The following is simply a list of things I have done to prepare for my journey around the world. I included approximate costs for any interested.
Passport:
I had only 4 full pages left in my passport so I had 48 pages added to it. $82
Immunizations:
I visited a travel Dr. specializing in world diseases and immunizations. I have had two trips thus far and now have a total of 13 vaccinations not counting those I had as a child. I got the Yellow Fever vaccine and an updated Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) back in 2007 before I traveled around Central America for 6 weeks. The newest vaccines include Typhoid, Meningitis, Hepatitis A and B, adult MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Flu and Polio. The Hep A and B was a single shot but I need three rounds of it for it to be effective for life. I have only one more round to go. All of the latest immunizations set me back $697, but I figure I would much rather pay up front for this than pay later.
Retirement:
I have consulted with a financial adviser and have rolled over my 401K, pension and IRA into a single IRA to be managed while I am away. This is a fee based on how my portfolio performs. No upfront cost.
Insurance:
I have researched travel health insurance and find that it is quite affordable. Most are less than $2 a day. That's much cheaper than normal health insurance. It also includes trip insurance should something go wrong or my luggage be lost. I have not yet decided on a specific plan though.
Packing List:
I have started formulating a list of things to take. Some essentials that I did not already have include a Steripen for sterilizing water, a good head lamp and a travel blow dryer (yes, a blow dryer). I will be taking my tablet with me to keep up with this blog and to talk with friends and family via email, Facebook or Skype. I ordered the keyboard attachment so that typing and communication will be easier. That should arrive on Friday. When I get the packing list finalized I'll post it.
Storage:
It just so happens that my Mother already has a storage building rented out since she is living and working in Bahrain for a 2 year stint. I will be adding my stuff to her building and splitting the cost with her on that. $40/mo That's much better than rent anywhere.
Truck:
I have decided its best to go ahead and sell my pick up even though I JUST paid it off. It will be hard to let it go because it is kinda my dream car, but it wont do it or me any good sitting around for an entire year.
I will take a year off from the work force. With this time I will travel the world. With this blog I will document my experiences. ( Well, that year turned into a year and a half, and that turned into a job in New Zealand!)
My Travel Path
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
How this all started
First off, this is my life long dream. Traveling the world has been my goal since I participated in a short 6 week study abroad summer in Germany back in 2005. I had been planning it in the back of my mind but I never thought I would have such the perfect opportunity.
We, my co-workers and I, all found out in Oct of 2011 that our company was going to bought out sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2012. With this news came news that there would be many staffing changes. I never worried too much or even game much thought to the fact that I might be one of those changes. However, the seed of the potential opportunity that I might be severed began to grow. My mind went crazy. What IF I am one of the changes and I am severed from the company? I calculated the potential severance money I would be entitled to and added that to my current savings dollars. I also made a spreadsheet of my expenses for an entire year. When I saw the outcome I was very pleased with the potential! I began day dreaming of all the fantastic things I could do and places I could visit on both the savings and time I would have. I couldn't get too excited though, because chances are, I would keep my job and continue on in the work force.
In April of 2012 I got a phone call from a Director for the company that was buying my company. They had a job for me in Texas, super close to home, same great pay, a moving stipend, with great learning opportunity to broaden my career. Since the job offer included a relocation I was still entitled to the severance package. All I had to do was tell the Director I did not want a job. In a suffering/recovering economy am I really going to choose NOT to have a job?
When I hung up the phone I immediately phoned my father. He always seems to have good real world advice. As soon as I told him what I had found out and what my options were I already knew what I wanted to do. The decision was made. I was going to travel the world!
The next day I phoned the Director back. I told him I greatly appreciated the opportunity but that I had other plans in mind. Without any fuss, just like that, I was free!
Well, not quite free, I still had about a month to work. They set our last day of work for May 25th 2012. So I worked, finished open projects, and said my goodbyes to all my wonderful wonderful co-workers. That, by far, was the toughest part. I had to say goodbye to not only fantastic co-workers but people I called friends and people I really looked up to and trusted.
So that's how this giant trip came to fruition. It was opportunity slapping me right across the face. Thankfully I chose to take it!
We, my co-workers and I, all found out in Oct of 2011 that our company was going to bought out sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2012. With this news came news that there would be many staffing changes. I never worried too much or even game much thought to the fact that I might be one of those changes. However, the seed of the potential opportunity that I might be severed began to grow. My mind went crazy. What IF I am one of the changes and I am severed from the company? I calculated the potential severance money I would be entitled to and added that to my current savings dollars. I also made a spreadsheet of my expenses for an entire year. When I saw the outcome I was very pleased with the potential! I began day dreaming of all the fantastic things I could do and places I could visit on both the savings and time I would have. I couldn't get too excited though, because chances are, I would keep my job and continue on in the work force.
In April of 2012 I got a phone call from a Director for the company that was buying my company. They had a job for me in Texas, super close to home, same great pay, a moving stipend, with great learning opportunity to broaden my career. Since the job offer included a relocation I was still entitled to the severance package. All I had to do was tell the Director I did not want a job. In a suffering/recovering economy am I really going to choose NOT to have a job?
When I hung up the phone I immediately phoned my father. He always seems to have good real world advice. As soon as I told him what I had found out and what my options were I already knew what I wanted to do. The decision was made. I was going to travel the world!
The next day I phoned the Director back. I told him I greatly appreciated the opportunity but that I had other plans in mind. Without any fuss, just like that, I was free!
Well, not quite free, I still had about a month to work. They set our last day of work for May 25th 2012. So I worked, finished open projects, and said my goodbyes to all my wonderful wonderful co-workers. That, by far, was the toughest part. I had to say goodbye to not only fantastic co-workers but people I called friends and people I really looked up to and trusted.
So that's how this giant trip came to fruition. It was opportunity slapping me right across the face. Thankfully I chose to take it!
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