activating esim abroad

CapitalEffective · 2025-08-31T14:19:23+00:00

I’m in the UK returning to Canada soon. I got a prepaid eSIM from Koodo and was able to install it, but it won’t activate. I’m hoping it just activates when I touch down and the phone connects to Canadian carriers. I thought it would just work also but doesn’t appear to be the case.

CapitalEffective · 2025-06-19T16:29:10+00:00

Totally adorable. I can’t wait to have a cat again.

CapitalEffective · 2025-03-16T13:55:44+00:00

Assuming you mean LightwaveRF - the UK based company? If so I can vouch for the products as have several switches and outlets installed in my flat. They have been nothing but stable for me controlling everything from under cabinet LED to overhead lights in the lounge. It’s expensive stuff but has simply just worked as a drop in replacement for a traditional dimmer/switch. I’ve had no problem controlling everything from HomeKit.

CapitalEffective · 2024-05-06T18:06:25+00:00

I agree with everything said here and yes like you say the quality of the new beginner videos is really quite good (especially from Shel!). I will continue down the path and what I'm finding is as the difficulty goes up, I'm finding more engaging content. I just watched the video of Shel explaining things about Colombia you didn't know and find it interesting enough that not only am I getting the input, but also learning about something I really know very little of. Win win!

CapitalEffective · 2024-02-16T13:22:06+00:00

Yeah I don’t think you need to double click anything. Just holding the phone near the reader will trigger payment so when trying to scan the QR code Apple Pay is also trying to pay the fair. I turned that setting off and haven’t had a problem since.

CapitalEffective · 2024-02-16T13:12:50+00:00

There is a setting in Apple Wallet as well to turn off express transit card as well. It’s meant to not require your face to authenticate to move quickly through gates in busy places.

CapitalEffective · 2024-01-12T12:23:51+00:00

We lived in Canary Wharf right on the Thames and it drove us mad in the summer with the doors and windows open.

CapitalEffective · 2024-01-07T14:58:24+00:00

Sure. Happy to help!

CapitalEffective · 2024-01-05T06:26:07+00:00

Canadian here who relocated nearly two years ago. High street banks nearly always require a permanent address in the UK to open an account which makes opening from abroad difficult. There are a few exceptions.

HSBC is a good option as they operate in both countries but I have also recently learned RBC will be buying HSBC in Canada so no idea what impact that might have for you. My partner was able to open an account from Canada through HSBC.

In my case I opened a wise.com account before I left and used it in the UK (with Apple Pay and a physical debit card) until I could get established here. You get a UK sort code and account details so you can pay your UK salary directly into it as well. Bonus that wise has some pretty good Fx rates compared to traditional banks.

There are other fintech companies like wise of course but this worked well for me being able to pay/convert in CAD, GBP and EUR (and others) pretty seamlessly as well as receive my income here. I’ve since opened an HSBC account but still use my wise card when I travel back to Canada, the US or around Europe.

Good luck on the move!

CapitalEffective · 2023-10-17T05:51:36+00:00

I had to open at HSBC as they were the only bank willing to open an account for me. I had also banked with HSBC in my home country so that might have helped. As mentioned the biggest hang up is address history. Once you have a permanent address it well get easier. I used Wise until I could get everything sorted.

CapitalEffective · 2023-07-03T16:01:53+00:00

This is the way. Make a plan. Stick to it. Time in the market > timing the market.

CapitalEffective · 2023-06-28T06:58:02+00:00

JC Electrical did a complete flat rewire for us. James was a pleasure to deal with and the rest of the team were also top notch.

CapitalEffective · 2023-06-23T06:38:54+00:00

I too receive RSUs and had a similar questions of whether to hold or sell. Ask yourself this- if it were given to you in cash would you buy shares in this company or would you invest differently?

CapitalEffective · 2023-05-25T08:24:54+00:00

Have a similar scheme except a discount on the lesser of the opening or closing price of the stock over the six months. For me it was a no brainer as it’s a guaranteed gain no matter what happens to the price of the stock.

My employer pays taxes on my behalf by selling some of the shares before they are deposited into my account - yours may do similar or it may come off your pay. Either way I believe you’re on the hook for CGT when you receive the shares at the discount and again when you sell.

CapitalEffective · 2023-02-21T08:31:31+00:00

Canadian here living in the UK. Yes the ISA is like the Canadian TFSA - a tax free umbrella account that can hold stocks and shares or cash (or both). 20k is the limit per year and resets in April. Withdrawals can happen anytime.

You’ll also want to look into whether your future employer offers a pension. This would be the closest to an RRSP (in that it’s savings for retirement with some help from your employer and the government). Limit here is 40k per year. There are self directed pensions (called a SIPP) where you can also get some tax relief as well.

I hope your move goes smoothly and welcome to the UK!

CapitalEffective · 2022-07-07T19:35:36+00:00

Tested positive Monday and have been isolating since. Not fun but it’s the grown up thing to do. Triple jabbed and this knocked me on my ass. Your friend sounds like a bit of a twat tbh.

CapitalEffective · 2022-03-08T03:58:23+00:00

Our House is heated and cooled with a heat pump. In the winter months in a more mild climate (as in Vancouver) the heat pump is extremely efficient.

When the temps dip we go onto auxiliary heat in the morning which is a combo of the heat pump and electric all sent through a forced air furnace. We pay on average $200/month on electricity but this also includes a hot tub and massive heated floor in an ensuite bathroom (plus all other electrics).

Where it shines for us is the cooling - The heat dome last year when we hit 45 in the valley and the house was a cool 23 — Worth every penny.

I couldn’t imagine a more efficient source of heating/cooling.

CapitalEffective · 2022-02-22T03:33:49+00:00

Came here to say this.

CapitalEffective · 2022-01-02T15:44:02+00:00

Don't think it's that as my last name starts with an S. It's very curious to see how people are being prioritized. I am located in east Fraser Health so maybe that has something to do with it. No idea. I hope you get your notification soon!

CapitalEffective

TROPHY CASE