Hi all,well its finally going to happen.The house is going to auction this weekend.If all goes to plan we will be on the road by October (7-8 week holiday in UK and Europe first).Talk about emotions getting to you.Its a big move to go from a full time job to wandering around the country at random grabbing a job from time to time when needed.I have had my doubts about the move but my wife is ready and cannot wait,i suppose the house and job have always been my security blanket.However in saying that, as the time draws closer everyone i have spoken to has said GO FOR IT,wishing they had the chance to do the same.I am 52 and my wife is 57 and we have no intentions on waiting till we get to the governments retirement age before enjoying ourselves and getting our money to eventually work for us.My wife lost her youngest son (22) five years ago and her sister in law (56) 15 months ago.Life is far to short for some of us,so don't wait,get out there and try it as we will soon be doing.I have a blog set up if anyone wants to keep in touch (howeverlongittakes-flyboy.blogspot.com) and it will be updated once we get from our O.S trip. Look forward to meeting some of you on the road.

Couldn't agree more Flyboy.  LIve every day as if it was your last and if tomorrow comes then it's a bonus.

My Dad died at 53 and he and Mum never go to do any of the things they planned.

My husband died and neither did we.

I am just soooooo fortunate to have found my flyboy and now we are making up for lost time, firstly for ourselves and secondly for my mum and dad.

GO FOR IT.   You won't regret it.  It's all in the mind set up with regards to retirement and security.  Get you head around that and you won't look back.

Best wishes for the next phase of your life, Jim

hi flyboy we know what you are going though we did the same in march i am also 52 years young & the boss she is a little older, we had freinds that kept saying they were going to do it but never made it, so we like your self's said bugger it we are off.
i too will have to find work out there when things get tight i think i will be able to get some ( auto electrician )  we love this life style soon you will think why did i want that house & worry that goes with it
Good luck in all your travels hope to catch up on that big roadround mate

have a fantastic holiday overseas and when you get back enjoy your safe and happy travels around australia you will love it , its realy the most amazing country of all i reckon. stay safe enjoy xx

Wise decision Flyboy. At 54 my sister was half way through the planning stages of backpacking around Europe when Mom noticed her walking was a bit off balanced. This rapidly progressed making her a quadraplegic within 10 months. She was dead within a year of the initial diognosis of the cerebrial problem .

2 years later Mom who lived in the same town as my sister & helped look after her had had enough bad memories of that town so was finally planning the big move to Coffs Harbour near where I lived at that time. Just after she exchanged contracts for the new townhouse in Coffs she was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer so I had her moved to a nursing home in Coffs which she asked for, plus being close I could help with anything & be company for her. She died 8 months later.

I am on a pension due to Ashma & lung problems plus a bad back so I decided to see Australia ASAP. We bought a caravan & tug, rented out the house & hit the road for a year or 2 while we can.

9 months later...no regrets & lovin it.

All the best with your plans

Cheers
Jon

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Wednesday 23rd of June 2010 08:19:05 PM

Hylda&Jon wrote:

---

I am on a pension due to Ashma & lung problems plus a bad back so I decided to see Australia ASAP. We bought a caravan & tug, rented out the house & hit the road for a year or 2 while we can.

Cheers
Jon

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Wednesday 23rd of June 2010 08:19:05 PM

---

Hi Jon, do you mind if I ask you, does the rental income affect your pension?  I ask because there is a possibility I may end up in a similar situation in the future.