Is it possible in today's global economy to make a good living with a portable career as a writer? That's the question my friend Russell Ward asked recently. Here's Part 2 of my response. (You can see Part 1 here.) Yes, you can earn a living -- a very good living -- as a freelance writer. When thinking about this -- or any -- portable career, there's a catch, though. Make it Your Business You'll only succeed if you approach it your portable career as a business. That means you have to …
Portable Careers — Can You Really Make a Location-Independent Living?
Recently my online expat blogging friend Russell Ward asked that question. "I've been an office worker my entire adult working life. I've been in government for ten years, in a blue chip corporation prior to that. In both sectors, I've worked in traditional office jobs, devoid of flexibility and misaligned with my outlook on life. "Both roles have been a means to an end, a way to pay the bills while I worked on the other aspects of my life abroad - family, lifestyle, our home. "In the past …
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Pensions, British Expats and QROPS
Guest Post by Mike Foster After the recent article for US taxpayers, I thought it was only fair to include some financial information for UK expats. Expats dream of enjoying their time abroad, whether it's a short work assignment or a long-term move to retire. I often refer back to my first move, Tokyo Japan. First I sorted out my flights to get there, accommodation and even started to go on Expat forums to meet people. But there was one thing I struggled with -- finances and banking. No …
Use a VPN with your Tablet or Smart Phone
Recently I started using a VPN (virtual private network) on my Android tablet. If you're using your Android device (phone or tablet) on a public WiFi network, snoopers can glom onto your data so it's important to protect yourself. Especially if you're using your tablet to connect to bank accounts, a VPN is a very good idea. You can review the most important reasons to use a VPN here. As an expat, you've got another reason to use a VPN, even if you're on a secure WiFi network at …
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Tax Help for US Expats
Expat taxes seem to be a fast-moving target these days. For US citizens, the IRS is making changes and imposing absurdly punitive penalties if you don't dot every I and cross every T properly. Since this is the time every year when Americans at home and abroad have to pull together their financial information for the previous year and prepare their tax returns, I thought I'd offer a little tax help for US expats. Americans file with the IRS on April 15 every year. As an expat, you're entitled …
Mil Polleras Parade in Las Tablas, Panama
On Saturday, January 12, 2013, our small town blossomed with thousands of women and men in fancy dress. No, I'm not talking about a masquerade ball, I'm talking about the pollera. The pollera is the local, hot-weather version of the fancy velvet and lace dresses imported from Spain during the height of the Spanish influx into Panama. And the Mil Pollera (thousand polleras) event gave women all over the country the chance to strut their elaborate, traditional dress. This is the third year …
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