Leaving a stable life to move abroad, has anyone regretted doing so?
Posted by SpecialAd2491@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 86 comments
I’m coming up on 30 and feel like I’m running out of time to do something adventurous. By then I’ll have about $300k+ AUD saved, and I’m on a $150k salary with good career prospects. On paper, life’s solid - but I can’t shake the feeling I’m missing my chance to be adventurous, and am resigning myself to being a wage slave.
For anyone who’s done it: how did you find the courage to leave behind a stable job/life and just go for it? Was it worth it?
GrowlingOcelot_4516@reddit
Depends on what you're valuing. I left my birth country in my 20s and migrated to 3 new countries over the past 10 years. I've had terrible experiences and some amazing ones. I'm happy where I am now, but it took time and (financial) investment to get there.
Identify what you value and deeply research if the country would match those values. I never understood how much I valued a digital forward-looking society until I moved to Germany. Felt terrible until I saved enough to rip the bandage off and get the hell out.
Migrating is a gamble, but you can avoid some situations by doing some research. Just avoid local subs as they often censor negative opinions. Better go find personal expat blogs and use critical thinking.
Also, never make "money" the main factor in your decision. Germany was offering high-paying jobs, but that didn't compensate for all the unnecessary struggles.
Confident_Brick4606@reddit
What were the struggles in germany? And what part of Germany was it
GrowlingOcelot_4516@reddit
Berlin West, "the international city". Incessant and dumb paper bureaucracy was a big one. And that's from a European who didn't need to renew any VISA or other fundamental documents. I'm not even gonna talk about their incompetence.
Landlords not applying lawful prices under the rental cap and needing lawyers to fix things.
Extremely expensive health care and taxes for little out of it.
Getting anything moving forward would take forever and you'd lose a lot of time for nothing. Basically, I was either working or fixing unnecessary stuffs in lengthy processes that would have been fixed under 10 min with an email/form in other countries.
I think, if you factor in the aggressivity of people all other the city, it quickly becomes a nightmare.
Learned a lot from the experience I guess... I'm no longer afraid to hammer people with lawyers.
Confident_Brick4606@reddit
Wow sounds like a rough experience, glad you got out!
phillyfandc@reddit
My wife and I just moved to spain leaving a combined income of 350k. We will see how it goes but zero regrets thus far. We saved a decent amount so we really only need to make enough to keep from dipping. You only live once
Confident_Brick4606@reddit
Nice where did you move from? And was it hard finding accommodation in spain
willyd125@reddit
Did it at 35. Don't be a pussy. I regret not going earlier because I was a pussy. Yes it's scary, but not as scary as being old and thinking I wish I would have .... when I was younger. There's always more ways to make money, but you won't always have the time and energy for adventure, plus other commitments like family get in the way
Confident_Brick4606@reddit
Where did you move from? And where did you move to?
Acrobatic-Cheek-5923@reddit
No. It’s scary but I have no regrets. I’m in Italy and have two kids!
Confident_Brick4606@reddit
Where did you move from? Glad you're enjoying
AccountForDoingWORK@reddit
In my early 30s we left a pretty much ‘guaranteed employment’ job with a house we owned and everything set up for us (due to what we saw coming up for the US).
We assumed my partner would have to start all over for work and that everything going forward would be a struggle, but we ended up in an even better situation (financially, housing, quality of life) when we got here. Been here 5 years and I still can’t believe that things ended up going as well as they did.
You really never know. It absolutely takes money to make money, and it sounds like you have that first part going well for you already, which is such a massive advantage when it comes to ‘starting over’. It seemed (on paper) dumb for us to do what we were doing, but I have no regrets whatsoever about giving up all our stability to try for something else. (Obviously I’d be saying something different if it didn’t work out, but there you are.)
vanisher_1@reddit
So you went from Australia hedging a solid job to US having an even better life? 🤔
AccountForDoingWORK@reddit
Can you please point out in my comment where I said that I:
A) moved TO the US, or
B) moved FROM Australia?
vanisher_1@reddit
Assumed from the order in you nickname description.
AccountForDoingWORK@reddit
But those are all citizenship by descent, I can only be born once so it wouldn’t matter what order they’re in.
vanisher_1@reddit
I thought those were places you have been 🤷♂️
AccountForDoingWORK@reddit
🤷
carlieeeee_l@reddit
I am curious about how you got three citizens, amazing
AccountForDoingWORK@reddit
Mum had one citizenship, dad had two. I wasn’t eligible for citizenship in the country I was born in or else it’d be 4.
carlieeeee_l@reddit
So nice
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
Do you take vacations?
I took a 10 day vacation and went to Switzerland in the Spring.
Took a shorter 7 day vacation and drove up to British Columbia.
I only have a week of PTO left and I might go to Costa Rica.
I am thinking of leaving though, I make half the salary you make.
Specialist-Baker9506@reddit
Taking vacations can NEVER compare to the adventure of moving abroad.
SpecialAd2491@reddit (OP)
Yeah! I’ve done a fair bit of Europe, lot of south-east Asia and absolutely love Japan. Also, how amazing is Switzerland!
If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your age and what would be your plan if you did leave?
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
I'm 40 and have ADHD, autism, and OCD. I get overwhelmed and stressed very easily due to high anxiety.
I'm figuring out what type of job to do and trying to find networks or groups that help women with autism and ADHD.
The US isn't kind so I'm looking at countries where I can thrive, work and be supportive. Currently research a group in the Netherlands.
kalecoconuts23@reddit
I lived there. Lots of it is great from a lifestyle perspective but I can tell you they don’t view ADHD the same there. And they are much more strict about medications than the US where it’s handed out like candy.
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
I don't take medication and don't plan to, I,'m not sure why you would assume that I want to. I read they and Sweden are open to people with Autism. Maybe things changed after you lived there?
kalecoconuts23@reddit
No just letting you know, not assuming you are or aren’t- nothing wrong either way with taking them or not. I lived there not that long ago- just based on my experience and the views from local people about ADHD.
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
This part of your comment certainly assumes. Some people are aware of this in US medicine and don't like it, it corrupt and capitalist. Me and my family don't take meds and are also very sensitive to them .
kalecoconuts23@reddit
OK, well be offended by it or not literally I just responded to your post and that’s it. I don’t think you have to make much more of it than what is it. You don’t take medication, and I don’t know that and you’re very triggered by my statement.
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
No, you just made a weird assumption without asking me if I actually took or needed medication.
People could be a bit more respectful by not assuming things. That is all.
kalecoconuts23@reddit
Omg. Most of the time people take medicine. To each their own. It was a BTW statement to inform you. Do with it what you will. My god
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
I never said I was anti-medicine. I do take medicine but medications are stronger and something I don't want to take every day if there is a better solution to a health issue.
It's really unhealthy to label and assume things about people.
It's like you put a label on a person to write off their opinion. You don't seem to like constructive criticism either.
kunoichi1907@reddit
I'm 45F with Adhd, left my home country at 34, lived in The Netherlands, Denmark and now in Sweden. I can recommend all of them for quality of life.
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
Thank you I'm glad you've had great experiences ✨
B3stThereEverWas@reddit
You're not going to find "peace" in another country
Sort out your issues first before you make a move abroad
AdventurousBall2328@reddit
When I travel, I am at peace in other countries so I disagree with you.
Respectfully, you should keep your opinions to yourself. You don't know me at all.
Specialist-Baker9506@reddit
I was on a 100k+ salary in Mexico with a stable and clear career path and a comfortable while also supporting my parents and siblings. Was already ready to buy property and invest, etc.
I left it all at 31 for the UK. Started all over again with a salary of the third of what I used to make and in a position much more junior than I should be.
It's been almost 3 years now.
Being very honest, I regretted it too much the first 1.5 years. It was too difficult to adapt to my new conditions and circumstances. Not being able to support my family like before was even harder.
It was not my first time moving countries, but I feel that age and this stage of my life made it a bit more difficult.
Now I am much happier with my decision. My career prospects have improved massively, and so have my living conditions and lifestyle in general.
I believe that in the long run, it was the right decision. I am much happier now than in the past, and I'm hopeful for the future.
But yeah it pretty much depends on where you move to, under what circumstances, and how resilient you are.
Grelkator@reddit
Can confirm that traveling at a higher age or with kids is a different thing - not impossible but more challenging and less flexibility. If possible, try to combine the job with traveling, catching two birds with one stone. There are jobs or projects that need a lot of traveling. Hope this helps.
ContangoKid@reddit
I’ve relocated internationally multiple times throughout my life. Best moves were when I had companies pay. However, never regretted it. I’ve had some challenges but I think a couple things that help. 1. When you move it’s a one way ticket. There is no coming back. 2. Cultures are different. Accept it, adapt and move on. 3. Most important - your home is where you are at. Don’t live to work. Work to live. As soon as you move get involved in your hobby of choice. Make friends. Start building life.
Good luck. You live once and the world is a big place. Go see it before you’re dead.
Unable_Tumbleweed364@reddit
I want to move back to Australia but I don't regret my choices.
nznordi@reddit
Why not? What’s the worst that can happen? Depending on your career that might be a bonus … for as long as you don’t plan to be a surf or ski bum, it’s an adventure. If you don’t like it you go back… and if you want to be a bum for a while, it wouldn’t matter either … it’ll be called a “sabbatical “
HVP2019@reddit
What kind of adventure you are having in mind? You know this is an immigration sub
This sub is for people who are going through long and tedious bureaucratic process so they can obtain legal status abroad, so they can eventually settle in some foreign country where they will be working regular jobs, doing boring chores, paying bills and trying to learn local language in their free time.
If this is an adventure you are after, you are on correct sub, we can help you figure out where you can legally move to and where you will be able to find an employment.
I have been an immigrant for over 2 decades, I have no regrets.
5T6Rf6ut@reddit
100% this.
Moving abroad is not the same as a lifelong vacation. Living in a place is not the same as vacationing there. When you live somewhere, you still have a job you may hate, you still do laundry and clean the toilets on the weekend, you still forget to buy milk sometimes. You aren't out every night drinking craft beers somewhere new or exploring art museums every day (especially not if your transition comes with a salary reduction).
Catladylove99@reddit
I find it bizarre that anyone assumes that people don’t know this. Obviously living somewhere isn’t the same as vacationing there. That doesn’t mean it’s not an adventure to try living somewhere new, whether temporarily or permanently. “Adventure” involves stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks. Neither OP nor anyone else is acting like moving to another country is easy, effortless, and nothing but never-ending fun.
As to the comment you’re responding to, this sub is for anyone moving to (or wanting to move to) another country, not just people who intend to permanently immigrate somewhere (hence r/expats - expat, n., a person who lives outside of their native country). The gatekeeping is weird and unnecessary.
HVP2019@reddit
I am the person from earlier comment.
Permanently or not, the paperwork/logistics for immigration/expatriating is different from logistics of tourism.
As for risks. Immigration does involve risks and stepping out of a comfort zone, a lot of this will involve dealing with immigration related bureaucratic matters, yet I am having a hard time this OP wants this type of challenge. So I asked to make sure.
If OP were to say “yes”, I offered my help. I also said as someone who lived abroad for a very long time I have no regrets
English is no my native language so I may not expressed myself well, would you point out where was I “gatekeeping”
Catladylove99@reddit
Perhaps I misunderstood your intent. To me, it seemed as though you were saying that someone who might be looking to live in another country temporarily rather than permanently would not be welcome in this sub. I am someone who has chosen to leave my country of origin permanently, but I have no issue with all sorts of expats participating here.
It seems obvious that moving abroad will come with many challenges, regardless of whether the move is temporary or permanent, so it feels a bit patronizing to assume that OP hasn’t thought about that or isn’t up for the difficult parts along with the exciting and fun parts. It’s an attitude I see a lot in this sub, generally speaking.
HVP2019@reddit
Does it look obvious?
Because if you observe this sub you will see tons of posts from people who moved and then they “discovered “ obvious challenges.
So now they need solutions on how to fix those challenges.
They are hoping that immigrants / expats know of a secret trick on how to overcome those challenges.
For example: “Help, my parents are getting old, how did you handle this?”
How was it not obvious for anyone who plans on migration that their parents will eventually become old?
Catladylove99@reddit
Knowing that it will happen and figuring out how to navigate it once it does are two separate things. I don’t think those people are surprised to discover that their parents continue to age after they’ve moved away from them; they’re just looking for advice and solidarity from others who’ve dealt with the same thing.
HVP2019@reddit
Immigrants/expats who anticipated that eventually their parents will get old, included this fact into consideration before migration. They developed plans AND accepted the fact that their help may be insufficient, no matter how good their plans were.
And yes, I agree, that everything I write should be obvious.
Catladylove99@reddit
That’s all true, but maybe sometimes the reality is different than what they imagined. And sometimes life just happens, like someone moves for a degree but ends up staying, or they end up marrying a local and staying when they hadn’t planned it that way originally. Or maybe they thought they had a long time before they had to worry about their parents getting old and sick but then one gets cancer fairly young. I’ve seen cases where the move was supposed to be temporary but then the couple divorced and one wouldn’t let the other leave the country with the children. You can’t anticipate every possibility.
I do agree with you that if it were important to me to be available and close to family, I wouldn’t have moved away, but I’m trying to see it from others’ perspectives.
HVP2019@reddit
Yet
So BECAUSE reality can be different, it may be worth to remind people that reality of immigration/expatriation may be different.
Even though those things should be obvious to everyone who contemplates migration
Catladylove99@reddit
Fair enough
ALIEN483@reddit
Kind of?
I miss the stable income and proximity to friends and family. I miss my hobbies, the equipment for which is expensive and impossible to transport overseas.
I moved countries TWICE for a man. I love him but sometimes I miss my old life and feeling more in control. I had so much freedom before. I do feel like I blew my life up a bit. It's a long story but I gave up about 3 different life paths on the way to where I am now. I lie awake and mourn those missed paths often. But I also see a lot of potential in the future and I think I would have always wondered how this path would have turned out.
If I were you I would take as much vacation time as possible.
meguskus@reddit
Just bear in mind that you won't be making anywhere near that much anywhere else. In Europe you'd be looking at like a quarter-third of that salary.
FedorByChoke@reddit
How is your experience in Ireland? Did you move to Dublin, Cork, or a smaller town?
meguskus@reddit
Smaller town, but I travel to Dublin once a week.
It's not for me. Poor healthcare, public infrastructure, transport, unreasonably expensive (and poor quality) housing, pet-unfriendly and then things that are subjective - monotonous landscapes and lack of true nature, monotonous and cold weather all year, culture/attitude to things like literring.
Theal12@reddit
Run toward something, a culture, a lifestyle or an experience instead away from a fear of something thing
InspectorSingle@reddit
I regret it very day. I have built a life in Spain but I have stayed here because I met my husband here after I had decided to blow up my stable life back home and move to Spain. I gave myself one year (before I met him) to see if it was worth staying. I didn’t like it at all. THEN I met my future husband there ( btw he is not Spanish) and stayed because of the relationship. I love my husband but Spain offers little to no opportunities if you need and want to work. Especially if you want to be freelance (autónomo). I can speak Spanish but culturally the country is not a fit for me. I wish I had never moved here and had just kept my stable life.
Shonucic@reddit
I'd recommend taking a sabbatical, maybe \~6 months, after which you're planning to get another boring job and settle back into your existing life.
That lets a nice deadline on wandering, which will encourage you to keep moving and grooving. It gives you an escape plan if you don't like traveling, and want to return to your normal life.
And if you find you _do_ like traveling, or like a particular country enough to move there, time to figure that out and do so.
I wouldn't close any doors on your current life, other than the job, though, until you actually _do_ do some wandering.
Wanderlust is often just that, lust, and once satiated, is not all that fulfilling of a foundation to build a life on.
SWJenks@reddit
I was basically in the identical situation but a bit older (38) when I had what most of my friends and family would call a midlife crisis, I was completely burned out on the American corporate grind. Within one year I sold my house, car, and basically everything I owned, put my life in 2 bags and took off to travel the world for a year not knowing if I’d come back…
Well, that was 3.5 years ago, I’ve been living in Spain now for the past 2 years very happily with plans to get my permanent residency. I work part-time remote for a U.S. company still making a fraction of what I used to, but it’s enough for me to live without burning through my savings. I can always make more money, but I can never make more time. It’s not for everyone, but I personally can’t imagine going back to the life I had before.
salmonpaddy@reddit
How did you secure the remote job? Also do u have European citizenship or how did u get the visa for that?
SWJenks@reddit
I was fortunate to lock down my remote job before I left with a small startup company. They have a Digital Nomad visa here in Spain specifically for it.
Brawlingpanda02@reddit
Im a lot younger so take this with a grain of salt, but what would you lose if you move and what would you gain? When you weigh the pros and cons, does the pros outweigh the cons?
Expatry isn’t for everyone. It’s tough. But it’s an amazing unforgettable experience.
Also if you’ve already established a prosperous career, is it something you can take with you? A career doesn’t have to be over if you take an extended break if you have sufficient knowledge to rely on.
SpaceBetweenNL@reddit
My life was certainly far from stable. I'd be dead in a couple of years if I stayed in my birth place. Now, I rent a small studio in a town in the Netherlands, and I earn 2000 euros per month. In my birth country, I had a bigger apartment in a huge city, but due to extreme freedom and very young age, I was exposed to EVERYTHING (alcohol, sexual contacts with strangers, drugs, gun fights, knife fights, etc.).
In the Netherlands, I live in peace, so I'm still alive (I'm 28 now). I don't even drink anymore. I just quietly work in retail, and sometimes, I fall in love :).
Designer-Neat8275@reddit
I’ve been living abroad for 15 years now (Asia mostly) and honestly it’s one of those decisions that reshapes your entire perspective on life. Do I miss the stability sometimes? Sure. But the growth, experiences, and freedom I’ve gained made it more than worth it.
If you’re curious about what the expat/digital nomad life is really like (the good AND the tough parts), I actually share a lot of that on my channel on YouTube. Might give you a clearer picture before you make the leap
sweptupinthewind@reddit
Worth it
lluluna@reddit
I don't make a huge leap all of a sudden, I think most people don't. (Yes, you hear success stories about those blind leap of faith but they are the minorities)
It always starts with small steps like going to university in a different country, having relatives in a different country/visiting them often or being sent over for work etc. Slowly, you set yourself on the path of living in a different country.
You don't bet your whole saving account on something you are not familiar with; the same goes with decisions in life.
International-Sir177@reddit
I moved to the UK with nothing when I was 20 and built a stable good life. At 33, I quit my job, got rid of everything I own, and moved to Canada on express entry. I did this with about half as much money as you, no job lined up, and I knew not one person in the entire country. It was terrifying but it worked out great after. It was hard for the first year but I quickly started building a life different to what I had (which was the point). Now I'm doing better than I could have ever in the UK (and again - things were alright there). So yeah... DO IT. Make a plan, take the steps, *freak out*, then just do it.
Thabuki@reddit
I'm originally brazilian. I left a very stable life in Canada for uncertainty here. Still very happy. Canada simply didn't have my family, friends and other pillars that make my life better.
owzleee@reddit
Came to Buenos Aires with work for 3 years (from London). Still here 7 years later and just bought an apartment! Exploring South America now.
Daidrion@reddit
Unless you have very serious reasons to move, it's not worth it. Looks like you're doing good for yourself, moving abroad will annul your momentum.
Unless you'll start your own business, that's who you are regardless where you live.
It looks like what you're looking for is a sabbatical.
Desperate_Baby_8317@reddit
There is no clock.
Financial_Animal_808@reddit
Ive been traveling now for 9 months. Yea it was a good experience but not worth quitting a good job. I met many people who quit their job to travel, but now after a few months max of traveling they are back home to the life they were at before with less money and less motivation. People glamorize travel too much, it’s really not all that cracked up to be. It’s not much different than your life at home to be honest, just new scenery. We are more similar than you think even if it’s a different “culture”. I’m sure you can solve the itch to travel using your few weeks of vacation per year snd not need to fully quit a good job
SmokeKey5145@reddit
Got head hunted and moved overseas twice in the last 5 years, no regrets and have absolutely loved the adventure. Made lifelong friends along the way and been culturally exposed to so much new life experiences
maritimer187@reddit
Im one of the most adventourous people I know and have been in your shoes.. very similar age, savings and salary.. I spent from 18-25 on the road from my home city and lots of great memories. Currently in my home city near family and friends and have a very saught after job. I own a house / have a dog and would consider myself settled.. for now. Fortunately for me I do have an extremely high paying job BUT work remote is not and will never be possible.
I backpacked south east asia at 21 for 4 months and had the time of my life. At 22 I spent a year working holliday in New Zealand where I have mixed reviews. Working in another country may not be what it seems from my experience. I was also dating a girl for almost the entirety of my stay and Id say it was one of the more serious relationships Ive had in my lifetime but ultimately I chose the much better pay for a better lifestyle in my home country Canada.
Im not sure how much vacation time you get at your current job or how easy your job would be to get back if you left but those things matter from my perspective. My current job has 5 weeks of vacation time plus 2 weeks at xmas. Lots of time to travel and not disrupt the stability of my 'normal life'.
You left out alot of info on your situation so it's hard to give a good suggestion. Can you work remote for same pay? That would be a huge factor in my decision.
NEmoo_stargirl@reddit
How the f you got 300k saved insane
crazyjake29@reddit
I lived in Vietnam for most of my 20s and moved back to the UK to raise a family (34 now). My advice would be to go and live somewhere short term. Take it a year at a time. My time abroad was only suppose to be 1 year, but it turned into 8. Don't force it. But definitely try it.
FrauAmarylis@reddit
If I were you, I’d keep working and investing, retire early, and try moving abroad in retirement. There are really good active facebook groups with info for that. One is: Go With Less Nomadic life (or something like that).
Ok_Willingness_9619@reddit
I get to talk to many expats where i am, many are Aussies too and not a single one of them has expressed dissatisfaction of becoming an expat. Mind you, most I know have cushy jobs here also so that is a huge factor.
IvanThePohBear@reddit
I'm in Taiwan now
best decision ever 🤣
kids are happier with less stress over exam and homework
life is less stressful with better WLB and cost of living
weekends are filled with hiking and fruit picking and what not
EarthquakeBass@reddit
wasn’t an expat adventure but i was in a similar situation to you about four years ago except i left my stable job to try and start a business. i don’t regret it per se because of “the friends i made along the way” but i torched A LOT of money and mistakes/bad outcomes compounded - business failure bled into personal and so on - much easier to happen than you might think.
think really really carefully and know your parameters before you jump. you seem at risk to be in one of those “it’s actually really lonely in japan for a gaijin” instagram videos. but also, you’re not wrong that now’s the time in life to do something adventurous. i just think you should ensure career continuity - transfer branches within your current company, find a foreign company in a similar space who will sponsor you - don’t just ditch your job and go teach english or something. ask how you can revert to your old circumstances easily if possible instead of making a jarring break.
complete_bast4rd@reddit
Mate, you're young enough to reset so just go ahead and do it. Plenty of time for you to catch up again later on.. You only get the 1 life so go ahead and live it. If you wanna be an expat, now that's a whole different ball game but it sounds like you're after adventure so just go do it.
kalecoconuts23@reddit
Left for 2 months to 10 countries at 24. Life-changing. I was just laid off but put it on credit cards. Money comes and goes. 12 years later, I am fine and love travel and cultures. That trip ironically took me to a country I moved to for a few years due to my partner. You sound financially secure for the time being. You won’t regret taking the opportunity if you make it. If you’re single and childless, definitely do it. You’ll never shake this feeling if you don’t give in!
flower-power-123@reddit
What exactly do you have in mind? The company I worked for downsized and I found myself unemployed. My wife is French I had been taking French classes for year. We moved to France because it was the middle of the housing bust and there were NO JOBS! Relocating turned out to be the most difficult thing I have ever done. Do I wish I hadn't done it? Yes. A little bit. I think it is good to challenge yourself. You have to pick your fight. Are you good at languages? Do you have family or friends where you are going? How is your money situation? What will you do if you can't find a job? How will you manage the citizenship papers? Also, most days are not an adventure. Most of the time it is just like home except everything is in French and you don't get the jokes.
kattspraak@reddit
Do you work for a company with locations elsewhere that may allow you to move? Or a company that may allow a sabbatical after X years, so you can work elsewhere for 6 to 12 months and then come back to your job?
Otherwise, just start applying for work elsewhere and see where that leads. Not all jobs require an immediate start, and you could probably negotiate a delayed start to give you 3-4 months free.
I travelled quite a bit in my 20s, and while I am "behind" in my career compared to basically everyone else my age, I don't regret it for anything.
cosmicchitony@reddit
Very few people regret the adventure itself, though some miss the stability. The courage comes from knowing your solid savings give you a safety net to fall back on, so make sure you have some savings or a dividend portfolio.