For a long time, I have wondered what it feels like to become a nomad, and it is only now that I, retrospectively can identify some things which are happening, or starting to happen for myself (and my wife). Number one would be the danger of waiting too long to take the plunge. We had quite some time reflecting on when would be the best suitable time and in the process some years went by … Until I had another wake-up call regarding health issues which assisted us in reprioritising priorities. Is it adding another $ 25,000 (the maximum tax-deductible amount in Oz) to my super, or are we coming to the point where this becomes relative value? Tough questions … and hard decisions. Thus, the golden window of opportunity can fly by. Funny how serious surgery and radiation can assist in making decisions! One of the first things we wanted to clarify was the length of time. We both realised that we wanted this for “a window of opportunity”: Before retiring into our home in Victoria. Thus, twelve months. Thereafter, we will do frequent shorter trips as we can. Also, our understanding of full-time work and finances has shifted. Regarding health, we felt as soon as possible. Before degenerative diseases prevent us from enjoying life. With finances, it is another thing. We accepted that we would not be millionaires ever. Even with investment in super, we will need to budget carefully weekly. But is there really a difference of having a slice of white bread toast or a slice of brown bread toast in the morning with a Coles/Woolworths no-name brand ground coffee (instead of a selected connoisseur brand)? We realised that our ideas have shifted. In 12 months’, time I will re-engage with one or two full days’ work. Three important things add to the mix:
- The selection of what “nomad” means for us. Is it “off the grid” travelling with a 4×4 battling crevices, water streams and nearly impossible field tracks with a campfire meal at night? Is it a camping trailer, caravan or motorhome? Or is it an “on the grid” caravan with visits to national parks, free camping and occasional accessible “off-grid” experiences, and the occasional campfire experience where it is allowed? Especially important, it’s a joint decision. You and your wife/partner both need to agree in principle on what the choice should be. It does not need to be brand new. But it needs to be fully functioning. Four years ago, during COVID times we took the plunge for a “on the grid” road caravan. It is fully serviced every year by a reputable company (excluding my year-long health issue). When not used it’s stored securely in a shed. When on the road, it’s washed as the opportunity arises, and water is available. And it supplies in all the needs we have.
2. A reliable tow-tug (towing vehicle). Again, the importance is not on age, but on reliability. And yes, I know about the bantering between Ford Ranger and Toyota and Jeep and Land Drover. Lately, oversized and pricy American trucks like RAM and cheaper models like SsangYong have joined the crowd. Irrespective of what brand and model you choose, the emphasis is on regular service and proactive monitoring (water, oil, tyre pressure, dashboard warning lights). My observation is that it’s not the brand but servicing and monitoring that determines service.
3, Agreeing on where one wants to go. Australia is big and I noticed some people placing their 3-month travel experience of “doing the lap”. Which is doable. But the question is what one wants and how fast it should happen. For quite some time we thought about “doing the lap” (around the coastal belt of the whole of Australia in a year. The more we looked at it we realised that for our needs it’s too big. Being a nomad is not about driving every second/third day. It’s about absorbing, deciding on the sport to stay longer/shorter and agreeing on what the content would be. There can be differences, but the route must be agreed upon. In the end, we felt the geography of Oz determined us to do “half-a-lap.” Which means Tasmania, then Adelaide, the “up the middle” towards Darwin, turn left towards Broome, Exmouth, Perth and then back across the Nullarbor to Melbourne.
With these things discussed, settled and agreed upon, we advised our employers, that we are pulling the plug on full-time work, being 70 years and 68 years old, respectively. We nearly missed the boat. But we are now into this experience. 12 January 2020 became a significant date for both of us.
