|
6 Apr 2004
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Gwynedd, Wales, UK
Posts: 259
|
|
Financing your travells
Hi, all!
Only came across Horizons Unlimited a few weeks ago and am amazed at the trips you folks go on, but what I can't help wondering is, how do you pay for it all? Do you work your passage by taking a job every so often on the journey, or are you all rich enough to afford it and just go? Tell me, do.
Best wishes
John
------------------
Johnefyn
__________________
Johnef
|
6 Apr 2004
|
|
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
|
|
Not too many of us are rich. I wish...
I think you'll find that most are just focussed - we decided we were going, and put all our energy into that, and nothing else. Selling everything you own helps a lot too!
It's truly amazing how much you can save if you aren't planning on being there for long, and will sell up before you leave... no need for the bigger tv, the shinier car, the new toy etc.
Once you're on the road, you can live surprisingly cheaply if you try. In many parts of the world US$30 a day is the magic number, not counting major expenses like border crossings, shipping, breakdowns etc.
Some people work at odd jobs while on the road, others do it in one big shot, and come home broke. There's a thousand ways of doing it, you just have to find the one that's right for you.
Charlie Miller for instance is an Aussie retiree - he's been on the road for years now, and lives off his pension, with the occasional odd job when it suits him.
You just have to WANT to do it...
Telling all your friends you're leaving in 6 months is a good way to make it happen - too embarrassing not to go!
------------------
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 05 April 2004).]
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
6 Apr 2004
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Gwynedd, Wales, UK
Posts: 259
|
|
Hi, Grant!
You've got it in a nutshell-"You just have to want to do it"
I like that.
As for telling all my mates-I'm keeping shtum, in case I have to come back, tail between my legs! Still, for most of us the first "Biggie" is quite a step.
Thanks, and best wishes
John
__________________
Johnef
|
6 Apr 2004
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
|
|
John,
This subject has come up in the past, follow the link to the last time it did:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000336.html
It worked for me but there's always an element of risk involved. The least I ever made on a bike was £200.00 (in 40 minutes as I already had a buyer lined up), the most was £730.00 each on an FJ1200 & a GSX-R1100.
Steve
|
6 Apr 2004
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
|
|
Hello John:
I don't think financing is the issue, in the sense of having sufficient funds to make the trip, I think the problem for most people is getting the large block of time needed to make some of the trips. In other words, if one works 48 or 50 weeks a year in a '9 to 5' job, getting the time off to make the trip will be very difficult, even though the trip might be affordable.
My work is such that I only actually work about 25 or 30 weeks a year (though I work like a dog during those weeks, and I am away from home, always on another continent, when I am working). So, there is no financial penalty (loss of income) to go touring during the weeks I am not working.
My experience has been that my gross costs (shipping the bike, equipment, airfares, allowance for maintenance and tire replacement, visas, etc.) and my daily living costs (inexpensive hotel or pension, food, attractions, fuel) add up to about USD $75 a day on the road, rather than the USD $30 that Grant mentions. The daily living costs are pretty easily controlled and not much of an issue. It's the one-off expenses that add up quickly.
Michael
|
6 Apr 2004
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
|
|
I couldnt sell up..but a little bit of socialism still lives in some workplaces in Australia. We get 3 months full pay or 6 months half pay leave after ten years service! Add in some untaken annual holidays and you have a budget for some months.
I left Australia with 200 US dollars and the knowledge I would be paid on the flight over, I returned with 6 Singapore dollars seven months later. I was paid fortnightly while i was away, minus the mortgage etc. Not alot but enough! I grew to love my tent.
[This message has been edited by simmo (edited 06 April 2004).]
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
|
7 Apr 2004
|
|
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
|
|
PanEuropean's 75 a day is from the perspective of someone who CURRENTLY has a job, therefore his choices will be different than someone on the road for years with no job and no income.
No disrespect Michael! I envy your schedule, but it does make a difference.
I can even cite a German couple who travelled the US on $10 a day. They NEVER paid for accommodation, and cooked every meal they didn't get free. AND had a great time!
OTOH, Jim Rodgers spent over US$250,000 on his rtw with his girlfriend.
------------------
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
7 Apr 2004
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
|
|
Quote:
Originally posted by simmo:
I couldnt sell up..but a little bit of socialism still lives in some workplaces in Australia. We get 3 months full pay or 6 months half pay leave after ten years service! Add in some untaken annual holidays and you have a budget for some months.
I left Australia with 200 US dollars and the knowledge I would be paid on the flight over, I returned with 6 Singapore dollars seven months later. I was paid fortnightly while i was away, minus the mortgage etc. Not alot but enough! I grew to love my tent.
[This message has been edited by simmo (edited 06 April 2004).]
|
More than a little jealous to say the least. I could afford to take a longer trip abroad but it's the time off that's a killer, as Micheal correctly points out.
Steve
|
8 Apr 2004
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 895
|
|
hello *bankers*,
most important is the will to do it.
than you have to calculate the money for your trip.
costs shipping, bike, spares, sponsors (?) - it all depends on you. how much time do you spend searching for the cheapest way shipping your bike, what bike do you choose, how good are you fixing it, how good are you finding real sponsors , and how much can you communicate with people
Grant. I met the two Germans - Falk and Reina - yes they were on a very low budget, and they enjoyed their trip so much.
Mika from Caracas, just back to the hotel after spending three hours changing money for a good rate on the black market
------------------
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|