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Having a kid/not financially ready
02-13-2019, 02:26 PM
I will offer you this advice: if mining is at all something you can see yourself doing, that would suit you fantastically. These jobs on sites across Africa have Fillipinos, Aussies, Brits and Americans earning $4-5k p/m (tax free). Your living costs and flights are covered (the rotation is typically 6 weeks on, 3 weeks off). I haven't been on any sites there but I suspect the same type of roles exist in South America (though I suspect they'd be less well paid)
Try to look at the positive side of your situation- you have a girlfriend whom you presumably love and a child on the way that you (hopefully!) want. I am at a stage where I'd happily wife up and father children with the first decent girl that comes along, but prospects are looking poor.
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Having a kid/not financially ready
02-13-2019, 03:00 PM
@Ringo was moreso aiming my comments regarding private schools towards North American Private schools where the public school system is just fine. (Atleast in middle class areas where I'd assume the OP would live)
In some other countries as you've alluded to it may be worth it though.
I agree in entirety with your post.
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Having a kid/not financially ready
02-13-2019, 03:49 PM
If you're making 2k online then you must have some marketable skills otherwise you wouldn't be making money. Maybe look at what you are doing and figure out what skills you could attain in order to build into a more profitable gig or business. Meaning, if someone is paying you then look into what they are doing and how you could segway into doing something similar making you the boss. It may actually be easier and quicker to do than getting into something totally different like teaching.
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Having a kid/not financially ready
02-13-2019, 04:09 PM
I'm not suggesting this, just throwing it out there. What about getting a masters degree (English) at a university in Peru and becoming a college professor there? I don't know if that's a good gig there or not, but I bet someone on here does.
In any case, if I were in your shoes I'd be leaning toward staying in Peru with your new little family rather than taking them to the states. I know there are a lot of pros and cons. Buena suerte.
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Having a kid/not financially ready
02-13-2019, 05:09 PM
Sounds like you've got the right attitude about all of this and you're getting good advice. I'm in basically the exact situation you were in a week ago, sans kid. Twenty-nine year old living in South America with my girlfriend and working online for around $20/h while working on my own projects. Wouldn't even surprise me if we work for the same company. I'll what others have said; keep working and saving money and put yourself in a position to take the next step in your career or pivot to a new one.
I know ESL teachers (rightfully so, often) get a bad rep of being unskilled but the truth is you do provide a value and are in a field with high demand that is not going anywhere. I'm sure wherever you are in Peru there are people and companies who want a Native ESL teacher and are willing to pay well for it. Market yourself towards them if you want to continue teaching. Or open your own institute that stands out from the rest in some way.
If not, you should pivot to something you know and enjoy doing and try starting your own business. You can work 4-5 hours a day and pull in 2k which I imagine is plenty to live comfortably in Peru. Use all that free time to research and develop an idea and execute it. You have nothing to lose and the internet is your friend. Now is the time.
As for moving back to the states, that's something only you and your girlfriend can decide. I go back and forth myself but at the end of the day you have to ask yourself what matters most to you and what kind of life you want to live. Sure, there may be more financial opportunity for your kids in the states, but that will always be there if they choose to pursue it. Perhaps you decide they'll be happier off in the culture you've chosen to live in. No need to decide now either, I imagine relocating to the states would take a few years to plan.
Congratulations on your upcoming fatherhood, stay positive and hungry, and best of luck. Si se puede.
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Having a kid/not financially ready
02-13-2019, 11:54 PM
What are the costs of K12 education in Peru?
Based on my interactions with Latinas over the years, I imagine the public schools down there are a complete disaster. When I've considered this scenario myself, that's the only real downside I see. Otherwise I think you're better off down there.
Cheers on the family though, sounds like a keeper.