Coming Home

What should I prepare for my return?

This part is so depressing to think about that it's difficult to write even though we already are home! But the sad reality is that you need to think this out in advance. Planning the traveling part is so fun that it's easy to forget that you'll eventually return home, and when you do you'll need to re-adjust back into society...somehow.

Most people won't have a job waiting for them when they return, but if you somehow will you are way ahead of the game. Most people won't have an apartment to move into either, so you need to give this a bit of thought now so it's not incredibly stressful when you do finally face this part.

People tend to have a certain budget for the trip, but there will be a temptation to spend every bit of money you can get your hands on while traveling. If you are young - or maybe even if you aren't - you might be able to move in with your parents for a while when you get home. Then you get a job and save up enough money until you can get your own place. If this appeals to you then this might not be too difficult.

But if you have been independent for a while you might only want to crash with a friend for a week while you are apartment hunting. In this case you'll need some money waiting for you when you get back. If you are extremely disciplined then this might not be a problem, but most of us will be tempted to spend some of this "Coming Home Fund" on another week on the road or some cool souvenirs for our friends.

You might consider taking the portion of your money you think you'll need upon returning home and putting it in a savings account that isn't linked to your ATM card. You can still get to it in an emergency, but you won't just thoughtlessly burn through it while buying another few rounds of drinks for all your new friends at the hostel.

We can't tell you exactly what you'll need to prepare for your re-absorption back into society, but we are reminding you to think about it before you leave and have something in mind for yourself.

Bon voyage!

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