Review your finances before a career break

UNTIL a month ago, Andrew Lampert was moving up the career ladder in New York City as a pricing manager at an auto parts company.

Now, national parks are what Mr Lampert, 28, and his girlfriend Elise Murphy, 24, call home.

"The high cost of New York City can make it seem impossible to get by without an income and money on top," Mr Lampert said. "I'm staying in national parks for free, cooking on an open campfire - no rent, no cable, no utilities."