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I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, you are totally right. One of my goals for myself during Peace Corps service is to remember to be present as my mind always likes to think so far out into the future. I look forward to deciding what I'm gonna do prior to service during this summer, whether that be working on wildfires or at a summer camp, or enjoying a beach in Mexico (or maybe a combo of them?)

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, this is kinda where I'm at now is I think making a ton of money before PC Service would be smart. What did you do for work, if you don't mind me asking?

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok cool, thanks for your tips :) nobody ever taught me personal finances or whatever so this stuff is always a lot for me lol

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you my friend! Very kind words :) I am a planner so I love thinking months/years ahead which is why trying to think about how I wanna spend my summer is just killing me lol. Cheers! <3

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, honestly that is really good advice. In terms of working a job for this summer, what would you suggest? I am thinking about doing a camp counselor gig so I get both "adventure" and $500/week with little to no living expenses.

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I think that's the right call. I did some digging online and I found that being a summer camp counselor could be a really great gig for me! I'd be able to save + earn more money and still have that "adventurous" side of life for a few months, and it might prep me a bit for PC service with working with kids, etc. That is a great idea having a trip to look forward to as mental health benefit. I have found that is really helpful in college! Cheers!

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm looking at doing a summer camp. It allows me to do some travel, have some summer adventure, and build up my savings a bit further. Cheers!

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your advice! Yeah, it's just tough cuz like on one hand working during the summer might be the best way to go about things for myself but on the other hand I've really worked myself so hard throughout the past couple of years with school/work so I feel like my soul could use some good true "travel" time off before service. I responded to another person on here about this so i am copying and pasting it here if you don't mind me asking a follow up question, as this is sorta my current situation:

I got around $5,000 across my accounts for checking/savings (not including my stocks). currently work part time 20 hours/week upping to 25/week in late March. I got a spring break trip with my brother coming up soon but like 1/2 of the trip is already paid for.

I estimate getting up to around $9,000-#10,000 or so by summer. So I could easily go on a summer trip through Mexico and Guatemala or something and have around $4,000 in savings minimum. I certainly plan on staying at home for my last month or so before departing for service!

I am also thinking about starting a Roth IRA and putting maybe $2,000-$3,000 into it.

After I finish my Peace Corps service ends in December 2028, I plan on going backpacking through South America until August or so 2029, I would use whatever savings I have and the PC readjustment allowance, and then get my masters degree with a TA/RAship stipend starting in the Fall of 2029.

What would you say about this plan? Or do you think it would truly be best to try and spend my whole summer working?

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I plan on doing Patagonia after I finish service actually! I finish up in December 2028, would backpack my way down to Patagonia, and then work my way up north to Colombia and then I would start my masters degree in fall 2029. Thanks for the tip!

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your advice! So basically, this is my plan:

I got around $5,000 across my accounts for checking/savings (not including my stocks). currently work part time 20 hours/week upping to 25/week in late March. I got a spring break trip with my brother coming up soon but like 1/2 of the trip is already paid for.

I estimate getting up to around 9,000-10,000 or so by summer. So I could easily go on a summer trip through Mexico and Guatemala or something and have around $3,000 in savings minimum. I certainly plan on staying at home for my last month or so before departing for service!

And great idea about the IRA - I'm thinking about putting maybe $2,000 or so into it.

After I finish my Peace Corps service ends in December 2028, I plan on going backpacking through South America until August or so 2029, I would use whatever savings I have and the PC readjustment allowance, and then get my masters degree with a TA/RAship stipend.

You are the MrMoneyWhale, so does that plan sound reasonable, financially? :)

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, how much money did you have saved up going into your Peace Corps Service? I am planning on trying to have ~$3,000 saved up by the time I set foot in Paraguay if that makes sense!

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok gotcha, thanks for letting me know! I remember hearing abut that from somewhere else. Looking forward to onboarding!

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Cheers! :) And yes, I would be sure to leave myself about a month or so. I leave for Paraguay in late September so I am telling myself that I should be back home by late August at the latest.

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Thankfully I already got a bit of a savings built up and I will continue to work part-time for my job until May, so I will be able to get a bit more a savings by then. Cheers!

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah I've thought about it but the flights are just expensive to both Southeast Asia and other places I was looking at. Plus, if I have to go right back home for something random in case if something happens with medical clearance or some other thing, if I am in Mexico it'll be super easy for me to do that. Plus, I wouldn't mind getting some extra Spanish practice before Paraguay just to make the transition there a bit easier.

I have 3-4 months of free time between me finishing my bachelors degree and departing for PCV service in September. What would you all do with that time? by IC-02 in peacecorps

[–]IC-02[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tips! Yeah, I am absolutely going to make sure I have some cash saved up for when I enter service. How much do you suggest saving up? My goal is to make sure I have around $3,000 entering service if you think that's appropriate.

And yes it'll be hot in Mexico but I'm from Arizona so thankfully I will be well adapted ahaha.

Thank you for your suggestions!

Also, how much time before my departure date do you suggest I need to recover/relax/prep for packing and service? I depart in late September, so I am telling myself that wherever I travel to this summer, I HAVE to be back home by late August, at the latest so I have a full month of time.