Episodios

  • Ep 23: Applying For Social Security as An American Abroad? We Answer Your FAQs.

    Ep 23: Applying For Social Security as An American Abroad? We Answer Your FAQs.
    Aug 7 2024
    Millions of Americans live overseas and are currently receiving social security.

    In this episode, we discuss the eligibility criteria and process for receiving social security benefits as a US citizen living abroad.

    We cover topics such as the 10-year work requirement, how to apply for benefits from abroad, and the taxation of social security income.

    We also mention the importance of totalization agreements and tax treaties in determining how benefits are taxed.

    We emphasize the need for careful planning and consulting with professionals when considering social security benefits while living abroad.

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    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

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    27 m
  • Ep 22: What Is English For "Covered Expatriate"?

    Ep 22: What Is English For "Covered Expatriate"?
    Jul 24 2024
    If you are a U.S. citizen or a long-time resident (8 of the last 15 years), and you decide to leave the U.S. permanently, you could become a covered expatriate. You don't want to be a covered expatriate since there is a possibility you may have to pay an exit tax.

    In this shortie, we tell you who a covered expatriate is. Three main tests determine whether you are a covered expatriate and the potential implications.




    • The income test, the net worth test, and the certification test.

    • Being a covered expatriate can have financial implications, such as potential liability for an exit tax and complications with gifts and estate planning.


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    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

    Follow us on social media:- LinkedIn; Instagram; Twitter (X); Facebook
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    8 m
  • EP 21: Strings Stronger Than Steel. Aging Parents Abroad

    EP 21: Strings Stronger Than Steel. Aging Parents Abroad
    Jul 10 2024
    Your parents sent you to the US to pursue your American dream.

    But now they are aging back home, and you are stressed about how to care for them.

    This is a common dilemma facing many foreign-born individuals. Being on a work visa makes it even harder.

    We discuss the challenges and possible solutions to this issue. We explore
    topics such as:
    • Health insurance
    • Emotional concerns,
    • Parents' wealth, estate planning, complex issues related to inheritance, cultural norms, and legal considerations in different countries.
    • Respecting parents' wishes even if they differ from your own
    • Financial support considering exchange rates, tax implications, and involving siblings.
    • Patience, open communication and lots of grace (to yourself) are key.

    We draw on our backgrounds as people once on work visas and currently going through the same issues.

    By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with 4 to 5 ideas you can implement or start planning on that will help you shore up your financial plan.

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    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

    Follow us on social media:- LinkedIn; Instagram; Twitter (X); Facebook
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    20 m
  • EP 20: What Is English For "Custodial Accounts?"

    EP 20: What Is English For "Custodial Accounts?"
    Jun 26 2024
    In today's "Shortie" episode, we define "Custodial Accounts." Until a child is a legal adult, they can't technically own anything.

    So how do we help these kids own "stuff," like investment accounts?

    Hence custodial accounts - What are they? When is it best to use them?

    Does it make sense to use them instead of 529's?

    We answer this and more questions that pertain to custodial accounts.

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    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

    Follow us on social media:- LinkedIn; Instagram; Twitter (X); Facebook
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    9 m
  • EP 19: A Safety Net for Difficult Times: How To's!

    EP 19: A Safety Net for Difficult Times: How To's!
    Jun 12 2024
    Employees on work visas tend to be very hardworking (mainly in the STEM Space), very determined to pursue their version of the American dream, and with high incomes, anxious to start investing.

    When we start working with them on a financial plan, we complete a full SWOT analysis, and without a doubt, one threat stands out like a sore thumb.

    In this episode, we address the specific threat—all related to their visa—and suggest different ways of mitigating it. The ideas range from career enhancements to other legal ways of staying in the US.

    We draw on our backgrounds as people who were once on work visas and some of the fears and concerns we felt, which apply to many foreign nationals on work visas.

    By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with 4 to 5 ideas you can implement or start planning on that will help you shore up your financial plan.

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    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

    Follow us on social media:- LinkedIn; Instagram; Twitter (X); Facebook
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    25 m
  • Ep 18: What Is English For "Situs?"

    Ep 18: What Is English For "Situs?"
    May 29 2024
    In today's "Shortie" episode, we define the word "Situs." It comes up a lot when discussing investment property and other types of investment.

    Situs is heavily used in the cross-border space. We tell you what it is, its importance in the legal, tax, and estate planning arena, and how it affects what happens to property at the end.

    We'll also address different types of properties.

    Situs is not to be confused with domicile - We defined domicile in episode 8.

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    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

    Follow us on social media:- LinkedIn; Instagram; Twitter (X); Facebook
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    7 m
  • EP 17: Busting College Funding Myths for First Gen Kids

    EP 17: Busting College Funding Myths for First Gen Kids
    May 15 2024
    We lightly appreciate the spirit of this statement within certain immigrant communities: "My kids can study anything in college after they get the medical or engineering degrees out of the way."

    According to the IFS - Institute of Family Studies research, immigrant parents have even higher expectations that their kids will not only get their undergraduate degrees but will go on to get graduate and professional degrees.

    In other words, the kids are expected to attend college; ideally, it should be an Ivy League school. The question is, how do we pay for this education?

    In this episode, we discuss all the traditional possible ways immigrant and US-born families (we include the kids, too) can help pay for their kids' college. We also include other non-traditional options like studying abroad in the home country and other ideas.

    We briefly touch on how we funded our education on international student visas.

    We also delve into a question that's rarely asked, yet it's answered daily. "How do we approach the college choice as a family?"

    This episode is for you if you are a parent stressing about the whole college situation.

    In a future episode - we'll address how we approached the college choice and funding question with our kids.

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    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

    Follow us on social media:- LinkedIn; Instagram; Twitter (X); Facebook
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    29 m
  • EP 16: What is English for "Accidental Americans"?

    EP 16: What is English for "Accidental Americans"?
    May 1 2024
    According to migration policy data, the highest number of immigrants are trying to get to the US. For those wanting to become Americans, it's a stressful situation, and the process can last for years.

    But then there is another group of people who live outside the US, some of whom have no idea they are Americans, especially because they don't have a US passport. For the record, not having a passport does not determine citizenship.

    This group somehow acquired US citizenship because they were born to US citizens outside the country (probably on deployment), were born to non-immigrants in the US, or were born to US parents but left the US at a very young age. They may not be aware of it, but they are "American." in all ways possible.

    We call this group "Accidental Americans."

    In today's "shortie" episode, we discuss the implications of being an accidental American and the tax and financial implications of being an American overseas and make suggestions on how to deal with them. Ignorance is no defense, and you can't really ignore it.

    IRS wants you to pay US taxes like other US tax persons or officially quit (exit).

    We also discuss probably the most famous accidental American - Boris Johnson - a former U.K. prime minister.

    We enjoyed digging into the details of this one.

    The speakers' views and opinions discussed in this episode should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your advisor for any legal, cross-border tax, and financial advice.

    Be sure to join the conversation by visiting our page The International Money Cafe

    Or by following us on social media:-

    Follow us on social media:- LinkedIn; Instagram; Twitter (X); Facebook
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    11 m