a little clarification...
Germany. Michael has applied to the Department of Defense Education A(something)...otherwise known as the DODEA for a postion. First we thought it would be interesting. Then as we looked into it more, we found so many positives, we applied.
...We have decided that we want to live in Ohio long term. I miss my friends and family and the repore we have there and Michael sees how it wouldn't be too bad=) However, after looking into it and b/c of other changes in our priorities, we don't believe we could financially afford the move and continue to pay off our debt completely. Even if we went back to renting. The cost of living is more and Michael would be making the same salary. I would get paid a little more, but I'm just not sure I could work and go to school to make up the difference we would need.
After talking to some people and doing some research, we discovered that if he got the position we could live on the base rent and utilities free. We would also be able to shop at the PO for western food and clothing and at a discount. Or we could get a housing allowance and live off base. We are planning for option A. This would allow us to bank a great majority of Michael's check and pay off (we're hoping) all of our debt and have a down payment for our house upon return to the US. This would then allow us to buy a house and I would attend nursing school and possibly not have to work full time as well. Also, we think it would help with moving away from Michael's family. His mom is very attatched. We've told her about Germany. She thinks it won't happen. The transition will be hard, but we are hoping that after having us overseas for two years, having us back in the states, anywhere, will be exciting for her. Even if that means in Ohio.
One snag we found out recently though was that during your first tour of duty, you are not allowed to leave the country. We had planned on returning home once a year. That we are taking into consideration.
We think Kassidy is old enough to remember her time over there and that it would be an incredible experience for her, for the rest of her life. Also, Michael and I both regret not traveling much before getting married, now we will travel as a family. And one last thing is that with Michael not having tenor, this will beef up his resume. We think it will be something that let's him stand above the rest.
Please feel free to ask questions and concerns. We know there is a position opening in Germany. We feel that it wouldn't be so different that we couldn't handle it and that we could stand the food. There are other options. Some are for a year term, some two and some three. We are thinking two years would be the most we would do. However, the issue lies in the fact that they only offer you one position per year. We are not willing to go to a less secure base that might be in war, etc. The pay is incredible, but it's not worth us to risk that much. We have a good idea of where we would be willing to go, but if they offer us a position in one of the other locations, we won't go and then we'd be bumped to the bottom of the list.
Another couple we met spent 1.5 years in Korea. They both taught and they have one child. It was through a different organization, but very similar and they were able to pay off 100k of their debt. Granted I won't be teaching as well, but even half that would be incredible for us considering. I could possibly get a job as a nurse aide as well or babysit or something like that. Just to pay for some traveling while we were over there. We don't want to waste the opportunity by not traveling at all, but we don't want to throw all our extra money into that instead.
okay, so enough typing for now. let me know what y'all think.
...We have decided that we want to live in Ohio long term. I miss my friends and family and the repore we have there and Michael sees how it wouldn't be too bad=) However, after looking into it and b/c of other changes in our priorities, we don't believe we could financially afford the move and continue to pay off our debt completely. Even if we went back to renting. The cost of living is more and Michael would be making the same salary. I would get paid a little more, but I'm just not sure I could work and go to school to make up the difference we would need.
After talking to some people and doing some research, we discovered that if he got the position we could live on the base rent and utilities free. We would also be able to shop at the PO for western food and clothing and at a discount. Or we could get a housing allowance and live off base. We are planning for option A. This would allow us to bank a great majority of Michael's check and pay off (we're hoping) all of our debt and have a down payment for our house upon return to the US. This would then allow us to buy a house and I would attend nursing school and possibly not have to work full time as well. Also, we think it would help with moving away from Michael's family. His mom is very attatched. We've told her about Germany. She thinks it won't happen. The transition will be hard, but we are hoping that after having us overseas for two years, having us back in the states, anywhere, will be exciting for her. Even if that means in Ohio.
One snag we found out recently though was that during your first tour of duty, you are not allowed to leave the country. We had planned on returning home once a year. That we are taking into consideration.
We think Kassidy is old enough to remember her time over there and that it would be an incredible experience for her, for the rest of her life. Also, Michael and I both regret not traveling much before getting married, now we will travel as a family. And one last thing is that with Michael not having tenor, this will beef up his resume. We think it will be something that let's him stand above the rest.
Please feel free to ask questions and concerns. We know there is a position opening in Germany. We feel that it wouldn't be so different that we couldn't handle it and that we could stand the food. There are other options. Some are for a year term, some two and some three. We are thinking two years would be the most we would do. However, the issue lies in the fact that they only offer you one position per year. We are not willing to go to a less secure base that might be in war, etc. The pay is incredible, but it's not worth us to risk that much. We have a good idea of where we would be willing to go, but if they offer us a position in one of the other locations, we won't go and then we'd be bumped to the bottom of the list.
Another couple we met spent 1.5 years in Korea. They both taught and they have one child. It was through a different organization, but very similar and they were able to pay off 100k of their debt. Granted I won't be teaching as well, but even half that would be incredible for us considering. I could possibly get a job as a nurse aide as well or babysit or something like that. Just to pay for some traveling while we were over there. We don't want to waste the opportunity by not traveling at all, but we don't want to throw all our extra money into that instead.
okay, so enough typing for now. let me know what y'all think.
posted by abbi | 2:37 PM
2 Comments:
wow, sounds like a great opportunity if you can stand being away from familiarity for that long. BTW ohio pays way better if michael wanted to work in ohio. :) What about medical? Do they have good facilities and access to good healthcare. That always scares me, what if someone gets sick. But it sounds exciting. IF things dont work out, you know we have a third floor:).
Well from someone who has been to Germany twice...I thought it was an enjoyable place.
The Frankfort airport is kinda scary because it is huge but it is manageable.
Even with my picky taste in food I was able to eat while I was there.
Not to mention traveling over there is a lot easier and more affordable because of the trains and such. You would be able to explore and take in a whole other world.
Traveling is scary but you have each other and it's an adventure that I think you would enjoy.
Ask lots of questions and you'll be missed but in the end it could bring you many benefits.
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