Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Is the garage crammed, are every drawer and cupboard stuffed? Is it all 'file and forget'
or 'might come in handy' but never has? Admit it, you're one of those people who hasn't
touched any of this stuff for years and you've kept saying you'd do a massive clearout.
But the more you add over the years, the more daunting it is and the easier it is to put off.
We all do it. And how much houseroom do some of us give to all that stuff our children
insist they have no space for but have sentimental attachments to?
Preparing for your year out is the perfect opportunity to de-clutter your life. Have a look at
what you need to get rid of and turn into funding for your gap. Consider raising some cash
by selling items through online auction sites, such as eBay, holding a garage sale or a car
boot sale.
You'll create space to store your precious items (the things you want to keep but not leave
lying about), you'll add some cash to your travel fund, and you'll come back to a well-or-
ganised home. Also, if you've decided to let your home empty (more of this later on) you'll
need less rented container space - and save yourself some money.
Imaginative fundraising
If you've already settled on the kind of project you want to do and it involves raising a spe-
cific sum, as volunteer projects often do, you can hold fundraising events to help you raise
the cash - the options are as limitless as your imagination!
You have an untapped resource where you work - you could try asking for a contribution
from your employer. It's good PR to have a link with someone doing something for a
worthy cause.
If your employer agrees, what about baking cakes to sell at coffee time or holding com-
petitions (guess the weight/number of objects in a container) or even asking colleagues to
sponsor you? Even simple things like putting all those irritating bits of small change that
weigh down pockets, and cram purses, into a large pot or jar can mount up surprisingly
quickly.
Pensions and National Insurance contributions
If you have an occupational pension and are taking a sabbatical you should check with your
employer to see if they offer a pension 'holiday' and what that might mean to your even-
tual pension, but it might be possible to stop or reduce your payments while you are away.
If you have been with the company less than two years, it might be possible to arrange a
refund of pension contributions.
For the state pension you might want to look at two issues: during the time you're away,
you will be officially classified as living abroad and you won't be paying NI. However, you
