Here's Why You Should Travel Before Settling Down

Most people dream of traveling someday, after graduation, settling in a career, paying off student loans, getting married and raising kids. If you're waiting for retirement to travel, don't-- you should be hitting the road first. Here's why.

It May Be Now or Never

As the retirement age gets pushed back further and further, and life gets busier and more expenses, a lot of people never realize their dream of traveling. You get too settled down, and it can be more difficult to get up and go.

There will always be new expenses and new responsibilities and ne reasons to save your money as you get older. If you keep pushing travel to the back burner, your chances may go up in smoke.

It's Easier When you’re Younger

When you're young and unattached, it's a lot easier to travel. Your student loans can be deferred; they'll be there. You don't have to worry about kids, or how your schedule conflicts with a spouse or work.

When you're young, you don't mind traveling on a dime-- sleeping in youth hostels or backpacking across countries feels more like an adventure than an inconvenience.

It’s an Invaluable Experience

Travel is not just one of life’s great pleasures; it’s one of life’s great teachers. Traveling helps you learn to communicate with people better, it gives you respect for other cultures and countries and you get the opportunity to make connections. When you travel you learn to think on the fly, to solve problems and gain confidence in knowing that you can literally take on the world if you must.

Whatever life you envision for yourself, a period of travel will only help prepare you for it.