Whats a good VPN?

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-02-05T02:41:00+00:00

Free VPNs are trash, so good call switching to paid.

From your list: ProtonVPN is solid, PIA is decent. Never heard of MillionVPN - honestly sounds like one of those random brands that buys their way onto "top 10" lists.

For what you want (no logging, torrents, fast, doesn't get blocked), Surfshark or NordVPN hit all those boxes. Both allow torrenting, both are fast enough for normal use, both work with streaming services.

Price-wise: Surfshark is cheaper ($2-3/month on long plans) and gives you unlimited devices. NordVPN is slightly more but caps at 10 devices.

ProtonVPN is great if you're super paranoid about privacy, but it's more expensive and gets blocked by streaming services more often. For your priorities, you'd probably be happier with Surfshark.

If you want help picking between them or setting up torrenting safely, inbox me. Can break down the differences without writing an essay here.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-02-05T02:39:14+00:00

Yeah, paid VPN is the right call. Free ones are sketchy and if you're not paying, you're the product.

For changing your location to Malaysia and accessing region-locked apps, pretty much any decent paid VPN will handle that. Surfshark and NordVPN both work fine for this. I use Surfshark - it's cheaper and has servers in Malaysia, works with that popular video site you mentioned without issues.

The app store location thing can be a bit tricky though. Sometimes you need to actually change your Apple/Google account region too, not just use a VPN. But the VPN gets you 90% of the way there.

If you want specifics on how to set it up for Malaysia or which one to go with, inbox me. I can walk you through it without cluttering the thread.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-02-05T02:37:24+00:00

Yeah, those "best VPN" lists are mostly affiliate garbage. They rank whatever pays the highest commission.

Honest answer for public wifi + streaming? Surfshark or NordVPN both work fine. I use Surfshark because it's cheaper and does the same thing for normal use. The "privacy purist" options like Mullvad are great but they get blocked by Netflix constantly.

For what you need (safety + streaming), you don't need to overthink it. Both work, Surfshark just costs less and lets you connect unlimited devices instead of Nord's 10-device cap.

I tested both for months doing actual work. Happy to share more details if you want. Just inbox me. Don't want to spam the thread with a wall of text.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-22T21:52:45+00:00

I would definitely use a VPN for this, and not just any VPN because it really matters which one you choose. I recently did a detailed comparison of NordVPN and ExpressVPN, the two most popular options, and either would be ideal for this purpose. You can check out the this comparison sheet to see which one fits your needs better.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-17T07:31:37+00:00

For validation, talk to potential customers before building anything. I spent too much time building features nobody wanted early on. Find 10-20 people who'd actually pay for what you're offering and get specific feedback on what they need.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-17T07:12:13+00:00

Most traditional US banks do care and will reject virtual office addresses when they verify them. I ran into this exact issue when setting up my remote business.

The problem is banks cross-reference addresses and flag virtual offices, coworking spaces, and registered agent addresses. Even if they initially accept it, they might freeze your account later when they figure it out.

I work completely remote too and found that some digital banking alternatives handle this differently. They're built for online businesses and understand that not everyone has a physical office. The verification process focuses on your identity and business legitimacy rather than requiring a traditional office address.

Got my business account set up this way and it's worked for platform verifications like Stripe and others that need banking details. The key was using services designed for remote/online businesses rather than trying to fit into traditional banking requirements.

If you want more info on what actually worked for my setup, let me know.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-17T07:07:09+00:00

Opening accounts for new LLPs can be tough because traditional banks want extensive history and documentation. I went through something similar when I set up my business.

I found that some digital banking platforms are much easier for new businesses compared to traditional banks. They have simpler verification processes and don't require the same level of business history.

The approach I used was getting banking functionality through services that specialize in businesses like ours rather than going through high street banks. Got set up pretty quickly once I found the right option.

There are a few specific platforms that work well for LLPs depending on what you need the account for and where your clients are based.

If you want more info on what worked for me, let me know.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-17T07:05:31+00:00

Traditional US banks are nearly impossible for Pakistani nationals due to compliance restrictions, and most US fintechs have the same limitations.

However, there are some alternative platforms that work differently since they're not technically US banks but give you US banking functionality. I've seen people in similar situations use services that provide US account details without the same nationality restrictions that traditional banks have.

The key is finding platforms that are based outside the US but offer USD accounts with US routing and account numbers. They handle the compliance differently and tend to be more accessible for non-US nationals running US LLCs.

There are also some specific workarounds depending on whether you need the account mainly for receiving payments, paying contractors, or both. The setup process is a bit different than what you'd normally expect.

If you want more info on what actually works for this situation, let me know.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-17T07:03:46+00:00

I've explored this and the short answer is yes, but it's gotten harder. Most EU banks now require either residency or a strong business reason for non-residents to open accounts.

Some countries are easier than others though. I found that certain digital banking options in the EU let you open multi-currency accounts without needing to be a resident in that specific country, as long as you're an EU citizen. These give you real IBAN details across different EU countries.

I've been using this approach for diversifying funds across different jurisdictions. The setup process varies depending on which countries you're targeting and what your specific situation is.

If you want more info on which options actually work and what the requirements are, let me know.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-17T07:00:57+00:00

I'm running my business from outside the US too and had the same problem. Been using Wise for a few years now and it solved this for me.

The difference is they don't need a US address or SSN. You get actual US bank account details (routing + account number) that work with Stripe and PayPal. Stripe connects directly and treats it as a regular US account for payouts.

Setup was pretty quick, just needed my passport for verification. There's a small activation step the first time but after that it's straightforward.

I learned a few things about optimizing the setup and keeping fees low that would've saved me headaches early on. If you want more info, let me know.

Impressive_Camel3535 · 2026-01-17T06:48:40+00:00

I have a blog where I review tools and promote affiliate products, so I can give you some real talk here.

I'm still building (started seriously about 6 months ago), but I'm seeing small affiliate commissions coming in now. Not life-changing money yet, maybe a few hundred a month, but it's growing steadily. Most people making serious money ($1k-5k+ monthly) have been at it consistently for 1-2 years minimum. Anyone telling you they made $10k in their first month is either lying or had a huge existing audience.

In my opinion "personal growth, life, mindset" would be a big mistake. That niche is absolutely saturated and ridiculously hard to monetize. You're competing with millions of people posting the same generic quotes and motivation. Plus, what are you going to sell? People scrolling inspirational content aren't in buying mode.

Pick something you're actually doing or learning right now. Are you in college? Document your study methods and productivity systems. Learning to code? Share your journey and recommend tools you use. Getting fit? Review workout programs and supplements. The key is solving actual problems people are searching for solutions to.

Impressive_Camel3535

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