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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

blowing my savings on a trip around the world

77 replies

Winteriscominginnit · 14/12/2016 23:22

I'm in my mid thirties and I've spent most of my adult life studying as well as holding down a full-time job. In about a year I will finally finish and my DH and I have been thinking about going away for a few (4-5) months before I look for a new job. I am almost convinced I won't have too many problems finding a job whilst back and my DH will be able to take a career break. It would blow our savings (total 20k). Part of me is thinking that I would never regret going around the world but another part is slightly nervous about having to start saving all over again. No DC, no credit card debts and we would rent our house out for the time we are away. I know that we could compromise and do a shorter/cheaper trip but all I've ever wanted is just to forget about everything and go traveling for a bit. It has kept me going all those years of studying. Is it just cold feet..?

OP posts:

Silvergran68 · 15/12/2016 14:49

From what you're saying I'd skip the European section at the moment. It'll be easily accessible for shorter trips when you get back.
Only one word of warning. Have you experienced travelling for any length of time? Over the years we've discovered my husband's enjoyment limit is six weeks. After that he's ready to come home. So we do our travelling in 4 to 6 week blocks.
Good Luck and enjoy the experience.

miggles33 · 15/12/2016 15:00

Do it. Though I went travelling around south America for 3k including flights for four months. This was a few years ago but still shouldn't cost you anywhere near 20k.

hellsbellsmelons · 15/12/2016 15:01

I wish I'd done it when I could have.
Probably my biggest regret in life.
And so so jealous - Bora Bora is my ideal dream destination!
Your plan sounds great.
Go for it.
Enjoy it!!!

P1nkP0ppy · 15/12/2016 15:04

I'd love to do something like that! Go for it!

TheMidnightHour · 15/12/2016 16:02

We did it. It was brilliant and I'll never regret going.

I would recommend budgeting for a few months of normal living expenses for when you get back as it gives you breathing room to choose a job rather than take the first one and gives you a cushion if something goes tits up along the way.

We spent about £2,500 per month on our 6 month trip (including flights all the way around the world for 2) because we wanted to visit expensive places as that's where our family and friends live (USA, Japan, Australia, NZ...) as well as cheap places (Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia...) and do expensive things (diving, skiing...) as well as cheap things (walking, making our own food...) We also didn't want to stay in bunk beds in hostels and actually found that in many places a double room in a cheap hotel is similar to the cost of 2 bunks.

Only you can decide what kind of trip would make it worthwhile and set the budget. I would also skip the European part, and spend more time at the farthest edge of your trip but again that's up to you! From my experience in planning long trips, here are some random tips.

Start with no more than one destination per week (as you'll be tempted to add places when you see how 'close' they are).
Check out flights.google.com and get creative with breaking up your trip into shorter lumps (we came back from Bangkok to Oslo for under £300pp then did a short RyanAir job to the UK for £40pp much cheaper than any other route we found!) and weird routes - we zig-zagged all round Asia/Australasia as the flights were cheap
Look at Airbnb and similar for expensive destinations like NYC - just had a couple weeks there at a really nice place.
Consider trains instead of planes. In the US and South East Asia they're really cheap but give you great views and plenty of space. An overnighter saves you a room, too. Long distance coaches are cheaper but can be uncomfortable in the extreme ime!
If you can, go hand luggage only - you'll save hundreds on baggage check fees, never mind taxis and bag storage and all that.

Have an amazing time! Wish I was going too :)

Jaynebxl · 15/12/2016 16:09

I would definitely do it. I travelled lots and lived in a couple of other countries in my younger days. The only thing that could possibly be an issue is whether you want to have children. If so that would mean you'd not get far in your chosen career once you're back but if you don't then it's not an issue. And actually evenue if you do I guess a few months won't make much difference, even in your mid 30s.

Ursaminor · 15/12/2016 16:13

I did this on my own in my mid thirties and never regretted it. You come back with a different perspective on life / career / ambitions. All good advice given above. The one thing I would add is:
check the weather for the time of year you plan to be in each country - you don't want to be following winter / monsoons all the way round!

specialsubject · 15/12/2016 16:16

do it, no question.

but..

that itinerary is WAY too much for the time. Go for longer.
especially as you cannot rent out a house for less than six months, and the hassle and cost involved in setting it up isn't worth it for that time anyway. Also have a plan b because your tenants may not leave when you ask them to do so.

if you do go for longer, build in some 'stop' time or your head gets overloaded with wonders.

re travel insurance; you need the specialist long-stay policies, not an annual policy. If you are over 35 you are too old for a backpacker policy (!) so get a single trip one. Some policies can be extended while you are away but not all.

reindeerbitesback · 15/12/2016 16:18

Take a look at AirBnb for Europe or the US (you can do it all over the world, but I haven't so would be wary for some reason!), you can either rent a room in someone's house or flat, or rent the whole flat/house for anything from a night to a month. Bloody fantastic. I've only had great experiences of it.

Don't rule out hostels too, you can get (very nice) double rooms in some of them for much cheaper than hotels. Sometimes you have to share a bathroom, but other times you don't. I stayed in a gorgeous hostel in Budapest early last year and had a double private room with ensuite! We had use of a kitchen and living space too should we have wanted it. We paid less than £60 for 4 nights for both of us.

OP, definitely keep us all updated. Your plans sound amazing. I'd love to do it, but as of June this year my OH and I will have 9 dependents (DC, DSC and my niece) so it's not very likely for a good few years!

Atenco · 15/12/2016 16:33

Only one word of warning. Have you experienced travelling for any length of time? Over the years we've discovered my husband's enjoyment limit is six weeks

Sounds like me

Chipsandonionrings · 15/12/2016 16:35

Def do it.... I did it mid 20s after uni and it's the perfect time really. Rented out my house, did the first bit on my own and second half ex bf joined me. I spent £6 grand in 4 months and had a blast.

Spent our honeymoon in central America. Dh biggest regret is he didn't do more travelling when he could. So we bought a campervan and will travel the UK with the dc - not quite the same but hoo hum. Can't wait!!

Keep us updated so we can all live through your experiences.

P a I landed my dream job 3 months after getting back from my first stint. I was really worried but it was fine.

Chipsandonionrings · 15/12/2016 16:46

Just seen your itinerary def trying to cram too much in sorry! We bought a round the world ticket it was about £1300 15 yrs ago! And went to Thailand - travelled overland in 8 weeks to go Indonesia. Them flew the oz and did classic tourist thing of up to cairns - learnt to dive, went to theme parks, and bummed about.

Half the joy was having no set itinerary and going where you wanted when you fancied it. We had a greyhound? Bus pass and just booked a day or so before we fancied moving on. We stayed in youth hostels but always paid extra for a private room.

In honeymoon we did a tour with intrepid travel - they do some great ones and it's nice to travel with a group for part of it and have some stuff organised. They also helped us travel and see some of the best bits of a country in a short time. Might be worth checking out.

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 15/12/2016 16:50

We did 12 countries in 6 months

Some we were much happier leaving than others

Original poster

Winteriscominginnit · 15/12/2016 17:34

Thank you very much for all the tips! Please do keep them coming, and I'll make sure to keep you all posted

OP posts:

Aridane · 15/12/2016 17:37

Do it - you will only regret NOT doing it!

BarbarianMum · 15/12/2016 17:45

No dc but do you want dc? If the answer is yes I'd suggest keeping something back - unless you are both fabulously well paid and could replace the money in a year or two. But fundementally, yes - go for it!

MatildaTheCat · 15/12/2016 17:51

Absolutely do it but keep cash back for three months not one.

And have an emergency fund for unexpected costs. Have fun.

Isyss · 15/12/2016 17:53

dont do it

MeetMeAtMidnight · 15/12/2016 17:57

Do it. That's it.

Oh and yy to the travelogue posted here.

DailyFailstinks · 15/12/2016 19:47

Do it!

tushywush · 15/12/2016 19:55

Do it but go for longer...

IJustWantABrew · 15/12/2016 20:08

Do it! And if you want someone to carry your luggage let me know :)

You could always use 15k and keep the remainder back incase it takes a little longer to get a job. You said you already have a house so renting will cover your mortgage if you still have one.

If you don't do it know there's a chance you never will. Your in the position you can, dh can have a career break and you will be nice and refreshed when you get back to begin your career. You don't have kids which makes everything easier.

Just make sure you plan carefully and cram in as much as possible.

MrsMattBomer · 15/12/2016 20:16

Do it.

Me and DP spent a similar figure. We both never got the opportunity to travel when we were younger and when the opportunity arose at 30 (I was leaving my old school and waiting to start at a new one) we traveled for about 5 months and spent about 15K doing so. I don't regret it at all - we didn't empty our savings but it's something we'd never do now that we have kids. We adopted our boys the year after so it turned out to be brilliant timing.

MotherFuckingChainsaw · 15/12/2016 20:23

Do it.

But go for longer

My 6month trip ended up being 2 1/2 yrs...

septembersunshine · 15/12/2016 20:26

I would do it. There is nothing so valuable has a life experience. I went to Australia for 3 months with my now dh. We were 20 and in love. We lived with a tent. We were free. At 37 I still think about that trip at least once a week. I think how lucky we we were to go before 4 kids and jobs and money worries. Do it, might be your one and only chance. You can always make more money!! Ps..it doesn't have to be around the world. You could just do a few countries for 6 months...saving 10 grand or so

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