Med School Living Question

[Wifty]

We have lived simply while in undergrad....you know, all the furniture doesn't match, some comes from the Goodwill, we have milk crates in our closets for storage.

What I am wondering is if people still live in medschool like they do in undergrad? Or does everyone ditch the unmatching furniture and milk crates and get a 'more grownup' household?

To save money and whatnot, I have been thinking that we will continue as we are for the next 4 years.....dump everything and start afresh then. But, I don't want to be the only married couple that lives so off the cuff.

So, is the student lifestyle continued? Or do people try to be more grownup/professional in their household?

Just curious. Either way, the Disney nutcrackers stay.

Wifty

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[radspouse]

Well, we've been living the same way for the past six plus years - old, ratty furniture, minimal appliances, holes in our socks <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> , etc. Unless something drastic happens to you guys in a financially positive way in the next few years, I'd say expect to have a similar lifestyle to what you've been living for medical school AND residency. So, chances are pretty good you won't be able to afford any nice furniture for at least seven years (maybe more depending on the length of his residency). Sorry!
Jennifer

 

[Wifty]

LOLOL Jennifer, actually, that is encouraging. I like not feeling too tied down to my stuff (though I cart my old teddy bear and Dr. Seuss books everywhere! lol).
I don't mind living simply and I like the challenge of creating a home feeling out of whatever I can find.

I was more worried that we would be the only people that are still living the student lifestyle while everyone else is trying to look more 'doctor-like' and grownup. Probably a silly thing to worry about or even think about....but these things go thru my head!

Wifty aka Rebecca who dyed her hair purple a couple weeks ago for my 32nd birthday....definitly not the doctor-spouse image.

 

[squeek]

Not only are there 3 milk crates (with "thou shalt not steal/Reiter dairy" imprinted on them) in my closet, the milk crates are filled with shoe boxes I scavenged from the hall to use for storage of Christmas lights and ornaments.

Our couch is about 38.6 years old, rubbed bare, and golden brown. My husband bought it his freshman year in college for $20, and he just can't part with it. Our desk is something I found in the hall of our apartment building. My dresser is a $15 special I got from a ShopNSave on 15thAve in Ballard and carted up the sidewalk on a dolly to my apartment on 60th many years ago.

Don't worry about the "eclectic" nature of your things...there will be some students with wealthy parents paying for school, and their furniture will be nice. But most of us are poor and struggling, with used items galore... Also, see if you can talk your new landlord into letting you paint your new apartment. We did, and the wonderful colors make the whole place even more fun and "bohemian"!

 

[im4real]

Hi there Wifty!!

I wanted to respond and tell you that my husband is in his second year of residency & we live simple lives as well. Everything is the same as when we first got married (ie, furniture). I wanted a new dining room table with chairs, but that didn't happen and now that we are going to be moving in a year and 3 months, I guess that's good... Someone once told me that if you live conservatively (as in monetary) after residency, you can pay off those school loan debts and will be able to get the things you really desire after a few years. I think that sounds great, I'm hoping that we can do that... It's the will-power that seems to get in the way!! LOL!!

Anyway, when you come into our home, it is average, nothing stands out that you can oooo and ahhh about. Common ordinary people! haha!

Christy

 

[gatorwife]

My husband and I are also living a simple lifestyle - very much like undergrads! Both of us drive 10-year old cars and our furniture, which barely fills our tiny little apartment, doesn't match and all that good stuff! We're pretty much counting on it until he's done with residency. I have to agree with you - both of us sometimes feel that we are not a "grown-up" married couple, but in a few years, we will be able to afford a little bit better lifestyle. It will all be worth it, right! At least that's what we keep telling ourselves! I really think this struggle now will give us a greater appreciation for nice things later. Rest assured, though, you are not alone!

 

[engaged2med]

I am relieved to find out that my fiancee and I are not the only ones living in house that is not quiet "put togethor", lol. To be totally honest, I was worried about having any of his med school friends over, due to everything not being just perfect. What I have found helpful for decorating on a budget is to grab a Sunday paper whenever I get the chance. I have found many of the things I need, to be on sale just when I had almost given up hope. :wink: Due to my cat moving in with me, his pleather couches have been shredded to peices. I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out a way to afford new ones. Then I thought about slip covers. I know that they are not the best thing in the world, but they do the job for now. Though they can usually run for up to $600. I found some on sale at the Garden Ridge Pottery one weekend for just $60 a peice. As I stated before, they are not "top of the line" but they match and they hide what I could not stand to look at every day. I also do alot of my decorating with fresh flowers and scented candles. If you can find a nice, inexpensive store to buy these things at, they really can add some color and life to an otherwise dull room. :wink: I am not sure if I have been of any help to you, but you have definitly helped to relieve me of a major worry. Good luck with your home decor.

 

[MrsJohnDO]

I think my husband and i do well to look like we have a put together house. I do it mostly for my kids but it was nice when he was in undergrad and other students would come over and say this feels like home. Nothing in my house is expensive though. I only buy when i can find it on sale and then it really has to be a good deal. Most of our stuff comes from Wal-Mart so you know it is cheap. I think as long as you are happy with where you are at and with your stuff then others get that vibe from you and they enjoy the experience of having things different. I know several people who went all out and bought all new "not college furniture" and now they are still paying for it and regretting it. However if you have to have everything that matches buy used you can find really good deals.

 

[Voxel]

I think most med students/couples without generous donations from friends and family live very modestly. In fact, if you continue this way after residency not only will you pay your loans off, but you will have the money to invest and be financially independent when it comes time to retire.

Yes, you can splurge a little, but don't over do it once you finish residency, otherwise you'll always be poor. My father always told me that it really doesn't matter how much you make, but how much you can save. There will always be a nicer/more expensive car, house, clothes, etc as you go up the income ladder. But remember that income does not equal wealth.

 

[double elle]

You also need to take into consideratin that some students worked for YEARS before applying to medical school. Therefore, they bought nice things for their homes/families. I would say that these people are the exception, however.

My husband and I both went to college in Kirksville and then worked. I am now at KCOM. Our place really looks like a home (house with 20 acres..for sale!), but if I weren't married and weren't just a little 'older' than most of my classmates..that would NOT be the case. Most of the places I have seen when visiting classmates has been the 'undergraduate' look, with a little 'adult-flare'. However, it also depends on how your imagination works with regards to decorating. Not to mention, how much STORAGE you have to hide things!

Let this be the least of your worries! Not to mention, I can't imagine having established my 'home' then having to move all that stuff around for rotations...then residency. I would suggest keeping things simple.