My logical mind has always resisted setting deadlines because it has always seemed to me to be an artificial psychological ploy to trick myself into doing what I need to do. Of course, that’s kinda the point, right? LOL When we set up our ‘debt snowball’ plan a few years ago, having that end date was a major psychological boost. We didn’t set any sort of target date for selling the house because we were entering the current recession, but we did eventually move into an apartment and sell most of our stuff. The apartment move triggered our final end-date for departure, as it was a one-year lease. We also used Google spreadsheets for savings/investing target projections. And yet it wasn’t until late last year that I felt comfortable that we were going to have enough of a cushion to be able to make our April 1st deadline.

Strangely enough, our mobile income was the shakiest part, and yet two sources fell into place within the last two weeks that will at least allow us to offset expenses and make our money last longer. Did subconscious forces ’cause’ this to happen at this time? Was it ‘the secret?’ lol Or was it a product of making our plans public that enabled these serendipitous connections? I think we all know the answer…

Hope to meet up with you guys some time after you leave the islands…
Check out Glenn Dixon´s recent awesome post ..Digital Farmers

We’ve kept our to do list on a whiteboard (small one) near our front door. The list is very present because we have to pass it everytime we leave the house and it’s rewarding to see the list shrinking.

For garage sales, I think it depends upon location; we live in a small transient community so our sales have been pretty good. A free section during the sale rather than after is always a good idea. Items like half used paint, cleaners, hangers, etc. seem to go pretty quickly if they’re free. We always post the sale with pics of select items on craigslist and have been able to sell most big items before the actual sale.

Completely agree about gifting;. We gifted most of our furniture to a friend who had recently divorced. We were really happy to help her get a new start.

Thanks for all the inspiration over the past few years!
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Mostly I mentioned blog-as-tool because you asked what folk used for motivation.
Check out Linda´s recent awesome post ..A veritable feast

Everything else that was left in those final days – went to charity. So much better all around!

I’m guessing you guys are on the road now? Or nearly there?? Can’t wait to catch up at Burning Man.

No matter the scale of time, having targets/goals is essential to getting there. Just saying you’re eventually going to do it.. isn’t enough to make it happen.

For a lot of things, gifting/giving stuff away is our choice too. Sometimes it’s just not worth the effort – and gifting is just good over all.

As Japhy mentioned, trying to sell things can really eat into your time and energy. I never sell anymore…not since a yardsale a couple years ago where I made a $80 for a full day of standing around. Never again! Giving stuff away feels great and makes the whole process much smoother.

I did actually find that keeping my blog has helped. While it won’t bring in much income, it’s been a tool for keeping myself focused and noting progress.

We have a leaving month (I refuse, after the last several years, to make any more plans). We have been working towards full-time on the road in stages. I guess we’re taking our trip on a geological time scale.
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It’s amazing how few people do that and how important it is. Commitment is really the first step in creating a dream.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

We gave ourselves a year to prepare & the prep can be hard, but oh so worth it ( she says from a divine spot in southern France). Thanks Cherie for another great post!
Check out soultravelers3´s recent awesome post ..Darling Dordogne- Vacation Holiday in France

It’s great to read how others have gone about this and pick up helpful tips. It’s an excellent motivator! We’ve got a seriously detailed Excel spreadsheet that holds all our research, to-do lists, and anticipated budgets, etc. but we’ve been talking about using Google Docs on the road and your post has pointed out what a great tool it can be. Thanks!

Lisa (currently in San Diego)

Looking back the big thing I would change is to put less effort into selling things and give more away. We sold some of our big dollar items on craigslist easy enough, but the smaller things…it just stopped being worth the headaches of constant emails, no show buyers, and negotiating. We quit that fairly early on (and our local charity thrift stores now love us), but I wish I had done it much earlier.