Yes, you read the title correctly. Four weeks is all you have and I'm going to share my best tips from personal experience!
So you've been thinking of traveling or moving abroad for sometime now but your back and forth. Things come up, life happens and you put it off. Then out of the blue you you find an opportunity while gallivanting online. You send a quick email not thinking much of it. Then, BAM!!....or whats that new popular word...BOOM...you are offered the opportunity of a lifetime for your family and kids!!!
BUT....you have four weeks before you need to be there. So what do you do?? Just for a little bit of background, we own a home, we have kids, we have stuff. So if you have that, you can still do it too!
So here we go!
TIP #1 SELL(IF POSSIBLE), RENT YOUR HOME(MOST LIKELY), OR ASK FAMILY THAT RENT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME(IDEAL OR DISASTER)
We already had our house on the market for a few months and when this opportunity came we knew we had to take it off the market and rent ASAP. We didn't have any family we lived near so we didn't have that option so we rented it out. If you are thinking of traveling or living abroad for awhile then I would suggest asking for a 2 or 3 year lease. This guarantees you additional income on your travels and someone to be in your home if your not back in a year. And when you do come back you still have a home. Selling is a good option is possible but in 4 weeks will be challenging.
TIP #2 BOOK YOUR PLANE TICKET IMMEDIATELY OR ASAP
Booking right away forces you to take this seriously and get moving. When you know the exact date and time you need to have all this done you start feeling that urge to get things done. If you have to lag it out find others ways to keep yourself focused. Another reason buying your plane ticket right away helps is because you know that you don't wanna lose out on any money you used for your tickets!
TIP #5 GO THROUGH YOUR CLOTHES
This is one of the first things I did. Do your research and get to know the weather of the place you are moving or traveling too. Sort through clothes according to that knowledge. I had four baskets set out and each basket was for one of the kids and the fourth for me. This helps with packing your actual luggage later too. I put all the clothes they would need in the basket and anything they wouldn't need I placed in a pile for my rummage sale. My husband went through his own stuff and that's why I only used four baskets ;-)
TIP #4 HAVE A RUMMAGE FOR A COUPLE WEEKENDS
Having rummages helps you earn some cash back in your pocket and helps rid you of stuff you can't take with or you don't need anymore. Sell everything and donate whats leftover for long term travel and save on storage costs. OR just sell what you don't need and can part with and find storage with family or friends for free. I had a very successful garage sale and I believe it was because I hung up signs inside stores on bulletin boards, I made very clear, bright Signs pointing to the sale and I advertised online. Here are some awesome links that I used to help have a successful rummage sale!
FREE Garage Sale Printable Signs @ CreateCraftLove Blog
Great Pricing Tips and Advertising Tips @ Bonnie Donahue Blog
Tips for A Successful Garage Sale @ Blog Homes
TIP #5 POST LARGE TICKET ITEMS ONLINE
Put everything in your rummage BUT also post the more expensive items you have on craigslist or Ebay. Rummages are places where people expect everything to be 10% or less of its actual price BUT people browsing craigslist or Ebay usually will pay closer to the actual value of the item. This is also a great way to advertise for your rummage. Set up meeting times with potential buyers during your rummage sale and you'd be surprised how many will actually buy more stuff in your rummage!!
TIP #6 GATHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, MAKE COPIES
I gathered all of our most important documents, including but not limited too, passports, social security cards, birth certificates, etc. I made copies to give to give to our family in the states and a few extra copies to bring along with our documents. Sometimes during travel other countries will ask for a copy, its a lot easier to have these on hand at a checkpoint or airport then have to find a copier on the spot in a place your not familiar with.
TIP #7 VISIT FAMILY THE WEEK BEFORE AND SET UP SKYPE
When moving abroad, its not as easy to jump on a plane and travel back so you need to make sure you visit family and set up how you will communicate. Make sure you stop by grandma and grandpa's house and set up Skype for them, show them how to use it and let them know you will be able to talk. Grandparents have the hardest time when you choose to move abroad because your taking their grandbabies with!! It will ease their worry and sadness by knowing they will be able to see you and communicate as often as needed.
I hope these tips have helped. There is a ton that happens in between all of this but these are my best and most helpful tips when you don't have much time before your departure. Try to stop and take moments here and there to enjoy the here and now in all the hustle and bustle. Don't forget to eat! And maybe prepare some easy grab meals for the kids. I did all of this while my three kiddos were with me. My husband was usually working a lot and late. Ask for help from family and friends if you get to overwhelmed.
~Adiós!
So you've been thinking of traveling or moving abroad for sometime now but your back and forth. Things come up, life happens and you put it off. Then out of the blue you you find an opportunity while gallivanting online. You send a quick email not thinking much of it. Then, BAM!!....or whats that new popular word...BOOM...you are offered the opportunity of a lifetime for your family and kids!!!
BUT....you have four weeks before you need to be there. So what do you do?? Just for a little bit of background, we own a home, we have kids, we have stuff. So if you have that, you can still do it too!
So here we go!
TIP #1 SELL(IF POSSIBLE), RENT YOUR HOME(MOST LIKELY), OR ASK FAMILY THAT RENT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME(IDEAL OR DISASTER) We already had our house on the market for a few months and when this opportunity came we knew we had to take it off the market and rent ASAP. We didn't have any family we lived near so we didn't have that option so we rented it out. If you are thinking of traveling or living abroad for awhile then I would suggest asking for a 2 or 3 year lease. This guarantees you additional income on your travels and someone to be in your home if your not back in a year. And when you do come back you still have a home. Selling is a good option is possible but in 4 weeks will be challenging.
TIP #2 BOOK YOUR PLANE TICKET IMMEDIATELY OR ASAPBooking right away forces you to take this seriously and get moving. When you know the exact date and time you need to have all this done you start feeling that urge to get things done. If you have to lag it out find others ways to keep yourself focused. Another reason buying your plane ticket right away helps is because you know that you don't wanna lose out on any money you used for your tickets!
TIP #5 GO THROUGH YOUR CLOTHES
This is one of the first things I did. Do your research and get to know the weather of the place you are moving or traveling too. Sort through clothes according to that knowledge. I had four baskets set out and each basket was for one of the kids and the fourth for me. This helps with packing your actual luggage later too. I put all the clothes they would need in the basket and anything they wouldn't need I placed in a pile for my rummage sale. My husband went through his own stuff and that's why I only used four baskets ;-)
TIP #4 HAVE A RUMMAGE FOR A COUPLE WEEKENDSHaving rummages helps you earn some cash back in your pocket and helps rid you of stuff you can't take with or you don't need anymore. Sell everything and donate whats leftover for long term travel and save on storage costs. OR just sell what you don't need and can part with and find storage with family or friends for free. I had a very successful garage sale and I believe it was because I hung up signs inside stores on bulletin boards, I made very clear, bright Signs pointing to the sale and I advertised online. Here are some awesome links that I used to help have a successful rummage sale!
FREE Garage Sale Printable Signs @ CreateCraftLove Blog
Great Pricing Tips and Advertising Tips @ Bonnie Donahue Blog
Tips for A Successful Garage Sale @ Blog Homes
TIP #5 POST LARGE TICKET ITEMS ONLINEPut everything in your rummage BUT also post the more expensive items you have on craigslist or Ebay. Rummages are places where people expect everything to be 10% or less of its actual price BUT people browsing craigslist or Ebay usually will pay closer to the actual value of the item. This is also a great way to advertise for your rummage. Set up meeting times with potential buyers during your rummage sale and you'd be surprised how many will actually buy more stuff in your rummage!!
TIP #6 GATHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, MAKE COPIESI gathered all of our most important documents, including but not limited too, passports, social security cards, birth certificates, etc. I made copies to give to give to our family in the states and a few extra copies to bring along with our documents. Sometimes during travel other countries will ask for a copy, its a lot easier to have these on hand at a checkpoint or airport then have to find a copier on the spot in a place your not familiar with.
TIP #7 VISIT FAMILY THE WEEK BEFORE AND SET UP SKYPE
When moving abroad, its not as easy to jump on a plane and travel back so you need to make sure you visit family and set up how you will communicate. Make sure you stop by grandma and grandpa's house and set up Skype for them, show them how to use it and let them know you will be able to talk. Grandparents have the hardest time when you choose to move abroad because your taking their grandbabies with!! It will ease their worry and sadness by knowing they will be able to see you and communicate as often as needed.I hope these tips have helped. There is a ton that happens in between all of this but these are my best and most helpful tips when you don't have much time before your departure. Try to stop and take moments here and there to enjoy the here and now in all the hustle and bustle. Don't forget to eat! And maybe prepare some easy grab meals for the kids. I did all of this while my three kiddos were with me. My husband was usually working a lot and late. Ask for help from family and friends if you get to overwhelmed.
~Adiós!
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