Doing It

[Nate]

Most people have a vested interest in their own misery. Despite the accounts of some here who live abroad vs living in the USA,
most will not do anything about their discontent with things in the USA. It is simply vicarious living and more bitching. Unless you are
born wealthy, living abroad takes planning, determination, and some courage to step into the unknown. I wonder how many here vent
about American women and take note that many women abroad are far superior, and yet they do not even have a passport. They will watch the years go by, and nothing will change. Time is all you have. Change by necessity will be a somewhat violent thing...uprooting, possible failures and mistakes, friends telling you that you have lost it...and sometimes uncomfortable truths about oneself can emerge...
and news-flash- if you are a dumb-ass jerk, nothing will change that.
The destination is well worth having, but you must start now if you have any hope of success. You can create a new world for yourself and live in it, but it will never happen without manning up and making it your highest priority. It is about saving your own life.


Nate

[Adama]

I'm perfectly willing. Money has been my limiting factor.

[Contrarian Expatriate]

This is true Nate. Every single American man should be working and investing to travel 2 to 4 times a year abroad, and to retire early so he can live in one of the countries that he really loves.

Exploration and retirement are key!

[Nate]

I'm perfectly willing. Money has been my limiting factor.

Money. Oh those pesky details. However, do you have a plan to solve the problem? If you do not know how, get help and advice from those who do. It is problem solving. Remember, the system in the USA is designed to keep you FOREVER in denial and deferral and trapped in debt so you cannot get out. have you sold your soul to the company store? In other words, I do not know your exact situation, but there IS a solution to be found if that is your highest priority. Gather info resources, build bridges, make connections, and more than anything, make a commitment to yourself to take action. Find ways to drastically cut expenses in the USA. Get a roommate, get out of debt...all those things...then build your little money pipe to another land. For what is a typical 2 month's expenses in the USA, you can likely live half the year in many places. If you point your heart and soul to it, you can likely find a way...ask those who have done it already for advice and ideas...
>>>Do it as if your life depended on it...because in fact, it does.


Nate

[momopi]

1. Go to careerbuilder.com
2. In the "keywords" field (not locaiton), put in a foreign country or city name
3. Click on search

You'll have to filter through a lot of posts, here's a sample:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/ ... 6KP7LTJ76M

==========

Description

U.S. Embassies Moscow & Beijing

JOIN PAE AND SEE THE WORLD

Be a Part of the Diplomatic Community!

PAE Government Services Inc., a Lockheed Martin company, is actively seeking flexible and adventurous candidates to fill positions on our Operations and Maintenance Contract at the U.S. Embassies in Moscow and Beijing for the U.S. Department of State.

Candidates must be skilled in one or more of the following areas:
? Elevator Technicians
? HVAC Technicians
? Diesel Generator Mechanics
? Telephone Technicians
? Plumbers
? CAD Operators
? Carpenters
? Refrigeration/Appliance Techs
? Electricians
? IT Specialists
? Painters
? Custodians
? Russian Linguists
? Safety Coordinators

Benefits include, but are not limited to:
? 5 WEEKS Paid Leave Per Year, 10 US Holidays, up to 10 local Holidays off. (Time worked on this contract is the equivalent of working 10 months in a year)
? Free Roundtrip Ticket back to the State at the 1 year mark to be used in conjunction with annual leave

? 2-year Contract with Possibility of Extension & Relocation
? Single or Single plus Spouse Status
? Free Furnished Housing and Utilities (except phone)
? Competitive Salary including contract completion bonus.
? Medical/Dental Coverage


Requirements

Minimum requirements:

US Citizenship, Valid Driver?s License, Must be over 21 years of age, High School Diploma or GED. Please refer to our website at http://www.pae-moscow.com, under Job Opportunities, for specific requirements for each position.

*Applicants selected will be subject to security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Employment is contingent upon a successful security investigation and medical clearance.

If you thrive in a team-oriented workplace that challenges your skills, encourages camaraderie, and provides career advancement, join the PAE team today!

==========


Please note: I have not worked for above company, or know anything about them. This is not an endorsement to work or even apply at the above company. It's cited here simply as an example, and even if you have NO job skills, they're hiring "custodian" (janiter), "laborer" and "window washer' in Beijing (see their web site listing). You should do your own due diligence in job search.

[Contrarian Expatriate]

Take a second job part time or on the weekends.

Pay of your debt with one half of that pay and invest the other half for early retirement.

Live BELOW your means. If you can afford a 3000 rent or mortgage payment, you should be paying no more than 1000 in rent or mortgage per month.

If you can afford a $60,000 car, you should be driving a $10,000 car.

You get the point!

[Winston]

Even if you just work at McDonald's at minimum wage, as long as you save most of your income, you could afford a planet ticket abroad in a few months. So there's really no excuse.

If you can, live with your parents instead of paying that $600+ rent on your apartment every month. That will allow you to go abroad much quicker. Then, find work abroad or invest in a business or live in a cheap country.

[Montanaland]

I wanted to chime in on Nate's post here also.. I think the concept and fear of going abroad to most americans evolves around money first and security and retirement second.

From what I've gathered from researching the option of teaching english overseas...is that your generally going to be making minimal money unless you have your masters degree and your in the ME. I'm seriously looking into the Celta and China/Saudi Arabia at the moment...but a little voice in the back of my head is saying " it behooves you to head for the ND oil patch and save 30-40k for 6 months first before starting an esl career.


DM

[globetrotter]

I'm perfectly willing. Money has been my limiting factor.

Brutal truth time:

-Your car. If you have a car payment, sell it. Get a $1,000 clunker.
-Clothes. Goodwill and Salvation Army and Thrift Stores.
-Dining out. Don't. Cook at home. Rice, beans, veggies.
-Electronic Toys and gadgets. Sell them.
-Cable. Disconnect it.
-Internet. Disconnect it.
-Computer. Sell it.
-Debt. Pay it off or default.
-Rent. Get a cheap room in a house.

If you can afford to surf to this page, you are spending $500 a year on internet/cable.

That is a plane ticket from US East Coast to Colombia/Dominican R./Venezuela.

You are making 30k a year. You should not spend more than 1,000 a month. 2,000 a month take home, save 12k in one year.

That puts you in the Philippines for a year, although you will need to do visa runs.

[Nate]

I'm perfectly willing. Money has been my limiting factor.

Brutal truth time:

-Your car. If you have a car payment, sell it. Get a $3,000 clunker.
-Clothes. Goodwill and Salvation Army and Thrift Stores.
-Dining out. Don't. Cook at home. Rice, beans, veggies.
-Toys. Sell them.
-Cable. Disconnect it.
-Internet. Disconnec it.
-Computer. Sell it.
-Debt. Pay it off or default.
-Rent. Get a cheap room in a house.

If you can afford to surf to this page, you are spending $500 a year on internet/cable.

That is a plane ticket from US East Coast to Colombia/Dominican R./Venezuela.

You are making 30k a year. You should not spend more than 1,000 a month. 2,000 a month take home, save 12k in one year.

That puts you in the Philippines for a year, although you will need to do visa runs.

Good Post. The Brutal Truth...not something that most want...most are to vested in their own misery. One can continue as a human vegetable in idiot training in the USA, or decide to take charge of their life and DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.
Your list of economies should be well noted. One can live in denial or take the bull by the horns. When you succeed, it will be the happiest day of your life, and there is no going back at that point, as the slave has tasted freedom.


>>>"Live Free Or Die"<<<

[Adama]

I'm perfectly willing. Money has been my limiting factor.

Brutal truth time:

-Your car. If you have a car payment, sell it. Get a $3,000 clunker.
-Clothes. Goodwill and Salvation Army and Thrift Stores.
-Dining out. Don't. Cook at home. Rice, beans, veggies.
-Toys. Sell them.
-Cable. Disconnect it.
-Internet. Disconnec it.
-Computer. Sell it.
-Debt. Pay it off or default.
-Rent. Get a cheap room in a house.

If you can afford to surf to this page, you are spending $500 a year on internet/cable.

That is a plane ticket from US East Coast to Colombia/Dominican R./Venezuela.

You are making 30k a year. You should not spend more than 1,000 a month. 2,000 a month take home, save 12k in one year.

That puts you in the Philippines for a year, although you will need to do visa runs.

Hmm well the only debt I have is from Massive gov backed student loans. They can not be discharged in bankruptcy and interest accrues even when I cant pay. Sigh. Yeah I graduated right after the market crashed. My only choice is to pick up and move to the South west, I just dont have the money to support such a move and the interim with interviewing.

[globetrotter]

There are debt forgiveness programs, teacher, volunteer, etc.

Also, if you are really intent, you can just leave the USA and not pay.

Now, this is illegal and I (of course) do not and cannot recommend an illegal coure of action. {cough}

Sorry. Sore throat...

But I have seen stories of people who do this.

You will need to find a way to keep out of the USA, because once you return to renew your passport it is very likely you won't be able to leave the States.

Very illegal, but I have heard of this...

[momopi]

How about finding a job that will train and send you abroad? IMO it's better to have work pay for your airfare and hotel (short term) or relocation (long term) expenses, instead of paying for it out of your own pocket.