In today’s episode, I’m answering the question that’s on everyone’s mind: How much do you really need to move abroad? Spoiler alert: Not as much as you think.

I’ll break down how to live comfortably on a budget while moving abroad, including housing, healthcare, food, and transportation costs. Plus, I’ll share tips on how to adjust your lifestyle to avoid breaking the bank.

If you missed the Don’t Go Broke Abroad challenge, don’t worry—the replays are available until April 15th. Grab them before they’re gone, or catch them when I offer them again!

Remember, it’s all about smart planning and being resourceful—living abroad doesn’t have to be expensive.

If the government thinks you're just borrowing from your mom to get through the visa process, they’re going to see right through it—and deny your visa. So, let’s talk about proof of funds: what it is, why it matters, and how to make sure you have what you need (without resorting to sketchy money moves).

In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, we’re breaking down:

✔️ What proof of funds is and why some countries require it

✔️ How much money you actually need (hint: it depends!)

✔️ The right way to prepare so you’re not scrambling at the last minute

✔️ What not to do (aka why you shouldn’t ‘borrow’ money just for a bank statement)

✔️ How this all fits into your bigger Move Budget

If you’re serious about moving abroad, you need to know the financial realities of visa applications. I’m here to help you get prepared so that your move isn’t just a dream—it’s a reality.

Join the 'Don't Go Broke Abroad' Challenge! Starting April 1, 2025, this free 3-day challenge will walk you through exactly how to budget for your move abroad—before, during, and after. Sign up now and take the stress out of your finances. Join Here!

So, you’re ready to move abroad—but you’d prefer not to survive on instant ramen for six months? Fair enough.

In this episode, we’re diving into real ways to cut costs before, during, and after your move—without extreme couponing or moving back into your parents’ basement. We’re covering:

✔️ Visa & paperwork hacks that actually save you money

✔️ The best ways to score cheap flights (hint: forget weekends)

✔️ Smart shipping tricks that won’t drain your bank account

✔️ How to avoid the “Oh $%&!, I’m broke” moment after landing

💡 Bonus: My FREE 3-day “Don’t Go Broke Abroad” Challenge kicks off April 1st! We’ll map out your budget together so you can move abroad without financial regret. Sign up now!

10 Ways to Save on Your Move freebie!

Hit play, take notes, and let’s get you moving abroad without emptying your bank account.

Don't Go Broke Abroad Challenge: Register HERE

Moving abroad isn’t just about booking a plane ticket and packing a few suitcases. If you’re not prepared for the hidden expenses lurking in the shadows, they’ll devour your budget faster than you can say "visa application fee." In this episode, we’re uncovering the sneaky costs that catch so many expats off guard—documentation fees, visa costs, banking nightmares, short-term housing expenses, and more.

But don’t panic! I’m giving you the inside scoop on how to avoid these budget busters (without having to sell a kidney). Plus, if you’re serious about moving abroad without going broke, don’t miss my Don't Go Broke Abroad challenge kicking off on April 1st, 2025. Details and registration link below!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why documentation and legalization fees can feel like legal extortion—and how to cut costs.
• The real price of visa applications (hint: it’s not just the application fee).
• How foreign banking fees quietly drain your wallet and what to do instead.
• The hidden costs of temporary housing (and how to score deals on short-term rentals).
• Why shipping your entire house abroad might be the worst financial decision you ever make.
• The shocking reality of double taxation for U.S. citizens (because Uncle Sam never forgets).

Join the "Don't Go Broke Abroad" Challenge! Want a clear, stress-free roadmap to budgeting for your move? Join my 3-day Don't Go Broke Abroad challenge, starting April 1st, 2025. We’ll cover: ✔️ The BEFORE Budget: Visa fees, application costs, medical exams, document and translator fees. ✔️ The MOVE Budget: Travel expenses, temporary accommodation, pet relocation costs. ✔️ The AFTER Budget: Taxes, tax treaties, double taxation, and managing retirement accounts.

📍 Sign up here: LINK

Resources Mentioned:

• Wise & Revolut for international banking
• U.S. State Department for apostille information
• Expat Facebook groups for short-term rental deals

🎧 Enjoyed this episode?

• Subscribe & leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!
• Screenshot this episode, share it on Instagram, and tag me @iammistelle so I can say hi!

Your budget deserves better—let’s make your move abroad as affordable (and stress-free) as possible!

Looking for a job abroad? Buckle up, because today we're diving into the reality of international job hunting. Forget the myths—just showing up in a new country or assuming your English skills alone will land you a job isn’t the golden ticket you think it is. In this episode, we’ll break down the most common misconceptions about working abroad and give you actionable strategies to actually land a job.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “just showing up” in a new country won’t guarantee you a job.
• The truth about English speakers being in demand abroad.
• The visa vs. job dilemma and which one you should focus on first.
• How multinational companies can be your best bet for job sponsorship.
• Why LinkedIn (used strategically) can be your best friend—but not your only tool.
• The power of networking and how to do it without being that person who cold DMs strangers.
• Why taking a lateral move (or even a slight demotion) might be your ticket abroad.

Got questions or want to share your job search story? Connect with me on Instagram @iammistelle.

Want to know more about our Career & Professional Life mini-course? Check out all the info here.

Leaving your pet behind when you move abroad? Yeah, that’s not happening. If you’re a pet parent planning an international move, this episode is for you. I moved abroad in 2013 with two cats (who, at the time, were my only family), so I get how stressful this can be. From breed restrictions to airline fees, microchips to health certificates—there’s a lot to consider when taking your furry friend with you.

In this episode, we’ll cover: ✅ The first steps to take when planning your pet’s move ✅ The ‘paw-sport’ (yes, really) and paperwork they’ll need ✅ Country-specific restrictions (especially for certain dog breeds) ✅ Vaccination, microchipping, and health certificate requirements ✅ Flying with pets—cargo vs. in-cabin and what to expect ✅ Budgeting for pet relocation (because, of course, it’s not cheap) ✅ Housing and finding pet-friendly rentals ✅ What to do once you arrive: vet care, registration, and emergency prep

Resources Mentioned:

📌 My Export & Ship mini-course covers pet relocation in detail, including a step-by-step process for getting your pet abroad without a headache.

📌 Need help figuring out breed restrictions or pet travel rules? DM me on Instagram!

Follow & Connect: 📍 Instagram: @iammistelle 📍 Threads: (Okay, you can’t DM me there, but you can stalk my posts.)

Hit play and let’s get Fluffy ready for their big move!

Ever dreamed of living abroad but don’t want to risk deportation or, you know, breaking international law? In this episode, I’m breaking down the real, legal ways to move abroad—no fake marriages or under-the-table gigs required.

From freelancer and digital nomad visas to traditional work sponsorships and even golden visas for the bougie among us, I’ll walk you through the options, the loopholes, and what you definitely shouldn’t do unless you want to be on a first-name basis with immigration officials.

So, if you’re ready to pack your bags legally, hit play and let’s talk visas!

Follow me on Instagram

A lot of people think they have to be fluent in a new language before moving abroad—but is that actually true? In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I share my own experience moving to a German-speaking region with barely any German, how I learned to navigate daily life, and what truly helped me become fluent over time.

Spoiler alert: You don’t need to be fluent before you go! But you do need the right mindset, strategies, and willingness to immerse yourself.

I’ll cover:

✅ The myth of needing to know the language before you move

✅ How I went from barely speaking German to using it confidently

✅ Practical ways to learn and adapt once you arrive

If fear of the language barrier is holding you back—this episode is for you.

📲 Connect with me:

📍Instagram: @iammistelle

📩 Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it! 🚀

So many people make the mistake of choosing where to move abroad based on visa requirements alone. But if you're going to uproot your life and start fresh, you want to ensure you’re building a life you actually love. In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I walk you through the real first step of moving abroad: deciding what kind of life you want to live.

Drawing from her own experiences moving across multiple countries and continents, I share practical insights on how to choose the right place based on your lifestyle, values, and must-haves. From job opportunities and climate preferences to accessibility and outdoor activities, this episode will help you create a framework for making one of the biggest decisions of your life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why visa requirements shouldn’t be the first thing you consider when choosing where to live abroad
• The key questions to ask yourself about your ideal lifestyle before making a move
• How climate, job availability, and transportation access should factor into your decision
• The importance of a ‘must-have’ and ‘must-not-have’ list when evaluating different countries
• A simple yet powerful ranking system to help you compare potential destinations

Resources & Links:

• ABROAD Course – Get a clear roadmap for moving abroad with step-by-step guidance
• Follow Mistelle on Instagram: @iammistelle
• Join the Abroadly Speaking community for more tips and stories

Enjoyed This Episode? If this episode helped you gain clarity on your move abroad, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s been dreaming of making the leap!

Tune in next week for another deep dive into what it really takes to live life beyond borders!

Trigger Warning: Between timestamp 3:27 to 4:38, Mistelle discusses medical history. If you prefer to avoid this, please skip during this part.

In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, Mistelle takes a deep dive into the healthcare systems she’s experienced while living in the US, Switzerland, and Austria. She compares her personal journey through (TRIGGER WARNING- personal health) treatment in the US with the healthcare experiences she's had in Switzerland and Austria, highlighting the stark differences in cost, accessibility, and approach.

Mistelle shares the financial challenges she faced while undergoing extensive treatment in the US despite having excellent health insurance, discussing the toll it took on her and her family. She contrasts this with the more affordable and accessible healthcare she encountered in Switzerland, where even major procedures like MRIs and ultrasounds cost far less than what she would have paid in the US.

The episode also explores Austria’s socialized healthcare system, which Mistelle experienced during a surgery in 2020. She recounts how the cost of care was completely covered by the government, with no out-of-pocket expenses, despite a seven-day hospital stay. Mistelle touches on the potential downsides of socialized medicine, such as long wait times for non-emergency care, and the balance between private and public insurance options in Switzerland.

Through personal anecdotes and a candid comparison of healthcare in these three countries, Mistelle sheds light on the realities of navigating medical care abroad and offers insights into how different healthcare systems work, for both the healthy and those facing serious medical conditions. Whether you're a potential expat or someone who's already living abroad, this episode provides valuable perspectives on how healthcare varies across borders and what that means for your own well-being.

Tune in for an honest and eye-opening discussion about health, insurance, and the real cost of care when living abroad.

Like the episode? Follow Mistelle on instagram @iammistelle where we share all things "living abroad"