Unexcused Absences

Now that we’ve been on our Unexcused Absence for a little over a year, a few friends/readers had questions for us. On her recent visit with us, Suzanne posed the following questions on behalf of several mutual friends. Our answers are marked “A”, her comments are marked “SG”.

Not Roughing it at All … Apres at Elzabeth’s

Q: Have you stuck to your original budget?

A: Yes and no. We earned less money working at Beaver Creek Resort than we originally planned, but we also enjoyed rental homes that included utilities and internet which saved us money. So, by dialing back some purchases (particularly eating out and clothing) we are able to keep our expenditures in line with the less-than-expected income. We spent more on the initial boat outfitting than expected — I’m sure all boat owners are laughing at that one!

SG: I walked into the Beaver Creek condo and saw Heather was not wearing her fingerless gloves, nor was she wrapped in a blanket. Finding the temperature to be a balmy 72 degrees, I commented “Ah, utilities must be included!”

Q: Was the budget accurate/doable?

A: It was very doable, but in reality it took us years to get to this point. Although we’ve been frugal historically (no cable TV, packing lunches instead of eating out, making saving a priority), over the past two years we radically reduced the amount of stuff that we own while drastically paring back our annual living expenses. We think we spend less than many friends and neighbors on home, cars, dining out, clothing, recreation and entertainment (not to mention children). We like to have a good time, but all of our disposable income is focused on our vacation lifestyle – which doubles as entertainment!

Kent is delighted to receive Scott’s hand-me-downs!

SG: Recently adopted Rule #5 (Embrace Local Knowledge) was in full effect during K/H’s time at Beaver Creek. While I was visiting, K/H scored discount lift tickets, discount dinners, discount liquors, discount beer, discount ski waxing. Much of their ski clothing was won at ski races or obtained as vendor swag giveaways. Leftover sandwiches from funded events were swiped for the next day’s lunch. The car remained in the garage for all but one evening excursion and one grocery run; otherwise, K/H avoided rising gasoline costs by leveraging the free local bus service and walking everywhere else. I made dinner on several evenings in appreciation for lodging; I believe the whole chicken was their first piece of protein in months that hadn’t been shredded in order to stretch it.

Q: Did you save enough money before you started this ‘sabbatical’?

A: Yes, but keep in mind that although we are on an Unexcused Absence, we still earn money by working. Every dollar we earn and every dollar we don’t spend means we can continue this life for just a little bit longer.

SG: Don’t let these two fool you — there is more work being done than they or the photos would imply! Although they are often on the slopes, their day is not the carefree sleep late-ski-restaurant lunch-ski until it’s-time-to-take-a-nap vacation lifestyle. On race or lesson days, they are up early and out the door, backpacks stuffed with gear to accommodate the changing weather. One morning, K left early to work a race for the morning, and I rode the bus with H to the slope, but didn’t ski with her until a two-hour break – and afterwards she returned to work to conduct afternoon lessons. When they are home they are not distracted by television, so late afternoons and evenings are available for coding, writing, organizing, researching. Admittedly, having a two-hour break to ski mid-day is enviable — but they are not lounging at the Ritz enjoying a chinois salad and chardonnay every day. So at the core, the Unexcused Absence sabbatical has evolved a few steps back towards the Vacation Lifestyle – but now their lives are spread between geographically dispersed “homes” — rather than emanating from one central location in northern Virginia.

Q: What mistakes did you make and how would you do it if you could start all over again?

m/v Apres Ski

A: Other than not buying puts on CORV at 80, we made no major mistakes, but would change some minor things given the chance. We think we did well on our boat purchase in France and we can’t imagine getting a better boat for the amount of money we spent. We have an absolute blast living at a major ski area for the entire season, and we don’t regret at all our decision to get part-time jobs with the resort. Although the jobs take away a good bit of our free time, it is fun to be on the “inside” as employees. Minor things we might have changed are getting rid of a few bills earlier (smart phones, land lines, etc.) or focusing on not accumulating so much stuff early on as opposed to trying to sell/give it away later on!

Q: What tips/suggestions do you have for those thinking of embarking on a similar path?

Eric and Sudi’s “Old Timer”

A: Research and planning have been the keys to our success. We spoke with several boat owners in France to understand what sorts of boat- and living-expenses to expect. Kent read a number of books on boat and diesel repair in order to estimate our expenses and to help us with our choice of boat. As for coming to Beaver Creek, we knew friends in town and had spent enough time here that we had a good handle on expected living expenses. Once we knew roughly what to expect, we could adjust our spending habits so that our expenditures didn’t exceed our income once we had made the commitment to a new lifestyle.

Plus, we have Kent’s father, Don, who can assist us with matters that need immediate attention at home. You must have a reliable person to deal with the unexpected, whether a family member or a trusted friend. We couldn’t do this without Don’s “feet-on-the-ground” help!

SG: From my viewpoint, K/H didn’t just research and then act in a one-two-three fashion. First there were numerous dry runs to test their thinking; their thinking evolved; then they implemented the plan. About three years ago during rental barging experiences, K/H initially considered purchasing a much bigger, more luxurious boat for plying the French canals. Due in part to reconnaissance work on both barging and the Colorado lifestyle, they ultimately decided to purchase the (much) smaller Après Ski. Taking jobs at the ski resort also has significant imbedded cost saving benefits of lockers, discounts on lift tickets, food, drinks. After one season at Beaver Creek they were much more savvy about where to live in order to maximize convenience and minimize expenses. The Moral of the Story remains universal: try before you buy.

Q: What technology (hardware and/or software) was invaluable for this journey?

iPad in France

A: Cloud mail, cloud docs, an iPad, a European mobile phone, and two pay-as-you-go wi-fi cellular modems, one for the US and one for France. We also love our MacBooks.

We found that international banking is fraught with hassles and backup credit cards and backup access to cash are critical while traveling. Incidentally, setting up a European bank account is a real hassle. If any of our readers would like more information on that, please feel free to contact us directly.

SG: Know that cables, cords and plugs litter every flat surface in their home — and they can be put into a bag for a trip or pulled out of a bag in a heartbeat in order to take advantage of an outlet. These two look like vagabonds at the airport, and dead batteries are a pox on this lifestyle.

Q: Has this lifestyle impacted your long-term savings plan?

A: Slightly, but not drastically. We haven’t touched our tax-deferred or retirement accounts.

SG: Dang, I wonder if they became part of the 48% of Americans not paying taxes! [editor’s note: almost!]

Q: How do you achieve a sense of home?

At home away from home …. in the galley of a charter boat

A: Our sense of home is defined much more by who is around us rather than what is in any particular place. We certainly insist that our living spaces are clean, but beyond that we don’t have any particular attachment to living with this particular table or that particular vase. Yes, we enjoy our personal items and mementos, but in the wide world one table just isn’t that different from another. We tend to live with a lot of IKEA stuff no matter where we land.

SG: This lifestyle isn’t for the nostalgic; all paintings of Great Uncle Henry, the newspaper from the day of your birth, or family silver from Aunt Betty must be sold. Storing it isn’t an option as storage costs money and that takes away from the vacation lifestyle. It was a tough emotional hurdle for K/H to eliminate nearly all physical mementos from their daily life that would otherwise have to be transported from one place to another. Now, unless a memory can be contained in a photograph that can be digitized it will not be joining them in France or Colorado. On the other hand, once these items are eliminated from life then home can become fairly small!

Q: Financially, how long can you maintain this lifestyle?

A: It’s not clear. We’ve really pared down our living expenses, and as long as we can cover our bills we’re OK. However, we doubt there is a way that this lifestyle can be permanent. We sure scheme and think about it though!

SG: I hereby offer (straw man) terminology: Horizontal Snowbirds. I predict K/H will transit between France, DC, and Colorado for a few years until it isn’t fun anymore, they find a new passion, or life intervenes, whatever. As a casual observer, it appears that when employment can be accomplished remotely or in bursts, then with careful planning and sustained frugality this path may be financially sustainable.

Q: What unintended sacrifices have you made?

The Bryce Gang (current and former) gather in Colorado

A: The most difficult thing is to be away from family and friends. We really regret it when we can’t make it to certain events or gatherings because we’re away. Fortunately, friends do come to visit us from time to time!

On the financial side (and this is minor) we do sometimes miss living in our home (which we’ve rented) as well as nice restaurants, beauty salons, trendy clothing (Heather, certainly not Kent), and the latest electronic gadgets.

SG: There are small daily reminders of the choices that this lifestyle forces K/H to make. I chuckle every time I see Kent eyeing my two iPhones; he smiles knowing that he doesn’t have to pay service contracts. Although large computer monitors offer beautifully sharp images that can be seen without glasses, they are not transportable like a laptop and just don’t work for this lifestyle.

Susan and Heather out show shoeing

Q: Is it hard to make real friends?

A: No, not at all. We dive into the communities of which we are a part. At Beaver Creek, we both volunteer for the Birds of Prey World Cup Ski Race and work at the resort. The commitment required to volunteer for a big event like this self-selects to some very interesting people. Spending 10 or more hard-earned vacation days working long hours outside in the cold and snow (for no pay!) means that our fellow volunteers almost all have quite a different perspective on life. Plus, Kent (and sometimes Heather) races two to three times per week in recreational races and Heather is training for her PSIA certification. We’re constantly meeting great people.

On the waterways, all the boats are constantly in motion. We tend to introduce ourselves to slip neighbors and join in marina community activities (bbq’s, potlucks and watching rugby or soccer matches). Often, boats will cross one another’s paths multiple times during the season if they are traveling the same direction so we tend to see friends several times in one season. It’s called “The Watery Village” for a reason!

SG: Now that K/H are on a “schedule,” friends are finding it easier to make plans to join them in France and/or Colorado.

Q: How is the vacation lifestyle different than what you envisioned?

A: We’re constantly busy! In the winter, we ski, train or race nearly every day. On the waterways, there are always people to meet, boat projects to do, or things to see. Before we began this adventure we pictured ourselves lounging away the days in various exotic vacation destinations. Ha! We have way less free time than we ever imagined.

SG: K/H are stronger, healthier, and are in better physical shape than they have been for many years. (Well, let’s forget about non-recurring accidents!) They are either in motion, or sitting in front of a computer doing work. Movies are rare; no time is spent lounging in front of TV programs (the TV was not even connected to the cable box when I visited in Beaver Creek!).

Life’s a picnic

Q: What is better than you envisioned?

A: As we stray farther from a more “traditional” lifestyle, life’s possibilities and beauty become endless. Material possessions take on less meaning, while our time with each other, with our friends and exploring the wide world gains tremendous value. Plus, especially on the boat, we feel like each day is a full experience. We’re acutely aware of the passing of time, the sun moving across the sky, the rhythms of the animals at different times of the day, etc. And the French seem to experience a day differently than we in America do; most businesses close for a good two hours mid-day, and then close again in the early evening (or even the late afternoon!). So most workers take the time to relax with colleagues over an extended lunch, and they get home early enough to spend meaningful time with their families.

Q: Is there anything left for you two to talk about? Do you even converse when others aren’t around?

A: Absolutely!

SG: On my first morning at Beaver Creek I walked into the kitchen/living room to find K/H each humped over a PC, cereal within reach, not talking to each other. Thinking I had found a flaw in the Unexcused Absence, they reminded me that even in “real life” they typically didn’t speak much in the morning, a time more devoted to reading the paper, catching up on Facebook, etc. I can attest that conversation picked up as each day progressed. Their most animated conversations are regarding the strategy required to sustain or enhance the vacation lifestyle. Kent continues to participate in any conversation about food and sailing in the Caribbean. They still hold hands and kiss.