Sometimes it feels as if I'm permanently living a "sailors take warning" lifestyle.
What I mean is that despite two incomes, we're still not even treading water yet. We have just begun to pay back our outstanding debts but still have a bit to go before we are to the point of "saving for our starter boat". Along the way, we have the joys of summer where Kelly must work at two jobs to make up for the income of her 10 1/2- month employment and Kiddo is going to the Y while we work to afford their rates. We work to pay off the title loan on Kelly's car that we had to take to afford the time before I became gainfully employed. On the bright side, the truck is able to pass smog and get current on the registration up to this year. We have internet and home phone again. Our ability to function within the "normal world" is back.
Although we are undergoing trials and tribulations that test our commitment to this dream, we are resolute in our desire to take to this lifestyle. We have our pictures of a "dream" boat tacked to our bedroom mirror and our refrigerator to inspire us on each time our eyes drift towards the image. We continue to look through Yachtworld and Craigslist and see what has sold from the last time we checked, what has become available, what layouts would be good enough to get us on this path towards ownership. I run ideas past Kelly and Kiddo, actively involving each of the people whose lives will be dependent upon our research. I check the forums on various sites (TrawlerForum.com and CruisersForum.com as examples) to learn more about the potential home we purchase. Which home that is, who knows as of yet. We are currently leaning towards a Bayliner 38XX (38-something) at present, but will be flexible enough to look for more options as our nest egg grows.
As someone who has not been predisposed towards saving and purchasing, it feels difficult putting aside the scratching of the instant-gratification-itch to (eventually) set aside enough dinero to purchase a home that is ultimately mobile. If nothing else, the current election cycle has lit a fire under my behind to ensure the option of us leaving for another country should the situation stateside require it. I certainly hope it is not the case, but I like to be prepared. I leave political discussion out of this blog because this isn't a blog about the political course of the United States, but a blog about the difficulties in transitioning from living on land to leaving it behind.
From what I have read, the actual liveaboard lifestyle could easily be just as filled with various trials and tribulations as to compare with what we are going through. Our temporary financial issues will be exacerbated aboard a boat, and the fiscal situations will potentially cost life instead of money. Mind you, our research involves purchasing a floating home that is totally sound for our purposes. That is, we purchase a boat that we could live on for at least ten years comfortably. Like I've said, we're looking at a "starter" boat in order to save enough to purchase our eventual cruising home. It will enable us (potentially) to make purchases and lifestyle decisions to add residual income to our life portfolio. Successful or not, we have a plan and we're sticking to it.
After all, the alternative is living a life just like everybody else. And I can't abide that in the slightest.
