Chance to move to the south of France

[Jaime&Louie]

I am so torn right now! I was just talking to my friend that lives in Paris. His aunt owns a villa, a beautiful HUGE villa in a small town in the south of France. She is in need of some help during July and August. And he told her about me and she said she'd pay me, plus room and board if I came to help her out.
Now, here is the problem.
1. I would still need a job to come home to after these two months. So telling my boss I want to take a leave of absence probably wouldn't fly.
2. I would still need a HOME to come home to, so I'd have to continue paying rent, and all of my bills. Car included, I'd need that too when I came home.
3. I have ZERO money to play with, so unless I could get a loan to do all of this, it couldn't happen.

How frustrating!!! You know when you want something so bad, but have absolutely no resources to make it happen? It would be the chance of a lifetime for me though. My roommate would take care of Louie for me while I'm gone, he loves him as much as I do. I'd sure miss my little boo boo though.

Just wanted to share my joy and frustration.

Thanks for listening.....

 

[frankied]

Wow! That sounds like a neat opportunity but I see where you are coming from. I am sorry I really can't offer any advice :( We have so many repsonsibilities in our lives that it is hard to get up and go isn't it? Is there a way you could sublet your room? Good luck with your decision.

Christa

 

[gmacleod]

Sometimes it's just worth it to take the opportunities life throws your way LOL not an easy decision, I'm sure. What town in the south of France btw?

Gwyneth

 

[abradbury.5]

Look into your options and see if you can make it work. Sometimes it just takes creative thinking. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I think you should go for it!

A couple of things: maybe you could sublet your house for those two months, so your rent and electricity would be paid for by the person renting your place. You never know if your boss will let you take a two-month leave of absence until you ask. I don't know what you do, what your relationship with your boss is, what your boss is like, or anything like that. But maybe you can do it. If working remote is an option, maybe you could cut back to part-time and work remote while you are in France. As far as your car... are you making payments on it? I don't know what to tell you about that, unless you have a close family member that needs a car and they could borrow it temporarily while you are gone, making the payments for those two months.

But try to make it work--it is a fabulous opportunity, and one that will probably not come around again. You'll regret not doing it--the vast majority of people do not look back on their lives and say "I wish I hadn't done that" but rather "I wonder what would have happened if I had done that."

 

[Maniago]

As far as your car...

If you have been making payments on time, you could call your finance company and see if you could do an extension. You would then just have to pay the interest charge for those two months.

 

[luvfritz]

If this were me (and I was single!) I would take a loan and "seize the day." A friend who travelled for the US Gov't told me along time ago - she never regretted travelling to overseas destinations because we never know what history has in store for us!! She had travelled to places that we could never go now, and at that time she soaked in all the beauty and attractions the places had to offer. You may not always have the health or opportunity for this trip. Just make sure you will get free time while there and the aunt doesn't have you scheduled 24/7 Your employer may allow you to take time, because 2 months is not a long time and good help is hard to find!

Barb

PS - I agree with the other post that recommended subletting your room (of course they'll have to be approved by your roommate), there must be someone who'd love to see UT in the summer...

 

[cashisking]

Oh man Jamie!!!! GO, GO, GO!!!!!! Sometimes you just have to sieze an opportunity when it presents itself!!! Besides if you don't you will wonder what if the rest of your life!!!

What ya gonna do with Louie???


Jenn