If you are thinking about leaving the 9-5 rat race behind to travel the world, here are some dos and don’ts to consider.
The thought of traveling around the world is exotic and sounds amazing. The thought of moving out of your home, telling your family and friends and making sure you have done everything you need to do in order to travel the world is not exotic and amazing; it is a lot of work. Here are some things to consider when deciding to set out to travel long term.
Do: Start financially planning early.
Setting out on a long-term travel adventure may seem financially daunting. I have heard of a family of 4 traveling the world $25,000 a year and others who travel for six figures a year. The cost of a trip long-term travel adventure is dependent on the number of people in your family and your travel preferences. Regardless of your budget, you should make sure that you understand your finances before setting out. Depending on your situation, that could mean that you must delay your trip for a year or more in order to save. It will also make a difference if you are able to make money while traveling. This could mean doing your current job remotely or seeking remote work opportunities to help fund our travels. Figuring out how to fund your travel adventure will take time and planning.
Don’t: Wait until the last minute to check visa and vaccination requirements.
Before traveling to another country, be sure to check the visa requirements. Obtaining a visa can often take time and cost money. Be sure to check well in advance to make sure you have enough time to secure the visa if required before you travel. If you vaccinate, you will want to make a visit to your doctor or a travel clinic to determine what immunizations you should get before you travel. Some vaccines may take up to 6 -8 weeks to administer. Also, some countries may require you have certain vaccines.
Do: Have a plan for mail, banking, and travel insurance
When you travel the world you need to be able to get bills and other important mail. If you have a family member you trust who is willing to receive your mail and scan it to you, that is the most economical way to do it. If not, there are several traveling mailbox services that will scan or send your mail to you. If using a service, you will need to factor this into your budget.
With online banking, it is much easier to set up your banking to ensure access all over the world. Look for banks and institutions that waive foreign transaction fees. Also, consider spreading your money into separate accounts. If you lose a credit or debit card, it could take weeks before you get a replacement. You want to make sure you can access money if a card is lost or stolen.
Health and travel insurance are worth looking into when you begin to travel. If you have health insurance through an employer or your home country, check to make sure it will cover your family and you while abroad. There are several companies now that specialize in world travel insurance. World health insurance for US citizens when you will not be in the US for an extended period of time can be almost a 1/3 of the cost of US health insurance.
Don’t: Think of it as a vacation.
Long term travel will get very tiring and expensive if you think of it as a vacation. It is not the same as a week at Disney World. Be sure to schedule downtime. Every day does not need to be a sightseeing adventure. Find accommodations with kitchens, so you do not have to eat every meal out at a restaurant. If you are on a long-term travel journey, you have plenty of time to immerse yourself in the culture and see the sights.
Do: Stay flexible
When setting out to travel, you need to remain flexible. Travel plans will not always go as you expect and planning for the adventure may go awry. You might not sell or rent out your house as quickly as you hoped. Someone in your family may become ill, causing you to have to delay your trip. There may be civil unrest in one of the countries on your itinerary, so you will have to make new plans. Having a positive attitude, realistic expectations, and realizing that you will come up against roadblocks will help you and your family make the most of the experience.
Don’t: Expect your family and friends to be as excited about it as you are.
Your family and friends may be supportive, or they may not. Some family members may be worried about you or not understand why you are doing it. Be respectful of the opinions of your friends and family but be prepared to have people play devil’s advocate or tell you it is a bad idea. An important thing to remember is you are not doing this for your friends or extended family, so don’t let their negativity get you down. Chart your own path and be confident that you are making an incredible and life-changing decision.
Do: Find resources and world travel groups.
The Internet is full of wonderful resources for people who want to travel long term. There are family travel blogs online and vlogs on YouTube. There are several Facebook groups for those wishing to travel, including Facebook groups specific to countries and cities where you can get recommendations about accommodations, transportation and more. There are worldschool hubs all over the world where families can go to get immersed in the culture and the surrounding community and meet other families. Connecting with people who have the same passion for travel is a great way to stay motivated. You may even become lifelong friends.
