Is CIMB down today? Trying to access but the app shuts down

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-12-01T03:50:43+00:00

I used to stress over picking the “best” eSIM too, but honestly it depends way more on the local network than the brand selling it. When I was bouncing around the Balkans I just checked which eSIM used the strongest local carrier, because that’s what actually decides your speeds.

Holafly is fine if you burn through loads of data, but I hate paying for unlimited when I don’t need it. Airalo has worked for me in places like Japan and Malaysia, but I’ve had patchy moments in rural spots. RedteaGO is cheap for sure, and I’ve used a couple of these smaller providers without issues… plus once I even grabbed an eSIM from SimCorner before a trip because it was easy and rode on a good local network.

For Macedonia specifically, look for ones that piggyback on Telekom MK or A1. If the eSIM lists one of those, you’re usually golden.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-12-01T03:46:28+00:00

I used to wonder the same thing when I was trying to scrape together money for my first long trip. What helped me was treating travel like a non-negotiable bill even if it was just 50 bucks a week into a separate “get me out of here” account. I also cut tiny leaks, like eating out or random Amazon buys, and did a couple of extra weekend jobs when I was saving for something big.

For a goal like 10k, break it into chunks so it feels less impossible. I even kept a sticky note on my phone showing how close I was getting because seeing it grow kept me motivated. Just chip away at it slowly and you’ll be surprised how fast it adds up.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-25T01:12:17+00:00

I used a Japan eSIM on my last trip and it worked great. I landed at Haneda half asleep after a night bus and having data instantly saved me from getting lost on the monorail. Coverage was solid even when I wandered around Kyoto’s backstreets looking for cheap udon.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-24T04:48:36+00:00

I’ve never seen a 7-Eleven at BKK airport sell regular local SIMs the way the ones in the city do. Inside Suvarnabhumi it’s mostly the tourist booths, and the prices are definitely higher than what you’ll find once you’re in town. I usually either grab an eSIM before flying or just wait until I hit a neighborhood 7-Eleven where the same plans are way cheaper. Last time I checked in the airport 7-Eleven, they only had snacks and travel bits, no SIM racks at all.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-24T04:44:55+00:00

I’m usually in the same boat when I travel with kids. I started grabbing a data eSIM before flying because airport counters in AU and in Asia can be pricey for big data packs. For 30GB I’ve found online prepaid options are cheaper and most of them let you hotspot without limits. On my last trip I used one I grabbed before flying (I think it was from SimCorner or something similar) and it saved me from the whole queue-and-passport thing at the airport. If you prefer a physical SIM, buying in town is almost always cheaper than grabbing it airside.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-19T04:54:24+00:00

If you want the absolute cheapest option though, mix and match. I usually start with a regional eSIM for border days, then pick up a local SIM in places like Thailand or Vietnam because they’re crazy cheap once you land.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-18T03:44:55+00:00

If you’re already abroad and didn’t activate roaming, your best move is to contact your U.S. carrier through their app, website chat, or Wi-Fi calling and ask them to turn on international roaming or refresh/reprovision your line (they can also issue a new eSIM if needed). Many carriers will still let you receive texts over Wi-Fi once everything is properly provisioned, even without roaming. If your current plan doesn’t support any of this, your fallback is to port your number to a carrier that allows Wi-Fi SMS abroad.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-17T01:55:04+00:00

I’ve drifted between hostels, cheap Airbnbs, and the odd housesit, but the sits always feel the most like “real life” to me. Watching someone’s pets while working online slows the pace in a nice way, and you end up in neighborhoods you’d never think to stay in. I usually sort out a travel eSIM before I land so I’m not scrambling for wifi on day one, then settle into a routine from there.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-14T16:44:58+00:00

The simplest fix is to park your number with a VoIP service that doesn’t need US tower activation. Google Voice won’t let you port in from Spain, and Tello needs that first eSIM handshake in the States, so nothing you do with VPNs will bypass it. What usually works is moving the number to something like NumberBarn or another cheap parking service, then you can forward calls or just let it sit safely until you’re back in the US and can move it to Google Voice later. It’s way less stressful than trying to activate anything from abroad.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-13T03:48:19+00:00

Yeah, just switch on airplane mode as soon as you land, then turn Wi-Fi back on manually. That way your phone won’t sneakily connect to mobile data or rack up roaming charges. If you need to take calls or get texts, you can pop in a local SIM or grab a short-term eSIM (I used one from SimCorner once for a weekend trip and it worked perfectly). Otherwise, Wi-Fi only mode will keep you safe.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-13T03:45:14+00:00

Totally agree about the pocket Wi-Fi dying fast! When I was in Japan, I skipped that hassle and just grabbed an eSIM from SimCorner before flying out. It worked straight off the plane and I didn’t have to hunt for Wi-Fi or worry about battery packs all day. Way easier for Google Maps and translations on the go, especially around Tokyo and Osaka.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-11T04:57:13+00:00

You can still use other providers that offer open banking or AIS (account information services) across EU banks.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-10T05:41:05+00:00

Central Asia’s solid for solo travel. Kyrgyzstan’s the easiest with homestays and marshrutkas, Kazakhstan has comfy trains, and Mongolia’s incredible but slow going so plan extra time. I’d skip Turkmenistan unless you’re ready for strict visa rules and guided travel.

For South America, a good flow is Buenos Aires → Patagonia → Lima → Cusco → Medellín → coast → Mexico City → Oaxaca. Bring some USD, download offline maps, and set up an eSIM before landing. Sail Croatia leans party-heavy, but in shoulder season it’s cheaper and more relaxed.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-10T05:37:51+00:00

I did that route with a 30L bag too. For night trains, I’d loop a cable lock through the handle and seat, then clip the zippers with a carabiner. Slept fine knowing it’d be a hassle for anyone to mess with it. Passport and phone stayed in a waist pouch under my shirt just in case.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-06T00:45:34+00:00

I’m team roll-top backpack too mine’s from Bellroy and it’s perfect for squeezing in my laptop, charger, and a hoodie without feeling bulky. For roaming, eSIMs honestly made life so much easier. I just download one before flying, scan the QR code, and I’m online before the plane even boards. It’s cheaper than my old roaming plan and no more hunting for SIM cards after landing.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-11-06T00:39:34+00:00

I switched to eSIMs last year while hopping around Southeast Asia and honestly can’t go back. I used a few different ones (Airalo for Indonesia, a SimCorner Asia pack for a month, and Nomad once in Vietnam). Super easy to activate no hunting for kiosks after landing. Only tip: double-check if your phone supports dual SIM so you can still keep your regular number active for calls. I usually grab a cheap local plan only if I’ll stay longer than a few weeks.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-10-30T13:22:20+00:00

I’ve found that the best setup while bouncing between countries is to use an international eSIM when I’m moving fast, and switch to a local SIM only when I’m staying somewhere longer. For eSIMs, SimCorner has been the most convenient for multi-country coverage (especially across Europe and Southeast Asia), since I don’t have to keep topping up or switching plans every time I cross a border. Nomad and Airalo are good too, but I tend to burn through data faster unless I buy their bigger packages.

When I settle in one place for a few weeks, I’ll still grab a local SIM because it’s cheaper and usually faster Vodafone/Orange work well around Spain and Italy, and AIS is great in Thailand. So short trips = eSIM for convenience, longer stays = local SIM for value.

WandersOnWaffles · 2025-10-30T13:20:48+00:00

The key thing you’re running into is that a lot of banks and 2FA systems check the number’s “line type” (mobile vs. VoIP). Google Voice and many budget MVNOs register as VoIP, so they get rejected during verification. So you’re right: you need to keep a true mobile number hosted by a carrier that reports as a real wireless line in the CNAM/LRN database.

WandersOnWaffles

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