I quit my job to travel - this is the money mistake I made and how to avoid it

Daily Mail​

5 days ago

We're often told quitting is weak, a way out for those not headstrong enough to handle certain pressures, but I couldn't disagree more.
The first time I quit a job was back in 2009, leaving my first London-based magazine office job in exchange for 12 months of exploration through 15 countries on a seriously tight budget.
And the last came about just over 15 months ago, when I decided to become a full-time freelance travel writer.
At 38, it was one of the scarier leaps to make, yet undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made.
But there are definitely a few things I wish I'd known before jumping into the unknown… here's what I've learnt along the way.
Don't dawdle, time is precious
The younger you are, the easier it is to quit.
I was just 23 when I first quit a job for a year-long backpacking trip, and I made the decision instantly as soon as I'd saved enough money.
I had a few worries about how easy it would be to get employed when I returned, but they were soon forgotten as soon as I hit the road.
Yet, quitting in your 30s is a different ball game.
I deliberated for three long years before I finally plucked up the courage to do it, and you know what? I wish I had done it much, much sooner.
Making the decision was by far the hardest thing about it, but once it was done, I've never regretted it or looked back.
What I've come to realise now is that time is so precious; We don't know how long we're going to be here, so if you're not happy with your current situation, it's worth changing whatever you can, as soon as possible.
It'll cost more than you planned for
While I like to travel in a more refined way these days, I was a budget backpacking pro in my 20s, and managed to spend spend just £7,000 in a year visiting 15 countries.
But before I set out, I had only planned to spend £5,000 before realising mid-way through that wasn't enough.
For this reason, I always make sure I have saved enough to last my entire trip, plus money to live off when returning home and looking for a new job, and extra cash for unplanned issues while I'm away.
If in doubt, save at least £2-3,000 more than you think you need.
And if you have a student loan, you also need to think about the interest, which, regardless of being fairly low, adds up over the duration of your trip away.
You may have to take a pay cut when you return
After my first long-term trip, I managed to secure a new job a couple of months after returning to the UK, yet the salary was just £17,000 - much lower than the job I had left.
But a job is a job, and I took it and managed to survive by living in a large London house share, cycling everywhere, and taking a packed lunch to work every day.
It was sometimes tricky, but it definitely wasn't the end of my career, and I got a good pay rise a year later.
Friends and family will cast doubts over your decision
The beauty of human beings is that we are all very different; we think in different ways, we have different passions, and completely different fears, so don't be surprised if people place their fears on you.
When contemplating quitting a job, over 80 percent of the people you talk to will tell you not to do it.
But it's important to listen to your instincts.
It's your life, and you have to live it in a way that's true to you.
If travel is important to you and you're in a secure financial position, thank friends and family for their advice, but don't let them discourage you if it's what your heart is telling you to do.
It's not that big of a deal
When you're in the routine of life, doing the same thing day in and day out, breaking that cycle can feel like the biggest deal.
But guess what? It's not that wild.
'Once you begin to travel, you will realise that the world is full of people living in unique ways,' says Lydia, pictured in Yerevan, Armenia
Once you begin to travel, you will realise that the world is full of people living in unique ways.
People of all ages travel, volunteer, move countries, fall in love, and change their entire life plans.
I've met widows who've sold everything to travel alone long-term, families who've pulled their kids out of school for adventure, and many, many people who have moved across the world for love.
You may lose friends
Being in a position where you can quit your job can be triggering for people who aren't as free.
Debts, mortgages, family, and illness can all prevent people from doing some of the things they might want to, and so it can be difficult for them to see others doing it.
And that goes for both parties - there are things my friends have that I might hanker after at points on the road.
But good friends are supportive through whatever situation you happen to be going through, and vice versa.
If big decisions filter out some people in your circle, it's not a bad thing; the friends remaining will be friends for life.
It's not that scary out there
Social media and news outlets overflow with horror stories from around the globe, showcasing the worst of humanity on a daily basis - it's no wonder many are afraid to go out of their comfort zones.
And while, of course, it's imperative to be sensible (especially when travelling alone as a woman), people the world over are generally very kind and generous.
Some of my most memorable moments have been with wonderfully warm strangers who have treated me like family.
And it's for moments like those that I continue to travel.