Quitting my job is not an option.

I follow a number of travel blogs whose authors, for some reason or another, have the ability to drop everything and travel around the world. One is an attorney who worked for five years just to save for her around the world adventure, other bloggers have sponsors, many have no financial plan in place, while others just “have it like that.” I respect everyone who takes full advantage of their unique circumstances. With that being said, I think it is unacceptable to ask someone about their state of personal affairs. Upon my return from a recent trip, a colleague asked, "How did you pay for that? Did you put it on a credit card?" I thought that was inappropriate. Not that he asked, but the nature in which he did. I believe we all possess an audacious spirit and if something is important to me, I am going to do it.

Quitting my job is not an option, nor a desire [at this time]. That doesn't mean I can’t travel. It simply means I must consider my commitments as an employee while planning. However, the universe does sprinkle some fairy dust my way from time to time. For example, I didn’t think I'd make it to the land of the rising sun, but then my agency issued a mandatory furlough. So there I was with a week off, plenty of personal leave and an invitation to Japan. I booked a flight and a month later was walking along Tokyo Bay!

NYC on the other hand was a bit different. It was the height of the tourist season and the accommodations needed to suite both of our work schedules. Planning for a week long stay was meticulously. We took full advantage of the Google applications and I watched Rachel Ray: $40 a day. I also found a blog that post a daily list of restaurants serving free lunch/dinner. The neat thing about that was discovering places we would have otherwise over looked. We also took advantage of museum coupons and other discount options. For example, The International Center of Photography has Voluntary Contribution Fridays 5:00–8:00 pm. So instead of paying $12, we donated whatever we wanted. Those small savings came in handy, b/c when it was time to visit 5th Ave, we indulged ourselves and escaped without buyers remorse.

Spontaneity can make or break a trip. Some of my best memories weren't planned. They just happen to happen, but I think research is important as well. "Every minute you spend in planning saves 10 minutes in execution; this gives you a 1,000 percent Return on Energy!" Brian Tracy. Now I know that sounds a little formal for travel plans, but it has proven to be helpful to me. In 2011, my best friend Kia and I will turn 30 and have decided on South Beach as our celebration destination. That’s 1.5 years away, so every now and then I'll do some research to get a feel for the best time to visit the city, AAA lodging on Ocean Drive [ or the street behind it], best place to snorkel and over time the trip will start to take shape and before we know it, we will be ♪♪ lying under the sun until our skin change ♪♪ [Gotta love Diddy].

So aspiring excursionist and fellow travelers, I shared all of that to say this. It may take a bit of creativity, planning and sacrifice, but we can still pay the bills, save for retirement, purchase a new hand bag, score the latest ipod and see the world. Domestic or International. 5 Star Hotels or Hostel. Road Trip or Amtrak.Tour Guide or Independent. I say go for it!

Thanks for reading.

Off to eat a bowl Cheerios for dinner [wink]!









8 Responses
  1. Anonymous Says:

    You absolutely right M. Quitting is not for everyone.

    But for those of use who have the opportunity thrust upon us, traveling was one of the best thing I have ever done.


  2. Unknown Says:

    Thanks for reading!
    The point of the entry is to say dn't be be discouraged b/c you can't travel like others, but to take advantage of your circumstances whatever they may be. Quitting your job, trust fund baby, whatever, just go out and do it on your terms.


  3. Michele Says:

    I would love to know what blog you used to find the free lunch/dinners in NYC! I can't wait to go back to NYC but that is not in the plans any time soon. I am going to CA to go to Disneyland this summer with my whole family so that will be fun, haven't been in several years. Well have a great day!


  4. Unknown Says:

    Here is the link. I guess I should add it to the blog itself.
    Thanks for reading.
    Loved Tye @ the circus!
    http://www.nycdailydeals.com/


  5. Mona Says:

    Meredith,

    I dropped out of school 6 weeks before I graduated and just left the US. Was out of the US for almost 6 years traveling in Europe and Africa. Did the work to get my BA in Kenya. I understand about not being able to just go especially once you have stuff-this is why I did it while I was living with my parents. But there are ways to travel cheaply, you just have to be willing to be flexible. Monarnyc


  6. Unknown Says:

    Wow. Like I saidm we all possess an audacious spirit.
    Go girl!


  7. Michele Says:

    Thanks for the link! I will check it out and save it to my favorites!!!!


  8. Rowsbelle Says:

    I like that you expressed how different people have different life-circumstances for travel. While the fantasy is to not be tethered to a job and be free, the reality is that for most of us, the job is the enabler for many people TO travel.
    Life throws us plenty of curves that may lead to freedom to roam - a job-loss, a graduation, a move, ending or beginning a relationship, sometimes even a death. But for me (in the hilarious words of Dr. Cosby) "No mon = no fun."
    I have to plan my travel from budgets to itinerary over time & with my job in mind. That won't stop me from trying or make my journeys any less-special. It's merely another issue to work around.


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