I saw this posted by the front door of the communal building where I live.

Three nights ago I got back from three weeks travelling around California. It was amazing – the landscapes, the people, the experiences, sights, sounds, smells. It was relatively easy to achieve as well – save up, plan a route, hire a car, find some hostels, don’t run out of money 🤞

I had got home the Friday night and by the following afternoon I had decided to start planning what has always been my dream: to travel the world 🌍

I read a few blog posts for advice and to get an idea of costings and looked up a Round The World ticket on STA Travel (The Bobby Dazzler – 17 stops!).

Estimates of costings range from $10k – $40k! One blog I read recorded all of their expenditure and it came in just under $18k (although that was in 2008). I’ve decided to aim for around £20k (about $28.5k) and am giving myself 12 – 18 months to reach this total (only under 26s or students are eligible for the Bobby Dazzler ticket – I’m 24.5 yrs and working – so it was good to have a set time limit!).

The next day, I worked with my dad for the first time in years to help kick off my savings fund. I also had some cash left over from when I saved up for California. It’s now Monday and I’m planning on selling my car and buying one that is 10% of the price (I have a viewing this evening!) to add to my pot even further.

It’s either “One Day”, or “Day One”!

Savings: £220 = 1.1%!

Some other websites I found useful or inspirational:

• My Husband Died at Age 34. Here are 40 Life Lessons I’ve Learnt.
• A Little Adrift – A National Geographic Traveler of the Year (Responsible Tourism)
• STA Travel
• And the amazing variety of people I met on my Californian travels, making me realise I can do anything.