Escaping the 9 to 5 routine. We have all woken up with that feeling when you would rather be anywhere else in the world than starting out on the grind of a Monday morning for that commute to work. Once there you’re stuck behind a screen with the normal array of emails and spreadsheets to look forward to once your day begins.
You’re tied into the merry-go-round of sleep, eat, work, repeat until Friday comes around for that all elusive weekend feeling. Then you get out and about in a spend fest to enjoy this time and treat yourself to whatever luxuries you require. And 60 hours later you’re back at square one repeating this monotonous schedule until you have booked some well-deserved time off as a reward for this punishment. You hunt and search to find a cheap excursion in the sun, maybe for a week or two and flee to pastures new for adventure and idyllic bliss. After all, you deserve it, right?
Escaping the 9 to 5 – Office life
You return from your trip and hit the web in another search for a new destination as you recover from the holiday blues and dream of the next escape. I’ve seen it and have probably done it myself over the years. You then return to the chore and you repeat this ritual over and over again throughout your working days until you retire. Well that sounds fun and fulfilling, right!
Long term plans for retirement
Only then are the days your own and you can make all your life dreams come true if you have a retirement plan. Endless time for travel to exotic locations and experiencing different cultures across the globe. With long and endless days sipping a cool one on that beach listening to the waves crashing in the surf as the sun sets on another long day.
Well let’s hope nothing gets in the way of this dream that most of us live and save for over a lifetime!
Old age has a funny way of causing havoc on well-made retirement plans. Unscheduled eventualities usually do.
But Hey! That’s the plan!
Escaping the 9 to 5 routine – South Goa
But it doesn’t have to be like this. There are no chains keeping you from exploring the globe today apart from the mortgage payments, house rent, car finance, and fuel. The clothes needed for work, groceries and utility bills that require payment. Add on all the other essential items that you surround yourself with and you’re looking at most of your whole payday check. And you put yourself through this routine like a slave to each and every week, all for the luxuries that you surround yourself with. This is a way of keeping yourself happy in your abode with this tedious habitude, that in reality is sucking your life away.
Just think for a moment the feeling of how waking up every day was like the beginning of a bank holiday weekend!
That sounds more like it. That’s for me.
Well this isn’t a dream, and it may not be for everyone. But if living just outside of your comfort zone is something to bring this experience closer, it’s possible. With just a little thought and inventiveness along the way that’s all thats’s required to make it happen.
If you don’t have a dream then how will you ever have a dream come true!
Plans for pursuing the dream
First set some small goals and easy wins to begin the process. Firstly it may be down to cash or lack of it. If you haven’t any savings then you need to rethink where these travel funds may come from. There are probably a 100 things that are tucked away in your home that you could sell to start this fund. Anything that you haven’t used in 3 months is redundant and can be sold. You will also need to cut back on spending and buying anything else that you won’t need for this adventure.
If you want to pursue this dream then life’s luxuries are out of the question and put to one side. Even better, sold to boost this fund. Be it the latest phone or gadget, to changing your phone tariff, your new buzz word is save! Followed a close second by Sell!
Save! Save! Save!
Small sacrifices will make all the difference for this to happen. Making your own lunch for work instead of spending your hard earned cash can also be put aside. Going out and partying with friends are an end of week habit to get out of also. It will eat up the funds that you require for a more heart felt and meaningful experience.
Sell your car if you don’t have a long commute and catch the bus or train, or even better walk where possible. The list is endless and well documented on the web, but you will watch your travel fund grow. You will start at looking at other idea’s of how to put your money away for this experience to look realistic. Maybe even take on a part-time job to get to your goals quicker.
Escaping the 9 to 5 routine – Thailand
Destinations
Destination in South East Asia are popular and there’s a reason for this. Your money is going to stretch a long way. If you haven’t read our post about costs in South Goa India where we will be based, then it’s a great place to start. This location would cost in the region of £400 a month to stay. Other area’s of India are even cheaper and can cost less than £1500 for 6 months. These figures are realistic and if you’re clever with your funds can be less.
Thailand is another destination that ticks many boxes with island life top of the agenda. Amazing sights and food are around every corner and it’s a popular starting point for backpackers worldwide. It’s capital Bangkok has many sites to visit and it’s most visited region is the Khao San Road. It’s like a right of passage that all backpackers and travellers have to visit at least once. And it’s also a great place for onward travel links all over Thailand at cheap prices.
Escaping the 9 to 5 routine – Railay beach Southern Thailand
Asia & South-East Asia
Cambodia is another cheap destination and neighbouring Laos borders Northern Thailand. This makes for a natural route and can lead you on to other places such as Vietnam and the Philippines. These all come in as budget destinations where your money will go a long way. Many of these destinations are visa on arrival and also free for many country’s.
Check out what each countries entry requirements for visa’s are before you book your flights. India has some great Visa options for you to explore, and you can find details for the India Visa HERE.
Some of the countries mentioned can be explored for less than £30 per day or less in most. Accommodation and eating out are your main concerns but these are not expensive. Look at some of our destination guides and you will find out places we have scouted where costs are below this figure.
Escaping the 9 to 5 routine – Krabi Town Thailand
Working on the road
From Hostels to TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) there are gigs to maximise the length of your journey. Some never return and opportunity is at every turn on your travels. You’ll never know until you begin. Meeting other like minded travellers along the way may point you in different directions and locations where options arise. If you can top-up your travels funds en route then the limitations are endless.
There’s plenty of opportunity and a growing list, and there are other alternatives such as Work – away , which is another method to extend your travels. Likewise is house-sitting, where you’re interviewed to look after someones property and is available all over the Globe. Definitely worth checking out trusted house sitters website for more info. These options require a sign-up, but could be just what you’re looking for.
We are in the fortunate position where we will be self funded on our travels by means of renting out our properties. You can read more of our plans on our Gallivants Journal as we add the finishing touches for our imminent departure. There are hints and tips along the way that may help in your personal plans. Here’s our latest post as we make final preparations.
Escaping the 9 to 5 routine – Koh Samui
Travel Gear
We have been collecting certain items for 3 years leading up to us heading off on our adventures. Birthday and Christmas presents have been replaced with certain items that are essential for travelling full time. Take a look at Travel essentials for your trip for items we have used and personally recommend. You may have some already, or you could pick some up along your journey’s path. Try to think of other items that would be worthwhile taking as some may be impossible to purchase once you are travelling.
We have just picked up our last purchases of 2 additional backpacks for our further excursions once settled in South Goa. Check out this post on our new gear. We will be storing the majority of our gear in India, so these are for the 6 month side excursions we will be having once monsoon season hits around May-June. We plan on hitting Nepal and Northern India in our first year of travels, then onto further afield destinations over the coming years.
Travel insurance
With long-term travel, it’s always a good idea to ensure all eventualities are covered. We use World Nomads travel insurance in case of any mishaps and emergencies. Get a quote in the below link from World Nomads .
Happy travels on your Global Gallivants
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