How much does a year of happiness cost?

Lily Leung (exploreforayer.com) @lilyleung

2009: I hate my job

Monday: Is it Friday yet?

Wednesday: Hump Day!

Friday: Weekend!

Saturday: I wish everyday was Saturday

Sunday: Monday tomorrow :(

What would make me happier?

What would make me happier?

More vacation?

Less responsibilities?

More responsibilities?

New boss?

Different team?

Flexible work hours?

More interesting projects?

More money?

None of the above?

Later in 2009... a new job!

Later in 2009... a new job!

Better title

Higher salary

Smarter boss

New things to learn!

Things are great again!

But... 3 months later...

Monday: Is it Friday yet?

Friday: Weekend!

Sunday: Monday tomorrow :(

Two choices:

Two choices:

1. Make a drastic change

2. Same thing over and over

...an exercise in lateral thinking

4 Hour Work Week (Tim Ferriss)

How much does it cost?

Photography courses

Web courses

Travel to Europe, Asia, Central America

MBA, masters

Writing a book

And more...

How much money do I have?

Pursuing personal interests

$$ I can/willing to

spend

One scenario...

7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)

Summer of web design classes (certificate program)

1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)

4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)______________________________________________________

One scenario...

7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)

Summer of web design classes (certificate program)

1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)

4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)______________________________________________________

Cost =

One scenario...

7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)

Summer of web design classes (certificate program)

1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)

4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)______________________________________________________

Cost = $25,000, one year Cost =

One scenario...

One scenario...

7 months in Toronto - $11,000 (rent, bills, living) (savings)

Summer of web design classes - $5,000 (RRSP/LLP)

1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend) - $1,500 (savings)

4 months of Southeast Asia - $7,500 (savings)______________________________________________________

One scenario...

7 months in Toronto - $11,000 (rent, bills, living) (savings)

Summer of web design classes - $5,000 (RRSP/LLP)

1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend) - $1,500 (savings)

4 months of Southeast Asia - $7,500 (savings)______________________________________________________

One scenario...

~ $25,000, one year

$25,000... is a lot of money!

A large chunk of savings

Eats into a condo downpayment

$25,000... is a lot of money!

But $25,000 is also...

Less than I expected

A manageable amount

One year of freedom

$25,000 <<< $1 million

The price of a car

Not that much more than living in Toronto for a year

But $25,000 is also...

Am I actually going to do this?!

I’m scared.

Fears, problems, challenges...

I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)

Fears, problems, challenges...

I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)

My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)

Fears, problems, challenges...

I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)

My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)

Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy

Fears, problems, challenges...

I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)

My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)

Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy

Bad financial decision ($25,000 + opportunity cost)

Fears, problems, challenges...

I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)

My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)

Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy

Bad financial decision ($25,000 + opportunity cost)

Being alone, lonely... the ugly duckling

Fears, problems, challenges...

Now what?

To be continued...

Hint: There’s a happy ending