Need help in making a decision

LegacyUser

Ok, I'm a 35 year old male, I have no ties, I have almost 40 grand in savings, there's a house that I know is being left to me in the future, have a car and work in a job that bores me to death. It's office admin, it's all I've ever done. I screwed up school, failed my leaving, never went to college so I've no qualifications just the 15 plus years of experience in work. I've never gone travelling or lived in another country. I don't have a crazy amount of confidence and could never go on my own.
Recently I've met someone I've become good friends with who's chucking her job and going travelling for a few months and wondered if I'd like to join her. I know it's such a wrong time with the recession and all but at my age I'm just wondering how many more chances am I going to get. I know I'm not old but you know what I mean. I've just played it safe my entire life with women and everything. Don't want to end up being old and looking back and seeing I never took a risk.
I also know that no matter what any of you or my family or my friends say, ultimately I'm the one who has to make the decision and live with how it turns out.
Just wondering what would you do? Are people still just going travelling to sort out their lives and make them more confident and adventurous and such? I know people did it all the time before this recession and I really should have.

shellyboo

Is there no way you could take a sabbatical or a career break or extended leave without pay?

I'd talk to your bosses about keeping your job for you before you chuck it... and even if they said it wouldn't still be there, I'd still go. There's literally nothing stopping you except the prospect of no job when you come back, and you hate your job, also you have plenty of savings.

Go!

hobochris

If you can take time off from work do. Otherwise Ditch the job and GO!

Its a once in a life time thing and you never know what might happen

The recession wont last forever.. I'd rather live even one day taking chances then a full lifetime playing it safe.

Don't let this be something you regretted not doing!

Tikkal

Mark Twain:- "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Dizzyblonde

Go for it - it could change your life

The Corinthian

Go. Seriously.

Your future is relatively well covered, at least in so far as you will have a house. I don't think you're going to miss anything career-wise in the meantime either, with the present economy. I would certainly plan for your return as well though - education, qualifications and the like - and keep as much of those savings safe for your return (or to settle down elsewhere). So going away will cost you, but realistically not that much.

However, if you're never done anything else in your life, this is pretty much your last chance to do so. In short, the cost of staying is a lot higher than the cost of going.

ronaneire

Do it man

anniehoo

No question-GO!!! Take €20k of your savings and hit the road. You'll still have a nice nest egg to live on when you come back if job prospects dont look good and will give you time to upskill. One of the hardest things in our 30s is to find a travelling partner too so jump at the chance while its there.

LegacyUser

I have to disagree with the previous poster when he says 'This is pretty much the last chance to do so...'

The OP is 35 ffs! Not 95. There are many, many more opportunites around the corner for him!

But go OP...do what they tell you to do in all the 'best' books - write a list of pros and cons and see which one has the most points on it! Can't see there be much on the 'reasons to stay' list though! Go and enjoy yourself...you could do with taking a risk!

Overheal

I'd go. I don;t know about spending half your savings, but go. In the future, consider finishing your leaving, going to night school, etc.

maddogcollins

nothing ventured,nothing gained..id certainly go for it..even if you only take 15k of your savings thats almost 290 a week to live on if you go for a year.thats more than my weekly wage!do it!agree with the mark twain quote all the way

LegacyUser

Overheal wrote: »

I'd go. I don;t know about spending half your savings, but go. In the future, consider finishing your leaving, going to night school, etc.

Everything and everyone seems to be pointing to going. Thanks. I love the Mark Twain quote.

Do you really need your leaving? I mean, if I do want to do college courses etc when I get back I don't need it cause I'm a mature student, right? Although I still don't know what I want to do.
I've said I've done different in my leaving in every interview I've done since leaving school and I got the job at almost every interview. 6 out of 7 actually.

LegacyUser

GO. No doubt about it. You're in a very good position in life. When you find yourself watching a sunset on a tropical beach you'll wonder why you ever dithered.

dellas1979

Yes, you can apply as a mature student. You need to apply to the CAO for all 1st year courses (unless the IT/Uni have some courses that are direct entry). You need to be 23 by the 1st of Jan of the year you are applying.

Alternatively you can do a FETAC level 5 or 6 course to gain entry. Personally I think most people should do one of these courses before you go to college as it gives you an idea of studying and if you like certain areas for e.g. if you think you are interested in say, video and sound, go do a FETAC in this for a year or so, discover if you do like it and then apply to a third level institution with results. Keep in mind if you want to do a level 8 (an honours, normally 4 year degree) you need a minimum of 3 distrinctions.

Go travelling, have a think about college for next Sept and by the time you are back, apply.

upmeath

Take the bull by the horns and go! Godspeed!

eimear1

As everyone else seems to be saying, go for it, you have loads to come back to and are a lot more secure than many people your age. You wouldn't be at much of a disadvantage on your return (if you ever do!!) You will have an amazing time, and you'll wonder why you ever thought twice! Your obviously very careful about things and that can be a good thing, but once in a while it feels great just to take the risk!
Workwise, your company might jump at the chance to give you an unpaid year off to cut their costs in the recession, but even if they can't guarantee you a job on your return, look at it this way - you've so much experience that the leaving cert is no longer all that relevant when applying for your type of job.
You could even volunteer your skills in some of the countries you visit and have a few extras on your CV as a bonus!
In short - go for it, if you keep waiting for the right time to come along, something will always stop you, gotta just take the chances that life throws at you!!
Enjoy!!

The Corinthian

Unregistered wrote: »

I have to disagree with the previous poster when he says 'This is pretty much the last chance to do so...'

The OP is 35 ffs! Not 95. There are many, many more opportunites around the corner for him!

It's not his last chance, literally speaking. However, the opportunities, not to mention physical ability, to go travelling around the World do decrease significantly once you hit 40.

One is never too old for adventure, but you also have to be realistic.

KevinVonSpiel

eimear1 wrote: »

You could even volunteer your skills in some of the countries you visit and have a few extras on your CV as a bonus!

That's the best bit... completely practical-izes it.

Imagine what your CV will look like w/ VSO/Red-Cross/whoever on it.

Wrap that into a year or two off... good luck!

JCDUB

Go.

Definitely.

I'm 30, similar position in some ways, did the travelling thing when I was 20/21, am thinking of doing it all again now.

Seriously, if the job keep your position for you well and good, if they don't, feck it, you'll get something else, maybe consider retraining or education now when you are a bit more mature and responsible??

One thing, though: go.