Making the Most of the Recession

Like many young couples do these days, my husband and I are planning a backpacking trip around the world. Saving up our money for two years has been a long and tedious process and really we’re still not done yet.

Our original timeframe would have been to leave between December of 2009 and March of 2010, depending on when we reached our financial goal.

However, it looks like the recession has other plans for us.

In the past month, my income as a self-employed blogger was cut in half. First, I found out I was being let go from one blog. The next week two of my other blogs cut back. My dad pays for my student loans every month in exchange for me working for him remotely. The same day I found out about more of my blog cuts, he informed that one of our contracts may not be renewed this year and if it doesn’t, he won’t be able to keep me as an employee of the business –- in essence, another pay cut.

Then, my husband also received word that by the end of April his salary would be lowered or he would be fired.

To put it mildly, this economy stinks.

At first, I’ll admit, the tears flowed freely. Having our entire financial stability come crashing down on us all at once wasn’t fun. My mind ran through scenarios in which we would have to move back in with my in-laws, or start doing stupid human tricks on the street in between stoplights and then ask for change like the Two-Headed Man. And worst case scenario, I was afraid we’d never be able to save enough money to be able to leave on this big trip we’ve been dreaming about since we met each other.

And then we realized something –- we might not be able to take the trip of our dreams and travel the world for a year or two as planned. But instead of letting this recession get us down, we would make the recession work for us. We decided that if my husband gets let go that now’s the time -– we’re leaving! We can travel for 6-8 months with the money we’ve saved up. That’s longer than most people are able to find time for.

There’s no better time than now to see the world. Prices are down and airlines and hostels are giving great deals in order to attract more business, because they’re hurting too. Couch-surfing has become bigger and more convenient than ever as other travelers look to save money on lodging. And best of all, instead of having a long stretch of “unemployment” on our resumes, we’ll be able to fill in that blank with, “I saw the world.”

We’re turning these awful circumstances into an amazing one! I’m more excited than ever now that the trip is upon us. True, we’ve had to be a little flexible with our plans, but it’s worth it in order to help us snap out of all this negativity!

How are you making the most of the recession?

By Kyle Hepp of Tonic