Comments on: Make Your Normal Life a Vacation

By: Neill

Neill — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:52:28 +0000

I don't have any responsibilities, no mortgage, car or anything. It's not a matter of 'if' but 'when' for me.

By: hongkongwong

hongkongwong — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:48:33 +0000

Hey Neill and Sky – I'm here with Tynan, and I just read both your replies to him.

He said even if he had no money, he would still do the trip.

The reason?

By burning your bridges you are forced to come up with solutions.

But I also like to play it 'smart', and my personal opinion is this:

"Burn your bridges, but not your boats." (Hong Kong Wong, baby!)

Your bridges are what tie you to your location. It's the thing that bugs you when you wake up in the morning and think 'damnit, I wish I was doing XYZ.'

The XYZ are the bridges.

What are your boats?

Your background, your credibility, your credentials, your skillsets, your solid savings… those are your boats.

They are mobile, flexible and are assets wherever you are in the world.

But I have 'stayed' on bridges just because the opportunity and beneift were much higher returns in the initial investment.

How do you spot these? Just look at how much bigger it is contributing to building your boat or your end goal.

If you guys are interested in this I'll write a blog post sometime on this whole topic. I very much relate to what you are going through because I was there just a year ago.

I'd also love any case studies, if you got one, so feel free to post them here if you like!

cheers
Vince 'Hong Kong' Wong

By: James K

James K — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:12:27 +0000

I would love to do something similar and I have saved some money, in fact around $10k, but it's hard because I fear things going haywire, especially if I relocate to a foreign land. Now I have a pretty good day job, and it's not too bad, even though I would love to travel. If I had the choice I certainly would love to be able to do what I do on the road, but it's not really possible. But very motivating to read your story Vince. Thanks for sharing!

By: Skylab

Skylab — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:52:10 +0000

I don't think it takes luck though. Just dedication to achieve your goals. Nothing is stopping me from going and I'm sure Mr. Wong had the same idea.

By: Jason Marko

Jason Marko — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:32:21 +0000

Wow, looks like you're living the life. I agree with Skylab and Neill. I think most of us just can't afford to leave our day jobs. Too many responsbilities. I gues ssome people are just lucky.

By: Skylab

Skylab — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:29:33 +0000

I'm in the same boat as you heading to the same direction. Saving next to $10000 and just taking hitting the road. I have a few websites starting up already and it's looking very promising. If you're looking to start a website, start getting your community up and running now so by the time you leave, you'll have a nice community already built.

By: Neill

Neill — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:59:43 +0000

… and your vacation your vocation.

Questions for you Vince… 1st How much experience of IM did you have before you set off for Panama? 2nd Did you have a cash cushion before you leftt?

I'm looking to save up about about $7000 (should have it by the Autumn) before I also burn my bridges and head out on my digital nomad life style. Though I'm learning how to make money over the internet every day I reckon having a bit of cash behind me means I can go to say Thailand and dedicate myself to the venture full time.

By: Skylab

Skylab — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:08:33 +0000

You do crossfit? nice.