New to the forums

[ashnic]

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Hiya everyone. My name is Ash and I decided to join the forums as I am the S.O. of a soon-to-be med student. I really just wanted to introduce myself and lay out my story. Maybe you have advice, or maybe you will just say Hi. 🙂

Todd and I will be getting married next May, and enjoying a honeymoon in Costa Rica the last 2 weeks of July - right before our lives drastically change. We currently live in Tampa and we're hoping USF is the one, as it would definitely be an easier situation. However, we're still waiting to hear about an interview. He has been accepted to Miami and has an interview at SUNY Downstate.

While Miami is in FL, both Miami and NY pose a serious jump in living expenses. Todd is currently the bread winner now, with a degree in Computer Engineering from Georgia Tech and a nice job (he's decided it isn't the life for him). As for me, I'm working part-time while finishing up my Bachelors in International Studies. I make practically nothing and we certainly won't be able to live off my income alone. I also want to enter the non-profit world, as I'm a humanitarian and really want to work in charitable orgs with other like-minded ppl. Non-profits ppl aren't highly paid, obviously.

I want to start a family in the next couple of years, as well. I'm going to be 29 soon and really need to get on the ball. So, children are also going to be a factor.

Worrying is in my nature (although I know we will survive). Thanks for listening!

 

[thoffen]

Open up and say ahhhhhhh.

It's definitely not right for me to just take you on for the ride. Us being comfortable will be key to success in our future life. 🙂

 

[MDHub2002]

I for one feel your pain. My wife finished med school a couple years ago and is in residency now (the pay isn't great there either!!) and while we lived in a MUCH more economically reasonable city then NYC or Miami, it was still rough.
Loans and family help if you have that option but loans of course just dig you in a hole. I know for my wife and I, we would not have been able to get by without her loans but the massive debt is a burden.
As long as you both get on the same page with what to expect for the next 4 to 10 years (MS and PGY), you will be fine and still be able to manage a family and live in a decent area.

Congrats on the upcoming nups and enjoy the honeymoon!!

 

[xanthines]

Congrats to the both of you!

I think it's really easy to unnecessarily stress yourself out over these things. I'm not trying to diminish anything as these are very real concerns. However, couples make it through med school and residency all the time. It's tough, you're poor, and there will be some mega stressful times. Hopefully you'll both be aware enough of these things to take step back deal with them before they escalate too far. I know a guy in med school with three(!) kids and a stay at home mom. They live entirely off of loans and the savings they had before school started. Crazy! So my soapbox statement that tolerance and understanding will get you through this whole ordeal.

As a side note, I'd be cautious about giving out too much personal information on the internet. While I think the probability of an adverse occurance is low, you don't want to tempt fate. I personally know someone who ran into this via SDN!

Good luck!

-X

 

[MrsDrO]

As the wife of an M4, I can totally understand your financial concerns! My advice would be this: start talking now about how you will handle money during medical school. Keep the lines of communication open. You'll never be able to plan for all of your expenses (cars always seem to need something fixed), but if you two have a general plan/budget, you'll be better prepared. If you also don't mind me saying, do the job that makes you happy. If it's nonprofit, go for it. You'll be better off happy and poor than miserable and having a little more money. Congrats on this exciting time in your life!