How to Budget for an Extended Road Trip Sabatical

Laid off? Looking for a career change? Inbetween assignments? Just getting divorced? Looking to take some time off to breathe?

If so, may I recommend an extended road trip or sabbatical?

You Can Afford to Travel!

Jim and I decided to do just that, when our dog Jerry got diagnosed with terminal cancer back in 2006. When we knew our time with him was limited, so we decided to sell everything and hit the road together as a pack. He loved to travel and see new places, and this was the greatest gift we knew we could give him. We were also really burnt out on our business, and wanted to make a major lifestyle change. As awful as cancer was, it got our butts in gear to make this happen.

We left in June 2007, and traveled across North America for almost 2 years with him. We are still traveling now, just in winter months when we get out of Colorado.

How did we do it? We sold our home, our business and most of our stuff. But before we did any of that, we did our research.

Know Your Numbers Before You Hit the Road

My biggest piece of advice: if you want to take time off, then first get your finances in order way beforehand. You need to fully understand what it will take to do it. Being well-organized and disciplined is key to staying financially solvent during a sabbatical.

• Start by becoming debt free. Sure, times are hard and money's tight, but if you really want something with all your might, you can do it! Do not hit the road with debt, you will always be worried about paying bills, and that is not the relaxation you are seeking.
  

Because I've been tracking our finances with Quickbooks Pro software for the last 10 years, forecasting and budgeting for our trip was easy for me, since I already knew what our spending habits were.

I started planning with this comprehensive road trip budget template, courtesy of Carol White, author of the excellent book, "Live Your Road Trip Dream."

Then, with our numbers I already had in Quickbooks, I developed our own custom road trip budget planning worksheet, to predict and track our own expenses.

It sounds daunting, but trust me, it's worth it. By knowing our finances and what we could afford to do, it's kept us on the road for over two years now.

Travel doesn't have to be expensive.

Originally, we thought we could only afford to be on the road for a year. But we were able to stretch our budget to over two years, through a combination of frugal living and workamping in places as varied as an organic farm to a dude ranch.

If you're dreaming of a road trip adventure, you can make it happen!

Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done (oh, and they will!). My husband and I aren't rich by any means. We just live below our means, stay debt free, and take a deep appreciation in the little things in life.

Believe it, say it, plan it, do it!