The Plan

The Plan

Everyday people wake up and head off to work, struggle paycheck to paycheck to fight off a mountain of debt. Lives become about overtime, new TV's, cars, houses and "things". Things that don't actually bring us any joy, but only further complicate our lives in ways we don't understand at the time.

During the next couple years our lives will make a drastic transformation, from what most consider the "American Dream" to an unconventional life filled with adventure and experiences most only dream of. 

It starts with the liquidation of all personal possessions. All the things that we thought we "needed" will go into 1 of 3 piles. Sell, Donate, or Throw Away. 

After downsizing we will be moving from our 3 bedroom house to a much smaller and humble one bedroom apartment near our marina. We will downsize far more than our living space and possessions, we will be downsizing our complete lives. We will switch from being consumers to being more self sufficient savers. Everyday will concentrate on learning the skills we will need to reach our goals. From sailing skills and mechanical knowledge to foreign languages. The next couple years will be our time to prepare ourselves. We will then be relocating to Florida and plan to live in the Florida Keys for one year at which time we will live aboard our boat (Read "The Boat" to find out more) and spend our time  there in the open ocean in final preparation for our voyage. 


UPDATE
Above was our original plan. Plans for this family are not set in stone, they are set in the wind and change direction as such without notice. Our 5 year plan was reduced to a 3 year plan, then after some number crunching and sleepless nights we found a way to cut it down to a 2 year plan. Well 2 years turned into 15 months and we have accomplished everything below and then so much more within that time period.
Currently we are happily attached to a mooring ball in the lower Keys and living in Marathon, FL. We are moored in Boot Key Harbor at the city marina and for now, this is home. The children are thriving in this environment and we feel more every day that we made the correct decision.

Jessica and I are both working to replenish the sailing fund and prepare for this fall where we will decide our route, destinations and plans. I have no idea where we will be, when we will be there or what route we will take. Stay tuned, follow along and enjoy as we figure life out along the way.

The Voyage

While our exact routes and voyages are yet to be determined, our overall plan is to show our children another way. We want them to experience other cultures, other foods, and see the hardships others face.  As we travel from port to port Jessica and I look forward to working in clinics, hospitals and in the field, doing what we can to use our experience to help out in places where help is needed. 

Living aboard our boat will teach the children about self sufficiency, responsibility and teamwork. The lessons learned from sailing, the people, the open ocean, will be lessons they will carry throughout their lives. 

This is not a voyage about destination, it is a voyage of self discovery and compassion. We invite you to follow along.. 

The Young Family.