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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.

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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.

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Fly, little kiwi.

So, there’s a lot to say! I’ve got more travel posts coming up, including a full itinerary (I hope to meet up with some of you along the way!) – is there anything in particular you want to know? Tell me, and I’ll cover it!

36 thoughts on “Ch-ch-ch-changes afoot: Why we’re upping sticks and going off to travel the world for six months

  • Reply Michelle February 20, 2013 at 07:17

    WOOOHOO! This is so exciting. I’m definitely looking forward to your future posts.

  • Reply Revanche February 20, 2013 at 07:23

    How EXCITING! I DO hope you have plans to be in the Bay Area!

  • Reply Janine February 20, 2013 at 07:24

    That’s soooooo exciting!!!!!!!! Congrats you will have an amazing time! I hope you plan on blogging during your travels!

  • Reply Financial Samurai February 20, 2013 at 07:25

    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

  • Reply Kara February 20, 2013 at 07:31

    Wooo! So exciting! If you happen to come to Canada, I hope you make it to my neck of the woods!

  • Reply Sweet Mama M February 20, 2013 at 07:41

    Yay! Good on you! I’m definitely interested to hear more!

  • Reply Leslie February 20, 2013 at 07:48

    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!

  • Reply Girl Meets Debt February 20, 2013 at 07:59

    Now THIS is exciting news! Can’t wait to read about the places you are going to visit! πŸ™‚

  • Reply SavvyFinancialLatina February 20, 2013 at 08:02

    Super exciting!!!!

  • Reply Shannon @ The Heavy Purse February 20, 2013 at 08:18

    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!

  • Reply Life [Comma] Etc February 20, 2013 at 08:22

    Goodness gracious, congratulations! Be sure to let me know if the US is in your travel plans!!

  • Reply Alexis February 20, 2013 at 09:21

    Congratulations! Very exciting.

  • Reply Laura February 20, 2013 at 10:21

    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!!!!

  • Reply Mo' Money Mo' Houses February 20, 2013 at 10:31

    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!

  • Reply Pauline February 20, 2013 at 10:54

    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!

  • Reply Lesley February 20, 2013 at 10:58

    Wow, this is HUGE news!! Super envious and excited for you! Can’t wait to see the full itinerary πŸ™‚

  • Reply Stephany February 20, 2013 at 10:58

    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. πŸ˜‰

  • Reply Kathleen, Frugal Portland February 20, 2013 at 11:01

    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!

  • Reply Manda February 20, 2013 at 11:22

    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!!

  • Reply Amanda February 20, 2013 at 12:11

    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.

  • Reply Linda February 20, 2013 at 13:36

    You have a nice guest room to use in Chicago if you make it here. Congrats on this big change!

  • Reply Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies February 20, 2013 at 14:18

    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!

  • Reply Chelsea, These Wings Carry Me February 20, 2013 at 14:49

    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.

  • Reply fabulously frugirl February 20, 2013 at 15:09

    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 πŸ™‚

    Are you coming to Canada? Specifically, are you coming to Toronto? I’d love to show you around our little city.

  • Reply Mochimac February 20, 2013 at 15:34

    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.)

  • Reply Geek in Heels February 20, 2013 at 16:10

    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!

  • Reply cantaloupe February 20, 2013 at 16:14

    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.

  • Reply American Debt Project February 20, 2013 at 19:45

    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!!!

  • Reply Michelle February 20, 2013 at 19:48

    Amazing! I can’t wait to see your posts about the places you visit. I love to travel.

  • Reply oilandgarlic February 21, 2013 at 09:57

    Very exciting! You picked the right time to just go for it (before kids!)

  • Reply The Asian Pear February 23, 2013 at 07:10

    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. πŸ™

  • Reply From Shopping to Saving February 23, 2013 at 14:00

    Omg, so jealsssss. How fun though, you will have so many awesome adventures. Can’t wait to live vicariously through you πŸ™‚

  • Reply Deena Dollars February 25, 2013 at 05:01

    I hope you come to the US! *fingers crossed*

  • Reply Daisy @ Add Vodka February 26, 2013 at 18:24

    Wow, girl I’m so excited for you! I want to hear all about your itinerary. Come to Vancouver!

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