How To Easily Be Prepared For Long-Term Travelling
If you are a free spirit who dreams of being engulfed in adventure and loves to travel, then you are probably looking for new destinations to explore, and perhaps reside in for a while; long-term travel usually lasts anywhere between a month and a year or so. Those who decide to travel for such extended periods of time are usually looking to embark upon a new journey where they can discover new cultures and immerse themselves in a lifestyle that differs from the one they left behind. Traveling, in general, is no picnic, but long-term travel, in particular, requires even more planning. To help you prepare for your trip, here are a few tips that you should take into consideration to make the whole process easier.
Destination Decisions: Where and How Will You Go
First off, you will need to create a plan for your travel: are you going to more than one place and if so, how long will you stay at each destination? How will you make money? Are you renting a home or couch-surfing? These decisions must be taken into account before you start on your journey, as you do not want to suffer the unnecessary consequences of poor planning, and be stuck jobless and homeless with little to no funds in an unknown town.
Establish a Budget
Sticking to a budget will be your top priority, throughout this process. Your cost of living will depend on the decisions you make when it comes to your destination and your means of making money. So, plan by creating a budget to ensure you have enough cash with you when you travel; it is advisable to have enough money to sustain you until you make a decent living at your new location. If you lack funds, then you can sell some of the unused furniture in your house. Furthermore, one method you could utilize to save some money abroad is to teach yourself to cook at home.
Travel Preparations
It is very important to consider your destination in advance to book your flight and accommodation early, thus saving some money. You will also need to know what to bring with you. You will need to pack the attire that suits the weather conditions at your new location. Moreover, purchasing a suitable suitcase, with enough interior space, to carry all your essential belongings is advisable. Fellow travelers may encourage you to purchase a backpack for travel to carry with you on the plane. This way, your essentials will be with you during the entire flight, thus avoiding being stranded with nothing in case any mishaps occur with your luggage. Laptops, phone chargers, and other electronics should be placed in the carry-on. It is also highly recommended that you check if all your electronics can work abroad, as some countries will require plug adapters.
Pay off Debts
Before you head off on a new adventure, you would not want to leave any loose ends, especially when it comes to your debts. Understandably, this may not be an option for everyone, especially for those individuals drowning in student loans; however, if you can, consider making a plan to pay off as much of your debt as possible. Furthermore, try to avoid taking loans to go on your adventure, even if it means delaying your trip to work for a couple of years until you have the cash. Drowning in more debt is not what you would want to return to after your amazing travel experience.
Consider Your Job and Inform Your Boss
It is necessary to do the noble thing and give your boss your two week’s notice if you are quitting. However, if quitting your job isn’t ideal, you can always see if you have the option to work remotely or ask your boss to consider giving you an extended leave of absence. It is important to establish with your boss how long your trip will last. If the company you work for does not have a sabbatical program, try to convince the company heads of the importance of such a program and encourage them to consider starting one.
Miscellaneous Preparations
While you are preoccupied with the aforementioned preparations required for the trip, do not overlook the other essential requirements. This involves visiting your medical provider to check on your health and make sure you have taken all the vaccine requirements for your destinations. You should also get a dental check-up so you don’t go through any hardships once you are abroad. Moreover, preparing to say goodbye to your loved ones, and making time for them is vital. Even if you are only going away for a month, you don’t know how soon you will be able to get in touch with them.
Long-term travel is a great way to spice up your life and make healthy changes. If you have been in a rut lately, lacking inspiration and productivity, then this just might be the answer to your prayers. However long your trip may be, you will certainly return home with a new-found perspective on life.