After a month of hemming and hawing, I’ve finally made a decision about where to travel next. After a brief stop to see Adam Baker in Indianapolis, I’ll spend most of August wandering around England. I have just a handful of goals:
- I want to return to Avebury for a longer visit. I saw this stone circle for twenty minutes with Kris’s family in 2007, and it wasn’t enough. Instead we spent our time at Stonehenge, which was a disappointment. This time, I want to walk the entire monument at Avebury.
- I want to see an Everton FC soccer match. The Portland Timbers are my home team, of course, but I’ve been following Everton for almost a decade now.
- I want to walk Hadrian’s Wall from the west coast of England to the east. I’ve dreamed of this for years, and had always hoped to go with a friend. Schedules never seem to mesh, though, so I’m going to do it alone.
Because I’m traveling solo, I’ll experiment with methods I haven’t been able to try before. Like staying in hostels! And couchsurfing! And maybe even meeting up with some GRS readers. (If you’re in the UK and want to connect in August, let me know.)
Enough about travel. Let’s look at some personal-finance stories from other corners of the web. For some reason, all of the things I’m linking to this week involve the number seven. Go figure.
Yesterday at Brain Pickings — my new favorite blog — Maria Popova shared seven essential books on optimism. “Every once in a while, we all get burned out. Sometimes, charred,” writes Popova. “And while a healthy dose of cynicism and skepticism may help us get by, it’s in those times that we need nothing more than to embrace life’s promise of positivity with open arms.” I’m usually a relentless optimist, but even I get frayed around the edges from time to time. When that happens, books like these help me get back on track.
Next, The Washington Post recently published an article outlining seven life lessons from the very wealthy. Some of these are obvious, and we’ve covered most of them at Get Rich Slowly before. But it’s always good to remind yourself of the things others have learned on the road to wealth. (Lesson #6 seems especially apt for me lately: “You must live in the here and now.” I’ve not been present in the moment lately, and that’s problematic.)
Over at Consumerism Commentary, Flexo wrote about seven ways to save money while in college. It’s a good list, but in his intro he glosses over the number way to save money on school: Do what you can to keep tuition costs low. For some, that means finding scholarships. For others, that means attending a college where costs are low. As always, saving on the big costs makes a greater impact on your bottom line than saving on the small stuff.
Lastly, I recently met Andrea Scher and Jen Lemen, the amazing women behind Mondo Beyondo, an online course designed to help people identify and pursue their dreams. The next Mondo Beyondo six-week course begins today and includes interviews with seven men (and one woman), including Chris Guillebeau, Leo Babauta, Maggie Mason — and me! If you have big goals you want to achieve, check out Mondo Beyondo.
GRS is committed to helping our readers save and achieve your financial goals.Savings interest rates may be low, but that’s all the more reason to shop for the best rate.Find the highest savings interest rate from Ally Bank, Capital One 360, Everbank, and more.
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Very cool news about your trip! Will you have time to travel to Bath, too?
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Hey, Megan. I have lots of things I’d like to do while in England, though the three I’ve listed are the only must-dos. (Meaning, they form the framework for the entire trip.)
One of the other things I’d like to do is get to Bath and/or Wells. Actually, the University of Bath opens itself as a hostel during the summer and the accommodations look awesome and cheap. In other words, there’s a high probability I’ll end up there.
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Hey JD – if you end up coming to Bath then you should either swing by Bristol as well (and let me know so I can take you out for a beer), or let me know when you’ll be in Bath meeting Megan and I’ll buy you both a drink there instead!
Very envious of the Hadrian’s wall trip – wanted to do that myself last year but, like you, schedules with walking partners didn’t quite work out..
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Likewise to what Chris said. I’m in the process of moving to Bristol now, and I’m an experienced couchsurfing host, username goodcheer (though my profile currently says I live in London I will surface in Bristol by the end of August). I’m sure you would be fabulous to host or to meet for a pint, so don’t hesitate to drop me a line. (maybe a Bristol group could get together and Chris and I could meet as well).
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Oh, no, I just read your post with the comprehension part of my brain switched on, and I see that you’ll be here in August. I will not! Sadly I think I’ll miss you.
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JD, I’m now subscribed to your travel blog. It’ll be fun to read your travel blog, you being a new travel blogger and traveler.
One of my favorite travel blogs is Andyhobotraveler, http://www.hobotraveler.com/blogger.html. He tends to denigrate his readers (not a good idea) and he writes at about the third grade level. But what I like is his pure honesty. No filters.
I’d be curious how the hostels and couchsurfing works out. I’m in my late 50s and down the road I think I could go for some “perpetual travel”. I think there will be a trend of older people traveling more on their own.
Good luck and I look forward to your travel posts.
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Trip sounds pretty awesome. I used to be pretty keen on the couch-surfing scene – especially hosting people – and I can’t rave about it enough!
We’ve (my gf and I) have just moved to Edinburgh, Scotland. If you come to Edinburgh in August there is a festival called the ‘Fringe festival’ – it’s amazing and very good value for money. Totally unmissable – http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/programme
If you like add me on couchsurfing – use my email address. Can catch up for a beer or three!
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Good luck with your travels! I spent a couple of weeks in the UK last summer and it was awesome!
Definitely try couchsurfing, if you haven’t already!! I didn’t do it in the UK, because I was travelling alone and was wary of being with strangers in a different country (being a young lady and all), but a friend of mine and I did it a couple of years ago when we travelled through the states and it was the best. Wrote a blog post about it here, if you’re interest: http://www.broketo.ca/2011/06/travelling-on-cheap-couchsurfing.html
Oh, and one quick tip: Don’t forget to look into budget hotels, especially in bigger cities. A lot of the time, if you can get a deal, they’re the same price or CHEAPER than a hostel, and budget hotels always come with a continental breakfast. And it’s no cold cereal and bananas like they have in North America, but full-on hot meals with eggs, meat, cheese, coffee, juice, etc. The works! When I was there, I would fill up on breakfast first thing in the morning, swipe an apple or two for later. That would keep me full until at least 1 or 2 in the afternoon, when I’d grab a quick snack (like maybe a popsicle or a coffee—not a meal) and then I’d buy sandwiches or something from a grocery store for dinner. Food in England, well, it’s not exactly Italy or France. It’s pretty similar to North America, so you won’t be missing out if you don’t eat out a lot, and it’s a great way to save money.
Happy travels!
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Congrats on your new travel adventure! I’m so happy that because you worked hard to get your financial life in order you can work hard on having adventures around the world. Way to go JD! Enjoy the ride.
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Nice itinerary!! Have a great trip. I’ve never couchsurfed, but my husband (who is a travel writer) has and had very good experiences. We’ll probably open up our house to couchsurfers once we settle in Dublin (one week from today. Eek).
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We were in the Lake District last spring and there was a stunning Stonehenge-type place. I can’t remember what it was called. If anybody else can, it might be worth seeing since it’s near Hadrian’s Wall (more or less).
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I’m not in the UK, I’m in Paris. But DH is a Brit.
If you should find yourself here, even in transit, please let me know. We will be going away for part of August, but we will be around for the other part.
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You may want to include Scotland on your trip. There is something they have in August called Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo that is worth seeing. I love traveling in England, but the Scots are kick too.
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Thanks for posting the link to the Washington Post article. The first years after college are critical to future wealth success or a life in the treadmill. Picking a partner who shares your financial views is perhaps the most critical to general happiness in the relationship. So young girls and guys after college: learn to enjoy the simple stuff! Learn to fix your car! Go sailing! Go Hiking! Forget about the house you’re “supposed” to buy. Find one for 1/2 the price of your peers and *choose* life not vice versa.
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Haven’t Leo Babuta and Chris Guillebeau run out of things to say, repackage and sell?
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Did they ever have anything to say in the first place?
It’s a cult of personality.
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I remain a fan of Leo and Chris. They always have something say, and new ways of saying it. I realize a lot of people are jealous and resentful of their success, demonstrating their small-mindedness.
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Personally, I find the “you’re just jealous/resentful” retort to be the most frustrating conversation stopper, and it is dismissive of another person’s point of view by casting that point of view as nothing more than a negative, childish outburst of “jealousy”.
Why is it that one cannot simply dislike something/someone without that dislike being cast as rooted in jealousy and resentment?
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Are you coming to Scotland? You should (I’m from Glasgow)! As someone notes above, the Edinburgh festival is on during August. Plus Scotland is the best!
Enjoy your trip anyway, and the planning – I always find the anticipation one of the best bits of travelling! I’m off to Stockholm in September for a long weekend but wish I had the cash to go away for longer!
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Great that you’re coming to England! We’d be honored to meet up and show you our part of the country. We’re based in South London. We have some great parts of the South East of England close by, such as Charles Darwin’s House, Brighton, Chartwell (where Churchill lived and painted), plus we’re 20 minutes on the train from London Bridge. DH is from NY. We’ve had several couchsurfers stay and really enjoy showing visitors the sights. Have a great trip!
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You may want to check on the soccer schedule. I believe the Premier League doesn’t begin games until September (or late August at the earliest), so you won’t be able to see Everton play unless it’s an exhibition match — which has all the excitement of a pre-season NFL game.
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First EPL fixtures start on August 13th. Everton plays QPR at Goodison on August 20th.
Btw, if you are looking for a cheap, relatively safe place to stay near the stadium, I would check out Anfield Stadium Guest House. It is directly across from Anfield, and a 10 minute walk across Stanley Park to Goodison. It cost like 10 pounds for a multi-person room, but you should meet plenty of fans and random people visiting Liverpool. Perfect location for watching the game, heading to the pub with your new friends afterward, and stumbling back to your bed:) I stayed there last year when Liverpool played Wolves, and even though the area is pretty run down, I felt safe. The only downside is there are no lockers in the facility.
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Dan — Thanks for the correction — and good news! Soccer sooner!!
Somehow I always associate the start of EPL soccer with the NFL in the US. Perhaps it’s the transfer window that ends at the start of the football season.
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We are based in SW London, big fans of the blog, humbly offering our couch if you should need it!
Close to Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace!
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Have fun, JD. Sounds like a great trip.
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JD, I can’t believe you’re an Everton fan! I’ve been a blue since I was born – my dad was born and bred in Liverpool himself so he didn’t give me much option when I was growing up.
Funny story – I saw Everton play Fulham a few years ago, before Wayne Rooney had scored his first premiership goal. After the match I was walking back past the ground and I bumped into Wayne Rooney who was with his mum and dad. I asked him if he could sign my matchday programme – and then realised neither of us had a pen. Sigh.
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JD, long time reader, with just a few posts here.
Just had to comment about how great your trip sounds. I, too, am a Toffees fan, and have been for the past two years. I’m going to see their friendly against the DC United this July, while visiting my cousin and his wife, and it should be great to finally see them play. I’ve heard Goodison is also a great place to see a game, I’m sure you’ll love it. Go Toffees!
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As someone who spent most of my family holidays in the UK (we couldn’t travel abroad for medical reasons), there are few places I wouldn’t recommend. If you want beautiful countryside, you can’t go far wrong with Wales, Northumberland, or Scotland. The Lake District is also nice, but tends to be more full of tourists.
If you’re planning on visiting Oxford, I’d be happy to show you round – it does get very full of tourists in August though. I assume you’re aware that August is summer holidays for children in much of the UK, so in general prices will be higher, particularly for accommodation, and booking ahead is also advisable.
I hope you have a great trip!
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Hey JD,
Great you are coming (back?) to the UK – I live on a boat on the River Thames in West London (close to Heathrow), so if you need a place to crash then just let me know. I’d be delighted to host you.
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