Ever Wanted to Write (& Publish) a Book?

Yup, my all-time favourite writer did it again.  Chris Guillebeau offers a (huge) Guide on how to get published.

Well, it’s wrong of me to place all credit on Chris.  Actually, his agent, it’s Chris’ agent, David Fugate who wrote the guide.

Who is David Fugate?

David Fugate founded the LaunchBooks Literary Agency, and has personally represented over 1000 books himself as agent to around 40 publishers (Wiley, Random House, McGraw-Hill, and Perigee are some of the biggest).  Books he represented include Kevin Mitnick’s Art of Deception and Art of Intrusion, two books I read after meeting Mitnick while working for HP.

As Chris tells the story, he asked his agent David Fugate to share some tips on how to get published.  Instead, David poured his over-experienced heart out to make this 45,000-word book.

If you are one of those people who ever wanted to get published, this guide can save you tons of effort and money by leveraging David’s experience.

Surest Way (But Not Easiest) to Success

The easiest way is to do nothing.  Kinda like I’ve been doing.  I have wanted to write a book for as long as I can remember, …but haven’t started.  ”That’d be cool.” but I don’t start.

Chris shared this guide with me to review and I find it absolutely incredibly helpful, obviously a product of many years’ experience.

If I’m serious about getting published, there’s no excuse except my own fear of failing.  And with this guide, I don’t believe anyone can fail.

Check it out here:

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Reason 4: Patriotism

I hear you…”Wait, Jeff, patriotism?  Seriously?  How can you call someone wanting to leave…a patriot?”

To answer, I remind you that around 250 years ago, when families were so frustrated by their country’s tyranny (England), whose ancestors had fled, they chose to struggle in a new country (United States)?  They desired a free life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Today, we call those people our founding fathers, our country’s first and original patriots.  (Happy 4th of July today, in fact!)

Yes, I do consider someone who believes strongly in personal freedoms as a patriot.

It’s Not Your Fault if You’re Blindly Patriotic

Don’t take it personally, but if you believe the United States is strong or “going well,” that’s not patriotism.  Blind belief in the government does not make one a patriot.  It never has.  A patriot thinks for his or herself.  A patriot questions authority.  Patriotism is not blind faith in a government.

No worries, it’s not your fault.  It’s just a matter of timing.  Not so long ago, the US encouraged freedoms and liberty -even proudly founded herself upon them.  Today, however, we have the Patriot Act (wiki and critique) which goes way beyond discouraging liberty.

Benjamin Franklin, a Domestic Terrorist?

Before you start whistling the Star Spangled Banner, be careful.  The patriot of yesteryear is now a potential bad guy for the US government today.

In fact, if Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin were around and talking today, they would be jailed as domestic terrorists.

The Department of Homeland Security labels someone a domestic terrorist when they …:

• make “expressions of libertarian philosophies.”
• express “fears of Big Brother or big government.”
• “declare Constitutional rights and civil liberties.”
• exercise self-sufficiency (stockpiling food, ammo, hand tools, medical supplies)
• homeschool (if you teach your kids outside the Dept of Education’s curriculum)
• buy certain books (in fact, these two by name: One Second After and Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse

(source for these here)

Question: if I publish the above, should I fear any consequences?  Sure, I don’t picket in front of the white house, but here I am, suggesting you abandon the US for reasons above.  Does that alone make me a target?  Take the case of Susan Lindauer, a well-connected, productive and intelligent woman who voiced her concerns too loudly against the US govt.  Her world got spun around so fast it made me sick to my stomach.

Okay, So How Do I Protest As a “Patriot”?

1. Leave.

Leave now.  Cash out your chips like you’re leaving the casino.  Sell your home, your securities (funds, stocks, options) and cash out your pensions.  Take the money and run.  Run like the wind.

2. Reinvest.

Decide on a new place that more suits you and your patriotic needs.  When you (and your cash) land in a safer, freer, more stable country, then the patriotic thing to do is reinvest in that country, for yourself.  Purchase property and/or a business there.  A new life requires new equity and new income.

3. Protect Yourself (at tax time).

US citizens must file a tax return every year.  And that goes for US citizens living abroad, too.

Yes, when living abroad, working abroad, even if earning zero US income, you must still file a US tax return every year, plus a couple extra forms just for expats (more on those below).  Yeah, I think it’s bullshit, too.

BS or not, US citizens are required to report their worldwide income, regardless of residency. You know what?  To my knowledge, the United States is the only country that requires this of its citizens.  Write me if you believe otherwise and we’ll talk.

p.s. Two Extra Forms at Tax Time (for US citizen expats)

I’ve written about tax time before, but these 2 forms are too important to ignore: the 2555 and the FBAR.  Filing out those extra forms isn’t optional.

Yes, the Internal Revenue Service tries hard to persuade any US citizen against living abroad.  Well, as a patriot, you don’t care what the IRS is against.  Right Benjamin?

The 2555 is the “Foreign Earned Income” form, which basically says you can earn up to $92,000 tax free (for 2010).  (Remember: Even if you earn under $92,000, you must still fill out this form to say you did.  In short, you must file, even if you simply didn’t earn anything or owe anything – that’s the IRS for you.

The other extra tax form for expats is the FBAR (Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts).  You can thank the Department of Treasury (not IRS) for this one.

The FBAR requires you to list your foreign bank accounts (and report the highest balance you had over the year).  I have filled out the FBAR for many years and I’ll never stop, because I’ll always have foreign bank accounts.  Thankfully, the FBAR is actually relatively easy. The last good reason is, over the past few years, the Dept of Treasury has gone crazy in prosecuting non-complying expats.  (Remember the idea of hiding money in a Swiss bank account?  Not any more)

If you’ve never heard of the FBAR and you’re considering filing it, read this article here.

The tax filing deadline for US citizens living abroad is June 15th (postmarked as mailed out).  For the FBAR form, the deadline is June 30th (must be received by).

Anyway, I’ve been sitting on this post for a while and I’ve got to publish it.  I wish you all a Happy 4th of July, wherever you are.
If you’re in the US, celebrate your home’s independence.  If you’re outside the US, celebrate your own independence!

If you’re looking for other popular reasons people leave the US, read up on Frustration, Adventure and Seeking an Improved Life.

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Reason 3: Seeking Improved Life

We already covered two reasons for leaving the USA already: Frustration and Seeking Adventure.  Now, we talk about those of us just wanting a better life.  And that about covers everyone.

“Hey, Jeff, that’s vague, what exactly is “a better life’?“  How about a better standard of living.

Does that mean better healthcare?  More personal liberties?  Lower cost of living? YES, all the above.

So, I mean health, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Problem to Fix: Healthcare

I’ll make this short.  Healthcare will not improve in the US for your or your kids’ lifetime.  Sorry it’s a short, sad conclusion.  If this is important to you, move.

Okay, I’ll give my disclaimer.  I don’t know the future, but I do know it would take a revolution to undo the death grip on the healthcare system by the private healthcare industry.  They won’t let go for as long as there’s money to be made (and shared with legislators and lobbyists).  Doctors understand this, but they have no say in how it’s run.  And as baby boomers come of old age, health care providers are providing less health and more bills.  Prepare to pay more, or move.

Need an example?  Look no further than the notorious Johnny B Truant.  Johnny’s a Type 1 diabetic and has blogged about it several times, how he overcomes it with great health (though it hindered his 30-day no-carb diet trial).  Healthy lifestyle or not, his insurance premium keeps skyrocketing.  Well, that changed – Johnny quit his health insurance! Johnny said, and I quote, “Fuck this. I’m jumping over the walls to get that carrot.” (you have to read his cute story to get the carrot bit)  I applaud the guy – he broke the rule of “Everyone NEEDS insurance.” and is now saving himself a grand a month.  Nice work JBT.

Problem to Fix: Personal Liberties

Are you a Ron Paul fan?  Keep up with the (ever fun but educational) blog of the Lugwig von Mises Institute?  If so, label yourself a Libertarian.  But you knew that already.

Why do I bring up Ron Paul?  I was at a meetup just last Wednesday.  The organizer casually gave his view on government: “I believe we need only two laws: Protect our own property and protect our liberties.”  I smiled and asked if he’s a Ron Paul fan.  He smiled back.  The organizer echoed the classic tenets that define libertarianism.

Are people leaving the US because of eroding personal liberties?  I doubt it’s the sole or even their main reason.  But I do agree that personal liberties as a whole are eroding away at a faster clip than ever before.  And that pushes more people to think about leaving.

[Here is where my wife steps in and says "Well, don't just mope about it - do something!"]

If you ‘re upset (too), sign this petition to create (actual) change.

If you’re pessimistic (too) that things will change, then leave the US for a country which provides stronger liberties to its population (foreign or native).  As for the US changing for the better, I am hopeful, but it’s going to take a revolution.

The top countries are:

1. Sweden (why am I not surprised?)
2. Finland
3. Denmark
4. New Zealand
5. Norway
6. Netherlands
7. Switzerland
8. Canada
9. Ireland
10. Australia

The US came in between the UK and Estonia.  Here is my source table.  For my list, I used their scoring, plus a bit of my own bias to reformat as a numbered list.

Some last words about personal or civil liberties.  Some liberties may be more important than others.  For you, it may your right to practice a religion, women’s rights, or racial equality.  For me, I focus more on personal privacy of information.  I don’t mind someone looking up my phone number, but I do mind when someone (without my consent) listens to a phone conversation or predetermines my chance for a disease. But that’s me… how do you feel about it?  Leave a comment.

Problem to Fix: Cost of Living

Relying on a pension isn’t what it used to be.  And today, does anyone stay with a company long enough to earn a pension?

Thankfully, a mediocre pension cheque in the United States isn’t so mediocre in many other countries.  Same goes for that meagre social security if you’re a senior, or the humble rent profit if you’re a landlord, or the dividends if you’re an investor, or even a passive income from some online business.  In all cases, the amount goes farther if you spend it in a country that costs less.  (The better case is if you’re earning in that country, rather than exchanging from the declining dollar, but that’s another story.)

Thinking of leaving the country because of your taxable portfolio?  Well, leave now while the going’s good, because there’s likely to be legislation that may follow you abroad.

Next Up: Patriotism

Stay tuned for the next (#4 – “Patriotism”) reason why people leave the United States.  There are over 5 million of us abroad – why not you?

Until then, I ask you just one favour.  If you like this post or the others, hit the Facebook Like button below and share it with your friends.

Thanks,

-Jeff

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In case you missed it, this is Part 2 of a series of why people are leaving (as they run the f*** away from) the US.  Part I is here.

Reason 2: Adventure

When I say “adventure” you might picture backpackers. Or maybe the young, single crowd, no-responsibilities type.  No.  At least, that’s not how I label me and my wife.

How about sleepwalkers?  That’s how I label us.  I and my wife are classic sleepwalkers through life.  Or at least we’re prone to be if we’re not careful about it.  And I believe if you’re reading this blog, you might be too.

Who’s a Life Sleepwalker?

Like I just said above, we are.  We all are.  Is it human nature?  We get more settled, more stuff, more routine.  Cruise control sets in and we sleepwalk through life.

A few weeks ago, a new friend, Vernon wrote in to me.  He asked about our reasons for travel.  I mentioned we once lived in Korea (mid 90′s) but then moved to the States.  He asked “Why did you leave the States after having spent time in Korea?”  I’m guessing Vernon half-expected we left because we were frustrated with the US.

Nope, not frustrated, except with ourselves.  We longed for adventure.  My then girlfriend and I came from Korea and decided to live together and find work in beautiful New Hampshire.  After a few years, we got married.  Then we got a house.  Then we had a baby.  Slowly, over about 10 years, we went from Korea to absolutely rooted.  We were lulled to sweet slumber.

Bored or Sleepwalking?

Are you bored or sleepwalking?  There’s a difference.

Bored is when you’re lacking stimulation.  You need a hobby or passion.  Note: careful not to confuse boredom with procrastination.  That’s self-inflicted resistance against what’s important and is only posing as boredom.  (When I blow 2 hours on Digg, I realize I’m procrastinating)

Sleepwalking is when you’re lacking uncertainty or adventure.  You need to take a step (or tw0) out of your comfort zone.
Sleepwalkers aren’t just in their comfort zone, they’re spinning around in there like a toy top.

When life seems like it’s moving “fast enough for us,” — then you might be sleepwalking.

When you feel busy, yet your to-do list is all urgent but not important — then you might be sleepwalking.

If in 5 years you won’t remember what you did today, last week or last year — you’re probably sleepwalking.

Trust me – the months/years will drop away like you wouldn’t believe.  Do something that spooks you awake.

Problems to Fix: Boredom and “Sleepwalking”

Bored?  Swallow the frog!

If only bored, fine, seek out a hobby.  Or tackle your to-do list with fervour. See “Swallow the frog”

Sleepwalking?  Three Questions

If you suspect you’re sleepwalking, ask yourself these 3 questions:

1. Is my life “comfortable” but not giving me comfort or peace of mind?

• If you answer ‘yes’ – you just might be sleepwalking

2. Do I find that the days (weeks, months) seem to be the same?

• If so, you may be sleepwalking (or actually sleeping in a coma)

3. Do you have a vision of how life will be better in 5 years from now?

• If not sleepwalking, life can be better when taking aim at something.

Like I said above, we had it all: the house, the careers, a solid network of great friends, and the infant (and even a cat).  We were so “set” we felt we were almost sleepwalking.  That thought made us miserable (okay, maybe that’s dramatic, but you get the idea).

How did we fix it? We spun the globe, picked 3 cities.  Three cities we hadn’t seen before but were curious about:  Auckland, Barcelona and Prague.  I sent out CVs to recruiters in each.  We sold the house, quit our jobs and put all our crap in storage.
In 3 months, we were living in Prague.

Would we do it again?  We did.  Fast forward 4 years.  We find ourselves owning another house (our flat in downtown Prague) and we popped another child.  (What can we say?  Our house-warming parties are super fertile!)

Then, come summer 2010  - we’re here in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Adventure is the primary reason my wife and I had left the U.S. for Prague in 2006, and we are NOT your stereotypical backpackers.  In short, adventure drives people of all ages, all kinds, and all sizes, to make what seems to others some rash decisions.  And when you’re sick of the status quo, you do whatever needs to be done.

Want to do a final test?  ”Pinch yourself.”

That’s how we wake ourselves when sleeping, right?  Then “pinch yourself” awake from sleepwalking by stepping well outside your comfort zone.  Take a Leap of Faith and Scare Yourself Silly.

Some Ideas How to Pinch Yourself Awake:

• At work, organize and present a topic completely unrelated to work. (think Toastmasters)
• Try a new sport – take up running, skateboarding, swimming.  Less experience, the better
• Get a major adrenaline rush – do a bungee jump, skydive, tell a Baptist to go to hell (testing if you’re still with me)
• Contribute to the community – volunteer as a pollster, in a food kitchen, read books at a daycare
• Take up an instrument – you’re not getting any younger….go ahead, dust off the guitar
• Move abroad.  (oh, you knew I had to add this one, right?)

Hope this has been helpful.  If you have any comments or thoughts for me – leave a comment below.  I look forward to hearing from you.

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Frustration leads people to make uncomfortable decisions, such as “abandoning their own country” for another.  Ah, there’s the popular debate of whether I’m being patriotic.  But I’ll leave that for another post in this series.

For now, I ask this question: is it better to stick around in a bad situation, or to make the tough decisions to do what you know is best for you, for your quality of life?  Wait for the next post.

Are you Frustrated?  Becoming an expat yourself gives you Encouragement

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I’m hoping the novel “The Fountainhead” is about you, how you’re like Howard Roark.

Unfortunately, odds are good it’s not.

So what’s “The Fountainhead” about?  It’s about individualism.

Who is Howard Roark?

Howard Roark is the main character in Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead.”  He’s an unwavering, uncompromising individual.

Roark stands for integrity, truth to one’s self, serving no one but himself.  He stands against mainstream thought and conforming to the whims of others.

Roark is an architect, but the farthest from a normal architect.  If you had to label him, you’d call him a “modern architect” because his designs run free of mainstream architecture, with no hint of borrowed qualities of classical work.  I originally wrote that his architecture was opposite of mainstream, but that’s not right.  He’s free from the influence of mainstream, not purposely opposite.

In short, Roark is his own man, and Roark’s work is his own work.  He fights this principle with zero compromise, despite almost certain obscurity and poverty.  (Spoiler: don’t worry, he wins)

The “Second-Handers”

The second-handers are the people around Howard.  While Howard strives to be an individual, it’s the second-handers that give him shit about it.  And each second-hander does so in their own way.

Second-Hander Gail Wynand

Gail Wynand appears to be a power-hungry newspaper boss, but secretly is a Roark-wannabe.  Wynand is the full individual minus the courage and integrity.  He’s “successful” much like some might consider Dick Cheney (a successful dick).  Wynand is tested to his ultimate edge, and almost wins.

Second-Hander Dominique Francon

Beautiful potential, but meek.  It’s harsh for me to call Dominique a second-hander, because she’s so close to great, but too scared to go for it.  Dominique reminds me of the famous Henry David Thoreau quote: “Most people lead lives of quiet desperation.”  Dominique quietly admires Roark, but rarely takes a stand.  Only until she’s built up courage from years around him does she ‘win.’

Other Second-Handers

Wynand and Dominique are the two figures most in Roark’s life, but there are others.  One is Roark’s old school chum, a soulless parasite, a borrower of ideas seeking the fast-track.  Another is a behind-the-scenes evil bastard who seeks to squelch independent thought.  There are more, but these two shine as second-handers.

Our Own Second-Handers

See the connection?  All these second-handers are our own.  Naysayers, quiet admirers, and the power-hungry who’d rather you stay subservient.

How do you react to your second-handers?

• Do you try to apologize for your beliefs? (Roark wouldn’t)
• Do you conform to just the most important ones in your life?  (Roark wouldn’t)
• Do you lead a life of quiet desperation? (Roark wouldn’t, nor would Thoreau)

The way you stand for your own beliefs (and strive to your own successes) is what defines you as a Roark, a Wynand or a Dominique.

What About You?  Are You an Individual?

Odds are good you see yourself as an individual.  We all do.  That’s what makes it easy to fantasize about living abroad.

Odds are better you’re more conformist than the ideal Howard Roark.  We all naturally conform to some degree.  That’s what makes culture shock what it is: difficult.

But to be a successful and happy expat, you must have a little “Howard Roark” in you.  You have be comfortable in your own skin, comfortable not having to be like everyone else, both at home and in your host country.  You must be an individual.

To find out, I’d recommend reading “The Fountainhead.”  Who do you sympathize with?  Are you closer to the ideal Roark or are you another second-hander?  Knowing this ahead of time will help you with living abroad.

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Just a quickie post to all readers, from 1 to 92.  Although it’s been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to You!

My wife and I wish you a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Here’s hoping you’re able to spend it with those you care most about and who care most for you.

If not, please know you’re loved and missed, no matter where you are, always.  But especially during the holidays.

p.s. That’s our son there in the picture.  Just shy of 3 years old, Mattias made a very fine shepherd in his preschool’s play last Tuesday.

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The “Less Is More” Edition of Christmas Shopping

In a previous post, we talked about shopping online.  Shopping online lets us buy & deliver straight to the recipient’s door.  And that’s the greatest thing since sliced bread for expats.  No sky-high postage, no language struggles at the post office and delivery time is days, not weeks.

However, for some people buying anything can be a downer because, a gift means just another thing to own, shelf and eventually get rid of.  So, let’s talk about options.

Alternative Ideas to Giving a Gift

Instead of giving a gift you wrap up and send, let’s talk about giving the “gift of giving”:

• Lessons, memberships
• Giving a Donation to Charity in Someone’s Name
• Giving Yourself
• “Buy-Nothing” Christmas (typically within family)

Before you say “Yeah, but this wouldn’t work with Mr. Sowenso,” think again. Mr. and Mrs. Sowenso are just like everyone else…they have their own illnesses, their own personal challenges and dramas (no family is flawless).  When you donate to a worthy cause, perhaps even one that they already donate to themselves, the Sowenso’s will greatly appreciate such a personal gesture.

Idea #1: Lessons & Memberships

It doesn’t fit in a box, but it is super personal and useful.

Swimming lessons, gymnastic lessons, a membership to an online book club, it’s something the person wants, but -hey, you bought it for them!

This year (Christmas 2010), my parents and my wife’s parents are planning together to buy us a family membership at the city gym. That membership will serve us (family of 4) all year. Then my wife’s sister, upon hearing the membership news, offered to buy our daughter two months of swimming lessons at the same gym.   This gift will give me and the kids more to do during the week and will give us a fun way to stay in shape.  Now that’s a gift that keeps giving!

Idea #2: Giving a Donation to Charity in Someone’s Name

A gift you hear about, but rarely do.  Why?  Because society says if you don’t walk a mall like a credit-card-toting zombie for 3 hours, you’re not patriotic.  …well, perhaps that’s an overstatement.

Look -there are big benefits to donating to a charity in someone’s name.  These benefits do not exist when you buy them the newest kitchen appliance as seen on TV.  Benefits that outweigh any particular item on a shelf.

Benefits include:

• You feel good
• Mr/Mrs Sowenso feels good
• A good cause is further supported
• Less stuff accumulating in closets, on shelves, in drawers
• Lastly, a tax write-off (for Mr/Mrs Sowenso)

On a personal note, my wife and I tried this approach for Christmas 2009.  We were so inspired after reading “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson, we shipped a copy of the book to our family and close friends.  Along with the book, we also made donations in each person’s name to the Central Asia Institute.  Toward the end of January, I also sent a reminder to everyone with their respective confirmation of a donation so they could make use of it when filing taxes.

Idea #3: Giving Yourself

Now here’s an interesting slant.  You don’t give a wrapped gift, money nor a tax write-off.

You give the most personal gift of all: You.

This means you tell your friend that  you will perform some job for them, no questions asked. Perhaps you fix their broken gutter, walk their dog for them for a month, babysit their kids, make a special supper, other house repairs, etc.

Benefits include:

• You feel good
• Mr/Mrs Sowenso feels good
• Stuff gets done

Giving yourself takes finesse.  Of course, any gift should be given with sincerity, but giving yourself takes some extra finesse to show it’s sincere.

Tips for Successfully Giving Yourself:

• Handwrite a note saying this is their Christmas gift and you’re happy to do it
• Schedule a date. You do the scheduling because it’s your gift to them
• Know all the details before doing the job.  The only worse gift than a job undone is a job done wrong
• If at all possible, carry out the job without the person’s intervention or help

While I love this idea, I find it a real challenge.  Mostly because I’m not sure I have a lot to offer.  I’m not particularly handy or mechanical.  I’m an decent baker (a lot of practice), but my only real “talent” is technical, computer stuff.  I could design a blog or make brownies for Christmas, but it’s tough picturing those as gifts.  What do you think?

In short, giving yourself takes creativity.  And it takes a skill which you can share and others will find valuable.

Idea #4: “Buy-Nothing” Christmas

So, a “buy-nothing” Christmas means what the name suggests: you buy nothing. In fact, the whole family, the group of you decide to buy nothing.

This one is difficult.  I don’t know of a family who successfully pulled this off.  If you do, send me an e-mail or post a comment.  I find the idea amazing, but ….too difficult, at least with my family.  Already my wife and I struggle with my parents spending waaay too much on our kids, despite our protests every year.  (And yes, we’ve talked about it, to the point of tears shed…what to do?)

So a buy-nothing Christmas doesn’t mean a spend-nothing Christmas.  Instead, you all redirect the gift-budget toward something else.  This requires the group to decide before Christmas together “Who’s in?” and “What are we spending on?”

Here are some ideas how to pool your money together:

• The group takes a trip together
• A group charitable contribution (perhaps with some PR, inspiring others to fundraise
• The group organizes together at the local food kitchen, shelter or orphanage.
• You all say “Screw it- no gifts at all this year!” (might as well shout “Bah humbug,” too)

Personally, I think the idea kicks ass.  I like it because instead of having one person sponsoring a good cause, you have a whole family helping a good cause (well, except for the group cruise idea).  It’s committed love on a grand scale.  But again, I find it a tough leap from idea to implementation.

What makes this idea difficult is every family has a member who struggles to not give a gift.  That person decides “But I’ll just give one teeny-weeny gift to Mrs. Sowenso.”  Then, the recipient is left feeling awkward: “Oh, but I don’t have a gift for you because…” and it’s just an awkward feeling festival.  To avoid 100% failure, everyone must be 100% committed.

Tips for Successful Buy-Nothing Christmas

• If necessary, do a small gift (like $5 or less) exchange.  Beware: slippery slope ahead
• “Market” it as a budding family tradition.  Thus, more motivation to stick to the plan
• If one person is destined to fail, exclude them from the group

Summing Up

It’s not easy to replace traditional gift-giving.  But your time, your money and yourself are gifts with more meaning, more heart and more…”Christmas cheer” than the newest gadget or game.  And once you do it one year, it will be difficult to switch back the next year.

Photo credits: (me -my son), Nico Yeo, Nader Makki, Southen, Philip Klinger

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Is it that time of year again?  Great!

Oh wait, you live an ocean apart from your friends and family?  Not great.

How Do Expats Shop For Christmas Gifts?

The problem is when you’re exchanging gifts across the ocean, you can’t do traditional shopping.  For one thing, paying postage across the ocean is painful.  You could pay as much or more for postage and insurance as you did for the gift itself.  Then there’s the trust factor – do you trust the post office to not “lose” your package?  That question goes for both your ‘home’ PO and your home PO (you figure out which is which; I can’t.).  And how about your language skills – are they good enough yet to handle that needed dialogue at the post office?

Here is your expat solution: “local shop, local delivery” -regardless whether you’re local or not.

Yes, we’re talking about shopping online.  Of course, buying online is no secret.  I’m sure many of you buy online.  I also hate trips to the mall.  But how often do you shop and deliver direct to the gift receiver?

To the expat, online Christmas shopping saves money, time and risk.

Time For Some Questions & Answers

Q: How do I save on international postage?

A: Buy online and ship directly.

Q: But won’t my friend see the price?

A: If you select “It’s a Gift,” then the package comes with no invoice or receipt.

Q: How can I personalize a message with the gift?

A: Many shopping sites will include a free gift note. Amazon is one example.

Then there is the question of “But isn’t it suspicious that I’m delivering to an address that’s different than my billing address?“ No, it’s perfectly fine.

Amazon doesn’t care if you’re delivering to a different name and address.  In fact, if you’ve selected “This will be a Gift,” I think a different address is reasonable to expect, right?

More Online Shopping Tips & Tricks

Here are a few take-away pointers for when you do your next shopping online:

• Shop at known, reputable sites.
• If possible, use a credit card based in the same country or at least currency as the site.
• Purchase as a gift, but don’t do the “wrap your gift?” offer – expensive and the gift arrives in a box anyway.
• Comparison shop on sites like BizRate, NexTag, or PriceGrabber
• Don’t wait too long. Otherwise you’ll need Express shipping, costing way more.
• Some sites request you register. Don’t bother, unless you enjoy e-mail marketing.
• Do your shopping in your pajamas, because …you can.  :-)

More to Come – Less is More

In an upcoming post, I’ll share more Christmas gift ideas (read: alternative gift ideas).

For now, while you shop and deliver online, consider how much you saved on postage toward another vacation.

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I wrote to 18 people whom I consider expert expats.

Some make a living by travelling, others traveled to go make a living.

I asked them all 1 question:

Here are their replies:

1.  “Beware of moving overseas! It’s tough, confusing, disorienting… and ultimately, extremely rewarding.  When you move back home, if you ever do, you’ll be a different person than you were when you first left.”

-Chris Guillebeau, The Art of Non-Conformity

2. “Don’t think that living overseas will eliminate all your problems in one go. It may distract you for a while but you’ll likely find that once you’ve been overseas for a while, old habits and patterns begin to re-emerge and you’ll find yourself with all the same problems, just in a different place.  Living overseas is fantastic but it’s not a panacea.”

-Lea Woodward, Kinetiva

3. “Get rid of your stuff. Becoming an expat is not only physical, geographical, and logistical – it’s also emotional. Your priorities change. You change inside; when you head home after a long stint abroad and “visit” your stuff, you’ll wonder what the hell made you think it was so important to hold onto.”

-Miss Expatria, a.k.a. Christine Cantera, France Travel Guide

4. “The only thing I can say is to have more cash than you think you need, because surprises will surprise you, and in general I’d just say to dive in, be prepared, and learn.”

-Henri Junttila, WakeUpCloud

5. “For people planning to live overseas long-term (i.e. more than a year)
I’d definitely recommend visiting the country first. In 1999 I moved
to the Philippines with many incorrect preconceived notions. The
culture shock was difficult because I romanticized the country. If I
were going to do it again I would definitely visit first even if it
were to scout out cities and work.”

-Ayngelina Brogan, BaconIsMagic.ca

6. “If you’re thinking about moving overseas, be prepared to be flexible about specific destinations. Personally, I had a situation where I did a lot of research on a city that I thought I would love. After a couple of days of getting there I realized it wasn’t the kind of place I wanted to spend more than a week. Luckily there was a much better option just an hour away. Friends of mine have had similar experiences with different towns or even entire countries. You can increase your chances of loving where you end up if you’re not married to one particular place.”

-Corbett Barr, Free Pursuits

7. “My advice to anyone considering living overseas is:  #1 – clearly understand your goals for moving overseas and then decide what you are willing to give up to meet your goals; and then #2 – do your homework prior to going on the important aspects of daily life such as banking, taxes, transportion, schools, etc.”

-Rick Balderrama, author of “The Expat Checklist“

8. “According to me if someone wants to live abroad then they need to be patient with the documentation procedure, to be open with different languages and culture.”

-Manjeet Malik, expat buddy from Prague and kick-ass web designer

9. “Research, research, research.”

-Alison Cornford-Matheson, CheeseWeb.eu

10. ”For couples, learn to really listen to and support each other. Each partner will be experiencing different kinds of stress: absence of social network, job pressures, integration issues, questions of self-worth, language frustration, child care, etc. Dedicate time to spend together each week exploring your new city or country, and be open to talking about your fears and frustrations.”

-Andrew Cornford-Matheson, CheeseWeb.eu

11. “Consider what you would want to get from your experience, and whether
you have a genuine interest in the country you’re considering relocating to.
People who have the best experiences as an expat are the ones that actually have
some affinity towards the country that they’re living in.”

-Sharell Cook, India Travel on About.com

12. “1. Be open  2. Don’t drink the water  3. Smile at strangers  4. Don’t say, ‘You should all speak Danish’ 5. Use a condom”

-Peter Fogtdal, Danish Accent

13. “Experience over possessions: belongings weigh you down physically and emotionally so take only what you really need to simplify things drastically.  Just do it: outstanding things (job etc.) will fall in place when you get there through your own persistence and no doubt some luck.”

-April Wendy Hollands, le Franco Phoney

14. “It’s probably going to sound obvious, but I think the best advice is to get out and experience as much as you can.  Eat foods that you never thought you would, visit temples and museums, speak with the locals, try to learn the languauge, and most importantly, push your comfort zone to the limit.  Make your own stories!”

-Newlyweds Nicole and Cameron Wears, The Traveling Canucks

15. “Don’t try to impose your cultural values on others when you live overseas.  Instead, try to understand their culture & overlay it on your perspective.”

-Maryam Montague, My Marrakesh

16. “…become an expert on their new country even before they arrive, but also make sure that all those fine details are worked out for housing, pay, visas, etc.  It goes a long way in making a smooth transition.  Just arrived?  Go out!  Be a tourist in your new country!”

-Tina Fussell, Traveling Mama

17. “Consider how far away from ‘home’ you’d be and how expensive it would be to go back.  Most expats from close families find this aspect really difficult. I have missed every one of my cousins’ weddings because it was just too difficult to get back to England for a few days. I would strongly advise would-be expats to weigh this up in their decision.”

-Toni Hargis, Expat Mum

18. “treat your relocation like a move, not a vacation; to the more philosophic – respect the country you’re from and the country you’re moving to and you’ll feel a lot better about yourself and your choice while you’re there”

-Julia Bryan, Kolo Kolo Mlynsky

p.s.

Jeff here …I’m feeling left out, so I’ll add number 19.  :-)

19. If you’re considering it, go for it.  Call it life-changing, call it rewarding, call it something you’ll “do someday…”.  However you call it, until you do it, you call it a dream.

The best way to make any dream a reality is to work on it one small step at a time, every day.

Start taking action.  A little action, every day….and before you know it, you traveled halfway around the world.

- me, Expat Yourself

p.p.s.

If you need someone to encourage you once or twice a week, I will.
If you need someone to talk you down from that ledge of fear, I will. (ok, it was dramatic)

If you need a friend, I’m here.  Sign up for my messages above.  Let keep in touch.

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