Dear Anita:

It’s interesting you say that. I was just thinking earlier today, that the main problem I have now is that I have no breathing room to save money.

I realized that I’m really itching to go travel and learn from people around the world how to sustain a successful organic farm. But in order to travel, I would need at least a starting saving. After some logistic calculations, I decided that I would need around $5000 to start this adventure. In my current situation though, that is almost impossible to achieve because where I’m located.

Today, I was actually thinking of other options. This is why it’s interesting to me that you said third option.

First option, figure out a way to reduce my rent while still maintaining cool head. I certainly don’t want to have to live in my car or live in a tent just to save money. But there are some compromises that I can do. I can live in a 2 bed apartment and share it with someone else reducing my rent couple hundred dollars less. And, I can also let go of my car and just take public transit. I estimate I can save around 400-500 dollars this way. Which will make my goal achievable in about 1 year. Straight forward, and one possible third option. It’s just difficult to stomach the fact that I would have stay in my job for 1 whole year. I’m scared that I’ll get fired for my lack of enthusiasm doing it. But, it is a way to achieve my goal so I’m willing to make the sacrifices. Haha, it’s a little far fetch but I imagine myself being a bitter person when I finally achieve my goal and there would be no point traveling because I just hate the world and everyone. Managing stress level for a while will be my challenge here.

Second option, I was thinking of moving to a cheaper place in United States. A place where I can actually save money so I can fund my adventure. I have friends I can stay with for a few weeks until I get a job. I was thinking Michigan (I have a really good friend there): where people with full time minimum wage jobs can live an okay lifestyle. I believe I have the skills to get a job above a minimum wage. I just hope I can get a job I can stick to long enough to meet my goal. This option makes more sense to me. I’m confident I can get a job there. At least something better than what I have now. A job that will allow me to live okay and some level of happiness while still making progress towards my goal. In holland, Michigan, my friend is sharing a 2 bedroom apartment with someone and he is only paying 300 dollars. With that kind of rent, even minimum wage workers can save a little. I’ve been in the city and it’s not any smaller than Santa Barbara. It’s amazing and beautiful out there. The only real sacrifice that I will have to make with this option is hustling my ass off to find a job. But once I find one, I think I will be okay with this.

Then, I can travel (first stop is Puerto Rico). Learn the skills I want. And, when I’m ready, build the farm I’ve always dreamed of.