As everyone probably knows if you’ve been checking out this site, Brian and I have been extremely busy up until recently. I had the pleasure of a week off for the holidays, and Brian finished the semester and is on winter break. Since Christmas brought us many gifts and much money, we got excited and went on a let’s-buy-stuff-for-the-trip shopping spree, only to be disappointed at our options in the area. Sure, we can shop online, and most of the time prefer it, but it really is frustrating when you have to return items over and over because they just aren’t what you expected (and when you’ll be using them for a year or more straight, they better be perfect, right?). So Friday, we hopped in the car and scurried all the way down to St. Louis for an adventure! (We don’t have many of them since we’re on such a tight budget, so this was quite exciting for us.)

Fridays at the St. Louis Art Museum are FREE so I of course had to take advantage. I love museums and can usually spend hours looking at great artwork. The best part is the inspiration/creative spark that is left with me after going, and with being so busy lately, it felt good to have that feeling again.

After fun-fun in the museum, we made our way to REI, which is not a store we normally have access to. The best thing we have around here is Dick’s and man, that store usually just leaves us dissatisfied and depressed. REI was just what we were looking for. We spent probably 3 hours in that store, investigating, taking notes, and trying items on. It was great. I purchased a very adorable black fleece vest and some quick drying brown denali pants that roll up to capris. Brian purchased some nalgene bottles and a pack cover. It may not sound like much, but we were able to get ideas of other items we might be interested in, and best of all, we were able to try on some great hiking shoes/sandals.

After the hours in the museum and shopping we were starved. We stopped off and grabbed some dinner, then picked up some Starbuck’s to perk us up for the long drive home. I, actually, was the only one who wanted a latte, but when I asked for a gingerbread latte, they thought I said green tea latte. Long story short, we paid the price of the green tea latte and received both the gingerbread and green tea in the end, giving each of us a great treat. Yay for adventures!

The year 2006 has come and gone in a flash.

It seems like it was just yesterday that Brian and I made the decision to pursue the trip, and here we are, already reviewing the year’s funding progress thus far. The big question: 2006, success or failure?

I have worked two jobs, set a tight budget, and paid off my car. I have reached a year end savings of $8100.00 strictly for the trip, set up CD’s and high interest savings accounts, combined cell phone plans, and disconnected cable.

Brian has managed to lock down winter and summer internships with Bunge (thus securing finances for the trip), also set up CD’s and high interest savings accounts, and has stuck to my budget without complaints. He has also managed to turn off all the lights when I tend to leave them on (whoops!). Now, with some additional unexpected help from his family, Brian is currently at a trip savings of $15,000.00!

“Success or failure?” I ask again. With a combined savings of $23,000 it is hard to see the year as anything but a success. It is also hard to convince myself to get another part-time job! But with a year ending so well it would seem silly to stop pursuing my original money goals. I must keep saving. Who knows where 2007 will leave us, or where the adventure will lead us.

Here’s to another year of success!

How many times have you heard these famous words? Once?… twice?… twenty? Well today you hear them again because Brooke has to remind herself to do just that… She’s got to pay for a RTW trip!

Since September, I have been working my butt off with 2 jobs. At first with Denny’s I thought it was just because I wasn’t used to it, and that it would get better in time. Alas, time has passed, and I’m flustered. I don’t know if it is the location, or the town, but I have been disappointed one too many times. C’mon, ‘kids eat free’ night doesn’t mean that your server works for free, too! I understand that our $5.99 extreme slam, 2 eggs, 3 bacon, 3 sausage, hash browns, and 3 pancakes “breaks the bank”, but please get it to-go if you’re not going to tip.

As you can see, one might have the right to be flustered when subjected to such harsh working conditions. So, I decided to put in my notice that Dec. 23rd will be my last day with Denny’s (it was really only a 13 day notice, but hey if I’m quitting, I’m not working Christmas!). Oh, Denny’s, we’ve had such a good time together. You’ve helped pay off my car, and for that I will be forever thankful. But, I must find another way to get the money I need for my trip, and one that won’t leave me insane.

p.s. I pretty much hate people who eat breakfast for dinner now.

The early morning is here and I can barely keep my eyes open. I’ve actually forced myself out of bed a few minutes early so I can make this one last transfer, and kill my car (loan that is)!

My paycheck deposits first thing every Thursday directly to my bank account, so I can immediately put a transfer through online to my loan account. So, here we go guys! I’m about to transfer the remaining $240 from checking to loan account… I wonder if they give you some sort of congratulatory pop-up when you complete such a pay-off. Hmm…

Ok, click, type $240, confirm - success! Take a look at those numbers:

Unfortunately, there is no congratulatory pop-up message, but I wasn’t expecting that to really happen.

The relief and satisfaction I feel right now are more than sufficient.

I just realized I have been so busy lately that I haven’t updated on what steps have been taken in October to help fund the trip! Besides working my butt off (literally, which is nice), I have discovered the beauty that is ING. Take a quick look at the interest rate on your normal savings account, then take a look at ING’s interest rate (a whopping 4.4%!) and see why you’ll want to k - i - s - s ING. I’m not going to have all my money locked up in CD’s, so why not make near CD interest on the money I have just sitting around! The process was extremely simple, and I recommend it to anyone. Brian signed up, too, and we figure between the two of us having our money in ING and CD’s we’ll earn at least $1000 before the trip starts just on interest.

Can you imagine? One thousand bucks just for taking a few minutes here and there to set up a couple accounts! I love it. That money could cover a lot of our travel insurance, or some pre-trip vaccinations, or better yet, pay for some wild adventure along the way! So go ahead and give ING a big ol’ kiss!

On another note, today at my normal job the overtime schedule for 2007 came out and I’m signed up for two shifts a month! Ooooh baby, with that dough I’ll be able to work less and make just as much money so I’m super excited about that. I’m tired folks. Two jobs are taking its toll, but I love watching my numbers change. Brian says I’m obsessed with my money, but seeing the change is what’s keeping me going!

Over the past few months, I have been inspired, excited, and anxious more times than I can count. I love thinking about the trip and the wonders that await us in 2008, but I especially love it when someone else unexpectedly comes along and contributes to the excitement. This post goes out to all those people whose stories about their own travels have left us in awe; for those people who have left supportive messages in regards to our plans (Cindy: “I hate you guys.” I know that’s just your way of telling us we’ll be missed); for those people who are also anxiously awaiting and planning trips with us. There has just been a slew of support for our RTW decision, and one instance, in particular, stands out in our minds:

It’s Saturday back in August, just after Brian and I moved to Normal. We were on an adventure to Best Buy, in search of GPS systems. Brian thought it might be a good idea to take one with local maps downloaded onto it so we didn’t have to buy maps wherever we went (thus saving $$$). Tip: If you’re looking for handheld GPS systems, don’t go to Best Buy. They have 2. Yes, TWO. And, they are in the automotive section next to a plethora of GPS systems… made for your car.

Just as we were bending over to look at the fantastic selection, a Best Buy associate, probably around our age, comes out to ask if he could help us. Normally, I’m very annoyed with this, but he seemed friendly and we made conversation about the GPS selection. The next part went a little something like this (not word for word):

Us: “There are about 50 GPS systems for cars, but 2 handheld. What’s the deal?”

Best Buy Guy: “Americans just don’t like to get out of their cars.” (We chuckle.) “Why are you looking for handhelds?”

Us: “We’re planning on doing some traveling and thought it might be a cool idea.”

Best Buy Guy: “Oh, yeah? Where are you planning on going?”

Us: (We look at each other, then back at him.) “Everywhere.” (His eyes kind of perked up. We proceeded to tell him the plan and he got very excited.)

Best Buy Guy: “I’ve done a lot of traveling… I’d give anything to do that right now!” (He went on and on about all the places he had been, what to watch out for, etc.) “YOU’LL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES!”

His excitement made us more excited, I almost couldn’t contain myself (but I was in public…). He just kept going back to, “You’ll have the time of your lives!” I can still picture it in my head with all the excitement when he said it. Brian and I walked out of Best Buy without a GPS system, but with so much more confidence in our decision to travel. Sometimes, when we’re stressed out with planning and feeling like it will never happen soon enough I say to Brian, “Let’s go back to Best Buy!” We don’t really go back, but the memory of that situation, so unexpected and great, makes us happy. Thank you Best Buy Guy! We still don’t know your name, but you will not be forgotten.

Back in August, Brian ventured out to Boston for a weekend and said he was going to type up a little something for the site. I have even seen him typing a paragraph or two on his laptop, but have yet to see anything official. So, until further notice, here is the recap of that weekend:

Brian took a bus to Boston on Friday, walked around, drank some Sam Adam’s, ate some clam chowder, and even though he might have vomited on the side of the street, he still had a great time.

The End.

In my life, I’ve had several jobs (and by several I mean about 15). Sometimes I worked them just for the summer, and other times I worked two jobs on top of classes, so when I decided I needed a part-time job on top of my full-time job it didn’t seem overwhelming or crazy to me in the least. Now that Brian and I moved the trip up, this was really the only way we’d still have the same trip that we were planning.

Earlier in September I made my way to some of the more upscale restaurants in the area, but when I handed in my applications they informed me they had just hired a bunch of people (Dah! All the college kids beat me!). The only other possibility that I saw was Denny’s. We live on the outskirts of town and Denny’s is right around the corner, off the interstate of course, making it literally a 3 minute drive from our place. I figured since I worked at Cracker Barrell before in college, this would be a snap to learn. After some contemplation, I decided to apply at Denny’s. Like I said before, I have had many jobs in my life, but never… never has it been a longer process than at Denny’s! Take a look at the following timeline to see for yourself:
Saturday, September 10: I call Denny’s and ask if they are looking for any servers. The manager says that the first step is to take a phone interview and call back in a couple of days. I call the number and it takes probably 20 minutes or so to complete.

Tuesday, September 12:  I call Denny’s back and the manager said the next step would be to come in and fill out a paper application. He said coming in anytime after 8pm would be best. I make my way to Denny’s after House and fill out the application. The employees around said they would get a manager to come out and talk to me, and, after 15 minutes of waiting, he came out to tell me I had an interview for tomorrow at 9pm.

Wednesday, September 13: Nine o’clock rolls around and I’m at Denny’s sitting with a manger for an interview. The questions seemed absolutely ridiculous to me; “What’s the difference between customer service and hospitality?” We make it through the interview and just when I think he’s about to tell me when I start, he says, “How’s Saturday at 4pm for your 2nd interview?” (What?!)

Saturday, September 16: The second interview was with another manager. It went a lot quicker than the first one, and basically felt like a waste of time. At least he left me with a “you start orientation on Monday” comment. What a relief! You have to really want this job to get it!

Monday, September 18: Orientation, forms, videos, etc.

Tuesday, September 19: Server training.

Wednesday, September 20: Server training.

Thursday, September 21: Server training.

Finally, on Monday the 25th, I will take my server test and officially become a Denny’s server.

This has been the longest process ever!

It will be worth it, though, in the long run. I’m sure I’ll be able to meet my money goals with this job and make the trip of a lifetime really happen. Plus, I’m really excited to get out. I work from home and speak to people on the phone all day, but it gets lonely. We’re in a new city where we don’t know many people, and it is just plain hard to get out without a reason. I’ve been more than happy to bring people their pancakes, eggs, juice, sausage, whatever they want for dinner. It just feels good to me right now. Actually, I’ve been craving the very thing I’ve been serving all week and begging Brian to make me some pancakes for dinner before work, but he just replies, “You’ll hate people who eat breakfast for dinner.” Sure, maybe in time I will start to hate them. As for now, I can just relate.

We did it. I called Insight and cancelled cable TV. I know you must be thinking we’re crazy, but I’ve been really thinking lately about how much of a distraction it can be. I have the TV on all the time and find I get preoccupied; I stop what I’m doing and watch the TV, which sometimes makes me very unproductive. I really want to read more books on the countries we’ll be visiting and learning more computer programs (adobe illustrator especially), and honestly, I just can’t get that done when I get in tube mode. Brian agreed. He’s in graduate school now and there’s no time for distractions there.

Sure, there are some shows that I’ll miss dearly like Monk, Psych, Law N Order at any time of the day, and TLC in general, BUT I’ll still have HOUSE on Fox Also, we got a coupon for a free month of Blockbuster’s version of Netflix, so that will keep us occupied for a month, and then we might actually do Netflix (the $10/month version). That package allows one DVD at a time, but unlimited rentals for the month, including some of my favorite TV shows (hence the decision to finally cut cable out of our lives).

That concludes the bye bye cable part of the article, but you might be wondering what the other excitement is…

We’re going on our trip way sooner than we were planning!

It turns out that Brian is not getting his oral work done just yet. This plan was going to involve a little bit of mouth surgery, something the dentists explained to be minor and compared it to getting wisdom teeth pulled. Oh, what a joke! This surgery would end up widening his sinuses, chiseling into bones, a hospital stay, and more, giving us a grand total of $22,000-$30,000 for the surgery part alone! This is on top of having braces for 2 years +, and it turns out that getting the braces without the surgery will actually create more problems.

After much consideration, Brian has decided to stick with the splint he currently has for his jaw (I have one, too. Isn’t it cute; two love-birds with TMJ) and look into the oral work when we have an insurance plan that might help out with something along the way.

So with this news, Brian has pressed that we should leave immediately after he’s finished with his Master’s degree (Dec. 2007). I guess we’re leaving in January 2008! HOW EXCITING! I had finally gotten used to the idea that it could be a very long time until the trip, but alas, this changes everything.

Brian and I have settled into our apartment in Normal, IL and are trying to get our finances in order. In the past two days we have (proudly) initiated two money saving programs - cell phones and cd’s.

Yesterday, we went to the bank, cashed in our change (yay, jar-o-change you add up!) and decided to open up some certificates of deposit. We each put in $5000.00 to a year-long CD at a wonderful rate of 5.4%. That means in one year we will each make $270 extra for the trip for only 10 minutes of work to set it up at the bank. Not too shabby! Truly, it makes sense; we weren’t planning on spending the money anyways, so why not put it to good use?!

The other wonderful saving program we initiated is to combine our cell phones onto one plan. Brian and I both use Sprint and really don’t use our phones that much now that we’re in the same location. We decided to investigate the family plans, so we headed out to the nearest sprint store to learn a bit more. The process went smoother than expected, and that, too, took about 10 minutes to set up. We set up the base family plan: 550 anytime minutes, unlimited sprint mobile to mobile, nationwide long distance, and nights starting at 7pm - all that for $60/month.

The 550 anytime minutes doesn’t seem like much for 2 people, but when you consider the unlimited sprint to sprint and nights starting at 7pm, we should be golden. Before this, we were each spending ~$55/month on our cell phones, and now it’ll be a whopping ~$35 after taxes/fees for a total savings of $20/month/person. Quick two-year savings calculation = $960 between us!

Now, if we can only do without cable TV. In time.