A list of things I did before leaving the country after traveling about 1/4 of the world with a backpack
It's Karaage.
I went to an izakaya for the first time in a while this weekend. A draft beer—'Ahhh!'—is the best.
Then, when I climbed a low mountain for a change of pace, there was actually 3-5cm of snow. Even though I'm in Fukuoka.
I realized that not only equipment and knowledge, but a resilient body is an asset and capital that is irreplaceable for anything.
Well, I've managed to write this note after a day's break.
I'm finally getting into the story of preparing for my trip around the world, but today isn't very interesting. Or rather, it might only be of interest to people who are about to go on a trip.
Today, I'd like to briefly introduce everything I did before leaving on my trip. Preparations started in earnest about a year ago, and the final three months were the home stretch. Many things can be solved by time, so start early.
One thing I want to say first is,I highly recommend ICL surgery!
If you're still in the phase of working hard to save money, I really want you to save up for the surgery costs even if it's a stretch. Even if your travel budget decreases a little, I would list this as something you should do early in life.Because it will skyrocket your travel experience and your options.
Things I did before leaving for a trip around the world
0. Handover and preparation at my previous job
・One-on-one meals with members (about 50 people over about half a year)
・Creation of handover documents
・Conveying everything I could to the next leader candidate
・Saving money (also creating simulations)
Since it was a company I was very indebted to, I made this the most important matter. I also wrote 'Complete the handover at 120%' in my annual goals for 2024 and 2025.
In addition, the one-on-one meals with members. The 'one-on-one' part is the key.
Understanding doesn't deepen when talking in a group. I love the time spent talking face-to-face, just the two of us; it's incredibly fulfilling.
I want to explicitly state that through this time, I made friends I want to continue being with even after I quit.
1. Public procedures and government-related matters (things with deadlines)
Ward office procedures(Moving-out notification, resident record, taxes, insurance-related organization)
Application for a tax payment manager (agent)
Application for unemployment benefits
Change of various addresses (bank, post office, driver's license, My Number, etc.)
It was a hassle, but I wanted to do it properly as a working adult, so I researched quite a bit.
I don't think I'll have the experience of being a part-timer again, so I also tried experiencing unemployment benefits.
There were some things that would have been too late if I hadn't known about them before quitting my job, which was scary.
I had heard from a former colleague who had experience as a part-timer, but
regarding the next year's pension, health insurance, and resident tax,honestly, if I hadn't anticipated it for about a year, my travel funds would have run out early...
I learned that in Japan, it really costs money just to live, and that the company had been handling troublesome things behind the scenes, which made me even more grateful.
2. Living and infrastructure (housing and communication)
Cancellation of housing (transfer of furniture, moving-out procedures, termination of utilities)
Mobile phone situation (changing to a low-cost plan, researching eSIMs)
Issuance of an international driver's license
I had decided to return my resident record to my parents' home, and I intended to think about what to do after returning to Japan at that time, so I mostly gave away or sold my furniture.
By the way, I've never used a moving company, but every time I move, I make it a point to buy furniture at a second-hand shop and sell it to a second-hand shop.
If you cancel your mobile phone, you lose your phone number, and since it's becoming surprisingly common to be asked for SMS authentication overseas, I researched low-cost SIMs extensively and kept one with low fixed costs.
3. Money and card management
Money simulation
Credit card selection (checking overseas cash advances and incidental insurance)
Requests to family and organizing financial matters (sharing emergency contacts and asset status)
While I wanted to spend money on experiences during my travels, I couldn't afford to be wasteful, so I created a simulation in a spreadsheet. The total amount for resident tax, pension, and insurance was more than I imagined, but that just meant I had been earning a lot. I made sure to include those in my projections.
I also considered about 10 credit cards and narrowed it down to 4 (Wise card, Recruit card, Rakuten card, Sumitomo Mitsui card).
Since I was also managing assets, I compiled and shared everything with my family in case I became unable to move or had to return home. I organized it with about 30% of the feeling of writing a will.
4. Health and body maintenance (things that take time)
ICL surgery
Dental treatment
Considering vaccinations(including cases where multiple doses are required)
I had dental correction when I was a child. My mother paid out of her own pocket to treat all three of us siblings for the protruding teeth we inherited from our father. That's whymy mother tells me, 'Your teeth are my inheritance to you.'
I go to the dentist for a checkup every 3 months, or at least every 6 months, but since I wouldn't be able to go for a long time, I also got ceramic crowns (about 100,000 yen) that I had been hesitant about.
Also, I highly recommend ICL surgery. It had only benefits. ICL surgery iseligible for medical expense deductions, so you get some money back when you file your tax return.
I also considered vaccinations and ended up getting them in both Japan and Thailand.
5. Travel preparation (practical aspects)
Passport issuance
Visa confirmation
Considering overseas insurance
Creating an itinerary and making reservations (only for the outbound flight and the first night's accommodation)
Selecting belongings (backpack, clothing, convenient items, etc.)
If I missed anything here, it would only cause trouble for myself. When I was preparing and considering things with the mindset of 'not causing trouble as a working adult,' it ended up being over 30 pages of documentation.
I was surprised by this myself. Through my work, it seems I have transformed from a 'go-with-the-flow' person into a demon of thorough preparation and risk management.risk management.
I've written it out roughly, but it turned into a very boring list of bullet points.
I thought a lot at the time, and I was frugal, efficient, and optimized, so I would like to write about that thinking process next time.
'Saving' is about thinking carefully about where you don't find satisfaction so that you can spend money where you do find satisfaction.That is what I believe.
If anyone reading this article is already preparing and has specific items they want to know more about or questions, please let me know in the comments and I can share detailed examples. Either way, I will write about it in future articles.
Well then, that's all for today ^^