We're Taking the Plunge and Doing a Mini-Retirement!

[kevkos]

My wife and I decided to do a 3-month mini-retirement in Sydney, Australia in March!!

I'm excited and nervous at the same time, and just starting to grasp what I need to do before leaving the country.

We're lucky because I have an online business that brings in around $5k a month, and her work does not require her to be in any specific place (high tech marketing consulting). And, we don't have any kids or pets to deal with.

Still, this is a HUGE deal for us. We both wanted to live outside the country for a while now, but could never commit to anything. We decided that going to another English-speaking country the first time would be the least-stressful way to go. We live in California now, and need to sub-lease our apartment, figure out what to do with mail, etc.

Does anyone have any advice? Have you done this? Tim makes it sound relatively easy, even when you don't know the language- but still, I'm worried that I'm forgetting something and I will be 8,000 miles from home and SCREWED because I forgot some file or something at home!

The idea of a mini-retirement would have freaked me out if I hadn't read the 4hr ww, but I feel like I at least have some kind of guidelines now!

I still have a lot of things to do, like automate many more things before I leave (nice because it forces me to do things I should have already done!), but we're putting it in motion right now to leave for our trip on March 10th, 2008.

Who's with me on taking the plunge?? :eek:

[gsimd]

what to do with mail, etc.

For mail I'd recommend using a http://www.earthclassmail.com
You can manage all of your snail mail from your email inbox. It's a terrific service.

Another option we used was having our neighbor collect our mail. Then, my bookkeeper would pick it up weekly and deposit any checks that arrived.

I'm worried that I'm forgetting something and I will be 8,000 miles from home and SCREWED because I forgot some file or something at home!

We are a family with two kids who live the 4HWW mobile lifestyle. We've learned after many trips abroad that you can buy anything you need/forget. In fact, we purposely don't bring many items...we just buy them when we land. Traveling light is great and shopping in a new country is good exploring and can be fun. Finally, as a last resort, Fedex can get you anything from home in no time.

Good Luck,
Michael
http://www.familyhack.com

[TimW]

Back in 1989, I moved to Japan with $4,000 in my pocket, no job and no place to live (well, stayed with friends for 2 weeks while looking for an apartment/job).

The only thing I made sure to take a lot of was prescription medication, especially if it was something you weren't sure you could get over there. For example, a female friend who went there, too, took over a year's worth of contraceptive pills since (at the time) they were difficult to get. Standard sundry items I bought. I took a lot of clothes (since I was going to be there at least a year) since I am significantly bigger than the typical Japanese male and finding clothes might be a problem...like it was when I tried to purchase a suit.

[TheWealthySystem]

Hey Kevkos,

That is awesome! I'm sure you will have a great time there. I am planning to visit Australia sometime early next year (Melbourne area). Hopefully you'll find some time to post about your experiences down under.

Have fun,
Joey

[Mr Bipana]

My wife and I live in Sydney Australia and can help if you need any local knowledge before or when you arrive here.

Please let me know if I can help.

Mike

[pcasstle]

I wish you good luck in everything....and I think it's great to have experiences like this in life!

[kevkos]

My wife and I live in Sydney Australia and can help if you need any local knowledge before or when you arrive here.

Please let me know if I can help.

Mike

Thanks Mike!
I may take you up on that offer as it gets closer.

cheers,
Kevin