go to Europe?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

of course. i would even with kid.

[frugalgirl]

Meh, I don't have a job. Wife makes too much money that it hasn't made sense to work, with taxes and all of the extra expenses that go with a 2nd job.

I do a nice job of keeping house, making dinner and doing the finances...a nice role reversal case huh?

I am curious about things like pay and such. Will she be taxed based on our home state or the country where she is working? Will she be paid in Euros (mostly kidding I hope)? Is two months long enough to maybe get a local credit card so we don't have to pay the 3% international fee every time we use it? (I think our Visa does this, not sure of our Amex)

I think we will probably go for it.

What a sweet deal! My DH is currently doing a 7 month sabbatical in Europe at a university here. All we got in addition to his regular US salary was a rent subsidy. So, we are paying rent here and our mortgage at home. Even with the higher cost of everything, we are not spending more money overall on our necessities.

Your DW's company will certainly help you financially and otherwise. I can't imagine this would not be a financial win, or at least wash, for you.

We are in Sweden. Here, if you stay for 12 months, you can get a person number (essentially a SSN) which will enable you to get a bank account. If we wanted to receive Swedish benefits, we'd have to live here that long and pay Swedish taxes. I'm sure this time frame varies from country-to-country. The country you go to may issue temporary ID numbers that would allow you to get a bank account. You will have to check. Because we cannot get a person number, we cannot get a local credit card either. We do know someone staying 6 months who is getting paid in Swedish Kronor who was able to get an account with the help of the university. If you can get paid in the local currency, you would want your DW's company to help her get a local bank account so you can deposit the money here and are not getting hit with exchange fees in both directions. If you can get a local bank account, you should be able to get a local credit card and that is a true win for you. The Europeans all use pin and chip cards which no US banks issue yet (except the UN bank). Some places won't take our American credit card (PenFed Visa - no foreign transaction fees) but most do. It is way easier to have the pin and chip card.

Since you are US citizens on a temporary Visa then you should not have to pay local taxes to the country you are in. Regular IRS rules apply to your US residency. You have to be out of the country for close to a year to be exempt from US taxes.

My biggest concern would be health insurance and care. Your DW's company should help with all of that.

You'd be crazy not to go!!

[couchrobt]

Yes of course I would love to see Europe. I think every one in their minds would like to travel and see not only europe but the world. That does not exempt me!

[snafu]

KTP: I suggest you quickly start researching what you want to see and do in Europe during the 2 month posting and then prioritize as you will only get to half, particularly if you pick date limiting festivals. What things do you like to do? music, museums, art, architecture, design, cultural differences, wine/beer, scenery/environment...the list can be endless

[shanecurran]

My biggest concern would be health insurance and care. Your DW's company should help with all of that.

I studied abroad in Spain for a semester. Health care was not an issue. In many European countries, you can get prescriptions straight from the pharmacy without seeing a doctor. I don't remember if the program set up the health care or if it is provided for everyone.

[KTP]

KTP: I suggest you quickly start researching what you want to see and do in Europe during the 2 month posting and then prioritize as you will only get to half, particularly if you pick date limiting festivals. What things do you like to do? music, museums, art, architecture, design, cultural differences, wine/beer, scenery/environment...the list can be endless

I actually am pondering what *I* am going to do during the week while my wife works. Here at home I can mow the grass, wash dishes, clean house, change oil/brakes in car, repair a few items and sell on ebay for my side business, fix dinner etc. Over there during the week, with a furnished apartment with maid service and a meal budget, I am feeling a bit anxious about what to do during the weekdays. I would rather do touristy things with my wife as we have a lot of fun together and I would feel bad about seeing sights while she was working. I guess I will just post on here a lot during the week

[gf1723]

Well I'm sure you've probably already decided on this, but I would also suggest going. Like many others said, the 2 months will FLY by! Kinda like when you were in grade school, got out 3 months for summer and before you knew it,..you were back in school again!

I actually am pondering what *I* am going to do during the week while my wife works. Here at home I can mow the grass, wash dishes, clean house, change oil/brakes in car, repair a few items and sell on ebay for my side business, fix dinner etc. Over there during the week, with a furnished apartment with maid service and a meal budget, I am feeling a bit anxious about what to do during the weekdays. I would rather do touristy things with my wife as we have a lot of fun together and I would feel bad about seeing sights while she was working. I guess I will just post on here a lot during the week

Well I'm sure the first couple of weeks you can figure out what you and your wife can go see/visit on the weekends. That should keep you busy for a little while. Take it upon your free-time to learn the area and see what the popular tourist attractions are, and figure out the cheapest ways to spend your weekends.

Another idea would be to start an online blog for free through Wordpress and share your experiences (no matter how small) with the rest of your family! This way you can upload and show them lots of photos. Or you could spend some time compiling a nice photo album with prints.

How about trying out a hobby that you've always thought about but never had the time for? Anything that interests you, but you've never actually sat down and took the time to learn?

Congratulations again on this wonderful opportunity!

[KTP]

It is officially a go for Europe. Should be fun.

Now to think of all the little saving things I can do...cancel cable etc.

I kind of wish you could cancel garbage service but it is included in the water/sewer bill.

[snafu]

Is there any possibility of short term renting your current home to teacher or university student doing master or PH.D summer school? Call insurance, all CC providers, and police to tell them you will be away. Apply for no exchange fee MC as recommended. Make a list of all the things you must do before departure [available on-line]. Turn off gas & water at source, unplug every thing. Find out flight restrictions on luggage. Talk to your local newspaper for interest in your unique perspective adventures of SAHH out of element and support system in a foreign country.

Why not sign-up for cooking class in Europe? Getting around cities is tricky, sometimes you're better to take pubic transportation where parking is non existent. Petrol [gas] is 63. Euros, $ 91. USD. Create currency conversion charts so you can spend mindfully, preview venues with a combination of research and attendance,research areas wines, beers, famous/defining entrees, music, where to get laundry service.

Would be delighted to follow your travel blog.

[facebookdigg123]

what does your wife do? sounds like a sweet job

[kork13]

It is officially a go for Europe. Should be fun.

Outstanding to hear. Myself, my bags would be packed 30 minutes after receiving such an offer.

As mentioned, get a credit card that doesn't charge foreign currency exchange fees. Capital One has one, and Charles Schwab does as well (though it's now technically separated from Schwab, managed by a different company). I use Schwab's, living in Japan, and love it.

As for what you should do, EXPLORE. During the day, you can wander around the city you're living in scoping out places of interest to which you can bring your wife during the evenings. Also, do research into mini-trips you can take on the weekends. Get a EuroRail pass, and explore Europe while you have the chance. They're paying for all of your living expenses to be there in Europe, so the salary (after savings, which I know you're doing aggressively) can be used exclusively for enjoyment. Europe has fantastic opportunities, so you should definitely take advantage of it.

Honestly, if it came down to it, I would (personally) even be willing to slow down savings a touch in order to enjoy the experience--think of all this as a pre-retirement adventure, just to whet your tastes to travel (if I remember correctly, that's your plan for retirement).

[RachelNieves]

Its always great to travel and experience life, try to look at it as a challenge or opportunity, I say pack your bags and go for it, besides 2 months is NOT a long time, 2 years, on the other hand, is a thinker!

[Breton Wench]

KTP: I suggest you quickly start researching what you want to see and do in Europe during the 2 month posting and then prioritize as you will only get to half, particularly if you pick date limiting festivals. What things do you like to do? music, museums, art, architecture, design, cultural differences, wine/beer, scenery/environment...the list can be endless

Come on over!!! And absolutely take Snafu's advice on planning what you want to see.
What a deal. NEVER miss an opportunity to travel if you can afford it. DH got a work stint in Sweden on forestry, I could not go - but the experience was worth it.

PS Where in Europe ? It is over 26 countries now.........

[My English Castle]

where are you going? And of course, GO!

[Breton Wench]

PS Learn the local language - starting NOW. And even if it is Ireland or Britain, we speak a different 'English'