That's it...had it with the rat race...

[blert]

I was out in my garage a couple of weeks ago and was looking at all of the unfulfilled dreams sitting on the shelves and hanging from the rafters. What I mean by that is over the years I've made all of these plans to go on these great adventures, see the world, live life a little fuller so to speak...but, again, over the years I have found myself having more responsibilities at work which in turn has lead to me working 5-6 days a week, 10-12 hours a day. On top of that I commute around 160 miles (not a misprint) round trip each day I work. That doesn't leave much else except the S/S/S in the morning and the usual dinner/surf/sex/sleep at night.

While having these responsibilities and working as much as I do has had its financial rewards which has allowed me to buy a house, a couple of vehicles and some nice toys, that just doesn't seem to cut it anymore..... I WANT TIME! (as in too much of it)

So I have a plan.....
- In 60 days give my employer a 30 day notice (so I can train the person taking my place and not burn that bridge)
-pay all the bills ahead for 6 months (mortgage, water, electric, phone, internet, a few misc bills)
-pay off all credit card debt (not much- a couple grand)
-arrange for health insurance after leaving work
- have at least another 6 months living expenses tucked away that I WON'T touch so I'll have that to fall back on at the end of my "vacation"

.....and do some of those things that I have been meaning to do!


Anyone ever do anything like this?
Anything that you think I should do differently?
Any words of wisdom?

Plan is in motion...already starting to transfer funds around so I can start the first few steps....

 

[shortspanishguy]

Good Luck! I assume you have a crapload of $$ saved.

 

[Fritzo]

So....you're going to be a bum?

 

[SSSnail]

Best of luck to you buddy. You'll be a few that actually get to do what most of us wish we could do right now, if you follow through with the plan. Don't forget to take lots of pics.

 

[Hankysmoo]

I envy this man (if he goes through with it)...and no, I'm not being sarcastic.

 

[Skunkwourk]

good luck, heres some inspiration, I forget his member name

Blog

He saved up like 20k, quit his job, bought a plane ticket and never looked back for around a year.

"12/21/04
traveling 'around the world' has always been on the back of my mind since graduating college. but the time was never right. immediately after graduation, i didnt have the money. after i started working, i didnt have the time. the last few weeks, i've been thinking, it's now or never. if i stay this corporate world any longer, i may never go. when i'm 50, i want to be able to tell of all the cool things i did when i was younger. decorating my cubicle doesnt rank very high on the list of 'cool things'.

earlier today, i talked to my boss and submitted my letter of resignation. i'm leaving on good terms, though i can tell they were pretty shocked by my decision. they asked questions like why couldnt i do it the way normal people do, and take 2 week vacations at a time, instead of going for 6months to a year. my reply was, it's part of the adventure, to just keep going. they asked if i was independently wealthy (haha, this really made me laugh) to be able to afford doing this. well, i save money like crazy.. i've got a decent stash that should last me a year.

this isnt about discontent with my job. i like the work, the people are decent, the level of stress is low, and the hours are flexible. this is about seeing new things.

my tickets should be booked by the end of the week, and i should be off and running by february!

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." - Saint Augustine.

edit: (to answer some questions )
i'll be traveling alone. but from reading blogs of other people who have done what i'm attempting to do, it won't be hard to meet other travelers on the road.
i've saved up about $25k for this trip. i'll be selling some of my things, like my motorcycle, maybe my car, my computer, furniture, so i'm hoping i can raise another $2k-$4k before i leave.
my mom wants me to bring a laptop with me, so much so that she's offered to pay for it. looking into travel friendly laptops now, if anyone has any good suggestions (small, durable, preferable not too expensive, let me know!)
definately gonna take pictures along the way. right now i have a pentax optio s digicam. hopefully i'll find the time and energy to blog most of my trip... i'll update with the site when it's all ready!"

 

[kamikaze27]

Yes.
105mile commute, 13-15 hr days, 6 days/week.
6 months notice to resign.
Sold house, 3 cars, everything.
Gave up close to a 5 digit salary.

Sent sentimental paraphinalia to mother in 5 boxes.

That was September last year.
You wont regret it. I wont look back.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I did almost exactly that at age 38 I chucked it all and moved my family to the coast and became a beach bum! Except my 6mos turned into 18mos and it took me 3 additional months to find a decent job when I returned. It was with out a doubt the best time in my life so far, but it did put a big financial hit on us. And I had to settle for a lesser job when I returned, and it took me many years to get back to a level of financial security that I was comfortable with.

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: Hankysmoo
I envy this man (if he goes through with it)...and no, I'm not being sarcastic.

I as well. I hope I can do something like this in 5-10 years..

 

[KarmaPolice]

On my travels last year I met these two brits just graduated from college....apparently its normal for college graduteas in england to just travel for a year...lucky brits.

 

[mrrman]

sounds nice...wish I could do the same

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: kamikaze27
Yes.
105mile commute, 13-15 hr days, 6 days/week.
6 months notice to resign.
Sold house, 3 cars, everything.
Gave up close to a 5 digit salary.

Sent sentimental paraphinalia to mother in 5 boxes.

That was September last year.
You wont regret it. I wont look back.

I hope you meant 6.

 

[IronWing]

Good luck!

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: kamikaze27
Yes.
105mile commute, 13-15 hr days, 6 days/week.
6 months notice to resign.
Sold house, 3 cars, everything.
Gave up close to a 5 digit salary.

Sent sentimental paraphinalia to mother in 5 boxes.

That was September last year.
You wont regret it. I wont look back.

Am I missing something? Did you mean 8 digit?

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: kamikaze27
Yes.
105mile commute, 13-15 hr days, 6 days/week.
6 months notice to resign.
Sold house, 3 cars, everything.
Gave up close to a 5 digit salary.

Sent sentimental paraphinalia to mother in 5 boxes.

That was September last year.
You wont regret it. I wont look back.

Just couldn't break the $10,000 mark?

 

[JS80]

In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

 

[Zebo]

Why not get a job at the post office? Good buddy of mine is HR director for state...Two weeks on and two weeks medical leave.....Two weeks on and two weeks medical leave.... Throw in a little "sick building syndrome" for those long trips.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

No point being retired so you can look back and go "man..what if"

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

If that's his dream, fvck his retirement. FVCK IT. Seriously, you have to do what you have to do. :roll:

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

There are some things you can only do at 20-30 that you can't when you retire at 60. Besides, how is it "selfish" joy?

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

If that's his dream, fvck his retirement. FVCK IT. Seriously, you have to do what you have to do. :roll:

I am just noting that it's a trade-off. With slight bias. Obviously it's his life but he may not have considered what he is sacrificing by going on this sabbatical.

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

No point being retired so you can look back and go "man..what if"

I can argue the point when he's 75 and still working he could look back and say what if also...

 

[blert]

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

Tsssk, tsssk.....

I'm really not giving up anything other than around a years wages. I know my employer would welcome me back in a heartbeat and for what I am making now. I'll still have my house (which is almost paid off), and still have a bit of money in the bank when it is over. I'm not married, their are no kids to worry about and the relationship I am in right now is definitely casual.

I'll end up selling off two of my vehicles (pure profit as I paid cash- and who needs 3 of them?) and the money I get from them will pay most of the bills for the first six month period.

And for those of you who think I must have GOBS of $$$$ in the bank in order to pull this off....I really don't, as a lot of what I have been making in the last year has gone to paying off everything that I own.

Now honestly, If you could make it happen- even if it meant you couldn't "have the latest video card" or "buy the latest Iwidget" or have to cook at home instead of going out for dinner every night; etc., etc.,- wouldn't you at least TRY???

That is what I don't want to happen- listen to the scoffers and the naysayers and not do anything. I have to at least try.... and if it doesn't work out....I'll be running right along side of you in everyone's favorite race....but if it does work out.....can you even imagine the possibilities? The experiences?..........can you?

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

You can take time off and still end up fine. I took couple years off and ate through some of my savings. But it also restored my drive, and I made up the lost savings pretty quick.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: blert

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

Tsssk, tsssk.....

I'm really not giving up anything other than around a years wages. I know my employer would welcome me back in a heartbeat and for what I am making now. I'll still have my house (which is almost paid off), and still have a bit of money in the bank when it is over. I'm not married, their are no kids to worry about and the relationship I am in right now is definitely casual.

I'll end up selling off two of my vehicles (pure profit as I paid cash- and who needs 3 of them?) and the money I get from them will pay most of the bills for the first six month period.

And for those of you who think I must have GOBS of $$$$ in the bank in order to pull this off....I really don't, as a lot of what I have been making in the last year has gone to paying off everything that I own.

Now honestly, If you could make it happen- even if it meant you couldn't "upgrade you computer" or "buy the latest Iwidget" or have to cook at home instead of going out for dinner every night; etc., etc.,- wouldn't you at least TRY???

That is what I don't want to happen- listen to the scoffers and the haters and not do anything. I have to at least try.... and if it doesn't work out....I'll be running right along side of you in everyone's favorite race....

IF you have the money and your employer is probably going to take you back..go man..****** go lol.

If you ever want to have kids or a family...you wont be able to do this again.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: JS80
In other words you're sacrificing your retirement by about 10 years for 1 year of selfish joy?

Not really. Most people any more retire when they are unable to work anymore. It is not like it used to be where you could retire and expect to live another 10+ years of bliss. Now you retire when your health starts failing and you live another 10 years on a dozen plus medications each morning and bi-monthly visits to the emergency room.