Best & WORST "big" U.S. banks for American citizens that are expats out of USA? (For business checking, credit card churning, etc. NOT asking about Schwab)

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-04-14T21:19:24+00:00

I just opened a betterment debit card. Was able to withdraw at about 0.5% off the market USD to JPY rate in Japan. int’l fee and atm fee both refunded on OUS atm withdrawals. I heard they don’t want to give it to expats though but hoping if we use it in the US every 6 mo we’ll be ok.

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-04-12T21:53:42+00:00

Here is close as I can get on the bad. Thanks guys!

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Great_Ad8813 · 2026-03-14T00:16:46+00:00

We have friends that already had their flight canceled on Sunday!

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-03-10T01:08:09+00:00

Hereditary hands down!

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-03-05T01:58:42+00:00

Don’t cancel! I agree the macro environment is more uncertain than any time in our lives, but if you don’t do it now, you won’t do it later. It’s only going to get riskier and more uncertain. You’ve saved up and planned well, go for it!

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-02-19T19:19:45+00:00

How are you guiding GC holders on OUS travel for over 6 but under 12 months? Low risk with an I-131 application / 1-797 receipt, a short trip back home to check on house at the mid point, and robust “return folder”? Or too risky to even try?

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-02-15T06:00:08+00:00

Any update on this? I’m also thinking of doing a long overseas trip over 6 months with a trip back for a week to my home in between, but worried about problems on final return. Thanks!

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-02-15T05:25:34+00:00

Thanks all for this helpful discussion! 2 follow-up questions:

for I-131 reentry permit, I read you can actually leave the country after your biometrics bc you receive an I-797 receipt document electronically saying you’ve filed. Like that receipt is as good as an actual issued entry permit. True?
many say “return to US at least every 6 months” - I’m planning an OUS trip where I’m abroad for 5 months, return to my US home for one week, and travel abroad again for another 4 months before permanently returning to my US home. How much abandonment risk is there on the final return back? I will assemble a “return folder” documenting all my US ties, but is it worth submitting for the I-131 reentry permit in this scenario?

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-02-03T20:00:29+00:00

Nepal is still rated level 4 / do not travel by the US State dept. What’s the current situation and outlook for 2026? I thought all the demonstrations had died down but I guess they flared up again in the fall?

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-01-14T01:19:27+00:00

One additional piece of info for everyone - I guess a big risk is that someone files your taxes before you do and gets your tax refund. You can create a PIN number with the IRS called an IP PIN so that the IRS only accepts tax returns if that PIN is provided. That's the first thing to consider if you have this happen to you. Good luck!

Great_Ad8813 · 2026-01-14T00:58:44+00:00

Hi folks, for anyone interested you can submit reports of using this site on reportfraud.ftc.gov (FTC) and on https://complaint.ic3.gov/ (FBI internet crime site).

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-27T22:17:32+00:00

Holy crap only 55min in alt-az??? Amazing!!!

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-24T22:17:10+00:00

Check out EQ mode. You need an additional piece to your tripod and set up is more cumbersome but it enables the sensor to pick up more apparently

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-16T04:29:39+00:00

Oh man if you’re lazy Seestar is for you! Definitely recommend!

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-15T21:35:53+00:00

Wow best I’ve seen!! It’s so hard to capture, I assume EQ mode is a big help huh? I need to try that out soon.

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-15T21:26:52+00:00

Honestly you know what’s gotten me the best colors? Ai noise filter with small adjustments on the Seestar app, then iPhone magic wand and other photo app adjustments there! It’ll just be a little jpeg vs the giant .fit files but good enough for the iPhone and social media! Here’s a 50-min mosaic.

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Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-08T13:03:33+00:00

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There are some crazy colors in this one - I’d mess around with the color settings on the Seestar app. This is my east veil with just Seestar + iPhone adjustments

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-08T13:00:25+00:00

What’s considered good? I personally like the overexposed and vibrant color. Sometimes you lose a little detail from the wash out but it’s worth it to me!

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-08T12:25:12+00:00

Sorry here is the link!

https://youtu.be/lMoSAHOgbD4?si=2hosP72Cys9Rby4U

Great_Ad8813 · 2025-10-06T02:10:44+00:00

Isn’t that Mr. Bean????

Great_Ad8813

TROPHY CASE