How much money did you save?

[wanderlustRN24]

Hey Everyone!

I really, really want to be a travel nurse (this has been my dream for years now), and I feel like I am finally in a place where I can begin my journey. I have been a tele nurse for about 2 years now in Florida and have already obtained my California license. My question to all you experienced travelers is how much money did you save before you began your travels and did you feel like it was adequate for a comfortable lifestyle?

A little more about me: I am 25, single, with no kids, and very little debt ($5000 left toward car payment), and am a generally low maintenance person although I have 1 expensive hobby: snow skiing. I have saved $25,000 but am nervous because all I hear is how expensive Cali is and how people drain their savings when going out there. I will try to find my own housing with roommates if possible, and take the stipend. My goal is to start traveling in April 2012 and save another $5-10,000 by then (I work a lot of overtime!) :). Also, good to know is the cities I am interested in are also the most expensive (San Francisco and San Diego, obvious choices huh?!).

I appreciate any feedback I can get! I know ya'll aren't financial planners but I am interested in hearing about your real world experience.

Thanks and have a great day!

[dixRN]

You will be fine. You only need about 3 months living expenses put aside & you obviously know how to budget. Low key lifestyle & roomates will keep you in budget. When you are checking on housing keep in mind to ask about parking. It is often at a premium in big cities. Don't touch your savings if you can anyway avoid it. And the less junk you take the less you have to move when you leave. I usually about 2 big suitcases & look for a situation with utilities included & furnished. You are going to have so much fun. Get out there & see the country & be safe.

[79Tango]

You seem like the total package, 25, single with no kids, loves to ski and lots of $$ saved up! Where you been my whole life?

One thing to consider if you are not going to keep a "tax-home" in FL is setting yourself up to go 1099. Normally I wouldnt recommend it to first time travelers however youve got $$ saved up so you are different than most.

[AppleRN4]

In terms of saving, I think you have waaaaaay more than enough/most people do before they travel- good job. I don't imagine you'd spend it all seeing you're savvy with money, and it's even more possible to double your saving while in CA. Yes, housing is expensive here, but that doesn't mean you have to pay premium-- find a roommate or Craigslist.

As far as cities go, the farther up you go in CA, the more $ you'll make.....Since you like to ski, NoCal may just be the place for you to have fun and maximize your income. :)