Financial Challenges Support Group
This community is for people who are struggling to meet financial obligations of any kind. Financial challenges include everything from the day-to-day challenges of making ends meet to managing credit card debt to bankruptcy. Get support from others who are going through similar obstacles on the road back to financial stability.
Last year, my savings took a hit by having medical expenses... it was a very comfortable feeling to not worry about paying those bills and also not worrying about rushing back to work. So, I guess those savings could be stated as "emergency savings."
This year my focus has been on "life change savings." Last year showed me that there is more to life then work and saving for that emergency.
So, a plan that started five years ago has come to live. First was to have my girlfriend become my wife. Still a very new feeling to call her "my wife."
Anyway, now that we are married the work to live in the same country has started. The plan has always been for me to move to England. So, we hired an immigration lawyer and began the process.
I have filled out the on-line application and paid my initial fee for the visa as well as the national healthcare surcharge. I went to Homeland Security in Omaha to fulfill a UK requirement for a biometric and paid everything to return all our paperwork.
The paperwork includes where we will live, proof that our marriage is real, letters of support from friends and family, as well as proof of our financial situation and our savings. All of this will be in the UK Home Office Monday morning.
There are no guarantees in life but we are confident that we meet all the requirements that the government demands.
Now we are hoping that this Christmas I will be staying in England instead of returning... so I've started to look at companies for moving my stuff to England, which won't be all that much. My computers, books, clothes, and an antique stereo, and an electric fireplace.
The expenses haven't really hit the savings to much YET. Part of the reason has been this has been in the plans for over five years.
Goal is to (God Willing) to be a resident of England by Christmas. Then to enjoy our new life together till the new year, then begin searching for a job.
Job? I've been in the baking business for 20 years and have been doing some job searches and believe I can find a job pretty quick because of my credentials and work history. There is also a company in London that's headquarters is in America that does inspections in bakeries. All my education is through this company, so that is also an option.
Anyway, the challenges of finances are beginning to show their rewards for me.
This year my focus has been on "life change savings." Last year showed me that there is more to life then work and saving for that emergency.
So, a plan that started five years ago has come to live. First was to have my girlfriend become my wife. Still a very new feeling to call her "my wife."
Anyway, now that we are married the work to live in the same country has started. The plan has always been for me to move to England. So, we hired an immigration lawyer and began the process.
I have filled out the on-line application and paid my initial fee for the visa as well as the national healthcare surcharge. I went to Homeland Security in Omaha to fulfill a UK requirement for a biometric and paid everything to return all our paperwork.
The paperwork includes where we will live, proof that our marriage is real, letters of support from friends and family, as well as proof of our financial situation and our savings. All of this will be in the UK Home Office Monday morning.
There are no guarantees in life but we are confident that we meet all the requirements that the government demands.
Now we are hoping that this Christmas I will be staying in England instead of returning... so I've started to look at companies for moving my stuff to England, which won't be all that much. My computers, books, clothes, and an antique stereo, and an electric fireplace.
The expenses haven't really hit the savings to much YET. Part of the reason has been this has been in the plans for over five years.
Goal is to (God Willing) to be a resident of England by Christmas. Then to enjoy our new life together till the new year, then begin searching for a job.
Job? I've been in the baking business for 20 years and have been doing some job searches and believe I can find a job pretty quick because of my credentials and work history. There is also a company in London that's headquarters is in America that does inspections in bakeries. All my education is through this company, so that is also an option.
Anyway, the challenges of finances are beginning to show their rewards for me.
Baking is HUGE in England, with the British Bake-Off being the next big Reality Show on TV. I tried my luck with baking, but found that I simply CANNOT be trusted with that amount of Sugar. (my OA Sponsor bakes, but she is never tempted to eat any) I gave the baking stuff back to my relative and let it go at that.
I am still trying to find work. Today I applied for a QA Engineering role with Visa in Belfast. Those online application forms are a nuisance. It seems like they are only interested in Jet Setters when all I want is to bring home a salary and begin standing on my own two feet.
I am in a little pity party mode as this is the week I don't receive benefits, but I have not touched my savings. Now I'm on Step 11 in DA and UA and have to continually ask God what his will is for me.
Then a gift of a night in a castle in Scotland.
I just can't wait to start our life together and enjoy our life together and not have it on a timeline of when I have to return to the States.
There is a loot to be said for saving money...
And, thank you for sharing this part of your journey. Your share is very encouraging.