Search results

I am interested in this topic since I'm having a hard time finding free or cheap video editing software that you can use WITHOUT being connected to the internet. If you're traveling a lot in places without consistent internet, being able to use it offline is really helpful. One of the great...

WARNING: Long post! In pre-COVID times, I traveled internationally about half of every year, usually in developing countries, so I’ve spent a lot of time on researching and living this issue. I was actually traveling with my BF in Southeast Asia/South Pacific/Australia for months when the SHTF...

I've flown them in the past to Portugal and Cape Verde, and always had decent experiences. Most recently in June 2021, I had to use a TAP COVID-cancellation voucher from last year that was expiring, so flew from the US to/from the UK (Manchester) via Lisbon. The flights in both directions were...

Virginia opened early in-person voting last Friday September 18th. I stood in line for **3.5 hours** (!!!) that day (in a socially distanced line) to cast my ballot! It was just like election day voting here where you fill out the scannable ballot and personally put in the machine to see that it...

I would second the endorsement for Traveling Mailbox, who I have used also as I am out of the US at least half the time. They were extremely professional, reliable, and prompt. Great communication and customer service as well. I would reiterate candrew's point about NOT depending on the...

My FIRE travel budget is about $20-25K/year, for one person, by far my biggest budget line. I'm on the road 4-6 months a year, almost all international, but also do US road trips primarily staying with friends. I travel low-medium end most of the time (including camping, hostels, public...

Another money-related tip for people planning on visiting Cuba -- DO NOT check any of your online financial accounts while there. A few years ago I was on a multi-month trip in Latin America which ended with a few weeks in Cuba, and I needed to check something on my Schwab account before...

For many years I have been getting the Defensive Driver course credit on my GEICO auto policy. I get a $23 discount per year, and with the GEICO discount the cost of the course is only $19.95 (once every three years). Very easy, and never getting out of my pajamas. And as for the 'six hours' --...

For Schwab clients: I just received a new debit card for my (old) Schwab One account, and this chip card has the ability to create a PIN for use at non-attended kiosks internationally. (Haven't tried it yet, but that's what they claim).

In our case, the bonds were in a Living Trust, and had already matured, so were redeemed shortly after the decedent's death. But proceeds still remain in the estate account, as distribution to heirs has not occurred, and can't occur until the estate/inheritance taxes have been paid in NJ (we are...

We are going through this now. As Audreyh1 says, there is a difference between the estate (and/or inheritance) tax, and the tax that the heirs pay (as part of their personal returns.) The estate pays taxes on its total value prior to distribution of assets to the heirs. So in the example...

I spent a month in Ecuador last September, also lived there for several years in the past, so do have some current information about money there (haven't been to Peru in quite a few years, however, so don't know the situation there now). Anyway, for Ecuador: * As someone noted, Ecuador is...

Not budgeted per se, but I've been willing to spend quite a lot annually because I still have consulting income coming in. Since becoming semi-retired in early 2013, I've spent between $10,000 and $35,000 a year on travel for one person, the great majority international.

In 2015, about 28 weeks in total away from home, all but a few weeks for fun. In chronological order: 1 week Austin 2 weeks Jordan (a consulting job) 4 weeks Europe (cruise) 6 weeks sub-Saharan Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania) 8 weeks Latin...

I stopped full time work in 2013 at 57 yo - which was not planned (position "eliminated"). All my calculations and financial planning (and great advice from this site!) projected that I was able to leave paid employment entirely, and that was in fact my expected and intended path. About two...

There is indeed a significant difference between the plans. To give the company some credit, T-Mobile has made an effort to add more countries in the last year and a half to bring it up to 140, but their coverage is still very dominated by Europe, Caribbean and Latin America (and 80% of the...

I have also frequently used ATT international data packages while traveling abroad (on my US smartphone), which is okay for just email but can get pricey with more extensive internet use (I think it was $30 for 120 MB if I recall correctly). T-Mobile international can be a good deal for data...

Problem is, I simultaneously want to keep my US phone with its US number (and apps associated with that number), so it gets complicated switching back and forth between SIMs on the same device....

I actually don't find that clothing is that important in my packing decisions anymore, no matter what the length of the trip, so am surprised that so many travel packing lists/articles tend to focus on this. I travel for long periods at a time (1-2 months at a go, usually, for 5-6 months a...

I have a Small Business Sparks checking account with Capital One (where I already had my personal checking account.). I have never been charged *anything* for deposits, either paper check or EFT, either under or over $10,000 (and there are even rewards for using their business debit card). They...

I partially withdrew my TSP funds in 2014 (TSP-77 form) to roll over into an IRA so that I could gradually do Roth conversions. A notary was required, but no signature guarantee/medallion signature guarantee. My local bank where I have my checking account did it for nothing.

You generally can purchase insurance anytime after your initial booking until the day you travel. HOWEVER, if you want to include any 'pre-existing conditions' in your coverage, most of the major travel insurance companies will require that you purchase and pay for your insurance within some...

Yes, there is a Roth TSP, but it is relatively recent and only pertains to new contributions. So if you have a lot in traditional (non-Roth) TSP accumulated in previous years, you are not allowed to convert it to Roth while staying within TSP.

Unfortunately TSP does NOT allow Roth conversions at this time. So that's why I rolled most of mine into a traditional IRA, so I can do Roth conversions over time. I'm doing this mainly to reduce my RMDs, since as a single person with pension and SS I will already be in higher tax bracket.....

Google search for 'early retirement,' 'can I retire early?,' and similar phrases.