"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." Lao Tzu

For some people it takes a mid-career crisis to make them realise that a career break could be just the rejuvenation and reawakening they’ve needed for the past two or three years, however terrifying and cash-consuming it may seem.

Travelling round the world is also becoming increasingly attractive for families with young children. There’s no doubting how impressionable kids can be, and experiencing a wide variety of cultures at an early age can shape a person’s willingness to learn and try new things for the rest of their life.

So why do we put such opportunities on hold? The excuses are few and far between! Around one in five employers surveyed by The Confederation of British Industry now offer career breaks (probably because they know a good employee when they see one!). So, as long as your employer is forward thinking and appreciates you enough to want you back, don’t be afraid to approach them for a three to twelve month sabbatical. Alternatively, jack in the job and worry about finding another when you decide to come back from your life-changing trip!

For ideas on what to do and where to go, check out ‘the gap list’.

Finances

Planning a big trip inevitably requires a bit of maths. However boring it may be, it’s essential if you don’t want to have to worry about money while you’re away or, even worse, think about ending your trip earlier than you planned due to money constraints.

You should separate your finances into three main areas:

• What you’ll need to spend before you go

The cost of any gap year obviously depends on where you’re going, where you’ll be sleeping, whether you’ll be working or not and how many special activities you want to do. All these factors will influence how much you spend prior to leaving home.

Your biggest expenditure before you go will probably include your flights (or a round-the-world ticket), any prepaid accommodation (definitely worth booking at least the first three nights so you can settle into your first destination), travel insurance, prebooked car/campervan rental, backpack (get the right one for you or feel the pain!), camera, clothes, travel essentials (first aid kit, mossie repellent, money belt etc), visas, immunisations, a handsome and hardy diary, and maybe a couple of guidebooks (lighter the better!). Check out Gapyear.com’s advice on what kit to take with you: www.gapyear.com/advice/buying_and_packing_a_backpack_introduction.html.

• What you’ll need to have a fabulous time away

As above, your route and your style (i.e. Hiltons or Hostels?) will determine your budget while you’re away. Check out Gapyear.com’s money pages for info on how much accommodation and activities etc are likely to set you back – www.gapyear.com/money/what_things_cost.html. Gapyear.com also has a very handy 40 page money planner to download. The site provides a lot of useful info on a country by country basis.

• What you’ll need to keep your finances at home in order

If you’re currently renting then it’s probably wise to wait until the end of your tenancy or you’ll be throwing money away on an empty flat (unless you can sub-let). Alternatively, ask your landlord if you can cut short your tenancy – suggest that you’ll find a new tenant to replace you.

If you’re a homeowner then you could have a great source of income while you’re away! It might be a bit of a hassle but letting your home could cover the mortgage and maybe even give you a bit extra (you might need to ask your mortgage lender before you let your home). If you ask a managing agent to manage the letting you shouldn’t really have any hassle if something goes wrong. If you’re leaving pets behind then it might be wiser to ask a friend or relative to housesit.

Set up direct debits or standing orders to pay bills and credit cards, and consider giving someone you trust (i.e. not your spendaholic flatmate!) power of attorney over your bank account. This is much easier to set up before you leave, and trying to sort things out with your bank while you’re travelling round a developing country can be a nightmare.
Wanderlust have a great section on career breaks and getting your affairs at home in order before you go - www.wanderlust.co.uk/career/index.html. Click here to check out The Career Break Book and lots of other great gap year books. Buy through the f:mall and get % back!

Fundraising Ideas

• Ask your employer if they’ll contribute

Contributing to the cost of your voluntary placement could be great PR for your company. Most large companies relish any opportunity to advertise the fact they make generous charitable contributions. Approach your boss with a carefully prepared proposal and you may be pleasantly surprised! You could also mention all the skills you’ll develop while you’re away and how this will benefit the company.

• Grant Directory

Approach local charities, associations or clubs. Many have funds to give away to local people wanting to make a difference in their local community or about to embark on a worthwhile project abroad.

• Friends and family

As envious as your family and friends may be that you’re leaving them behind to experience a whole new world of exciting people and lifechanging adventures, they might be willing to donate a helpful sum in exchange for your modesty and humility on your return!

• Sell everything on Ebay / car booties

Travelling round the world can make even the most material people realise that possessions are unnecessary. If you’re going away for a long time (e.g. a year) then it may even be worthwhile selling expensive items that might become obsolete in that time, as long as you can replace them if you need to on your return. Computers, furniture, designer shoes and handbags, and even your car will be of no use to you while you’re away so why not sell them and swell your gap fund?!

• Raising money at work

Introduce a lottery scheme at work and tell your colleagues that you’ll take 10% of the total fund for organising it (e.g. 50 employees, £1 a week, £5 to you, £45 to the winner = £250 over the year). You could also bake cakes (if its that type of office!) and sell them at break, or auction things off (designer handbags will go well here!).

• Max your income

Organise parties (e.g. Ann Summers), take part in surveys, pose as a life model, face paint at children’s parties, organise a village fete, start a quiz at your local … there’s no end to making a bit of extra money. Read Jasmine Birtles’ ‘A Bit on the Side – 500 ways to boost your income’. Buy it through the f:mall to boost your rewards or, better still, borrow it from a library!

• Ask your employer if they’ll take you back afterwards

This might not provide you with money while you’re away but it does give you peace of mind that you’ll come back to security. In fact, most people find it hard to settle back into the same job when they return and apply for other jobs. With the skills and qualities you’ll have acquired on your travels, chances are you could land a much better job anyway!

Remember to only buy what you really need while you’re saving for your fabulous trip – it’s worth it! When you do shop, check out the f:mall first to see how much you could get back on your purchase – we’ll credit your rewards straight to your savings account!