Reflecting on leaving yachting, I share the mistakes I made during my transition to land, from cost-of-living oversights to everyday expenses. Discover what I learned and whether I have any regrets about my decision.
Hello again, my fellow seafarers!
Today, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of leaving yachting. It’s easy to romanticize the transition—sunshine and rainbows await you on land—but the truth is, it often comes with a hefty dose of reality.
As I look back on my own journey, I can confidently say I made more than a few blunders along the way. So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of my biggest mistakes and whether I have any regrets about making the leap.
The first misstep? I didn’t give myself nearly enough time to research the cost of living. I thought I was savvy enough to figure it all out on the fly. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.
My first thought was simply, “Can my big bakkie fit in the garage, and will I have room for a braai on my porch?” (Because, naturally, that’s the most critical aspect of settling down!)
However, I failed to consider rental costs in different areas, or the levies and rates that would hit my bank account every month. Trust me when I say that these hidden costs can sneak up on you faster than a rogue wave.
Next on my list: choosing the first car that felt budget-friendly. Of course, I went for the classic choice for South African yachties—a Ford Ranger. I mean, who wouldn’t? What I didn’t account for was the reality of fuel prices and insurance rates. Ouch.
Buy a car you need, not what you want, once you all settled and have blown the majority of your savings just finding your feet, then see if you can afford it!
After spending 12 years at sea, I forgot how to truly look at prices, I mean we didnt pay for anything, so what was the need. I sound like I had no concept of budgeting but to be honest the vessels I worked on had high standards and face paced, so things had to happen quickly.
Doing math in my head or calculating expenses on the spot felt like foreign territory. It was a new learning curve that required its own introduction! Adjusting to land living meant not only recalibrating my expectations but also re-learning how to budget like a normal person with more than just 1 debit order going off at the same time.
It’s a real struggle!
Now, let’s talk about something that really got me: cleaning. I spent years cleaning up after guests, only to find myself back ashore confronting my own messy abode. The absurdity hit me like a wave—I didn’t just want to clean my own home; I wanted to maintain my sanity.
In South Africa, hiring someone to help with home maintenance is common, but her salary was not part of my math at the start.
And that’s not even scratching the surface of what I overlooked. There’s a whole iceberg of considerations lurking beneath the surface, such as medical insurance options, which bank to choose, and the logistics of how much it will cost to furnish a home.
Each of these decisions came with their unique set of challenges and considerations that felt overwhelming.
So, if I havent’t scared you into getting your ducks in a row, then I am not sure what will.
Looking back, I can see clearly that these mistakes, though frustrating, were all part of the learning process. I’ve learned invaluable lessons that I wish I had understood sooner—but regret is a luxury I don’t allow myself.
Yes, it was a bumpy ride, but that’s how I gained the insight to share these reflections with you.
As I embark on this journey of sharing more about transitioning from yachting to land, I hope this post sheds some light on the considerations and struggles you might face.
If you’re thinking about making the leap, I encourage you to do your research and prepare yourself for the unexpected twists and turns along the way.