We have just one more hurdle before we can be sure we are going into the Peace Corps, and that is making contact with the Placement Office and getting an invitation. Since I am feeling somewhat confident (knocking on wood), I have started to worry about other things.
Top Three Things I Worry About…
- Permanent address: We have not decided whose address to use for our permanent address. It would have to be someone who we are certain will be in their house for the 27 months we would be gone, and who does not mind receiving the occasional piece of mail. Most of our relatives talk about how they want to move into a smaller house, as soon as possible (changing their address).
- Income Taxes: I am not sure how to handle our income taxes. Our W-2 forms will go to the permanent address (see #1) and we will be in some other country. Also, I am not sure I will be able to get the latest version of Turbotax, and I may not even have internet access.
- Investments: We have some money in retirement accounts that will be sitting idle waiting for us to return. Since I may not have internet access, and so may not be able to manage it on a day to day basis, I am not sure what kind of investments the money should be in.
I plan to find some returned Peace Corps volunteers to see how they may have handled these problems.
My wife is not worried at all. She says that I do enough worrying for the both of us !
On the other hand, I am grateful that we are far enough along in the Peace Corps application process that these are the things I now worry about.
Ah! Congratulations!!! So excited for you. And that’s really crazy about the mammogram thing… but good for Africa for taking care of their ladies (sometimes).
We’re kind of hoping for as much prep time as you will have. Good luck with everything!