Good Morning!
Before I got to the next part of my steps through the Peace Corps. I wanted to share with everyone a few tips out of my own experience and what I'm currently doing.
I think most people's main concern is money, it was for me. Many applying have some type of debt (credit card, student loans, car loan, and so on). I personally had two types: credit card and car loan. I successfully paid out all my student loans with my first job. It took a lot of discipline, but felt good when I gave that last payment. For those who don't know, you can defer your students loans for the time your serving plus get a portion of the loans cancelled. But I won't go into depth with that, because that isn't personal experience.
After sending my Legal Packet, I understood that I wouldn't be able to have any type of debt, in my case a car loan and credit card debt. In that moment just barely starting the application process, I decided to pay everything off. It took me about one year and six months to become debt-free. I sold my car and went with something less "luxurious". I didn't go out that much, didn't eat out as much, stop buying new clothes as I would normally do, etc.. I sacrificed many things that I considered for granted in my life. I wasn't a Martyr, but I did give up many things to become debt free. But being that joining the Peace Corps is my dream; many people who have any type of dream, to reach it you have to sacrifice many things to get that moment. Which I can say was so sweet and delicious when I got that Invitation, totally worth it. Most people don't mention money in there blogs, but I think this is very important. I had this question and honestly never found a direct answer about it, so hopefully this answers it for some of you.
Here are some tips I highly recommend for any prospective or current applicants:
TIP#1
Start paying off your debts as soon as you apply.
There is three reasons why:
1st -You obviously can go with debt, unless you have someone who will be paying for it.
2nd - The sooner you pay off your debt, the sooner you will have peace of mind and start saving up.
3rd - You honestly don't know when you will be invited, so they might throw you a curve ball and tell you Are you ready to leave in three months, a position just opened? You might lose that opportunity because you still have some kind of debt.
TIP#2
After you pay off everything SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.
There are three reasons why:
1st - Even though when you come back and PC gives you a readjustment allowance, which I think is awesome. Its always good to have a little nest egg. I've read many blogs and articles around the internet mentioning issues after returning, but the main one was: "Takes a couple months to find a job".
2nd - My mentor (you get one 1-2 months before you leave for any questions you have), told me that Costa Rica is quite expensive. I know other countries may be less expensive, but it's always good to have savings for "luxuries" (american brand products, internet, phone service, etc...). He also mentioned that if you decide to live alone after your training, you may end up purchasing some furniture, because some places don't come with any kind of furniture, which means $$$.
3rd - Our main purpose of going is to Serve, but "When in Rome", why not take advantage of traveling somewhere you probably wouldn't go in your lifetime. Save a few bucks and get to know your country of service. If you have a few extra bucks then probably try a country or two, take advantage of that.
TIP#3
Sell everything you don't need!
I'm shipping of in about a month, and while doing my 100 lbs of luggage for 2 years and 3 months. I noticed I had way to many clothes, shoes, magazines, dvd's, crap basically that I wouldn't be able to take and use. So in the spirit of cleaning my soul I did two things. First I donated the things I knew they weren't worth selling and second I started selling everything worth selling. Many people may be very attached to there things, but were going for 2 years even longer if you decide to extend your service. Why keep things you won't use? Everyone to there own opinion, but I'm selling everything I can on eBay or craigslist. Two good things will happen out of this, one I get rid of everything and have my soul clean and second I will have some extra cash for a "luxury" or two while I'm serving. So don't hesitate and sell, sell, sell or donate which ever works for you.
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