Feb
2013
Ch-ch-ch-changes afoot: Why we’re upping sticks and going off to travel the world for six months
I’ve grown up in Auckland. I probably will live out my life here. I’ve loved building up savings and a financial foundation. I love what I do.
But I want more.
MORE.
(Typical bloody Gen-Yer.)
Tons of my friends have already gone off on their OEs; some have already returned. And others are about to leave. “Is this the OE you never had?” my boss asked. (Way to make me feel over the hill, dude. But my response, in a nutshell, was yes.)
Putting an end date on our time here has had the added benefit of making me appreciate everything I do have a little more. But the impending change, excitement, freedom, is definitely dominating it all.
I don’t believe in waiting till you’re old to travel (have you seen Up??!!). And I simply wasn’t sure if my job would be conducive to taking the big annual international trips that were in the original five year plan (at my old workplace, yes, but things are less flexible here). It was a case of deciding, what would I regret more? Doing this, or NOT? And the answer was clear.
It’ll never be easier to do this. We’re young, healthy, energetic (relatively). We’re not chained down by golden handcuffs; it’s not like either of us is tied to a Wall St desk raking in the big bucks (I just finished reading Bond Girl. ‘Nuff said).
Our wedding is in May, and it wasn’t a crazy leap from contemplating a European honeymoon to considering a full blown RTW trip, particularly once STA Travel came out with its earlybird RTW tickets.
So, come May 10, for the next six months we will be nomads.
Fly, little kiwi.
Michelle
February 20, 2013 at 07:17 (90 days ago)WOOOHOO! This is so exciting. I’m definitely looking forward to your future posts.
Revanche
February 20, 2013 at 07:23 (90 days ago)How EXCITING! I DO hope you have plans to be in the Bay Area!
Janine
February 20, 2013 at 07:24 (90 days ago)That’s soooooo exciting!!!!!!!! Congrats you will have an amazing time! I hope you plan on blogging during your travels!
Financial Samurai
February 20, 2013 at 07:25 (90 days ago)Very exciting for you two!
I enjoy the NZ/Austrialian walk about travel culture. You guys are everywhere here in the US enjoying life.
That’s what it’s all about. Come to SF, the most beautiful city in America and we can grab some grub!
Sam
Kara
February 20, 2013 at 07:31 (90 days ago)Wooo! So exciting! If you happen to come to Canada, I hope you make it to my neck of the woods!
Sweet Mama M
February 20, 2013 at 07:41 (90 days ago)Yay! Good on you! I’m definitely interested to hear more!
Leslie
February 20, 2013 at 07:48 (90 days ago)This is so exciting! I’m looking forward to hearing about your plans and would love to see you if you hit the east coast!
Girl Meets Debt
February 20, 2013 at 07:59 (90 days ago)Now THIS is exciting news! Can’t wait to read about the places you are going to visit!
SavvyFinancialLatina
February 20, 2013 at 08:02 (90 days ago)Super exciting!!!!
Shannon @ The Heavy Purse
February 20, 2013 at 08:18 (90 days ago)Congratulations! One of our goals is to travel around the world. I’m jealous and can’t wait to hear all about and see your pictures. Love experiencing new cultures!
Life [Comma] Etc
February 20, 2013 at 08:22 (90 days ago)Goodness gracious, congratulations! Be sure to let me know if the US is in your travel plans!!
Alexis
February 20, 2013 at 09:21 (90 days ago)Congratulations! Very exciting.
Laura
February 20, 2013 at 10:21 (90 days ago)Congrats!
My husband & I quit our jobs in NYC at 28 and did a RTW. We ended in Australia and did the working holiday visa. A year later we’re still here(we’re sponsored).
Reflecting back we had a better experience being a bit older than the other RTWers. You appreciate what you’re seeing and doing more after already being in the working world.
Plus since we’d already had 5 yrs of working experience,once we got to AU we got good pay and jobs on our fields so we didn’t sacrifice that.
My favorite places were Prague, Budapest, Brasov, Romania and Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Enjoy!!!!
Mo' Money Mo' Houses
February 20, 2013 at 10:31 (90 days ago)OMG six months! I do wish my trip was longer but I’d have to quite my job to make it work. But congrats, what an awesome honeymoon that will be!
Pauline
February 20, 2013 at 10:54 (90 days ago)that is amazing! a few couple of friends decided to go on extended 6-12 months honeymoons, and usually for the price of a 2 weeks luxury one. If you plan on visiting central america let me know!
Lesley
February 20, 2013 at 10:58 (90 days ago)Wow, this is HUGE news!! Super envious and excited for you! Can’t wait to see the full itinerary
Stephany
February 20, 2013 at 10:58 (90 days ago)I am jealousssss! And very excited for you. Let me know if you venture down to Florida. Ha. I’m not sure you’ll be hitting the East Coast at all but thought I’d throw it out there.
Kathleen, Frugal Portland
February 20, 2013 at 11:01 (90 days ago)I am so excited for you! Also so glad you’ll be writing and taking pictures so I can follow along! If you make it to Portland, that would be amazing!
Manda
February 20, 2013 at 11:22 (90 days ago)Eeeee, how exciting! I want to do something similar at some point in the future so I look forward to your posts about this! And if you ever make it out to USA’s capital let me know!!
Amanda
February 20, 2013 at 12:11 (90 days ago)Congrats – how exciting! As you know, it’s something K and I are already starting to save up for, so I’m looking forward to hearing more about your experiences.
Linda
February 20, 2013 at 13:36 (90 days ago)You have a nice guest room to use in Chicago if you make it here. Congrats on this big change!
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies
February 20, 2013 at 14:18 (90 days ago)Lovely! I can’t wait to hear more about the itinerary and how you’re planning on traveling. If you’re headed to S. Florida, let us know!
Chelsea, These Wings Carry Me
February 20, 2013 at 14:49 (90 days ago)That is SO exciting! I hope that it’s the most amazing experience for you both, and I hope that you’ll post all about it once you’re back.
fabulously frugirl
February 20, 2013 at 15:09 (90 days ago)OMG! That’s amazing news!!!! I’m so excited for you and T! You guys are going to have such an amazing time and I can’t wait to read about your adventures
Are you coming to Canada? Specifically, are you coming to Toronto? I’d love to show you around our little city.
Mochimac
February 20, 2013 at 15:34 (90 days ago)OMG.. *SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE*
I second showing you around Toronto!!
If you come to Montreal (French Canada), I may be there too. Either way, Toronto or Montreal, WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER.
(Forget Ottawa, it’s not worth the trip… I’m being honest here.)
Geek in Heels
February 20, 2013 at 16:10 (90 days ago)Wow! So excited for you! (Envious too, as this is obviously smthg that is almost impossible at this point in my life with two toddlers.) Can’t wait to read all about your adventures!
cantaloupe
February 20, 2013 at 16:14 (90 days ago)That is absolutely amazing! I wish you the best travels ever and cannot wait to see your itinerary and then every single detail of the trip.
American Debt Project
February 20, 2013 at 19:45 (90 days ago)SIX MONTH HONEYMOON!!! Now that’s a good start to a marriage. You have a place to stay if you come to San Diego. Go for it now, you have the time and money. ENJOY!!!
From Shopping to Saving
February 23, 2013 at 14:00 (87 days ago)Omg you’re in SD now?!?! Right after I move to the bay area? Bummer!
Michelle
February 20, 2013 at 19:48 (90 days ago)Amazing! I can’t wait to see your posts about the places you visit. I love to travel.
oilandgarlic
February 21, 2013 at 09:57 (89 days ago)Very exciting! You picked the right time to just go for it (before kids!)
The Asian Pear
February 23, 2013 at 07:10 (87 days ago)I am SO jealous. How very exciting!! And it’s true… Do it now or you get old like me and never have the chance to escape the chains of adult life.
From Shopping to Saving
February 23, 2013 at 14:00 (87 days ago)Omg, so jealsssss. How fun though, you will have so many awesome adventures. Can’t wait to live vicariously through you
Deena Dollars
February 25, 2013 at 05:01 (85 days ago)I hope you come to the US! *fingers crossed*
Daisy @ Add Vodka
February 26, 2013 at 18:24 (84 days ago)Wow, girl I’m so excited for you! I want to hear all about your itinerary. Come to Vancouver!