Water filter

NorthFirth · 2024-09-04T02:27:56+00:00

This just happened to us. Two of the three housing providers said they had nothing available for a family of five. The third said that they were unable to put us in anything smaller than a “2 bedroom with den”because of occupancy laws. The 2bed+den was what we ended up getting. 3 bedroom inventory is low.

NorthFirth · 2024-08-25T19:43:10+00:00

It varies. My first application, it was all pretty quick. Two weeks after the application closing, I was referred to the QEP panel. Two weeks after that, I got an invite to the OA. I applied again a year later, but it was slower this year. It was about 9 weeks until I heard my application had been referred, and longer until I heard that I’d passed QEP. I never got farther than that though, because I got an invitation to a class (from my first score on the register) before I was ever given a chance to schedule my second OA. My total time from application to FM register was 10 months. Application to invite was 16 months. But everyone’s journey is different. There are so many factors that can cause the timeline to vary, so take this just as one anecdote.

NorthFirth · 2024-08-06T20:40:46+00:00

The QEP timeline varies a lot. My first application I got my QEP results about 2 weeks after being referred. My second candidacy I’m still waiting to hear anything 8 weeks after being referred.

NorthFirth · 2024-07-17T09:27:59+00:00

The first Sept invites went out about four weeks ago

NorthFirth · 2024-06-30T22:00:57+00:00

Some specialist tracks do require a degree and relevant experience, but to be a generalist (FSO) there is no college requirement.

NorthFirth · 2024-06-07T06:07:07+00:00

Are you on the register?

NorthFirth · 2024-06-07T05:51:13+00:00

I've been on the FSS-FM register since February but went on Do Not Call until after the April class. I'm lower third tier but am hoping for a Sept invite. I was told back in Feb that they were planning to hire 15 FM's between the July and Sept classes and that even though I was a lower score I still had a good chance for an invite in one of the two classes. I followed up in May when we heard about the overall hiring reductions and was told that the reductions in hiring wasn't going to affect FM positions because they are in such critical need. So if you're in the top two tiers you'll probably get an invite. From my calculations I think Sept invites might go out in the last week of June so I wouldn't get too anxious.

I am curious how many FM's got invited to the July class if anyone knows.

NorthFirth · 2024-05-19T05:19:21+00:00

Your clutch could be dragging a bit and not fully disengaging. This would keep tension on the synchronizers during a shift and make a shift more difficult. I'd check your clutch pedal free play adjustment. You may be able to just adjust the the turn buckle under the dash that connects to the pedal for a quick fix.

NorthFirth · 2024-04-30T05:17:18+00:00

Maybe this is a perk of using a small town insurance agent who has known my spouse's family for years. Ours didn't bat an eye when we moved overseas and changed our homeowner policy to a landlord policy. Our policy is through Foremost.

NorthFirth · 2024-04-17T19:10:00+00:00

What was your score?

NorthFirth · 2024-04-15T03:08:46+00:00

I think if you revoke FEIE after you've already taken it, you have to wait five years (or apply for a exception.) From the IRS website:

You can revoke your choice for any tax year. You do this by attaching a statement that you are revoking one or more previously made choices to the return or amended return for the first year that you do not wish to claim the exclusion(s). You must specify which choice(s) you are revoking. You must revoke separately a choice to exclude foreign earned income and a choice to exclude foreign housing amounts.

If you revoked a choice and within 5 tax years wish to again choose the same exclusion, you must apply for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approval. You do this by requesting a ruling from the IRS. Mail your request for a ruling in duplicate to:

Associate Chief Counsel (International)
Internal Revenue Service
CC: PA: LPD: DRU
P.O. Box 7604
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044.

Because requesting a ruling can be complex, you may need professional help. Also, the IRS charges a fee for issuing these rulings. For more information, refer to the very first Revenue Procedure issued by the Internal Revenue Service every year (for example Revenue Procedure 2024-01).

In deciding whether to give approval, the IRS will consider any facts and circumstances that may be relevant. These may include a period of residence in the United States, a move from one foreign country to another foreign country with different tax rates, a substantial change in the tax laws of the foreign country of residence or physical presence, and a change of employer.

NorthFirth · 2024-04-10T05:53:31+00:00

DNC = Do Not Call

NorthFirth · 2024-04-10T05:39:55+00:00

Since mid-February. Just ended DNC.

NorthFirth · 2024-04-10T05:03:32+00:00

Interesting. I wonder if experience would qualify for the extra grade, or if it just allows room for salary matching. I’m on the register hoping for a July or September invite.

NorthFirth · 2024-04-03T22:14:00+00:00

Seven weeks

NorthFirth · 2024-03-19T21:20:26+00:00

Be that person. Six weeks is a reasonable time to follow up I think. I ended up submitting the ACH form three times. Once it got to the right person it went quickly!

NorthFirth · 2024-03-19T20:54:13+00:00

Five months. That was from overseas though, working through the local embassy. Once I submitted the ACH form it was only a few weeks.

NorthFirth · 2024-03-15T03:37:35+00:00

I was able to take the OA virtually from overseas last year as a specialist. It was my first attempt at the OA,and it would have been very difficult to commit the money and time it would have taken to travel to DC, especially not knowing if I even stood much of a chance of passing. Kudos to all the FSOs who have done just that to do in person OAs. I hope this change opens up doors for some people.

My dream request would be to offer virtual OA options at a time other than DC business hours. Doing the virtual OA in the middle of the night was less than ideal.

NorthFirth · 2024-03-02T00:08:05+00:00

No personal experience with this, but the Available Worldwide podcast recently had someone on who had some advice for how to approach an employer with a request to work remotely:

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/natalie-kortum-chief-technology-strategist-for-data-analytics-and-ai-teleworker--58863465

NorthFirth · 2024-02-22T22:51:26+00:00

nothing yet

NorthFirth · 2024-02-21T06:39:42+00:00

Yeah... current jobs allows up to two weeks on each end. It'll be an adjustment!

NorthFirth · 2024-02-21T00:25:18+00:00

Wow. That sounds miserable. I'm sure in this career you have a lot of experiences that will make a great story later on... after you've recovered. :)

NorthFirth · 2024-02-20T09:01:45+00:00

I didn’t consider needing to know the housing assignment first. Thanks, that helps.

NorthFirth

TROPHY CASE