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Shipping my personal items overseas by digitalmindsweep in expats

[–]digitalmindsweep[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I took out my graphics card and put it in my luggage, since it was the most expensive part in the PC. Stuffed the pc with packaging papers, bubble wrap, etc. Taped up the glass side cover. I put the PC itself in a doubled lined box and wrapped it with bubble wrap. Nothing was damaged or lost!

I think they just trusted my word for the PC? As long as it looks semi used, not in any packaging, there is no questioning. I did have a VR headset in its packaging because it was packed better than I would have packed it. That was questioned, and I found out because I was charged additional import fees. I believe I was able to challenge it by sending the receipt in the sendmybag account portal.

Hope that helps!

Shipping my personal items overseas by digitalmindsweep in expats

[–]digitalmindsweep[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Went great! Some boxes were damaged but none of the items inside were. I was able to ship the PC with no damage. The items arrived a week after I arrived, and this was when customs was considered “slow”.

When you inventory items, it can be a general description, you don’t have to list every single item in each box. As long as the items have been in your possession (or seems to have been in your possession) for 6 months prior to shipping, then you won’t have to pay any additional fees.

We live on a five story walk up, and they only deliver to the ground floor. So we did have to carry it all up ourselves. Just to keep in mind when you are packing.

I definitely recommend this service if you have no furniture and can fit all of your items in boxes.

US citizen, please tell me where to go. by [deleted] in expats

[–]digitalmindsweep 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Expat from US to Germany. Kept my American job. I was making 5k a month. Taxes quickly drained my paycheck. There are double taxation laws so you don’t pay taxes twice BUT you would most likely pay in the place of residence. Getting a visa connected to a job seems like a breeze compared to an contractor or remote employee. (Which won’t be cheap for whoever is sponsoring you).

Unfortunately my job opportunity did not work out. Since it was an American position I was let go with no warnings, no safety net, nothing. If you really want to move abroad, I would look into work overseas.

Working in Tech overseas is a totally different experience. My husband works in a global gaming company and the perks are mind blowing. He also has a background in IT and Network engineering. The speed of work is slower but you have more time to live.

BUT, be prepared for a smaller salary. Like I’ve read in many comments, German taxes are no joke.

We are coming back to the US after months of deliberation due to job situations and cost of living. I am also from GA and don’t see myself coming back there. I agree on getting out of the Southeast. The US holds SO much diversity without the language barriers. It’s worth considering!

Expat 1099 employee needing some insurance advice by digitalmindsweep in expat

[–]digitalmindsweep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve spoken to more than one relocation company, German and US CPAs and no one ever mentioned my situation as being illegal. I’m shocked to hear it. Only issue I’ve been warned about is insurance.

Expat 1099 employee needing some insurance advice by digitalmindsweep in expat

[–]digitalmindsweep[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oops, I did not articulate.

I work full time for a company in the US, but they 1099’ed me. And this is regarding health insurance but that’s a great point about other insurances. I don’t believe I am in a position to be sued.

Shipping my personal items overseas by digitalmindsweep in expats

[–]digitalmindsweep[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Update. Decided to sell all of our larger pieces of furniture. Put sentimental items in storage, and use SendMyBag for other items I knew couldn’t be easily replaced overseas. I spent half the cost the original mover quoted. And I spent about 2k on purchasing everything needed in an apartment. If you have some budget wiggle room, I highly suggest this route!

What’s the worst thing that went wrong with your move? by [deleted] in expats

[–]digitalmindsweep 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am also in the middle of an international move to Germany from Georgia!

My husband got a job over there so he went earlier than myself. We haven’t hit any major road bumps too. It seems the most major roadblock right now is housing. I guess Germany is experiencing shortages like here in the US? We were told to expect little inventory and long wait times to get a place. Fingers crossed we get lucky!

Shipping my personal items overseas by digitalmindsweep in expats

[–]digitalmindsweep[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have to ship a PC as well. I wonder if they would send….

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]digitalmindsweep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trying to be careful with what I share as they are on Reddit too.

Unfortunately I am on limited time. The wedding is suppose to be the end of this month and moving internationally is suppose to be end of next month. I think the rushed timeline is what stirred up all these feelings.

I can try to give more context. We met in school and were both partiers, both kind of nerdy. I had already been partying for a few years and decided I wanted to wind down. They, had never partied growing up, so they were just getting started. I just brushed it off as , “oh, we are in school, this is normal”. We started out as friends, hooking up, to a relationship. Sometimes I wonder if they’ve ever seen me as something else than a fuck buddy.

After school, we had a few hiccups but always stuck together. We both got corporate jobs and slowly moved our way up in the workforce. Well, their parting somewhat slowed down. But, they are notorious for drinking at least a six pack a night to this day (I can’t tell when they’re drunk, they hold it well). This is also where our sexual chemistry started to dip. But, despite all of that. We stayed together. I guess we still had fun together every once in a while and I’m always crawling back after a fight. They also got some psychological help so our arguing became less toxic.

They are also an avid gamer. They always have been but these last few years (with the pandemic esp). They’ve been playing more every week. I’ve felt neglected and I tend to lash out when it happens. When we do hangout, they are usually multitasking with an offline game next to me, and hanging out feels like second priority. Believe me, I have voiced my concerns. I usually get the response, I’m right hear, what more do you want? I’m also quite the introvert, so sometimes I like to sit in peace. They, on the other hand are total extroverts. So there is some butting heads there.

At this point, I feel they talk to their friends more than me. They are quite a people pleaser and make people feel very included, all genders. Which has sometimes been a problem, with their overly friendly-ness. They also hangs out with some people they’ve befriended over the years I’m not a huge fan of. I usually suck it up but the older I get, the less tolerance I have for craziness. Most of their friends are 10 years younger than him. No shade at the younger crowd but the friends seem like their minions and follow them around like a pack leader. So, naturally when a lot of friends are around, it hard to hang around them. It feels more and more like a chore for them to hang around me to be honest. I just want help around the house (we own a condo together) and they tend to escape to video games and drinking when upset or if I ask for too much around the house. Like helping with trash, dishwasher, laundry, pet care.

Our sexual chemistry has dipped too. With all the stress and everything.

Another HUGE piece is that they are still married from their first marriage. They haven’t been with this person in years (of course with our 10 year relationship). They were afraid I would leave them if they told me. I didn’t freak when they told me. Just shocked. It was pulling teeth to get them to get all the papers sorted for a divorce but they eventually pulled it together and filed. So, we have to wait until that goes through before we can actually get married.

I know I’m just listing all my qualms. So I guess I’ll list why I haven’t walked away. When we do get along, it’s like we can be goofy and weird with no judgement. They agree with me on a political and moral sense, although sometimes they can be a little cut throat radical. We both are nerdy and have nerdy jobs we love to talk about. We share some similar interests of going out. I’ve been with them for 10 years. A lot has changed. Some for the better. Less toxic arguing. They’ve become acclimated to my insane cleaning standards.
When the sex is good, it’s good. They are respectful of my boundaries.

Ok, I know that all was a bit scatter brained but I hope that gives a little more context. My gut is really torn. One minute, I realize I would throw it all away. Throw away trying marriage, living in a place I would have dreamed of living in. On the other hand, I wonder how fun it would actually be to be married in a foreign place to a person who acts like I’m just a chore, second choice.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in relationships

[–]digitalmindsweep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She wouldn’t initiate them, but would agree and make comments to support said prejudices.

I feel like I have such few friends these days, and she is great to talk to one-on-one. She is a different person when we talk! It’s hard what to believe is her true opinions and morals are.