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Guides, tips, and stories for Americans moving abroad.
Behind on US Taxes Abroad? The Streamlined Filing Program, Explained
Just realized you were supposed to be filing US taxes the whole time you've lived abroad? The IRS Streamlined Filing program lets qualifying expats catch up — often with zero penalties. Here's how it works.
June 29, 2026
FBAR vs. Form 8938: Which One(s) Do You Actually File?
FBAR and Form 8938 sound like the same thing — they are not. Different agencies, different thresholds, and you may owe both. Here is the plain-English breakdown for US expats.
June 29, 2026
Form 8938 Explained: FATCA Foreign-Asset Reporting for US Expats
Form 8938 is how US expats report foreign financial assets under FATCA. Here are the exact thresholds, what counts, the penalties, and how it differs from the FBAR.
June 29, 2026
Best Countries for Americans to Stay 90+ Days Without Moving Permanently
Want to try life abroad before committing? Use this planning framework to compare legal stay length, remote-work rules, healthcare, banking, and budget.
May 24, 2026
How Much Money Should Americans Save Before Moving Abroad?
There is no universal savings number for moving abroad. Build your target from setup costs, monthly living costs, emergency runway, and U.S. obligations.
May 24, 2026
U.S. Banking Checklist Before Moving Abroad
Before moving abroad, pressure-test your U.S. bank accounts, cards, brokerage access, address, phone verification, and backup money options.
May 24, 2026
Monthly Visa Digest — April 2026
Portugal's D8 income threshold rises, Thailand finally clarifies its 180-day tax rule, and Spain's consulate wait times creep up. Here's your monthly roundup of visa changes across Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Thailand, and Costa Rica.
April 2, 2026
Earth Class Mail vs US Global Mail: Best Mail Forwarding for Expats (2026)
Still giving out your mom's address? If you're living abroad full-time, you need a real US mailing solution. We compare Earth Class Mail and US Global Mail on price, features, and what actually matters for expats.
April 10, 2026
Preply vs iTalki: Best Language Learning Platform for Expats (2026)
Learning the local language is the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade you can make as an expat. We compare Preply and iTalki on tutors, pricing, trial lessons, and which one actually gets you speaking faster.
April 10, 2026
Best Banks for Americans Living Abroad: Charles Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Wise (2026)
Your US bank is draining your savings with foreign transaction fees and ATM charges. Here are the three accounts that actually work for Americans living abroad — and how to use them together.
April 7, 2026
SafetyWing vs Cigna Global: Best Health Insurance for Expats in 2026
SafetyWing is beloved by digital nomads. Cigna Global is the gold standard for long-term expats. We compare pricing, coverage, claims, and who each is actually built for.
March 31, 2026
Bright!Tax vs Greenback: Best Expat Tax Service for Americans Abroad (2026)
Filing US taxes from abroad is complicated enough without picking the wrong service. We compare Bright!Tax and Greenback on pricing, expertise, turnaround, and what actually happens when things get complicated.
March 31, 2026
Best Countries for American Digital Nomads in 2026
Portugal's got the visa. Mexico's got the culture. Thailand's got the price. But which country is actually right for you? Here's the honest ranking — with the tradeoffs you don't usually see in travel content.
March 31, 2026
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Best for Expats? (2026)
Two of the most trusted VPNs go head-to-head. We compare pricing, speed, server count, streaming access, and privacy so expats can make an informed choice.
March 30, 2026
Wise vs Revolut: Which Is Better for Sending Money Abroad? (2026)
Two of the most popular fintech tools for expats go head-to-head. We compare exchange rates, fees, multi-currency accounts, card features, and supported countries so you can stop losing money to your bank.
March 30, 2026
Airalo vs Roamable: Which eSIM Is Actually Better for Travelers? (2026)
Two of the most popular eSIM providers go head-to-head. We compare pricing, coverage, app experience, and support so you can stop second-guessing and start traveling.
March 27, 2026
The Complete Guide to Moving Abroad as an American (2026)
Everything you need to know about relocating overseas — from choosing a country and sorting visas to managing taxes, healthcare, and your first 90 days on the ground.
March 10, 2026
FEIE Explained: How to Save Thousands on Taxes Living Abroad
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets Americans abroad exclude up to $130,000 from federal taxes. Here is exactly how it works, who qualifies, and the mistakes to avoid.
March 5, 2026
Portugal vs Mexico for American Expats: An Honest Comparison
Two of the most popular destinations for Americans moving abroad, compared head-to-head on cost, visas, taxes, healthcare, culture, and quality of life.
March 12, 2026
How to Open a Bank Account Abroad as a US Citizen
FATCA makes banking abroad tricky for Americans. Here is how to navigate the process, which countries are easiest, and the multi-account strategy most expats use.
March 15, 2026
The Best Health Insurance Options for American Expats (2026)
Your US health insurance won't work abroad. Here are the best options for expats — from budget-friendly nomad plans to comprehensive international coverage.
March 18, 2026
The 5 Best eSIMs for Traveling Abroad (2026)
Stop paying outrageous roaming fees. These eSIM providers give you cheap, reliable data in 190+ countries — installed in minutes, no physical SIM required.
March 20, 2026
Best VPN for Expats: Stay Secure & Stream from Anywhere (2026)
Your US bank might block you, Netflix shows different content, and public WiFi is everywhere. Here's why every expat needs a VPN — and which ones are actually worth it.
March 21, 2026
Best International Money Transfer Apps for Expats (2026)
Banks charge 3-5% on international transfers. These apps charge a fraction of that — with better exchange rates and faster delivery. Here are the best options.
March 22, 2026
7 Essential Apps Every Expat Needs on Their Phone
From banking to language learning to staying connected — these seven apps solve the biggest headaches of living abroad. Install them before you move.
March 24, 2026
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