Is this a crazy idea?!

misskl

So, I became debt free last month, after being in roughly 12k debt last year, and borrowed over 22k since the age of 18


However, I'm now 30, and have very little savings, and whilst everyone around me is buying houses, settling down, getting married etc, I feel like having significant wealth is going to take a long time.


I've been in marketing for a few years, and it doesn't really fulfil me. I've been looking at TEFL teaching (teaching English) around the world, as perhaps a career break, or maybe long-term, depending on if it suits. I've only ever been out of the UK for 2 weeks in total. I'm halfway through my 140hr TEFL course, and have a first class degree in communications, teaching experience, experience with kids etc.


In certain countries, because of the living costs, you can save up to 10k+ a year. I figured that maybe I could work in a few countries for the next five years, and hopefully pocket 50k or so, see a bit of the world in between.


Its this article that inspired me...but is this just blue sky thinking? http://www.bankerinthesun.com/2014/02/teaching-english-abroad/


Btw, forgot to mention I have a very lovely partner of 3 years, I am working on persuading him to follow in my footsteps...

asajj

I know people who have done this and they never regretted. If you are going to be happy, it is not a crazy idea however sometimes you may need to sacrifice things or make choices

scaredofdebt

Define "significant wealth". As you get older the importance you attach to money (and other material things) will diminish.

£50k is a nice sum but the experience of 5 years teaching around the World will be worth more in my opinion.

You won't get rich from teaching but it's a reasonably well paid and secure position.

To get rich you need your own, successful business - I can't help you with that one!

scaredofdebt

misskl wrote: »

Its this article that inspired me...but is this just blue sky thinking? http://www.bankerinthesun.com/2014/02/teaching-english-abroad/

Do some more research, I know someone who taught English abroad (Thailand I think it was) and he wasn't earning anywhere near the figures quoted.

That was a few years ago though so it may have changed.

If I were single I'd look into this myself.

Good luck regardless!

:beer:

lucystardust87

Great idea. But value it more for the experience and then if your wages don't match what you want to save you won't be disappointed. Good luck!

Karanfo11

In my opinion, your idea is great. Do what you want in life. You can't earn money from what you don't like to do in the short term, because you will get fed up and your performance will be poor. Sacrifice for your ideas and you will be rewarded

janelondon14

You can give it a try. I travelled a few years ago to UAE for work purposes. I earned well in those 2 years. The point is that you have to search for a balance in income and spending. Working abroad doesn't mean you save more money. Need to research it before leaving. Good luck!