It’s September already? These months are flying by.
August was a little interesting for us this year because we chose to take a contract in the northeast to have a more mild summer but this August was the hottest on record in this area. It was basically like being in Virginia. Also, this summer has been the most dry summer on record in this area as well. That meant a lot of hot, beautiful days outside, some of which we got to enjoy but most of which we watched through the windows at work.
Financially, I just barely met my savings goal for the month. My total investments are equal to 6 years of expenses at this point which is pretty cool to think about. I am still on track to reach financial independence by July, 2020 according to my estimates. I don’t expect this to last much longer because September is going to be a tough month this year. Even though there are five paydays in September, I will likely be nowhere near my savings goal because we are working 20 hours/week this week and next week and then taking two weeks off after that before starting our next contracts. This means that I will only be getting one full paycheck and two partial paychecks over the entire next month.
Speaking of contracts, we got our next assignments finalized this morning and will be moving to North Carolina to start new jobs on 9/26! These contracts will be 15 weeks which will take us through the beginning of the year and hopefully longer if we really like the jobs. After a month of talking to recruiters and worrying, it is very nice to have that taken care of. Also, our Jamaica trip is in two weeks!
Even though September will be tough financially, I’m not too worried about it because we needed the time off (15 straight months of working with no vacation/sick time). Also, we will be making a little more each week at the new jobs and the cost of living will be quite a bit less in North Carolina. That will set me up well for getting back on track in October, November, and December.
Fifth Wheel Physical Therapist 
I feel ya on the time flying — I don’t know how it got to be September so quickly! I need things to slow down a little (but not really, because I want to finish residency like, um, yesterday). Enjoy your time off this month!
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Thanks, the time off will be good. How much longer do you have left? I’m sure that will feel amazing when it’s over.
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Hi, fun time reading your blog. Do you like working traveling PT? What is the job like environment and pay?
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Hey, Jaguar. I’m glad you enjoy reading the blog! I like travel a lot so far. Two of my very first blog posts were all about travel PT as a new grad. The job environment is different at every clinic but I haven’t been to one yet that was too bad. Of course the clinics aren’t perfect (if they were they probably wouldn’t be looking for a traveler) but they have all been at least decent. The pay for travel is much better than a full time position. Whitney and I are making double what some of our classmates are making in outpatient but we don’t get any vacation or sick time so some of that pay is negated by lesser benefits. Overall, I think there are a lot more advantages than disadvantages and I will continue to travel for the foreseeable future.
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Thanks for your reply! I have read your posts about working as a new grad travel PT.
Lots of good information!
Could you name a few reliable companies/recruiters that find jobs out west ?
How long approximately the whole assignment process takes?
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We have talked to a lot of companies since we started but the two we’ve had the best success with are MedTravelers and Prime Health Care Staffing. Elizabeth Lindsay is great and she’s the recruiter we’ve worked with through Prime, elindsay@primehcs.com. Jessica Hall is our current recruiter through MedTravelers and we’ve been very happy with her and the company overall Jessica.Hall@medtravelers.com. If you contact either of them, I’d appreciate if you would mention my name so that I’ll get a referral bonus if you complete a contract with them. Honestly, if you’re traveling by yourself and are already licensed in the state you want to work in, it shouldn’t take more than two weeks or so to complete the new hire paperwork for the travel companies and find a decent clinic to work at. It really doesn’t take very long.
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