Quit your job and travel
Are you dreaming of quitting your job to travel? Do you tour your neighborhood? Travel America? Travel the earth? Traveling through the Milky Way? Happy couple Rachel and Liz from State of Go reveal how you can quit your job and travel wherever you want.
Do you want to quit your job and travel?
What’s holding you back? Maybe you’re afraid of leaving a perfect job or you’re worried about what people will say. Or perhaps you are attached to a lot of “things” that are difficult to break away from. How can you overcome these fears and set yourself on the path (to freedom)? How can you define your own happiness and get into a “go state”?
Eight months ago, Liz and Rachel left their comfortable life in Asheville, North Carolina to travel across the United States in a self-constructed Sprinter van. Both women had good jobs at nonprofits that they enjoyed, but both also felt stagnant — and ready for an adventure. In the fall of 2016, Liz and Rachel began researching to prepare for the road trip, and within a year, the couple purchased a van and began building it out. Just four months later, they were traveling with their blonde Labrador, Lucy.
Today, Liz and Rachel share their shared love of travel and how this desire for exercise has brought them together as a couple. They discuss the pros and cons of van life and their decision to travel Now Instead of waiting for retirement and preparing for a longer road trip. Liz and Rachel describe the fears they had to overcome when they had to leave the jobs they enjoyed and finance the adventure – without dipping into their retirement savings. Listen to Liz and Rachel’s insight into our attachment to material things and learn how the couple continues to pay the bills through temporary work and sponsorships!
Listen and learn how to quit your job and travel:
Topics covered about quitting your job and traveling
Which inspired Liz and Rachel to quit their jobs and travel
- Both independently had “travel fever”.
- The desire for freedom and movement helped to come together
The pros and cons of van life
- Removing the van was a difficult part
- Systems and routines make the process easier
Why Liz and Rachel decided to travel now
- Days after retirement “not promised”
- Once the decision was made, things fell into place
How Liz and Rachel overcame moments of fear
- It’s stressful selling things, quitting jobs, and leaving family/friends
- Grow and develop as people when you are uncomfortable
Liz and Rachel’s reflections on living in a 100-foot house2 Transporter
- Tailored to make you happy and comfortable
- Queen bed + bed for 70 pound dog
The process of preparing for the road
- YouTube videos for van ideas
- Continued working until departure
- Supportive parents expect “strange things”
The challenge of quitting a good job
- It’s difficult to leave people and the work you love
- Be honest with employers about feelings of stagnation
How Liz and Rachel prepared financially for the trip
- Liz saved 40% of her annual income
- I took out a loan for a van
- Didn’t touch the retirement account
How much did Liz and Rachel spend in 6 months?
- $3,000 to build the van, so far $5,000 to $10,000 for the trip
- Low costs (solar power, no electricity)
How Liz and Rachel pay their bills
- Outstanding student loans, cell phone bill and van loan
- Temporary jobs for 2-3 weeks to generate income
- Work as a dandelion picker, farmer and gardener
Liz and Rachel’s insight into our attachment to material things
- Experiences more important
- Question social norms to define your own happiness
The sponsorships of Liz and Rachel
- Groundskeeping team for Granite Gear
- Take photos for small outdoor brands