In this episode of Escaping the US, we dive into the logistics of moving your belongings overseas.

We cover everything from deciding what to take with you and managing sentimental items, to evaluating the costs of shipping versus rebuying furniture and electronics abroad. We'll also discuss options for storing items in the U.S., donating what you no longer need (and the potential tax benefits!), and the practical steps for shipping your belongings to your new home.

Whether you're moving a few boxes or a whole household, this episode will help you navigate the process with ease!

In this episode of the Escaping the US series, we explore how to successfully cut ties with the U.S. and prepare for a smooth transition abroad.

We'll cover important topics like consolidating your accounts, how the length of your stay impacts your planning, and the best brokerages and banks for U.S. expats. We'll also discuss choosing foreign financial institutions, managing currency conversions, severing ties with your current U.S. state, and offer tips for families moving with children (or pets!).

Welcome to the Escaping the US series! We will dive into the various steps of how to plan and implement a move abroad. 

In this episode, we discuss how to choose a location and visa considerations when moving abroad. This includes ideal climate, lifestyle preferences, cost of living, and potential visa options.

In this episode, we explore how to manage your finances during election seasons. We break down the myth that stocks underperform in election years, analyze how the election of a new candidate can influence markets, and discuss the best strategies for investors to navigate these changes.

While elections can bring volatility, we explain why these market fluctuations are often temporary—and why staying calm and focused on your long-term goals is key.

In this episode, Arielle shares her story of how she ended up living in Europe. 

She discusses taking a semester off college to backpack across Europe, her itch to escape her comfortable life stateside, and how she ended up living in Switzerland. She dives into the visa she received allowing her to work, how she landed her first job, finding a permanent apartment, and her advice for others looking to take the leap and move abroad. 

If you are thinking of moving abroad, it is possible! Take the leap.

In this episode, we dive into the importance of U.S. expats participating in elections and how their vote can impact tax laws that impact them while living abroad. If you’re living outside the U.S., your vote can influence policies that directly affect your finances as an American abroad.

We’ll guide you through the process of registering to vote from overseas, including how to request absentee ballots, meet state-specific registration deadlines and requirements, and how to cast your vote. Stay informed and ensure your voice is heard, no matter where you live!

Resources:
Federal Voting Assistance Program
votefromabroad.org

In this episode, we discuss how to navigate foreign tax policy changes and how they can impact your US tax filing. 

We begin with a high-level review of the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), which we broke down in full in another episode here: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/60883407/download.mp3.

As an example, we discuss a recent tax policy change in Switzerland which raised the deduction you are eligible to claim for your childcare expenses. While this change reduces your Swiss tax bill, it can lead to an unexpected tax bill when filing your US tax return, as your FTC amount is reduced. 

Keeping updated on tax laws is important for everyone, especially expats! We provide some strategies for staying on top of tax law changes.

In this episode, we discuss itemized deductions and how you can use them to decrease your US tax bill. 

We discuss what itemizing your deductions means, what itemized deductions you are eligible to take, how to itemize your deductions, and considerations for expats.

In this episode, we discuss the standard deduction and how it it used to reduce your taxable income.

We discuss how this deduction works, how it changes on an annual basis, who is eligible to use the deduction, why you should use the deduction, and a brief intro to itemized deductions. 

Tune in next week to hear how you can itemize your deductions.

In this epsiode, Savannah shares her story of how she ended up living in Europe. 

She dives into how she formulated a plan to move abroad, the job application process, visa considerations, and how her and Arielle met.

As mentioned in the episode, you can find if your higher education is accepted in Germany here: https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html.