bertus

Hey everyone, I'm hoping to have an epiphany and maybe someone can help.

My problem is I'm not sure if I should be responsible or go on a trip I have been planning for a year. Here is the two options.

Responsible option:
I'm currently in university and I have a good summer job lined up and I started a lawn care company to make some extra money. If I am responsible I would save my money from my summer job and spend it on school tuition. I have 1.5 years left but I am planning on going directly into graduate studies so in theory I should save as much as I can since I will be moving across the country for grad school. If I saved my money I also would be able to invest more into my business next summer. Plus I can pay down my debt (interest free family loan).

Irresponsible option:
I would work over summer and go part time next semester while working as much as possible and save every penny I make. Then I would take the winter semester off and go with 3 friends to do the B2 (it's a race from Budapest to Bamako and is like the Dakar). Then I would stay in Africa for as long as possible and cruise around on the motorcycle I would of taken on the race.

I'm completely torn over what I should do. If I want to do the race I would have to do it this year or else do it by myself in a few years and I'm not good enough at mechanics for that. Plus I have never traveled with other people before and one of the guys I'm going with wants to tour around on his motorcycle afterwards as well. On the other hand though I wouldn't be able to pay back any of my family loan and would be another semester behind. So what do you guys think? Do I save my money and prepare for the future or do I spend every cent I have for an awesome adventure and screw the consequences?

maracle

Your irresponsible option is not particularly irresponsible, so I would go with that.

I mean I'm definitely the type that would recommend thinking long term, but all you're talking about doing is graduating slightly later than you otherwise could. You're even saving for your trip in advance. Have fun

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Elizabeth

I guess it all really depends on the family loan. Are we talking big money or petty money? Are they counting on you to repay it soon? Are you going to get hell from your fam if you don't repay it?

So if its ok w ur fam I would say go for it. The motorcycle race sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you're going to grad school, sounds like you've got a lot of school ahead of you anyway so one semester won't really make a difference. Besides your family loan, (and school debt??) it sounds like you don't have much responsibility. So we must enjoy this time now while we're young

bertus

Oops, I forgot that if I go on the trip I will probably have to borrow at least $4000 and I already owe my family $5000 from a combination of buying a car and my last back packing trip through Europe. That is kind of the major hitch in the plan because I'm am very anti debt.

Elizabeth

Hmm maybe you could form your own developing country and ask the IMF for debt forgiveness?

Its one thing to put off repaying your debt, but now to add even more? I dunno...part of travel for me is that I earned it, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable traveling on a loan, but hey if your fam wants to keep giving it out well thats their business

Canadian Bacon

The question is: which one would you regret not doing more? If I were in your shoes, I'd always regret not going on that B2 thing (which sounds AWESOME!).

School and money will always be there (you haven't graduated yet, its still very early at this stage in the game) but the chance to do something like this with your buddies may not.

I like your responsible thinking, but this is not one of those choices that necessarily falls within the 'responsible vs irrespnosible' dichotomy

__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."

marc873

Hmmm, when did Tpunks become "responsible"??????? So, have you bought the ticket yet!!!!

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When an adventure ends you can never go back, never relive it, never hope to feel the same emotion. The secret is to not try and go back but to keep searching for new adventure....

dl888

Sounds like it all boils down to which one you would regret more. Even after whatever decision you decide to go with, you'll always look back at this moment and reflect and wonder if you made the right choice. So I would go with the one you won't regret... B2!