With just over a month before Argentina, I’m creating a Departure Checklist to go through before any extended travel. A lot of the guidelines I pulled off of Tynan’s site and Ferris’ site – both amazing resources.
Step 1 – Took a snapshot of my current assets, and created a cash flow statement for the next four months. This helped in a couple ways: one, it reassured me even if overspent my estimated budget, I’d have enough free cash to cover it, as well as cover my bills while I was gone.
Two, the cash flow statement reminded me what financial arrangements I needed to make before leaving. I still need to pay health insurance. My loan payments are coming up quick – will I have enough free cash to cover these? How much cash can I expect to come in before I leave/while I’m gone? With the cash flow statement, it was easy to make sure I set up automatic bill pay correctly.
Just this one step removed a huge weight off my shoulders. I can take this trip without worrying about money, and that freedom is priceless.
Step 2 – I ordered this credit card for my traveling expenses. Here’s why.
I’ll also link that card with automatic bill pay to cover the above costs, then link a check card to make sure those payments are on time.
Step 3 – I spent a lot of time researching gear, between reading various sites, talking to friends, and considering my own needs. At the end of the day, I had a pounding headache, and felt like I wasted a lot of time. I really wanted to go minimalistic with this trip, and trying to get the best of the bare essentials one piece of equipment at a time was driving me crazy.
Then I remembered I was going on this sweet trip by myself for six weeks, and I instantly felt better.
So I created one list of things based on this information (which I’ll post later,) and picked an upcoming weekend to buy what I need.
Step 4 – Made sure I’d be able to vote before I left. Super important.
Step 5 – I had two personal goals before I left: get my Fulbright application in, and finish the rough draft of a book. At this point, it looks like I’m on track, and will accomplish both before I hop on that plane.
Did I miss anything on the Month Out Departure Checklist?
Posted by Ming 
