiting do.
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23 Mar 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit
Well I had an offer too good to refuse on the bike, only €50 less than I paid for it, so I sold it. And tomorrow I'm across to the UK to pick up the exact same bike, but with only 825 miles on the clock from a dealer in Godalming, and thanks to the recession and the collapse of the pound, a whole £1200 less than I just sold mine for.
And they've even offered to come down to Portsmouth and pick me up from the ferry terminal.
So after the ferry crossing, a few bits and pieces in Sainsbury's and the cost of re-registering the bike here I'll have a slightly newer bike and £1000 in my pocket.
Maybe this crisis isn't so bad after all.
As for big trips, I've decided not to, and instead I'll be a tourist in my own country (even though technically it's not mine). I realised that we often tend to look far away for our adventure, when in fact we can find it anywhere, and quite often we never really get to appreciate where we live the way people visiting do.
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Good man... Thats what I did with my XT600E..
I sold one with 8000 miles on for £2000 and bought one which was newer with only 1000 miles on for the £100 less
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
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break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
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The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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