How Do You Justify Travelling if You Don't Get Paid Leave

zine21 on 18/07/2018 - 15:01
Last edited 18/07/2018 - 15:02

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. The question I'm struggling with is How do you travel, when you don't get paid leave and will essentially be losing that income by traveling.

I currently work 2 different jobs. One is permanent salary packaged- with full benefits.
The other is a contract job. I get paid a weeks worth of pay (that I would normally be paid on salary) in just 2 days in the contract job. So although I don't get paid leave or sick leave or any benefits really, they compensate for it well.

The issue though has been taking a leave for holidays. They are happy for me to take leave but the frugal ozbargain in me sees this as a waste.

Any time I look into traveling, I think outside of just the cost of the travel itself, but the cost of losing that income for those days.

For example if I decide to travel for 4 weeks, I will have to give up on essentially 8k worth of income.

I love traveling and I thought after I graduated and had a FT job, I could enjoy it but instead its becoming stressful.

I think to myself, "I need to save in order to buy a house why waste that money". Then I think, "well you will have a lifetime to deal with a house loan go and enjoy traveling while you dont have kids and other responsibilities".

Its a constant battle with myself and I usually settle for short 8 day trip but taking long flights for that short amount of time ends up being exhausting rather than relaxing (since I try and get the most out of it by squeezing a tone in, not to mention the draining long flights)

So the question is how do you justify a loss off income to travel. I dont mind the cost of flights, accommodation yada yada but taking a leave always ends up being the biggest item that stops me from seeing the world.

Travel

Comments

  • tsunamisurfer on 18/07/2018 - 15:14
    +7

    I am a contractor and have the same mind set.

    Right now the rates are still 'good', I feel I have to make hay while the sun still shines.

    I want a holiday as much as the next person but the double whammy of costing money and losing income makes it much less palatable. It's coming close to 4 years since my last holiday.

    I want to enjoy life but I also have financial goals I wish to achieve, the financial goals normally win out. Money wins over lifestyle.

  • retiredfeline on 18/07/2018 - 15:16
    +2

    Precommit a certain number of days when doing your budgeting so you won't feel so bad when you use the leave. Take a longer trip less often to make better use of the time.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2018 - 15:17
    +24

    All comes down to what you value more, only you can answer that.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2018 - 15:17
    +3

    If you're contracting, you need to account for holidays, super, sick leave, etc. into the rate.

    But then, the dilemma is that you are getting a lot of money.
    The question is, what is more important for you right now? Time off or money? Only you can answer this.

    I contracted for nearly a half a decade, saved up a heap and also burnt myself out in the process.
    Ultimately though, I am better off at the other side of it all.

    • zine21 on 18/07/2018 - 15:34

      I initially did account for it. Even with all of that - the job ended up paying much more then the alternative salary packages which is why I took it. But it all comes in as one lump and using it for the holiday itself is challenging as Id rather add that 10+k into my savings.

      I don't want to burn myself out either though. Do you regret doing it ? would you change it if you could

      • garetz on 18/07/2018 - 15:39

        Looks like you have your answer, at the moment the money is more important than overseas travel. Maybe travel around australia instead for shorter trip times until you are not as worried about losing that 8k in 4 weeks.

        • zine21 on 18/07/2018 - 15:44

          this is an option I guess, as I still get paid leave from my 2nd job. But it will have to be few days trip to get back in time for the 1st job.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2018 - 17:55

        It was a good cash injection, in my early 20s.
        Now I'm in my early 30s and I wouldn't do it again now.

        Would I go back in time and do it again? Yes.

        But… If you do it, it must deliver accelerated career progression. The money on its own is not worth it.

        I travel a lot for work now, 60-100 flights a year. Looking to cut that out of my life over the next two years as well.
        It is not a position I'd have without that grind ten years ago.

  • Heracles26 on 18/07/2018 - 15:37
    +9

    Travel!! You will never get these years back. Life is short. Most of my trips have been at least half leave without pay.

    • nubzy on 18/07/2018 - 16:56

      That is my view too. I am a contractor as well and it is important to take a break, even if it means giving up the income for a while. I would probably still take little jobs whilst I am away just to keep me going. Money isn't everything. I am not a high income earner by any means, but I have a lot of flexibility and I wouldn't trade that for anything else, at least for the time that I am not tied down with a family/mortgage etc. Save up, pay cash, go and enjoy.

      • Heracles26 on 18/07/2018 - 18:45

        Exactly! I know its a bit of a platitude but travel really does open your eyes

  • Chridim on 18/07/2018 - 15:47
    +1

    This is a bit like saying: should i work 80 hours a week or should i work only 10? It all comes to do you need to earn as much as you can or you are rather enjoying your freetime?
    I met people in life who were so slave of their job who had no other interest in life.

  • ihbh on 18/07/2018 - 15:52
    +2

    I'll provide an extreme example. I have taken a number of multiple year career breaks. I'm really glad I've taken the breaks that I have. My whole perspective on life changed each time.

    You also need to regularly take time out to "sharpen the saw". See The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

    • AusGP on 18/07/2018 - 19:48

      Highly recommend this book and what it has to offer in this debate!

  • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2018 - 15:57
    +2

    Whilst I'm not an old man, I do regret not travelling more when I was younger. Didn't make it overseas until after I was 30. You only get so much life, and whilst setting yourself up for your future is a great idea, not everyone lives long enough to enjoy any of that. Hell, you could die tomorrow.

  • Cartman2530 on 18/07/2018 - 16:10
    +1

    You sound like you need a holiday working two jobs!

    Go and de-stress and stop worrying about anything but having a good time while you are on holidays.

    Its good for the mind and soul. And thats worth more than money.

  • MeesusEff on 18/07/2018 - 16:15

    I am a contractor, but hubby is a Full timer. We just bit the bullet and booked a 4 week + Europe trip, at least we will still be getting his income flow. It's a mindset thing, to us it was a Now-or-Never!

    • zine21 on 18/07/2018 - 16:31
      +1

      I posted this after seeing the Europe deal actually ahah. I would love to go for 4 weeks next year, but then I talked myself down to 3 then to 2 then it was getting back into 8 day category which then becomes why bother for such short time.

      It really is a mindset because Im not struggling financially by any means (I have more than enough saved, have an emergency account/lump saved, already have a car, heck Ive even invested quite a bit) so now my excuse is a house, But if I did eventually get a house, I'll use the excuse "well I have a home loan that could use that extra cash" so I need to somehow break through that mindset

      • MeesusEff on 18/07/2018 - 16:38

        Yup, we got a mortgage too but we have about 3/5 the amount in the offset. We haven't taken a holiday for 2 years (different work commitments), forgoing our wedding so justified the holiday and loss of income by a "honeymoon". But you will still be getting some income from your FT job so that smoothes it over a bit!

  • MrHyde on 18/07/2018 - 16:16

    It basically comes down to changing your mindset. I contract as well and as you said, you can earn in 2 days what you would get in 5 days working full time. So, you just have to change your mindset to say that you can work 3 days, take 2 days holidays and you are still better off than if you were working full time.

    You need to plan in holidays so as to not burn yourself out. Don't worry about the lost income as just keep saying to yourself that you are still earning more than if you were working full time for someone else.

  • dasher86 on 18/07/2018 - 16:17
    -1

    take 2 weeks instead of four.
    you have calculated holidays in your initials assessment.
    so 2 weeks is a nice compromise.

  • Godric on 18/07/2018 - 16:26

    Savings? Save for said holiday, use savings for said holjday

    • zine21 on 18/07/2018 - 16:35

      I already have savings so its not the money its the mindset.

  • Third_Gear on 18/07/2018 - 17:16
    +1

    How to justify? Easy. Travelling is fun. You obviously have no issue making money so travel now while you are young. There will always be property to buy later… or maybe like me you will travel and like the country so much you will stay. Who knows! Explore the world.

  • follow on 18/07/2018 - 17:41
    +1

    Working holiday to minimise loss?

    • donga100 on 18/07/2018 - 21:24

      This. Look up a conference/event that seems at least vaguely related to your industry and then claim the whole trip as a tax deduction. Speak to your accountant first as there are some requirements around documenting the work-related activities done.

      • zine21 on 18/07/2018 - 21:39
        +2

        I dont think I could do a working holiday as I'm working in the medical field, and its not really flexible. You cant really work from home either.

        But conferences is a good idea. I guess I could line some international conferences in which would also count as CPD. so win-win. Thanks

        • AusGP on 18/07/2018 - 22:08
          +1

          Which area of medicine? There are a stack of locum jobs at least within Aus so you can easily earn some money on a semi working holiday.

          But don't burn yourself out…read 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People - and remember to maintain the P - PC balance

  • mbck on 18/07/2018 - 18:56

    You are your own worse boss

  • JimmyF on 18/07/2018 - 19:10

    I am a contractor and you need to 'budget' for 4 weeks paid holidays, 2 weeks public holidays and 2 weeks sick leave.

    SO you put a bit away each week to cover these 'periods' and you can happily take holidays or call in sick.

    • zine21 on 18/07/2018 - 19:41

      would you put it in a separate account ? because its not about having savings to fall on or being able to afford it. Its just more thinking "hmm … but if I take leave - I will miss out on thousands from job #1 "

      • JimmyF on 18/07/2018 - 19:47
        +2

        Its just more thinking "hmm … but if I take leave - I will miss out on thousands from job #1 "

        Then if you have this mindset, it doesn't really matter what anyone says, as you'll always fall to this viewpoint.

        I miss 'thousands' of work dollars to a year, but then I also enjoy 4 weeks holiday (most years more).

  • Ryanek on 18/07/2018 - 19:21
    +3

    Work to live, don’t live to work.

  • try2bhelpful on 18/07/2018 - 19:23
    +2

    It is a cliche but if you found out you were terminally ill tomorrow what would you think is important. My oldest brother was killed in a motor bike accident in his forties, I was diagnosed with a melanoma in my 30s, my mother died of cancer in her 60s and my dad in his early 70s. My other half and I didn’t travel until we were in our 30s, and we had our house paid off in our 40s, we are now in our 50s and we are starting to travel more regularly, so it is a matter of balance.

  • Meho2026 on 18/07/2018 - 19:57
    +3

    This is what a lot of us casual workers do…
    You say if you take 4 weeks leave you lose $8000 income so $2000 a week from that job.
    If you calculate much leave you want to take over a year eg 4 weeks.
    You work 48 weeks and earn $96000. Divide that by 52 = $1846. Put $154 a week into a savings account. Whenever you go on holiday you pay yourself, from that savings account, $1846 a week.
    Change your thinking so that contract your job pays $1846 a week not $2000.
    If you earn decent money like that and can adjust your weekly budget to put your own holiday money aside, I reckon 6 to 8 weeks holiday a year is the way to go

    • samcro on 19/07/2018 - 12:51

      Exactly what I was going to suggest.

  • Tasmaniac on 18/07/2018 - 20:59
    +1

    Maybe your just apprehensive to commit ?. I find that it's sometimes better to book first and sort out the details later.

  • AusGP on 18/07/2018 - 22:28

    I was/am in the same boat but I went the opposite way and took a whole 2 months off and spent a stack on my honeymoon. Probably cost me half a house deposit at least… (and might have missed out on a house of our dreams…)

    But you are only young once. Time and youth are things you will never get back. You have to find a balance between living in the present vs planning for the future. Everything has an opportunity cost and you have to examine your own fundamental values, as well as how valid those values are. Whatever you do, don't look back and regret not doing something.

    I'm in a full time contract / boss position now so no sick leave and no money when I don't work, and basically on call for sick leave as well when required. But I've had my fun and now more ready than ever to work hard as I'm running on near full batteries.

  • catichau on 19/07/2018 - 07:35
    +2

    I am a casual worker and wouldn't have it any other way. I work purely to fund my holidays. I work a few months then take a trip. And repeat. I don't get holiday pay etc. I can take 4 to 5 holidays a year. And i am not limited to the usual 4 weeks leave. It really is about mind set and what is important to you. On the other hand i would never spend $3 - $5 on a coffee i see that as a complete waste of money. Again its what is important to you in your life

    • zine21 on 19/07/2018 - 13:02

      I wish I could do this. In theory I can but I'm not brave enough and thats not just because I'm crazy obsessed with having a large savings to fall on to in case of "emergencies" but it would also be a hassle to find someone to travel with. And I do love traveling so it would be amazing to spend some time just moving from one city to another without being locked into one place/location. But oh well, I can still day dream lol.

  • ozbjunkie on 19/07/2018 - 09:03

    I'll just add that you should do it while you still have the motivation and interest.

    Older I get, the less I can be bothered to travel, meet new people etc. I find myself seeking comfort and contentment rather than excitement and adventure.

    Perhaps that's my personal flaw… But I think it's fair to say that your preferences might change, and you'll be working a long time, so follow your interests now.

  • pandabear on 19/07/2018 - 09:03

    Take unpaid leave and travel! Especially if you plan to have kids in the future. Once kids come along you won’t be able to travel to the destinations you want and really enjoy yourself for quite a number of years. I regret not traveling more in my younger years before kids. Now we are doing pretty well financially but we are restricted with 2 kids to where we go and how long to go for. You have plenty of years to make money.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2018 - 09:58
    +1

    Looking back on your life so far what are the memories that bring you the most joy and fulfillment? You want to make more memories like that, right?

    • zine21 on 19/07/2018 - 13:05
      +1

      this is a very good point. I miss everything about my previous travels, the food, the culture, the rush of exploring a new city, the different environment. I do love my job as well but I guess a balance is good. I think Ive gotten enough encouragement to make a booking. Thank you all !

  • onevstheworld on 19/07/2018 - 17:12

    I used to worry about the opportunity cost too, but now I think I've reached a happy balance.

    When I plan my budget each year, I assume only 11 months of income (I do not count ah hoc work or overtime either). That ends up being a fairly big under-estimation and allows me to take breaks and/or sick leave without regretting the lost income.

  • Schmendrick on 28/07/2018 - 06:14
    +1

    Think you should demand that both of your employers pay for your travel expenses

  • myusername on 28/07/2018 - 08:33

    travel.

    one of the greatest experiences in life is to see what's on the other side of the planet

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