What It Actually Takes To Quit Your Job & Travel The World

It seems everyone dreams of quitting their job to travel the world, but what does it take to actually do so? Depending on your personality and risk tolerance, it can be fairly complicated. But it can be done!

1. Figure Out Your Money Situation

Yep, money comes first. One of the more annoying things to figure out, but alas – the world does run on money. You’ve got a number of options for the best way to handle money – savings, having a plan to work abroad, etc.

Make sure you’ve thoroughly investigated each one.

Saving Money to Travel the World

There are lots of pieces of advice on how much money you need to travel the world and financial advice for traveling. But the long and short of it is that you’ll need to figure out how much money you plan to spend, how much time you think it’ll take you to find a job upon your return, and then plan for that amount.

Plan to have that amount with a bit of a buffer.

Make Money While Traveling

Numerous blogs and podcasts are dedicated to developing the lifestyle of a digital nomad. However, before you quit your job to travel the world, make sure that you’ve got your income sources built before you leave. Some digital nomad income sources are more reliable than others. Don’t depend on your ability to grow and build income abroad – build your income before you start traveling to ensure your security.

Also note different countries have different requirements for how much money you must have to enter the country. Make sure you’ve got enough to handle that.

2. Decide What You’re Going to Do

The options are endless. Are you looking for a sabbatical or a new way of life? It can be incredibly overwhelming to be able to do anything – yes, it’s a first-world problem, but a problem nonetheless.

Do you want to sail the Caribbean? Or wander through South America? Or stop at every continent?

Whichever you want has benefits and drawbacks. The slower you go, generally the cheaper the cost per day. So if you want to stay a month in each place, that’s going to let you have a cheaper per-day rate than spending a few days or a week in each place. Also, if you’re trying to build a remote business while you’re traveling, you’re likely to want additional time so you can work and see wherever you’re visiting.

3. Work Out the Logistics Side

How long do you plan to be gone? Take a look at your passport expiration date and make sure you’ve got at least 3 months on it past when you plan to be home.

Do you own a home or rent? What do you plan to do with it while you’re gone? Making a plan for storing your belongings, renting your home, or simply taking care of it while you’re out is key. This is a plan that’s easier to handle before you make the leap of quitting your job.

Deciding what to do with your car is also important if you have one. If left parked in one place for an extended period, the tires can develop flat spots. Or (gasp) animals could move in and make it their home.

4. Make Sure Your Health Is In Good Shape

Visit the doctor, visit the dentist. Get the prescriptions you need to make sure you’ll be healthy while you’re gone, and get checked out to make sure you’re healthy enough for what you want to do. Make sure you also have a plan to get any vaccinations you’ll need.

Start training as well, if you’re looking for an adventurous trip. If you want to hike to Everest Base Camp, or just go for long, physical trips, make sure your body is in shape!

5. Make A Plan For What You’re Planning to Pack

No matter what you’re doing, you can guarantee you’ll need to pack light. Make a packing list, decide what kind of suitcase or backpack you’re taking, and decide what you can and can’t live without.

6. Give Notice At Your Job

Time to finally do it… say goodbye to that job! Even though you’re quitting to travel, it’s generally a good idea to leave on good terms. Give proper notice, and fulfill your duties as well as you can in the last few weeks. Consider giving extra notice, if your company would appreciate it.

You never know what references you’ll need on the way back!

7. Prepare For the Adventure of Your Life

Now you’re ready to go! Even though it’s the adventure of your life, remember that you’ll still have days with ups and days with downs. It can be hard to always be on the go, but it’s also incredibly empowering. You’ll create a lifetime of memories.