Have sought advice from family, colleagues, financial advisers etc. Thought we would ask the question of people with experience.
Want to head off in 6 months, working around this great country for a couple of years, if not longer - both in mid 50's and fit - both no longer happy in our jobs and dream of being on the road.
No debts - very reliable rig and off road caravan - $40,000 in bank - plus $50,000 per year paid fortnightly from government pension - house paid off and now an asset.
Don't expect detailed responses, but is this enough to go on the road?
Any advice greatly accepted.
SCOEY
dazren said
03:21 AM Aug 21, 2013
Yep !! Your in a lot better position than many many others that are out there, and you are still prepared to work at times to top up ?? GO FOR IT .
copper1 said
03:44 AM Aug 21, 2013
SCOEY, I think you have answered your own question!!! you are financially sound and if you are going to rent out your house well more $$ for you, or if not, as you don't want the headache of tenants you should be fine. I don't know your full circumstances but I took an early retirement after being injured at work. What to do was the answer well we headed of in March to see what would happen my pension payments are less than yours but we had no dramas and were not looking for work, as I just need a break but, there is work out there if you want it. Well after 11 weeks away I came home weighed up our situation done the sums and with careful planning it was a no brainer. So what happened I sold my 2 year old Colorado and brought a new Landcruiser and Sold our 8 month old van for another bigger van set up with everything we want as we noted whilst away things that would make life easier on the road. Hopefully by mid October the new van will arrive our eldest daughter will have had her second baby and its goodbye we are on the road down through Victoria and then onto Tassie in the new year.
Our house well since I have been home have renovated it by adding a new room and veranda but we will not be renting it out, we will be letting family use it whilst we are away in exchange for feeding out cat.
Just on a side note the 11 weeks away we covered 10,000km and stayed in both free and paid camp spots the dearest being Kings Canyon and spent $5000 the largest part being on fuel. You can do it cheaper than this and I am sure others on this site can impart more knowledge on spending less but, that was not a priority on this trip, but certainly will for future travels.
Hope this helps enjoy your time
freehazzas said
04:15 AM Aug 21, 2013
Yep you have plenty. Go out and enjoy.
barrie said
06:02 AM Aug 21, 2013
Just do it if your not happy in your jobs ,we gave our jobs away and hit the road 4 years ago with no regrets
sandsmere said
12:17 PM Aug 21, 2013
I agree with the above replies .
Get out here and make a start . We don't know what's around the corner .
Gerty Dancer said
03:34 PM Aug 21, 2013
YES!
Radar said
04:29 PM Aug 21, 2013
Scoey hi
On a different note like you I believe our finances being similar maybe a little better, we have enough to enjoy the Nomadic life but one of us ain't sure, so we are meeting half way.I am of retirement age and have done so and when my Lady stops work very soon we are going to do shorter trips of say 4 to 6 weeks and come home when we feel the need to do what ever. That may change as we get better at it.
With out going too stupid with our cash re souses and being so much better off then our parents were at our age, we feel we can on a regular budget live and enjoy ourselves for some time yet.
Best of luck with your decision.
SCOEY said
03:30 AM Aug 25, 2013
Greetings all and thanks for your replies.
I have given notice at work and will spend the next 6 months doing some part time work, preparing the tug and caravan and planning our adventure.
Looking forward to perhaps catching up with some fellow GN's on the road - cheers.
SCOEY
Happywanderer said
03:37 AM Aug 25, 2013
Go for it, don't delay.
A majority of us are doing it on a pension.
You've already got a head start.
Greetings all.
Have sought advice from family, colleagues, financial advisers etc. Thought we would ask the question of people with experience.
Want to head off in 6 months, working around this great country for a couple of years, if not longer - both in mid 50's and fit - both no longer happy in our jobs and dream of being on the road.
No debts - very reliable rig and off road caravan - $40,000 in bank - plus $50,000 per year paid fortnightly from government pension - house paid off and now an asset.
Don't expect detailed responses, but is this enough to go on the road?
Any advice greatly accepted.
SCOEY
Yep !! Your in a lot better position than many many others that are out there, and you are still prepared to work at times to top up ?? GO FOR IT .

SCOEY, I think you have answered your own question!!! you are financially sound and if you are going to rent out your house well more $$ for you, or if not, as you don't want the headache of tenants you should be fine. I don't know your full circumstances but I took an early retirement after being injured at work. What to do was the answer well we headed of in March to see what would happen my pension payments are less than yours but we had no dramas and were not looking for work, as I just need a break but, there is work out there if you want it. Well after 11 weeks away I came home weighed up our situation done the sums and with careful planning it was a no brainer. So what happened I sold my 2 year old Colorado and brought a new Landcruiser and Sold our 8 month old van for another bigger van set up with everything we want as we noted whilst away things that would make life easier on the road. Hopefully by mid October the new van will arrive our eldest daughter will have had her second baby and its goodbye we are on the road down through Victoria and then onto Tassie in the new year.
Our house well since I have been home have renovated it by adding a new room and veranda but we will not be renting it out, we will be letting family use it whilst we are away in exchange for feeding out cat.
Just on a side note the 11 weeks away we covered 10,000km and stayed in both free and paid camp spots the dearest being Kings Canyon and spent $5000 the largest part being on fuel. You can do it cheaper than this and I am sure others on this site can impart more knowledge on spending less but, that was not a priority on this trip, but certainly will for future travels.
Hope this helps enjoy your time
I agree with the above replies .
Get out here and make a start . We don't know what's around the corner .
Scoey hi
On a different note like you I believe our finances being similar maybe a little better, we have enough to enjoy the Nomadic life but one of us ain't sure, so we are meeting half way.I am of retirement age and have done so and when my Lady stops work very soon we are going to do shorter trips of say 4 to 6 weeks and come home when we feel the need to do what ever. That may change as we get better at it.
With out going too stupid with our cash re souses and being so much better off then our parents were at our age, we feel we can on a regular budget live and enjoy ourselves for some time yet.
Best of luck with your decision.
Greetings all and thanks for your replies.
I have given notice at work and will spend the next 6 months doing some part time work, preparing the tug and caravan and planning our adventure.
Looking forward to perhaps catching up with some fellow GN's on the road - cheers.
SCOEY
A majority of us are doing it on a pension.
You've already got a head start.