Congrats Aces,
Believe it or not and considering the oldie wannabe threads or yore (I am virtually 36), you are an inspiration. Better let us know when you get the first RHS job. However, you're 'only' 50 hours short of insureance nivana (or so other threads would have me believe) - 700hrs min for air taxi work. Are you thinking of that?
Me? Well I am still struggling to get compatible wx to get the nav stuffcomplete in my final 15 hrs of PPL training.
Longer term I have to agree with your thoughts about the IR. So far, your idea is in my game plan: MCC and IR when the market looks good.
Best of luck!