Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree198Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #271  
Old 28 Nov 2013
lorraine's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Definitely Nomadic
Posts: 523
I'd rather travel endlessly paying $500 a month (I did for five years!) than 3 months etc etc etc. I mean sheesh, expressos are meant to last for hours while sitting in a cafe people watching, right?
Reply With Quote
  #272  
Old 28 Nov 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: United kingdom
Posts: 34
I agree with Lorraine. It all seems to boil down to two choices from what I can see:-

1) Spend a fair bit, travel fast and far, have a great, but short trip
or
2)Watch your money, travel slow and really meet the locals, have a great and long trip.

With either option you should have a great time. Beats working in the office right?
Reply With Quote
  #273  
Old 28 Nov 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 18
I don't think they are mutually exclusive. You can travel slowly, meet the locals, and still see the sights. But you're right, these are all moot points.
Reply With Quote
  #274  
Old 12 Dec 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 41
...and what happens when you just can´t stop?

when i first got to South America I only planned to do Peru on a motorcycle as that was my budget. I stretched it out as much as I could and ended up in Ushuaia, Argentina, having travelled all over in Peru and Bolivia.

I had literally no money left when I was leaving Ushuaia, but I also had no desire to get back to the ´real world´. So I found a job, spent two months working, and now I´m good to go to Venezuela (my next SA leg - Ushuaia to Caracas).

I´m pretty sure I´ll run out of money somewhere in Northern Chile again, and it´s not going to be a comfy trip in a touristy leisury sense, but I simply prefer to stay on the road as long as I can and as long as my bike is alive call me crazy but after 8 months biking in South America I lost all interest in going back home and try to ´civilize´myself again
Reply With Quote
  #275  
Old 18 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evergreen View Post
...and what happens when you just can´t stop?

when i first got to South America I only planned to do Peru on a motorcycle as that was my budget. I stretched it out as much as I could and ended up in Ushuaia, Argentina, having travelled all over in Peru and Bolivia.

I had literally no money left when I was leaving Ushuaia, but I also had no desire to get back to the ´real world´. So I found a job, spent two months working, and now I´m good to go to Venezuela (my next SA leg - Ushuaia to Caracas).

I´m pretty sure I´ll run out of money somewhere in Northern Chile again, and it´s not going to be a comfy trip in a touristy leisury sense, but I simply prefer to stay on the road as long as I can and as long as my bike is alive call me crazy but after 8 months biking in South America I lost all interest in going back home and try to ´civilize´myself again
Hi Evergreen,

I hope to embark on a similar trip, starting Santiago in Feb/March.

What bike are you using, out of interest?
Reply With Quote
  #276  
Old 18 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
Hi all,

I think it's quite relative but to those of us living in the UK I don't know anyone who seems to be able to save money here any more. I think this is increasingly the case in many western countries, spiralling living costs and stagnating wages, not to mention high rents relative to income and the continual drive towards poor pay, zero-hour contracts, etc! Those who got into the property game early are pretty lucky (one might argue that the babyboomers buying up the property and charging young people a fortune is half the problem).

As a 29 year old, getting on the property market hardly seems viable, and if it was (i.e. I had a partner, parents throw in thousands for deposit), I'm not sure a 25-year mortgage is something I'd really be enthusiastic in signing up for anyway. Meanwhile, I've been travelling around since university and never stuck to a single job nor played at getting those of those things people call 'careers', and yet, the people who did play that game seem to work ungodly hours, and never have time to do anything worthwhile with their money beyond spending it on expensive, glitzy material items - and there is nothing wrong with that either, but I don't think it's something that would satisfy me. So it is the catch-22 of not working and having time, but then not having enough money.

I've been hanging around the HUBB now and take interest in peoples trip reports. It seems quite amazing to me people have the money to appear to be so well equipped with pro-level dSLR's, top-spec camping and navigation equipment and really expensive, top whack adventure bikes (and good for them too!) But I think, relatively speaking, that is as amazing to me as people find me amazing, when I tell them I've lived here and there, and done all the stuff which I've been lucky enough to have done in the past seven years since going overseas. I suppose you must work with what you have. I'm lucky in that between trips, my dad lets me stay at his place and does not charge me a penny, I think if it were not for this, it would be a lot harder to live my somewhat erratic lifestyle, yet I'm sure I could find a way if it was necessary.

Right now I am planning a trip to South America. I've been doing a lot of research and am currently scouring eBay for deals on second-hand equipment, you can find really good deals; for example, so far I've bought my stove, sleeping bag, sleep mat, etc, and saved a lot of money. All I need now is a water filter, a half-decent tent and a basic Garmin eTrex. As for my bike, it's going to be either a new or a used Honda CGL125, which retail at around 700 quid, while ones with low-mileage can be had for as low as 350/400 GBP. I also volunteered with a programme sponsored by the UN called English Opens Doors. I'll teach for six months in a Chilean highschool, and in return get to live with a host family, get the visa paid for, plus healthcare, so this will hopefully take the pressure doing everything at once, give me time to improve my Spanish and generally provide a good platform to launch my S.America trip from... I hope

People find my lifestyle strange, and sometimes family members ask things like 'what about a career' or weirdly, 'but where do you think you'll be in ten years time', and yet for me, the career boat has already sailed (bon voyage!), and besides, perhaps I'm still young and naive, but I believe it is essential to follow your heart, and maybe that is to buy a house, settle down, have kids, and then that's great you'll probably be happy, but if it's going solo around the world on a motorcycle, then allowing a house, career, to get in the way of that, well that probably won't bring any joy. We all seem to adopt a strange mentality that we'll get 'on top' of this business we call life, and if we just work through it, and get to the end, everything will be all right. And yet I suspect when people reach the end, all of sudden realise that all we have we ever had was the present, so to keep forsaking it for a future that never comes, well I'm not sure that can work... well, getting rather philosophical now and perhaps I have this all wrong!

Time will tell
Reply With Quote
  #277  
Old 18 Dec 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
The ONLY way I can save money for travel and travel equipment is to move back into the family home. I pay my rent with labour (maintaining a very large garden and decrepit house).

I was living in rented accommodation up until 3 months ago. I work a 45 hour week on a humble mechanics salary and I could save NOTHING. Everything is so incredibly expensive in the U.K. It seems being ripped off is law in the U.K.

I struggle to believe how anyone can live and save anything whilst living in the U.K unless they make over £25,000 a year.

Now I am back at 'home' I can save £700 a month. That is a decision I had to make if I wanted to travel again. And I still have to live VERY frugally to save that.

The next 15 months will be a test of my sanity. Losing all my independence and freedom for 15 months to gain it back again on the road for hopefully 12 months or longer.

Can't have the Yin without the Yang..... So they say.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #278  
Old 1 Jan 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Norway
Posts: 9
Eàrning the funds

Well I can see there are many differnt ways, my way was, sell my 2011 Opel Insignia with all of is goodies, sell the Dethleffs RV. Now I can pay my expeces and my wife takes care of the house while I ame on my way RTW for two years. DOT is june 2014. All of my stuff is ready (collected for years)
Bjorn-rtw.net anyone want to come with?
Reply With Quote
  #279  
Old 2 Jan 2014
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wirral UK
Posts: 226
saving in the UK

Re discovered this thread after ages. The amount I have been able to save each year has dwindled down to a mere few hundred pounds a year as my outgoings have gone up and my income has gone down in relative terms. I do not see this situation improving any time soon. Short trips to HU meetings are the best I can look forward to for now.

GM

PS not complaining just stating a fact!
__________________
www.frothandflames.com
2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator
Reply With Quote
  #280  
Old 2 Jan 2014
Oo-SEB-oO's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canary Islands
Posts: 291
It's all about prioritising.

My wife and I are not rich, we both work for the government but still we manage to save up half of our income every month. How? By prioritising... We don't smoke, we don't consume alcohol (I'm pretty sure a lot of you guys spend a fortune every month on booze...) and we watch out at to what we do spend our money. This works for us, perfectly.

So good in fact that we decided to give it all up, to quit our jobs and go for yet another ride and then "settle" again somewhere where we lost our hearts on an island in the sun. Will we make the same money than we do now? Absolutely never-ever. This means that we will 'survive' making only maybe 800€ a month but at least in a place that we like and choose and we know what it will "cost" us, but we don't care anymore... I choose the sun, the ocean and the mountains instead of a big-ass tv with surround sound!

__________________
Find us on Facebook or have a look at our website on wanderingsouls.be.
Reply With Quote
  #281  
Old 2 Jan 2014
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
I did my first big, long trip trip in 2007. I decided I was going to do it in 2005. I was earning about £700 a month.. Impossible to most..

I got rid of my car, I didn't smoke, I brewed my own ale.. I ate baked beans and pasta, I wore cheap clothes, I sold everything I could and worked any odd jobs I could.

Even then I only managed to save £200-£300 a month. It took me 2 years but I did it..

Not all, but the majority of people who claim they can't spend that on booze/fags/gigs/cinema/fashion etc etc

If you want it.. You will make it happen.. It's really is that simple.

It just depends if it's worth the sacrifice to you.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #282  
Old 3 Jan 2014
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Seoul/Yang Pyung
Posts: 545
$500 a month

Quote:
Originally Posted by lorraine View Post
I'd rather travel endlessly paying $500 a month (I did for five years!) than 3 months etc etc etc. I mean sheesh, expressos are meant to last for hours while sitting in a cafe people watching, right?
In one's youth ,, may be even for less,,, especially if you are beautiful like Lorraine.

I did that for so so many years ,,
From age 19 ,, across the USA ,, Canada,, Europe ,, Most of S.America, Hawaii, Guam, Yap, Palau, Sri Lanka, India ,, Nepal ,,, learned to ski in Tehran ,, teached equestrian jumping, in Thailand and Japan.
For some 6 years. Music ,, culture,, history ,, drugs ,, travel ,, good sex ,, Had all sorts of jobs ,, few misadventures ,, jail time too ,, for I seeked out this adventure, for it was impossible to leave Korea at the time.
It was hard but I never felt discouraged or unfortunate,,

Many times ,, it was women, whom I've met on the road that gave me sweet loving, food and bed ,, and connections in next town,,
Learnt 6 languages in their beds ,, best way to learn a language.

From 80s,, due to my job, lived in London, Dusseldorf, Paris, Monaco, New York and Tokyo ,, and travelled three weeks out of month. Breakfast in London, Lunch in Paris ,, dinner in Milano ,, all over Middle East and North Africa ,, I would hire a private jet from Zurich to Tripoli,, then hitch hike a Hyundai construction company's dump truck,, speaking Korean with the driver all the way to Benghasi at 2AM ,, was my norm for some 9 years. But then it was mostly work.

In 90s and 2000s ,, having become a CEO ,, traveled and worked at my leisure ,, some 6 million air mileage points by now and numerous flights on Concord to Rio, NY - Paris, London- Barbados,, in fact just two flights before the Paris crash was my last flight, on the Concord.

My last RTW on a Harley ,, all together 3 months long (just riding time) , cost me ca $54,000
Meaning I would ride hard ,, find the best 5 star hotel, when ever possible ,, fly first class to next destination, when ever possible,, ate well ,,best wine,, went to see the local opera ,, orchestras,, massage parlors , strip bars ,, bought drinks for local bikers,,, had an escort or two in the room ,, made donations to local charities etc. While with two pairs of undies, sox, two pair of jeans, Panama,, a Zara blazer and John Galliano rain coat. (None of that BMW reiter outfit,, bare chest through most of Siberia,. Love sun too much. For Siberia, carried my own coffee and ramen pot)

Not bragging ,,
I have no qualms ,,, no guilt ,, each to his own.
Ewan did it with a million dollar production ,, Jim Rogers did it with truck load of convoy. I did it on my own.

I did my share of mooching in my youth. I would be shamed to do so at my age.

Last edited by seouljoe; 3 Jan 2014 at 14:37.
Reply With Quote
  #283  
Old 4 Jan 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 289
seouljoe any chance of fitting a side-cart to that Harley of yours and take me with you next time...........

You seem to have had a very interesting life and if i wore a hat i would take it off to you
Reply With Quote
  #284  
Old 4 Jan 2014
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Seoul/Yang Pyung
Posts: 545
Hats Off ,,

Well Wesley,, my hats off to you too !
Every one has their own unique experiece in life,, just different,, for that we all deserve a compliment from each other!
Be well and thanks for the kudos.
Reply With Quote
  #285  
Old 31 Jan 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
work and save

as i was sailing across the atlantic, hitchhiking on a boat with no money left after having bummed around europe for a couple years i decided i wanted to travel to south america with a motorcycle. i didn't know people actually did it and that it was very common. i thought i was crazy, well i still am i guess... anyway, i arrived home in LA at 23 yrs old with negative 600 dollars. I lived with my mom, worked two jobs while going to school and in a year i saved 15,000$. a year after that, after having bought all the necessary gear to travel, motorcycle, riding gear, camera equipment, etc. and having gone back to europe for a two month trip and also quitting the second job for the last 6 months, i had 21,000$ and was ready to go. I just focused, ate off people's plates at the restaurant i worked at, rode my bicycle to work when i could, researched good deals for gear, picked up any extra shift.
I set off in april 2013 and spent 8 months riding around america and canada ( i also took a spontaneous trip to europe and an island in the indian ocean with a airline hostess i met, 10percent tickets). in the 8 months I spent 7,000$, 1,500$ of that toward retrieving my stolen bike and replacing parts. I also earned $3,000 under the table working on a less than legal farm. 8 months=$4,000. $500 per month average. I'm back home a couple months working and will leave on the next leg of my journey with $20,000, with the intention of only using $10,000 in a year... we'll see how it goes. point is; i have no education or skills, i was a waiter and worked in an office. yes i lived with my mom, but if i paid rent and food, it would have taken just a few months longer or i wouldn't have traveled to europe during that time. It's possible even for people without houses to sell...
lots of little worlds
Reply With Quote
Reply


LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-questions-dont-fit-anywhere/how-does-one-afford-lifestyle-458
Posted By For Type Date
Why so many BMW's used for adventure's/trips?? : motorcycles This thread Refback 25 Feb 2013 07:59
Why so many BMW's used for adventure's/trips?? :motorcycles This thread Refback 7 Dec 2012 20:15
AGGGman comments on Why so many BMW's used for adventure's/trips?? This thread Refback 7 Dec 2012 01:25
Yh This thread Refback 30 Aug 2012 11:55
Quit our jobs, sold our home, gone riding... - Page 9 - ADVrider This thread Refback 16 Aug 2012 08:09
Gypsy Rose This thread Refback 23 Oct 2010 08:21
Motor-Forum - Reizen en toeren - Werken tijdens het reizen. This thread Refback 1 Jun 2010 18:29
Plans This thread Refback 11 May 2009 00:05
How does one afford this lifestyle? - Page 11 - The HUBB This thread Refback 30 Jul 2008 19:59
Planning the Budget - Horizons Unlimited This thread Refback 1 Jul 2008 19:35
Pages tagged with "motorcycles" on del.icio.us This thread Refback 8 Apr 2008 11:20
Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Website This thread Refback 5 Mar 2007 02:51

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 5 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 5 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

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:20.