Balance and compromise.

Apply these terms to be able to stay more or less within the boundaries of this society, but living your life the way you like it (applicable to traveling, riding or chasing butterflies in Guyana).

Some places, such as India or Vietnam, are much cheaper than other areas. You can rent a small 125-150cc bike in Asia for maybe $15/day. On the other hand, you could easily spend $15 for lunch in a Western country.

If you look at some of the other threads, the daily cost estimates for lengthy RTW tours ranged from $50 US to $100 US per day. That doesn't include the cost of air transport or shipping motorcycles. At the $50 end riders were tenting it every day, doing most of their own cooking, having to make hard choices as to paying park entry fees, extra-curricular activities, etc. The folks spending $100/day, on the other hand, were staying in cheap hotels, eating local food, and able to afford extra fun activities.

The longest trip I have ever done was a month touring in Australia. My costs were about $100/day to rent a motorcycle plus fuel/oil, another $1500 for a round-trip plane ticket, and then maybe $50/day for food, camping, etc. I camped out most days but was reasonably comfortable, and had money to enter parks and take tours.

I guess just make an estimate of what you think you will spend, and start saving... :|

It depends on how much you want to do it ....

You can have a new car and a conservatory :cool4: or spend the same amount on a year and half tour around the world :scooter:

Dazzer

How do you do it
 

Well 44 is a youngster

I am 63 and just about to leave for a four month solo Morocco, turkey trip. Last year did 21000 km through Europe, followed by a 2000km mountain bike ride in Laos , Vietnam and Cambodia.

I am no superman - far from it - but I just take it easy, have rest days , sniff the roses and try and eat well and enjoy a beer. I schedule an hour a day for myself when I walk, ride my bike or go for a swim.

I spent 40 years in the corporate world and this is now my time. My wife fully endorses my travels and joins me at different locations. We are not wealthy but we have established our priorities and leaving money to highly educated and comfortable family is not a prime motivator.

As an aside I am a volunteer fireman/paramedic in my community. In the last week I have attended two fatal heart attacks - both younger than me and that provides all the motivation I need to get out and do it. Rather kark it in the saddle than on the Lazyboy

Moral: You are never too old - but also you don't know what is on the slate for you

We decided to take a break in our careers, go traveling and come back and start afresh. As many as said, enjoying one's life is more impt. than sticking in a job that you dislike and aiming to go when you retire. On average, we found it cheaper to live on the road than it was living at home - we lived in Vancouver, not the cheapest city to live in. Again it comes down to priorities, save, save, save and take some time off. Your career will always be there or you will find a new passion when you return. :scooter:

Actually it's quite simple: you save up and leave your job. :thumbup1:

Everything else is just details. If you're not prepared to make this commitment, don't go.

Matt

PS - You don't even have to save up. I paid for half my big trip in 2006 on a credit card and worked it off when I got home. Just make sure you get a good deal on interest rates! ;)

I have come to the maybe cynical realisation that there really isn't anything worth seriously working towards, career and job wise in the U.K now. Everything seems to be very fragile and shallow. It's impossible for me to buy property or start a business in my position.

So I just work whatever job I can find for 1-2 years then leave and travel again for as long as possible. Pretty much, until my savings run out and I only have enough left to fly home.

I'm lucky as I have family spare room to live in while home and a large workshop/garage built onto the side of the house. My living costs at home are very low indeed.

I see many people slave and work themselves to death for years and years in a soulless job with absolutely nothing to show for it apart from spiralling debts and increasing living costs.

Make the world your home.... Your neighbours will definitely be friendlier bier

I think you are actually luckier than many, since you can live reasonably in peacewith your family and they still accept your commitment to travelling.

In some cases, you would say "no way" to live with them or they would say "go way" to live that way with them, so that's a positive thing, more than many others.

Sound reasoning indeed, though sad, that a motivated and intelligent chap such as yourself feels there is no future in the UK. With your background, Ted, could you not start a motorcycle dealership for a niche market, scooters and other fuel efficient bikes, perhaps?

That's still a potential plan..

But around me, all the bike shops are closing... Not opening. The motorcycle industry is struggling right now...


My biggest hurdle will be financing and commiting to such a venture. I'd really just find myself off on holiday instead of working for myself. Id be the nightmare employee doh

It's no good thing to be living 'at home' in your 30's.... trust me !! I'm just also lucky that my misses has her own place too so I'm not quite living as a teenager lol.

It's a mutual relationship though. I do all the maintenance, gardening and most the chores (which is a lot) for part of my 'keep'...

At my family home that is :cool4:

The 2 off us both work, one persons salary covers all our out goings while in the UK (morgage, food, bills etc) and the other persons salary is saved.
After 2 years of that there is always a friend who need a house to rent for a year and disco we're off on our travels.
Simple as really, the only things we buy during the saving period is gear we worn out/broken on the last trip and full rebuild of the bikes which I do myself.

Cheers
Pete