Updated// Single 26yr Old Male Seeks Life/Travel Advice and Regrets before Travelling The Globe

J6 on 28/06/2016 - 15:54
Last edited 29/06/2016 - 19:59

Im a single 26yr old male with 50k. I wish to travel the world for an undetermined amount of time. Please give me advice.

I currently work fulltime as a high school teacher and live with my parents. My life has become extremely comfortable and routine.

At the end of this year, ive decided I will leave aus with an open ticket, probably in the direction of south east asia as a starting point and then onto India.

My goal is to become bilingual (unsure on language) and start making some travel related videos.

My parents dont want me to do this. They want to me keep saving money so I can put a deposit on a house in my capital city. There argument is that ill be able to live comfortable when im 40 and then I can travel and do what i want. This isnt happening. My parents have never been overseas before so their views are different from mine.

If you have any advice, can you pass it on to me? it doesnt have to be travel related but would love some from some of the older wiser people on here who have been in my position or wanted to be in my position before. Do you have any regrets or something that you think i should do?

Ideally id love to travel for a while then land a job somewhere. Then just live off my earnings. My goal isnt to spend 50k in a year.

TL:DR
Single Young Male Seeks life/travel Advice before Travelling The Globe
*Has 50k
*No kids
*Will take a good camera and pack very lightly
Please give me life advice.

Update: I have been overseas numerous times and backpacked around Asia/Europe/north America already on shorter trips (a few months at most).

Many older people on here are saying "yes do it, plenty of time to buy a house and settle down later. While many people who are closer to my ages are saying "go for a few months but invest/save your money for your financial future". I can see both sides as its statistically harder to buy a house now in many capital cities than it was 20 years ago.

The dilemma that is constantly playing over and over in my head is that if i go overseas and come back after X amount of months/years with $XXk gone, i wont be able to live my parents and save that amount of money again so affording a house will be difficult. As for those who say to invest, Id love to invest some money in a property but i wouldnt be able to cover the repayments even with someone renting.

I will be going overseas for an extended period of time. I think about it everyday. I just want to do it wisely.

Travel

Comments

    • J6 on 28/06/2016 - 21:31

      thanks!

    • Thenarrator on 28/06/2016 - 23:40
      +3

      "I do wish however that i had made some start or commitment to getting an investment property of some sort so that while i was traveling i had a property being slowly paid off by the tenant, something that i can come back to."

      you know thats never gona happen with the amount of travelling youre doing mate.

      • davohatcher on 29/06/2016 - 01:33
        -1

        Haha yes I'm aware of that now. That's why I said I wish I had. Hopefully my parents will go as guarantor now once I'm ready to make my first purchase.

        • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 19:51

          so you wish you had purchase a property instead of travelling?

        • twoface41face on 29/06/2016 - 20:24
          +2

          @Ronniefromdashore: mate, each to their own. I think what the general consensus is that the you need to find your own median. If you travel too much, you will regret certain aspects of your life and if you care too much about a house, you'll come to the same result. Travel as much as you can but within your means.

          So combine travel with work! All the best.

        • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 20:29

          @chaibones: thanks for the advice. its just that buying a house has a major importance placed on it from the older generation but the scary part is, its unobtainable in the foreseeable future for many australians in their 20s.

          I will be combining both but i am just curious to hear others stories too. thanks again.

        • davohatcher on 29/06/2016 - 21:13

          @Ronniefromdashore: I don't regret my traveling i just wish before i started my traveling i had purchased a rental/investment property so that while i was traveling i had someone else paying off my house eg the rent equaling the mortgage repayments)

          I say the above in respect to the cost of housing in Sydney five + years ago, now it seems impossible for me. I also agree with the "major importance placed on it from the older generation" my parents have five investment properties at the moment around Sydney and this only increases the pressure from them that i should be following what they do instead of traveling.

        • twoface41face on 30/06/2016 - 11:05

          @Ronniefromdashore: it's awesome that you consider your future as well! Good on you mate. I love it

        • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:02

          @chaibones: thanks heaps!

  • xoom on 28/06/2016 - 19:35
    +1

    Go spend 25k and travel away. Leave the other 25k as your savings. Plenty places you can go and travel to with 25k.

    • J6 on 28/06/2016 - 21:40

      yeah my plan isnt to use all of my savings.

  • robbyjones on 28/06/2016 - 19:59
    +14

    Do it. I have never met anyone that regretted travelling. I was 23 when I went to Europe on my own, starting with a Contiki tour, I met my husband on that tour (he was 26 and also travelling solo). We have been married for 29 years, we have a house, good jobs and 4 wonderful children (well,adults now) so there is time for all your parents wishes for you.

    • J6 on 28/06/2016 - 21:41

      thanks for that. thats really helpful and assuring advice. appreciate it.

    • montorola on 29/06/2016 - 15:49
      +2

      I was 23 when I went to Europe on my own, starting with a Contiki tour, I met my husband on that tour (he was 26 and also travelling solo). We have been married for 29 years

      See, that's the kind of story I like to hear.

      Instead of the usual "I met my other half in in my home city or through a friend of a friend" - you guys met each other on an international trip!

  • Mad Max on 28/06/2016 - 20:28
    +6

    When older and looking back at their life most people regret the things they have not done rather than those they have done.

    • J6 on 28/06/2016 - 21:45

      very true. thank you.

  • krunchymoses on 28/06/2016 - 20:56
    +4

    Do your parents have money? Is it likely you will end up with an inheritance?

    If so, do it. Money you spend now will come back later several times over.

    If not, then be careful. Your safety net for a stable home and retirement may be harder than you would like.

    My parents are broke, both renting and I pick up the tab most of the time we have dinner. But if I had saved all that money when I traveled as a youngster and wasn't paying rent at home I would be laughing. I had no idea what it meant to have parental assistance in the form of leverage and their role in helping to buy a house.

    Just my experience.

    Also, my travels were amazing and although I would swap them for an inner city apartment right now, I would do it with gritted teeth and an irreplaceable sadness.

    • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 19:53
      +1

      no my parents dont have a lot. Luckily they purchase a house about 15 years ago before everything went up in price. They are still paying a mortgage now after many change and renovations to the house. I dont expect any money from them.

      • krunchymoses on 30/06/2016 - 16:13

        This is worth keeping in mind. If that is their spot then you should be a little more careful. I have mates that know they are getting a six or seven figure sum when their parents croak cause they have four investment properties and they really just don't give a shit about their financial position knowing that. Good to be cautious.

  • rgr on 28/06/2016 - 21:16
    +16

    just wanted to chime in as someone who started professional work at 21 in a white collar industry, quit at 24 for a year off…currently 25 and back in it making much more money beforehand.

    after 3 years of working and saving, i walked out of my professional job cause i got tired of people controlling when i could go on leave…fast forward a couple months and i took an entire year off to do the things i wanted to do including nothing to travelling, to trying create an online business…after i had an amazing time travelling i came back to aus to find work again after 8 months or so, but i realised the job market was tough as shit and i begun to panic due to no money coming in and my bank account slowly dwindling. it took me another 6 months to find work but i almost lost hope and had some really dark thoughts.

    you gotta be mentally prepared for the outcome when your travel fantasy ends, and how you'll manage the return to working life. it's not easy as some bloggers make you think it is, most likely you'll have to endure multiple efforts of application and interviews before you can get back into the grind. however, i'd do it all over again because the net outcome was i made a lot of happy memories and got to do and see things i'd never thought i could as a kid, like visit the homeland of where my family came from, see the cruelty of humanity and make new friends along the way.

    • Thenarrator on 28/06/2016 - 23:43
      +6

      "i almost lost hope and had some really dark thoughts."

      This… be prepared for this.

      • rgr on 29/06/2016 - 13:49
        +2

        yep, at one point i begun to regret it real bad.

        • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 19:56

          teaching career is luckily not as corporate as your job sounds. Im lucky that I could probably find a job within a few weeks or immediately if wanting to relocate somewhere rural/remote. Teacher pay scale works on number of years exp. so i could come back in 10 years and i would still be paid as a 4th year teacher.

        • Thenarrator on 29/06/2016 - 20:48

          @Ronniefromdashore: Mate, what makes you so sure?

        • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 20:51
          -2

          @Thenarrator: of?

        • rgr on 29/06/2016 - 21:38

          @Ronniefromdashore: so then you have nothing to worry about right? you basically have a safety net to come back to after spending whatever amount you spend after 'x' amount of months away. don't delay this anymore than it needs to be, the heaviness of thought and contemplation isn't worth it.

        • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 21:44

          @rogr: thanks for the advice

    • mrjames on 29/06/2016 - 21:03

      Totally agree, have a battle plan ready for when you get home. I came back from a 8 month trip upon finishing uni, I had no job lined up and It was challenging to get back into the momentum.

      In saying that my time away was worth every dollar. I have experiences and memories which trump any full time job.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/06/2016 - 22:10

      What industry are you in mate? Were employers that brutal on your break? Would have thought the online business would have helped plug the resume gap

      • rgr on 30/06/2016 - 06:50

        Consulting; and no the online business went no where because I had no idea what I was doing and I gave up two weeks into it. I was just throwing money away. They weren't brutal on it, it was more about the lack of jobs and countless rejections.

  • PVA on 28/06/2016 - 21:28
    +3

    fantastic idea you have. Wish I had the guts to do it when I was twenty.
    just do it. now. no regrets.
    and come back here whenever and tell everyone what a fantastic time you had.

    • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 19:56

      thanks PVA, how old are you? why didnt you go overseas?

      • PVA on 29/06/2016 - 22:02

        Prob mainly because I wasn't game enough.
        Its easy to just cruise along and not be adventurous.
        I am older now with family, time has beaten me to be able to take off for a year. (I have been OS a few times, just not like you are wanting a big year break)

        I keep telling my son in year 12 to think about doing it, save and travel, save and travel - work while travel. have a great time. Experience everything. Geez we live to 80 so travelling for a year is nothing that will affect job prospects and more than likely open up opportunities, friends, social skills etc etc.

        My sister did it many many years ago when she was about 25 . Travelled through Europe for a year and half, never regretted it and the trip sounded fantastic - it isn't a holiday, you are living like a local. big difference to the experience.

        They way you are talking really seems tlike if you dont do it you will be thinking why didn't I for the rest of your life.

        You are young, go for it mate.

        • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 22:15

          thanks for the kind words.

        • PVA on 29/06/2016 - 22:20

          @Ronniefromdashore:

          hope you can understand what I am getting at.
          I am around your parents age and I see there point but maybe I think a different way.

          Millikano comment below kinda sums it up too.

        • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 11:24
          +1

          @PVA: yes i do! i just wish my parents were as supportive as you are.

        • PVA on 02/07/2016 - 11:56

          @Ronniefromdashore:
          Do it, they will come around to the idea. Parents love you no matter what, it's just sometimes we struggle to understand you young folk 😀
          I can understand how they feel, maybe they are big chickens like me and somethings like this is just too unknown for them.

          No idea about your filming but the series b430 was good for travel. It was a cheaply made travel show living like locals at places to visit before you are 30.

  • Thefiddler on 28/06/2016 - 21:41
    +1

    I'd say, buy a house somewhere not too pricey and let a tenant pay off the majority of the repayments, then save like mad for a couple of years then do your backpacking thing. Thats what i did and still managed to travel AND have no mortgage before turning 40.

    • J6 on 29/06/2016 - 19:57

      thanks for your advice. im currently looking for investments.

      • Kangal on 02/07/2016 - 02:02

        His advice doesn't apply anymore.
        If you're buying a house in one of the major cities, due to the real estate bubble and continuous inflation it is much harder these days.
        Though not impossible, you just have to be very smart or very lucky.

  • Millikano on 28/06/2016 - 22:10
    +10

    Hi Ronnie,

    You sound like a pretty down to Earth guy with a good outlook on life and some thoughtful parents, so I think things are probably looking good for you in general. The fact that you've managed to save 50k by 26 is great, and you're obviously pretty careful with money compared to a lot of people our age.

    My sister moved to London (at age 23) and is about to finish up 2 years living over there. She has travelled all over Europe, made heaps of friends, lived down to her last dollar and beyond, bounced back and gained a huge amount of work experience in her field that she could never have hoped to find in Australia, and doesn't realise it yet but she's probably put herself way ahead of most people her age because she now has so much life experience. To put it into your parents perspective, your life experience away from Australia will differentiate you from others when you look for your next employer, help you relate even better to people of all backgrounds, give you interesting stories that will help you to build future relationships, and you'll possibly end up earning more money and have more fun doing it. You're also an Australian Teacher, which means if you want to work overseas you'll have some open doors.

    The second you move out of home it becomes very difficult to save, but if you're 'comfortable' now you probably aren't moving forward in life. With house prices looking flat (or dropping slightly) and an uncertain global economic climate, I don't know if you're going to benefit that much diving into the property market right now compared to a year down the track (but I'm not a fortune teller and/or finance guru).

    If I was in your position, I would absolutely go. The cool thing about travelling without a return ticket is if you lose your passion for the adventure, you can just jump on a plane and be home in one day. It's a small world.

    Good luck deciding, and all the best whichever way you go.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 11:25
      +1

      thanks for the advice! youve summed it up quite well.

  • peterw1 on 28/06/2016 - 22:22
    +5

    Don't do drugs like that poor tassie bloke who is returning in a coffin leaving a devastated family. just make sure you get travel insurance and vaccinations. Know where your maccas are for a clean dunny and free wifi. Leave the rest to fate.

    • Diji1 on 29/06/2016 - 01:52
      -2

      Yea, stick to alcohol, far higher chances of death or injury from that.

      Good call!

  • JoyVee on 28/06/2016 - 22:34

    Another idea. Why not take leave of absence from your current job for a year? You can come back to it should the need arise or if the travel bug is severe cancel your leave and resign. Make sure you keep your teacher registration up as it can be time consuming to renew.
    Sounds like you need to do some more research on possible money earners while away long term. Note that someposters above have had ability to supplement their adventures. Why don't you do a post grad "Teaching English as second language" course before you go? Uni's do have short 6 month courses and would be another string to your professional bow. Enjoy travelling but remember that economists are predicting a recession in UK . Job market may be shrinking. Ring your professional association and ask them for their prediction about number of teaching jobs available over next two years.

    sometimes it helps to have specialist teaching area. Maths and science are highly portable world wide. Even in Asia they require proof of degree and prefer teaching experience. Easy but challenging to find work in London as most needy areas often have most challenging students. Depends what you feel you can work in.

    Enjoy your travels but remember that economic sustainability is a good thing.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 11:27

      i have currently asked for a year off. However, i have also been transferred which means when i return ill will most likely be working in a rural/remote town.

  • taoz on 28/06/2016 - 22:48

    head to Europe or UK base

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:03

      that could be the plan!

  • OldBugger on 28/06/2016 - 22:49
    +2

    All I can say, except for 'you lucky bastard', is grab a working visa. Even if you don't plan to work, it can come in handy. My best memories of my life so far are from my days of carefree backpacking. Have a great time.

    Just thought I'd post this also. Quite funny… and somewhat true:
    12 types of people you find in every hostel

    • No ONE on 29/06/2016 - 00:19

      Number 12 though :D

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 11:28

      haha thanks! ive actually read that article before. Its strangely accurate! i just dont want to end up #2

  • Providence on 28/06/2016 - 23:01
    +2

    Consider teaching ESL (English as a Second Language). As someone who already enjoys teaching it will be an easy transition, and your teaching qualification will give you an advantage over less qualified teachers (a degree in something is required to teach ESL in some of the better paying countries but also not required in many).

    You can do the training in Oz in about 4 weeks but its cheaper to do it overseas (eg Thailand etc where your cost of living will also be cheaper). No native language skills required but you will surely find people willing to teach you in exchange for English lessons.

    You could potentially live overseas for a long time, in multiple countries and barely scratch your $50K. (and come back with more teaching experience which can't hurt your job prospects back here).

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 14:41

      yes ive been considering it for a while. Ill definitely be using my degree to my advantage

  • Rashed on 28/06/2016 - 23:18
    +3

    Do it mate, we are almost the same age, at 40, would you rather tell tales of the countries you have traveled, or you could say I bought a house.

    Nothing wrong buying a house when you are young. You have already mentioned that you will leave part of your savings for house/investment.

    And most importantly, if I am to die tomorrow, I will not regret that I did not buy a house, but I sure will regret not traveling more (I travel around 5 weeks every year). I mean no one at their dead bed said "Why didn't I buy a house earlier?" or "Why didn't I work more?"

    Good luck!!

    • Diji1 on 29/06/2016 - 01:54
      +1

      Your just using an idealised image of yourself having "good death".

      You may well be going "Why didn't I buy a house earlier?" or "Why didn't I work more?" if you end up homeless by 40 and die by 45 under a bridge somewhere.

      • Rashed on 29/06/2016 - 02:40

        haha, thanks for your concern my friend, but hopefully that won't happen. If you read my post, it says I travel 5 weeks every year, which means I do something the remaining 47. But personally I would rather travel the world (all the countries) than have a million dollar house, but they that's just me, finger crossed :)

        • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:08

          I want to live my life like a video game. I want to be the main character. thanks for the advice!

  • MrTweek on 28/06/2016 - 23:26
    +8

    When I was 27, I left my country, to travel around the world. I was in a similar position, although I had only half as much money. I thought about travelling for maybe 6 months, but it ended up being 15.
    This was the best thing I ever did in my live. I learnt so much. Had such great experiences, met so many people, made friends, learnt languages. It widened my horizon a lot. It made me understand how the world works, in many regards. I learnt a lot about myself, people, friends, and so on.
    Also, I ended up living in Australia, which I never intended to ;)

    What your parents say is true, but not right. You won't be able to travel like this when your older. It's much harder when you have a partner, kids, got caught in the rat race of your career. And once you are retired, it won't be the same any more. Do it now, the younger the better.
    There's no way you will ever regret this.

    I guess this 1 year of travelling made me lose 3 years in my career/savings/whatever, but that was definitely worth it. The experience I got from this is worth so much more than money can ever be. I now got something that only very few people have or even understand. It changed my entire personality in a very positive way.

    Some random advice:

    • Don't make too many plans. Be spontanously and go with the flow. If you need to book anything, do it only on short notice. Sucks if you plan on staying just a few days in a country because the lonely planet says there isn't much to see, but once you are there you fall in love with the place. Sucks if you found an awesome paradise beach and want to hang out for some days but you need to leave because you booked a flight from an airport 800 km away. Sucks if you meet great people you want to party with, but you got a bus to take next morning at 6am. Sucks if you meet a girl (or boy, whatever you are into) and want to spend time with them, but you got a flight to the other end of the world the next day.
    • Carry as little valuables as possible with you. Use ATMs everywhere, carry little cash. When you go out partying, lock your passport and credit cards in your hotel/hostel and carry just as much cash as you can lose without regrets.
    • Have some backup cash (US dollars work in most countries) and credit cards, maybe travellers cheques hidden in different places of your luggage. Think of the worst case, i.e. someone steals your passport and wallet. Scan your important documents and email them to yourself.
    • If you are on your own, stay in hostels. Hang out in common areas, there will be other solo travellers. Best way to meet people. Avoid hotels, you won't meet anyone inside your room.
    • Learn to say a few phrases in each language, and if applicable some basic customs where ever you go. In most countries, the people love this. It shows respect to their culture and sets you apart from the average "been there done that"-tourists. That way, you might also meet more locals and not only fellow backpackers from Western countries.
    • Be prepared for bad times. You might get robbed, you might get sick. Keep in mind that everything that isn't life threatening is not too bad. I had my phone and camera stolen 3 weeks into my trip. Quickly realized that it doesn't really matter. As long as you got your passport and credit card, you can keep going. I also spent a week in a hospital in a third world country, but that didn't suck more than being in a hospital at home.

    Feel free to ask any questions you might have, I'm happy to give advice.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:13

      Thnaks for the advice, ive backpacked numerous times but only on stints that lasted as long as 2-3months. looking forward to going.

  • Shadow_1 on 28/06/2016 - 23:26

    Have you considered teaching on the international school circuit? Do you have any experience with the IB curriculum? Might not be the best option if you want to visit lots of countries in a short timeframe, but this is something I'm thinking of doing after I get my teaching qualification and have done a couple of years in Australia.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:14

      yes I have. Id love to earn some decent currency in a developing country. Ive now done a few years in AUS and feel ready for an overseas school.

  • captobvious on 28/06/2016 - 23:33
    +2

    When i was younger travelling the world I found a nice girl in spain. I learnt Spanish (as best I could). I should have married her. I also found a nice girl in France, but that language was too complicated for me. I did my best

    My advice is, if you want to learn a language, Hook up with someone and you'll learn it pretty quick.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:15
      +3

      i guess its the best way to master the tongue… thanks!

  • Geekomatic on 28/06/2016 - 23:44

    Working while traveling & staying at hostels, AIRBnB/couch-surfing + working farms. Best way to meet the "real" folks & extend your finances.

    I'd like to do this in my 50's whenever my daughter can get a "gap-term"!

    Good luck. It'll be the best, & I KNOW you won't regret a minute of it. The way the economy is going, you mightn't even have any savings left had you waited. Right now, you can live life to the fullest!

    :)

    (don't go to unsafe areas— signed, a mother)

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:15

      thanks for the advice! ill try to be as safe as possible. At least for my mothers sake.

  • kywst on 29/06/2016 - 00:30
    +5

    Teach English in China my man. I can't see Mandarin not being useful later in life. China is diverse culturally and geographically. It is cheap to live and you will also get paid. An option anyways. Food for thought and now I want some Chinese food ><

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:16

      sounds like a good idea! many people have suggested China at the ease of finding a job.

  • altomic on 29/06/2016 - 01:43
    +8

    I'm currently in Tokyo with my 3 kids. In Feb I went to Hawaii. 2 years ago I went go Europe for a month, the year before that Asia. Prior to that I lived in Japan. And prior to that I lived in London. I'll go to Darwin in oct. Travel, see the world. You are either going to waste your money on an over powered car that will never be driven at its full potential or you can broaden your mind (in some way). I was explaining to my daughter earlier tonight, as we wandered around Asakusa, how Japanese addresses work. Maybe pointless to many but to me a smart way to organise streets (similar to the UK). I'm all for travel. We piss away most of our money on unnecessary material possessions and there is so much more out there and so much more to unlock from ourselves.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:17

      thanks for that. Ive just started to sell many of my possessions and i now realise how much crap I have. boxes full of stuff i literally dont need at all. Ironically Ozbargain is to blame for a lot of it.

  • chongsu on 29/06/2016 - 05:07
    +3

    You've probably realised that the overwhelming majority of people will advocate for travel. I'm currently in the same boat as you but actually experiencing the year off travelling as we speak.

    I previously worked full-time since I was 22 out of university and never really had a break. A few holidays to Asia here and there for my 2-3 weeks annually. After much effort, I saved around 60k and decided (with my partner) that we should drop everything and go see the world properly for a year.

    We started in Feb all through Asia (Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea etc) and are now travelling through Europe (I'm typing this in an Airbnb in Avignon, France). We've travelled frugaly but splurged at the times when a bit of luxury wouldn't go astray (i.e. meals etc) and we are still doing alright financially. Reading travel blogs and planning a little bit ahead won't go astray as it'll help you anticipate your next move (even though travel can be spontaneous and throw curve balls at you out of no where - but hey that's part of the magic of travelling).

    People can go on as much as they want about the rat race, but life is about so much more than that. There is not much else in this world that can enrich your life as much as gaining world experience does through travelling.

    You're only 25 once. You certainly won't see the world the same way when you're 40 and travelling the world. Like others have said, no one ever says they wished they'd travelled less of the world.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:19

      i guess thats a point that cant be argued with. Nobody has a regret about seeing the world, only those who didnt.

  • GregRust on 29/06/2016 - 07:13
    +1

    Doing something similar now at 27, with much less than 50k.

    My advice is do it, you'll have a blast!

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:19

      thanks greg!

  • Donaldhump on 29/06/2016 - 07:42
    +4

    I'm 38 and been to 100 countries exact… Just wanted to say that

    Any way my advice is similar to most, travel for a few months at most, spend on good experiences, and then work again, while you have the option to when you come back. after 3 months I go a bit crazy, I just want to do a normal poo on a clean toilet and have a nice bed again…. Gets boring after a while

    I don't understand backpackers who travel for years but spen 90 percent of it lying in hammocks in hostels coz they are broke. Seems just to lazy to work.

    One tip, just work enough in oz before u go to use you tax free threshold ok 18k, ie quit October or whenever this occurs.

    • fenric on 29/06/2016 - 13:47
      +1

      The tax tip is a good one. If you plan to be away for around a year, make sure you split it between 2 tax years (eg leave and return around December/Jan). That way you are in a lower tax bracket for both years.

    • davohatcher on 29/06/2016 - 15:14

      100 countries that's amazing! hopefully i make it that far.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:20

      thanks for the advice, ill be stopping teaching in Dec. Not optimal but ill work with it.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 29/06/2016 - 08:37
    +7

    Bro I am you.

    I am a 25 yo male, I live with my parents and I am a high school teacher. I want to travel the world and I want to invest in my future.

    Travel. You will not regret it.

    Buttttt! You are a teacher!!! You can do both! I currently own three investment properties, I bought my first one with 19k (I've never had any assistance from my parents, all my own). They are all in crappy areas where I can positively gear (which means they make me money, not lose me money and impact my ability to travel)They were all purchased all around the $220k mark, yet have experienced an average of 30k growth since I bought them. You can buy two investment properties like this with 50k!

    Also, while doing this, I have managed to travel to over 39 different countries (and counting)

    Why? How? Because I am a school teacher!!!! I have travelled every holidays because I have so much time off! Also, I lived for a year in the UK, teaching when I needed cash and backpacking for the rest of the time, it's sooooo easy to get a job there (In London). My advice is, spend all your cash on two positivly geared investment properties - this will fund more travel in the future. Then go on an extended semi-working holiday where you can use London as a base to travel.

    One final piece of advice. When you are in the UK, Don't fall in love with any wealthy American girls… But that's another story for another time.

    • The Wololo Wombat on 29/06/2016 - 08:46
      +1

      Message me more if you want more info on anything I've said, property investment, or even some contacts to get a job in London.

      • scraggers on 29/06/2016 - 15:18
        +2

        Where did you buy property with a 19K deposit?

        • The Wololo Wombat on 30/06/2016 - 14:56

          I lied. It was actually less, 12k! I said 19k because I received the first homeowner's grant (it used to be 7k, and you could use it on existing properties)

          So here's how I did it. It's a little uncooth but it worked.

          1) Tell the bank you plan to owner occupy.
          2) Get a 95% loan (these are still possible, I did it at the beginning of this year with NAB)
          3) (If it's your first place) When you get the loan, make it your 'principle place of residence' for the 6ish months needed to satisfy the requirements of having your stamp duty waived for first home buyers. I actually had a 'boarder' live with me for the 6 months so it wasn't dead time/money (if you look into the rules for what makes a place a principle place of residence, you will see the definition does not mean you need to live there all the time. Also if you want to risk not actually living there ever, but just getting some of your mail directed there, that's up to you. I had a mate that did that and got away with it, I did actually live there myself a couple of nights a week because it was closer to work)
          4) Tell the bank you are now changing it to an investment and rent it out normally after 6 months. Or just don't tell them. I didn't. Does't matter. Banks actually want to keep it as an owner occupier on their books if they can.

          So here were my sums

          Purchase price of my first investment (3bdrm townhouse on the Gold Coast built in 2004) = $235,000

          5% deposit= $11,750
          Stamp Duty = Waived (see above)
          Mortgage Insurance = $5000
          Solicitor/Bank Fees = $2000

          Total cost= $18,750.

          House rents out at $395 per week now and is valued at almost $300k four year later. I used the equity in this property to purchase two further investment properties. I've never had more than $20k cash in my life, yet my portfolio is worth $750k (currently 80% LVR)

          Actually the last one I bought with almost $0 cash to my name. But that's another story for another time. It involved getting a short term personal loan and putting all my expenses on a credit card then balance transferring.

        • J6 on 30/06/2016 - 16:22

          @DCO90: what are you weekly repayments on your gold coast house?

        • The Wololo Wombat on 30/06/2016 - 17:06

          @Ronniefromdashore:
          $250 a week now (p and i), the loan is down to $207,000 and I've restructured my loan twice now.

          That's roughly 15% yield, but body corp is $73/week. Still works out to be positively geared.

        • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:26

          @DCO90: trying to PM you, for some reason, you dont have a "start a convo" link. pm me please. I would love some UK contacts. thanks.

        • The Wololo Wombat on 03/07/2016 - 09:26

          @Ronniefromdashore: I PM'd you! Let me know if you didn't get the message

    • KBZ on 29/06/2016 - 13:14

      Now I want that story 🙃

  • cire on 29/06/2016 - 08:38
    +1

    I live a life so similar to this!
    26 - full time teacher - still living at home - in a relationiship - with a mortgage and savings

    I still find that there is plenty of flexibility with our career choice that allows us to travel even though travel occurs during peak season. Even with a mortgage and being in a relationship, I do not find this holds me back from taking a big trip at the end of the year, every single year and experiencing the world. When travelling, I do not necessarily have to travel using the cheapest option for everything or do I find money is a restraining factor when it comes to travelling.

    Of course, you are looking to travel for a year which is longer than I have ever travelled at once. There is always the option of gaining a teaching position overseas. There are plenty of teaching positions open to foreigners from English speaking backgrounds which will give you a steady income, but also provides you the freedom to travel around the Asian region which is what you desire.

    Overall, which ever path you decide to take I would like to reiterate, having a mortgage is not a limiting factor in allowing you to discover and travel the world.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:27

      yes i completely understand. It also must make it a little easier paying with a partner though. I just dont want to get a 500k loan and have to start paying it all myself (what my parents want and its hard to get away from it as i live with them haha)

      • cire on 26/07/2016 - 14:02

        Oh, forgot to mention. My partner isn't part of the mortgage so I am paying it by myself. As long as there is a tennant inside, the repayments shouldn't be too bad. Anyway, best of luck my friend!

  • singlemalt72 on 29/06/2016 - 08:48
    +1

    Good advice here, also think of this

    I if you want to stretch out your time (budget), you can easily work as an English teacher in many SE Asian countries - good to have the TESOL, but not really required. It wont pay much, but it can offset your living expenses while you immerse in another culture for a time.

    If you are not a drinker, then this is good, if you are, then be careful. The climate, the scene, the cheap and readily available booze… I have seen many people destroy themselves falling into the boozy ex-pat culture in SE Asia.

    Girls …. if you aren't used to having women throw themselves at you then again, be careful. As a well-off white guy in many countries you may experience this. I'd try to stay away from girlie bar scenes if you are not a strong-willed person, once again, the countries are littered with expats drained of funds and emotion from this.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:29
      +1

      yeah, i plan to do some teaching work at times. Maybe 6 months at a time or so when i find a spot i like. Im not a big drinker. Im also used to girls throwing themselves at me, i dunno if its the living at home with my parents or stinginess that cause it.

  • Gershom on 29/06/2016 - 08:49
    +1

    I spent years hitch hiking around the world. After a while I learned to live on literally no money. It makes you free and independent. There is nothing to fear when you can live on nothing.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:30

      literally none!? i understand but it must be very difficult (mentally) to do.

      • Gershom on 03/07/2016 - 01:15
        +2

        Yep, literally none. You can pick fruit and veg from market floors for $0, and cut out any bad/bruised bits. Always somewhere to get water to drink. What I found is that people will live vicariously through you. I've had families give me a ride then take me home for dinner. I've had businessmen give me a ride and buy me lunch and a beer. They all just want to hear your stories in return. I once had a Canadian girl offer to keep me in her Paris apartment once, but I was much younger and better looking.😁

        Ironically, after learning to live on nothing I eventually went into business and became very well off. So now, while I can live on nothing I prefer to eat in a nice place with good wine.

        I didn't find it mentally difficult, once you are free of fear then nothing is mentally difficult. There is nothing more powerful than true independence. Only works when you're single though.

  • SnakeCasablanca on 29/06/2016 - 08:54
    +2

    Early 30's male here.

    I still dream about giving it all up and teaching English in Asia. But the world has a way of tying you down (mortgage / dogs / partner).

    However I would recommend caution on blowing your entire nest egg. There is a middle ground between travelling and planning for your future. As others have said maybe just start with a 3 or 4 month trip and see how you like it. South East Asia is awesome and I recommend Thailand / Cambodia / Vietnam / Laos. Stay in Hostels for your best bet to meet lots of people.

    In the end I opted to work and save and travel. I have pretty much done 4 weeks in Asia every year for the past 10 years. Its cheap over there so you can afford to do this without sacrificing your future.

    Either way recommend getting out on the dusty road. Sow some wild oats. Meet some people. Find out what makes them happy.

    And I know its cliché but be prepared that you may find out that you discover that the place that might make you happiest, is back in Australia teaching.

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:31
      +1

      yeah, i think aus is a great country. ill probably grow old and die here but i think i need to leave for a while to appreciate it.

  • Srdjan52 on 29/06/2016 - 09:07
    +2

    Do whatever you want to do. I spent 5 months in Europe at 23 after uni. Took a year to find a job. Love my job now.
    Don't buy tickets in advance unless you want to book certain events. Skyscanner will always have cheap flights. Use the Citibank debit card. 0 fees. I've never even been charged international ATM fees. Don't travel from Bali to London to Thailand to Germany. Make a list of where you want to visit and try draw a plan. Traveling from place to place sucks. Don't take too much. Buy stuff along the way. Don't buy souvenirs and junk you have to carry around. Try get a good friend to go with you. Don't be ashamed to hate a place. I for one hate people trying to force sell me shit I don't want. Can't think of much else right now. Enjoy

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:33

      im a light traveller and hate junk/trinkets. thanks!

  • everypenny on 29/06/2016 - 09:19

    I think you need a Girl friend first.. then plan a trip with her.. It will far more fun ! OF course she will have spend for her expenses.. A like minded GF will go a long way!

    • J6 on 02/07/2016 - 16:33
      +1

      if i had a honey then id have no money.

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