to earth. Use the trip as a reward for sorting your finances out. Maybe look at all the general outgoings and cut back everything (eg Sky TV back to just the TV licence) as best you can so you actually have something to save. Maybe also think about splitting the travels into two month-long blocks just to make sure nobody's sharpening the knives at work. If you haven't got savings, can I ask, how are you going to pay off the debt? Savings imply that you can live below your means, something you clearly are not doing currently. So when you return, you will have a lower standard of living, something that up to now, you are not prepared to have. Or am I missing something? Back in 2008, I did exactly this. I worked a year after university, intending to save up as much so I could go traveling the following year. I only saved up my ticket fare, as rent and living cost sucked all the money I made. I borrowed from family and friends and went off for 6 months! It was the best decision I have made, for me it was the right time. 4 years on, I know right now it's not a good time for me to go anywhere for more than 2 weeks. I did suffer a little financially when I got back and really had to budget in order to pay my debts back but now I have paid them all off,