I'm a Black Expat AMA

[trap101-ETHout-Allegri-In]

I’m not trying to be an a$$hole but to the brehs that need me to spell out Itenerary planning.

Literally look at Google maps map out the distance to the Hotel from the airport Then from the Hotel to the beach Mall or Club that you want to go to

Download these directions and screen shot the maps.

I also like to tell brehs to book a couple walkimg tours. Spend the bread and go through something like TripAdvisor or similar. It gives you the chance to get a lay of the land, Feel out the vibes, have a local who can answer the basic acclimatization questions, and if you cool enough they will link up with you on the side.

 

[Wiseborn]

I also like to tell brehs to book a couple walkimg tours. Spend the bread and go through something like TripAdvisor or similar. It gives you the chance to get a lay of the land, Feel out the vibes, have a local who can answer the basic acclimatization questions, and if you cool enough they will link up with you on the side.

Good advice.

 

[Wiseborn]

i like this guy, he's funny and not a incel or an idiot

I wouldn’t call him a hard Incel but if you’re gonna trick listen to him.

 

[Wiseborn]

Money advice.
You should set up a western union account so that you can send yourself money in an emergency. Sometimes and especially in the third world cash is king.

Additionally especially for any Credit cards and ATM cards that you bring you need to add a notification every time you spend money If you go to someplace with a fake card reader they can bleed you dry without you even knowing. This could happen at home too but you need a way to send this information to yourself while using a phone abroad set up Google Voice or Skype and or an email to get spending alerts.

I’d say bring two Debit and two Credit cards use credit where ever you can and carry what you think you might spend daily in cash for incidentals for most countries in the 3rd world 25 to 30 bucks a day( In local currency) is more than sufficient.

The other two cards are for backups in case you lose your other cards.

In hot countries especially on the beach it’s best to get Cargo shorts with zipper pockets if you can get them You’d be surprised at how easily wallets and cell phones slip out of pockets in basketball shorts.

You’ll definitely look like a tourist but wearing a cross body fanny pack especially on the beach is good a waterproof Runner’s Band is even better for the beach you keep your phone in a waterproof case ( they usually sell these on the beach too) and you’re gucci.

 

[Wiseborn]

According to Ken’s Money Matters. The reason That Kenyans fall for land scams is that they don’t do proper Title analysis

You have to see if there’s any claims to the land going back until at least independence to make sure that the land was passed correctly and legally.

That is the case in any country but that does octuple in Africa.

 

[Wiseborn]

Credit Card Advice:

If you’re a veteran Chase waives annual fees on Chase Sapphire cards so you get the points for free.

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actually this is for Active Duty guys but if you have a retiree card and you apply at a branch you get the fee waived.

 

[Wiseborn]

Investment Advice:

This is what I do with my “walking around money”. That I keep in a sinking fund for large purchases.

I use a CD ladder:

• A CD ladder entails opening multiple CDs with varying terms and maturity dates.
• CD ladders allow you to take advantage of potentially higher yields, while also maintaining some liquidity.
• Once a CD in your ladder matures, you can choose to open another CD or invest that money elsewhere.

A CD ladder is a savings strategy where you invest in multiple certificates of deposit (CDs) with staggered maturity dates. When a given CD in your ladder matures, you could devote the money to a new CD, invest it elsewhere or use it for a planned purchase.

How to build a CD ladder​

To build a CD ladder, you’ll open multiple CDs, staggering term lengths. Keep in mind these don’t need to be opened at the same bank or credit union. The number of CDs you open, the amount you deposit and the length of terms are up to you, but here’s an example of how it could work.

Let’s say you want to build a five-year CD ladder with five rungs. If you have $2,500 to invest, then you might divide the funds equally into five CDs with different maturity dates. Here’s how you could set it up:

1. Open the CDs.​

In this example, you’ll open five CDs with terms ranging from one year to five years as follows:

• $500 into a one-year CD
• $500 into a two-year CD
• $500 into a three-year CD
• $500 into a four-year CD
• $500 into a five-year CD

2. Reinvest the money when the CDs mature.​

When each of the original CDs matures, you could continue to build your ladder by reinvesting the funds (principal and interest) in a new five-year CD. This will continue to give you a ladder of five CDs, with one maturing each year:

• $500 (original CD principal) + one year of interest in a five-year CD
• $500 (original CD principal) + two years of interest in a five-year CD
• $500 (original CD principal) + three years of interest in a five-year CD
• $500 (original CD principal) + four years of interest in a five-year CD
• $500 (original CD principal) + four years of interest in a five-year CD

You can continue the process each year for as long as you want to maintain the CD ladder. Depending on your financial needs and goals, you can also choose to cash out the CDs and use the money for other purposes or investments.

No matter what CD term lengths you’re investing or reinvesting in, just remember that there’s usually an early withdrawal penalty for taking out the funds before the CD’s maturity date (though you can find no-penalty CDs if you’re worried about liquidity).

When it comes to maximizing your earnings from an ongoing CD ladder, it pays to shop around for the best annual percentage yield (APY) when any CD in your ladder is set to mature, says Karen Bennett, senior consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. “If you simply renew a given CD, or open a new one at the same bank by default, you could be missing out on significantly higher rates available elsewhere. Ultimately, there’s no obligation to keep all your CDs at the same bank.”

 

[Belize King]

According to Ken’s Money Matters. The reason That Kenyans fall for land scams is that they don’t do proper Title analysis

You have to see if there’s any claims to the land going back until at least independence to make sure that the land was passed correctly and legally.

That is the case in any country but that does octuple in Africa.

Same with Belize. Always get a lawyer who can research the title. I was about to buy some land 5 years ago. Contacted the sellers and used an attorney. Their title was messed up. It wasn’t properly transferred so if I bought without clearing it, the land owner technically could be disputed.

It took 5 months to clear the title and properly get it in the seller’s name. I ended up getting my earnest money back and made a different move. Lesson learned, always verify the title as best as you can with the lands department. Using “professionals” is best but hopefully you have properly vetted these pros.

Land scamming is big business in many countries. If you are buying in Belize, I got a connect.

 

[Wiseborn]

Same with Belize. Always get a lawyer who can research the title. I was about to buy some land 5 years ago. Contacted the sellers and used an attorney. Their title was messed up. It wasn’t properly transferred so if I bought without clearing it, the land owner technically could be disputed.

It took 5 months to clear the title and properly get it in the sellers name. I needed up getting my earnest money back and made a different move. Lessened learned, always verify the title as best as you can with the lands department. Using “professionals” is best but hopefully you have properly vetted these pros.

Land scamming is big business in many countries. If you are buying in Belize, I got a connect.

Thanks for the assist.

Also you have to see if you have water rights the land has proper drainage and is it set uo for power if you’re on the grid.

 

[Wiseborn]

Airbnb Plus lessons:

Avoid Airbnb’s in buildings that are complete airbnb’s if you’re a digital nomad.

Usually the internet is slooooow. Because they put too many connections on the same modem.

 

[Wiseborn]

More resources for people looking to expat primarily former US Military members

Living Overseas - Poppin' Smoke

Living Overseas Continue the adventure by living overseas as a civilian Living Overseas Continue the adventure by living overseas as a civilian Explore your options for living overseas, whether to work, study, or simply enjoy life in another country. Learn about the process of moving overseas...

www.poppinsmoke.com

filled with real life examples of sucessful expats who made the leap

In the Army when they say Pop Smoke it means to leave because in combat you pop smoke to mark your position for a helocopter or Pop Smoke to hide your movements under fire.

Anyway loads of information and a facebook group that you can ask direct questions of people in the group.

This is far more helpful that listening to a drunk sexpat in a hoe bar.

(even though that’s usually the second best option for information)

 

[Apollo Creed]

I’m not trying to be an a$$hole but to the brehs that need me to spell out Itenerary planning.

Literally look at Google maps map out the distance to the Hotel from the airport Then from the Hotel to the beach Mall or Club that you want to go to

Download these directions and screen shot the maps.

You should download the Entire City to google maps offline same with the language where you are in google translate offline

 

[Wiseborn]

You should download the Entire City to google maps offline same with the language where you are in google translate offline

Thanks for the assist this is what I wanted brehs to do to add on in the discussion. Yes you could download the whole city and the maps will be in your language.

 

[Wiseborn]

I also like to tell brehs to book a couple walkimg tours. Spend the bread and go through something like TripAdvisor or similar. It gives you the chance to get a lay of the land, Feel out the vibes, have a local who can answer the basic acclimatization questions, and if you cool enough they will link up with you on the side.

Airbnb experiences are a good way to get scheduled walking tours and more and you’ll likely not be gringo priced.

 

[Wiseborn]

Pro Tip for US veterans with service connected disabilities

The Foreign Medical Program will ship your meds to any country that you go to.

This is very important in some African countries where they get their Meds made in Egypt, India and China.

I personally never had a problem even getting generics in Africa but there was that incident in the Gambia where they got bad cold medication for kids from India.

Even if you’re not service connected go to the VA tell them you’re indigent and get a full check up and any Meds that you need You can at least get free care as a Veteran and free medication.

If the VA agrees that you need the medication they’ll ship it to you in the Foreign Medical Program

Just fill out the form on the VA website.