Leavin' on a jet plane...

Photo Credit: Wired Destinations

But not today.

Later this month Big Red and I get to go to California for a week, and then upon our return I'll unpack for a day, then get back on a plane to go visit my friend and her new son in North Carolina. Two wonderful trips to round out Summer 2012.

But, because there's always a but, I can't help but wistfully daydream of all the places I still want to see. Big places. Like destinations that require a valid passport. I haven't used my passport since 2006 when I surprised Big Red with a trip to Ireland for his 30th birthday. Yeah, I know, awesome gift, right? I took a second job working at Ann Taylor in the evenings and on weekends, saving my paychecks in a secret bank account. The trip took two years to save for, but when all was said and done, we had a fabulous vacation in Ireland that was paid for in full. 

And that's how I like to do things, or at least spend my money. I like to save up and then pull the trigger. I hate debt, which probably doesn't differentiate me from most, but I'm pretty vehement when it comes to paying things off. Except for my student loans; those bastards are permanent barnacles affixed to the underbelly of my life. And my income. Whatever. One day they won't be there. End of story.

Besides Ireland, I've been to Cuba, Mexico and all over the United States.  While I've seen a substantial portion of the US thanks to two cross country moves, there is still a healthy list of places I'd like to see:

• Portland, Oregon
• Seattle, Washington
• Sedona, Arizona
• Savannah, Georgia
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts
• Vermont
• Maine
• Hawaii
• Alaska

Then there's the wish list with destinations outside of the US:

• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• South Africa
• Bora Bora

Impossible list? I don't think so. Plausible? Definitely. What's my biggest obstacle? 

Money. 

Photo Credit: Hotel Connoisseur

Stupid, stupid, money. The almighty dollar. Coinage. Dough. Funds. Funds. I need funding. Traveling doesn't fall out of thin air, not to these destinations. I don't play the lottery, and I'm pretty certain of what I'll be making as a public school teacher from here on out until retirement. I'm not going to be anywhere near skid row, but there aren't going to be Benjamins raining from accounts. Not even close. So I find myself returning to what makes me most comfortable: saving. Squirreling away money when I can find it.

I'm going to set a goal. Yes, it may seem like a long ways away, but I'm going to shoot for it. If I get to it sooner and it should work out, then bravo, if not - the end date is 2018. The year I turn 40. Either before or in the year 2018, I want to take a big trip either to Europe, a France/Italy combo, or a vacation to Bora Bora. It may be with Big Red, it may be with girlfriends. At this point, the details are irrelevant. All I know is I want to go.  So, with my budding photography business, I plan on socking away what I earn in hopes of funding a 40th birthday trip.

Who's coming?