1st tour was summer break before senior year in college. flew to luxembourg, cycled to vienna, stayed in youth hostels. paid for by college loan.
later tours while in the army stationed in europe. could save 30 days leave per year to use at one time.
18-month tour to nz/oz after getting a couple more degrees. 99% camping back when the $us-$oz rate was heavenly, so made more in dividends/interest than spent on tour.
later worked contract engineering, taking 3- to 6-month jobs, leaving plenty of time for touring. paid cash for new or used cars, so no car payments. paid cash for small house in small town in texas....(cheaper than my car!)...so no mortgage.
sold all and moved to asia, taking uni lessons in china or thailand.....plenty of time to tour where cost of living is much lower. touring costs if staying in hotel/guesthouse average about $20-25/day.
last 7 years teaching in china. three months paid vacation and cheap flights throughout the region.
am also retired in thailand (it's complicated....) where one can live comfortably on a us social security check, assuming one were receiving a social security check....
Last edited by saddlesores; 05-14-19 at 06:24 AM.