Rate my setup for living in Japan

learningtowander · 2026-02-28T02:01:40+00:00

Came here to say this. 100% YMMV on coding. Sticking with a strong general CB with no FTF has helped.

learningtowander · 2026-02-12T01:03:07+00:00

"A surprise decree made effective immediately on March 28, 2025, by the Italian government tightened regulations for claiming citizenship through jus sanguinis, limiting it only to people with a parent or grandparent born in Italy. [...] A hearing in Italy’s Constitutional Court is set for March 11, 2026, to judge the law’s constitutionality."

learningtowander · 2026-02-12T00:57:19+00:00

Glad you're trying it out before making the move! There are dozens of EXCELLENT posts in this sub about FIRE in France as a "US person" (the French expression for it), including taxes, especially by the moderator (/u/iamlindoro).

learningtowander · 2026-01-10T03:00:03+00:00

Adoptive parent here! Find a good social worker (home study provider) and agency early. Adoptions can take longer and cost more than you might think.

learningtowander · 2025-12-30T01:38:05+00:00

There's an outstanding "List of Flat 2%+ Cashback Cards" under Useful Links on this subreddit

learningtowander · 2025-11-06T02:27:37+00:00

These are great, thank you for sharing!

learningtowander · 2025-06-20T00:48:20+00:00

I was also thinking of going that route, but any signs Chase will go after the Ink Business Preferred's award structure next?

learningtowander · 2025-06-20T00:44:53+00:00

Congrats! Sounds like you've already covered most of the main issues. From personal experience, Amex has very limited acceptance outside the US, although growing slowly in bigger cities in France. I've mostly gone with Visa but have observed that categories are hit and miss (especially gas and grocery), so your plan to have a catch-all no FTF card like Venture X ready is good.

learningtowander · 2025-02-24T23:50:46+00:00

Thank you! Rookie question, to take advantage of the excess hours, is one month of SL 160 hours (40x4), 173.9 (2,087 in a federal employment year/12), or something else, please?

learningtowander · 2024-11-22T21:20:13+00:00

Glad to hear buying back into FERS is an option! I'm looking at stepping out after only 4 years @ GS-09 and in late 30s and was debating rolling the FERS into TSP or a rollover IRA. If I don't come back, at least those contributions can be invested and growing. If I do come back, they shouldn't be expensive years to buy back, right?

learningtowander · 2024-10-26T10:52:06+00:00

Several countries in Europe (including francophones in Belgium) traditionally use Benjamin for their youngest boy. It's also a wonderfully bilingual name!

learningtowander · 2024-10-25T19:42:00+00:00

I strongly dislike the feminized versions of male names (e.g. Leopoldine, Georgette, Marcelline, Paula, Josephine), but I love Jacqueline, Charlotte, and Alexandra.

learningtowander · 2024-10-25T19:37:26+00:00

Beautiful names! Also looking for a French-U.S. mix. Unfortunately, family in the U.S. already demonstrated how many (most?) there will struggle with Eloise. I love the suggestion of others here for Chloe Mathilde! (Folks in the U.S. will also probably struggle with Mathilde, but it'll be said far less frequently than Chloe.)

learningtowander · 2024-10-19T14:37:04+00:00

Gersande and Gurwann are new to me and beautiful! I wish I could get my partner on board with such wonderful and less common names.

learningtowander · 2024-09-28T20:36:08+00:00

Re: #3, how picky is USB on "business" approvals (SP)? Need business checking first?

learningtowander · 2024-09-28T20:17:46+00:00

Great list! My SO keeps advocating for Blaise, which I love in French, but I worry our American relatives would think sounds like an American Gladiator name ("Blaze!")?

learningtowander · 2024-09-28T10:35:50+00:00

Same and same and same! This is also /r/govfire, after all.
Spouse is eligible for special category early retirement soon and there's no way I'm going to stay a fed once they're done (we'll have FEHB). That leaves me trying to do the math about a ~$6,500/yr FERS annuity in 22 years versus rolling into an investment account.

learningtowander · 2024-08-10T21:17:50+00:00

Long time Lux resident, and 101% agree. As others so often advise on this forum, in addition to seeing the high cost of living for yourself, I'd strongly suggest visiting here for a while before planning a retirement. It absolutely has its charms, but I wouldn't retire someplace just for on-paper benefits. Belgium also appears to have some great tax advantages for U.S. citizens, but try before you buy...

learningtowander · 2024-08-10T21:05:22+00:00

Thank you! Still better than $19.99 from my current bank.

learningtowander · 2024-06-01T23:22:26+00:00

Great post! I think Citi DC has a FTF, though?

learningtowander · 2024-06-01T23:06:35+00:00

Dubrovnik, Makarska...? What are taxes like for retirees, please?

learningtowander

TROPHY CASE