The other day I was asked by a friend how we could even consider selling most of our stuff and our home for a big one year adventure. She continued by admitting that, although she loves travel and was incredibly envious of our big trip, she could never do it. She simply loved her home and her stuff too much to let it go.
In some ways, I can understand this. I too struggle with the pairing down of belongings and the selling of the house, but I also just can’t stop thinking about how incredible this next year is going to be and looking forward to the journey and growth in all of us. I firmly believe that the experience is going to be priceless way beyond the value of our “stuff.”
Yet, my friend’s honesty left me speechless. I have had too many people tell me “I could never afford that,” “I don’t have the time,” “We have too much stuff to get rid of it all,” “I could never leave my job,” “Won’t you miss the house?” But this particular friend understood what was happening. And, to me, it was almost a relief in some ways to have someone admit that is was a choice and in her case, she does and would choose differently.
So, how are we making this happen?
Did we win the lottery? No.
Did we receive some inheritance windfall? No.
Are we making big incomes? No.
Are we going to work from the road? Heck no.
Then how can we do it? Years ago, we made a determined choice and have lead a life toward this goal. Living in a suburb of Portland which has a reputation as being wealthy, we have had to work hard to live firmly below our means. Self-employed for a long time, we are no strangers to working long hours, evenings, and weekends. We have paid off all debt, saved money and, most years, have been fortunate enough to throw a little toward retirement.
The other day, I met someone who was in complete disbelief that I do not have a smart phone. Serious disbelief! I honestly think he thought I was lying to him. (My boys tease that even their grandparents have smart phones?!)
Right after that conversation though, I started making a list of all the things the family and I don’t spent money on. Before you read, please don’t misunderstand as judgment. Without a doubt, I can see the attraction of every item (well, except maybe the credit card interest) or even the need (student loans can go either way.) It is just that these items haven’t been a part of our budget over the past several years.
Here is my list:
Iphone or any other smart phone (and the corresponding monthly contracts)
Ipad or Itouch
Xbox or Playstation
Big screen TV, Cable TV, Blueray, Tivo (I don’t even know what this is, but it sounded like something I should include)
Expensive clothing
Expensive gym membership (one pair of running shoes will last me 6 months)
Expensive shoes or boots (unless you count my running shoes. J )
Housecleaner
Hair color appointments
Manicures and/or Pedicures
Expensive organic produce or prepared food
New cars (mine is 10 years old)
Collectibles
Student loans
Credit card interest payments or ANY loan interest
Movies out
New furniture
Home improvement projects
There are a lot of things here and if you add up the amount people could spend on them each month, it feels almost like a trip around the world, no? J
That said, despite the above list of items we have cut, we still were not able to save as much money as we would have liked, so selling the house was the next step. Money from our home equity is allowing us to head out without worries, giving us enough to travel and still have enough left to start re-entry at the end. To further stretch the budget, we plan to travel as frugally as possible, and we have chosen inexpensive countries for a good long part of the trip.
Did I mind having giving up all the above for the adventure? No. (OK, sometimes I did, but only until I considered the return.) Over the past few years, we all (yes, even the kids) have gotten in the habit of thinking of money spent or saved in terms of how far it would take us.
New brand named shoes? Three nights in Vietnam.
One nice dinner out? A dozen meals in Cambodia.
A smart phone? Family elephant rides in Thailand.
We all face choices every day that could take us in many different directions. At the end of the day, I guess I have chosen the elephants over the iphone.
What about you?
I love my smartphone, and I won’t be giving that one up easily. But I absolutely agree with you – for most people leading comfortable middle-class lives in the rich world, this sort of thing is within their means, if only they wanted it enough to make the sacrifices. And I know people who are very happy not to make the sacrifices! But I think it would do us all to be a bit more conscious of our choices sometimes.
I am going to start using that “this could buy…” trick when I open my wallet, as I seem to be getting a little spendthrifty lately…
Only moments after posting, my older kiddo was give some money to spend on the trip. The first words out of his mouth were, this could buy us 10 desserts of coconut rice with mango in Thailand. Haha. That’s my kid! 🙂
Teach ’em young! 🙂
We have had similar disbelief that we don’t have smart phones. And we have an iPad, but it was inherited from my sister, so that’s the only reason. No car. No gym membership. It’s just about priorities. It is nice when people recognize that you just do without a lot of stuff that some people don’t think is a luxury. Like when some of my girlfriends complain about how long it’s been since they’ve had a pedicure and how badly they need one. I ask how long it’s been and they say a month. Mine was the last time my mom treated me to one, so probably about 6 months? Anyway, you’re right, it’s not about judging each other’s lifestyles–I definitely would LIKE a pedicure every month–but right now it’s not as important as saving for our trip.
I wonder how you deal with the questions about taking your kids. One of the most frequent comments we get is “good to do it before you have kids.” Because it seems impossible to basically everyone I meet. I usually respond by saying “you’d be surprised how many families do it and really love it.” 🙂
Carmel – Send all those people to our blog! 🙂
But seriously, there ARE so many families out there who have all been great inspirations for us. Plus, travel is soooo good for everyone – all of us could stand to have our horizons broadened and to see how the rest of the world lives. I expect the “bug” will be good and planted for my kids by the end of all this.
I will! I have a friend whose brother wants to travel with their 3 kids once the oldest hits 6th grade. I have been sending her family travel blogs to share.
Carmel, for my 2c, I think any time you add to the group it complicates the journey – just more people to please at the one time. And for sure, young kids can be a lot less reasonable and appreciative of others’ perspectives than adults (although some adults…) . So there are tricks and you do have to adjust your way of travelling, but it’s still a great (if different) experience, and certainly not impossible! (You can send your friend’s bro my blog, too 😉 )
I’ve definitely faced some hard choices while saving for our rtw trip. For me, living cheap isn’t too hard to do since my boyfriend and I are already expats. When we leave next spring literally everything has to go, so when I want to buy some new gadget or item of clothing I just remind myself I’ll have to give it up in nine months anyway! What has been hard is giving up short trips away though. I’ve not left the city in well over a year and going a little stir crazy! But, it’s true, when you consider the return, all the sacrifices are totally worth it!
Charlie – Good luck on your journey (both before and after the travel.) We will be following along!
This is the adventure of a lifetime, and we are behind you 100% in spirit, and also in reality in at least two fun countries this next year!
Thanks! That means a lot. Can’t wait to see you for Christmas under a palm tree!
Just finished reading your online ..and your nice note to us.
Didn’t realize you were selling the house but you’ve done that before…
time to move on !
We each make our choices in this fragile thing called life…which we are
fortunate to be a part of…particularly if we can stay healthy.
So know what I see you doing is probably part of what I like in you
Kathrin….an adventurer…a good, kind, caring person.
Go for it with Nathan & the boys…and stay in touch !
P.S. We don’t have an Iphone, Ipad,etc….choices !
And we share one car…which I love because we go so many places together
and talk….how lucky am I ? LIke you K…very lucky !
Kathrin,
Love to hear your thoughts on this next adventure. Well, since most are commenting on the belongings and tech they do or do not posses by choice, I can say, yes I have a smart phone and iPad……..and used well have broadened my view of world. I think the choices you make for your family are thought provoking and I can’t wait to read all about your adventure……my best to you and yours.
LIsa