Expert: Jan Hayner - 1/21/2011

Question
Hi,

I’m only in college but I have been wondering lately about life after college. I love hanging out with friends, but after my friends and I all start working and have jobs, how often will we still have time to go on road trips, and vacations to places? I really want to plan a trip to Mexico with some friends ( something like this) after college. I just want to know how time consuming jobs are from your perspective. I do not really know where to ask this question because there is no relevant category but thanks anyways. I appreciate your help.

Michael

Answer
Hi Michael;
You have a whole new world waiting for you out there. What you have been doing so far is like a foundation to build on.
You can still take vacations with friends, it will just take a little more planning. However, it will give all of you something to look forward to and 'count down' to, which can be half of the fun.
Usually you don't start to get vacations until you have worked at a place for 1000 hours or more #at least that is the way it is in Wisconsin#. At 40 hours a week, that is 25 weeks of work. So, all that you and your friends have to do is to pick a set week and then see if you can all get vacation at the same time. Word of advice...Take 5 days for vacation and save two days that you can use for extended weekend road trips, that way you can leave on a Thursday after work and not come back until Sunday night.
The trick is trying to get the vacations at the same time. Try to do this during the winter months, June or September and October. The weather is nice in the fall and people need to be back to work so kids can go to school, so they don't pick these months.
Check with a travel bureau for the best time to go to Mexico and which months are the most popular--then don't pick those times. You will get better deals on hotels, air etc. if you can pick the off times #and the weather is usually still great#.

Getting a job is basically the same as going to school. You buckle down and work Monday thru Friday in order to have time and money for fun on the weekend. You can still plan something for the evenings if you want, but why waste the money.....save it for a full day off! OR That vacation!

Hope this helped give you some ideas,
Jan Hayner