We're about to hit a crossroads. DH is a Japanese Interpreter, and he has been working a short-term assignment in Seattle. It's been great...2 months of free accomodation, and a high salary. We have saved more money in 2 months than we ever have in our lifetime. But it's about to end in 2 weeks. DH has been working 2 full time jobs, one in Seattle, and one on the internet. He has been literally sleeping on average 4 hours a night for 2 months.
Now, we have to decide whether we should pursue another full time job in the US, or we could live overseas on his online salary. His online salary is not great, but it's enough to live on in South America. But we may not be able to save much money for a while.
Getting a good job in the US, and saving a lot of money sounds great, but DH is worn out. His online job is stable, but we don't know how permanent. He's hired on a yearly contract. He may not have this job next year. So we may never have this chance again to live anywhere in the world with a full time online job.
Anyone have any advice?
Should We Just Go?
April 16th, 2009 at 05:04 am
April 16th, 2009 at 05:30 am 1239859827
April 16th, 2009 at 02:12 pm 1239891169
April 16th, 2009 at 11:05 pm 1239923144
April 17th, 2009 at 04:19 am 1239941947
Our trip to South America would be temporary...maybe 6 months. We're kind of wanderers...we've lived in 5 different countries already.
April 28th, 2009 at 04:17 pm 1240935479
It is absolutely a viable option. People who have never done this may not understand how possible, interesting and worth-while it can be. Living in a different country is in some ways like experiencing another lifetime. Often it is a simpler life, with focus on exploring and "smelling the roses" as opposed to accumulating stuff. These experiences stay with you much longer than the "stuff" would, they change you. And the temptation to do this while you are young, healthy and have that chance is overwhelming.
On the other hand there is security and health insurance, and the thought that you can save enough in one year here to live for a year some place else. A thought to contribute for few years to the retirement plan, so it has time to grow and be there when you are retiring in one of those places. But this routine does suck you in if you are not carefull.
When we were coming back from Aisa, we thought "we'll get a job for 2 years, save up, than quit and go back to Asia to live on that money for another year, than repeat the process" But it is hard and scary to quit a good job, the kind that is not easy to come by. If it was a crappy job, I would definitely do that. But I am lucky enough to have over 6 weeks of leave per year, traditional pension plan, good benefits. We go abroad every year for at least one month-long trip to explore a new country. Yet I still long for that expatriate life!!!
April 28th, 2009 at 04:30 pm 1240936200