Expat Files – 09.18.16

#1-Latin American homes are plagued by Cucarachas. They seem to have a sort kind of unavoidable symbiotic relationship. While gringos and Expats cringe and squirm, Latin locals don’t seem to notice them. Will you become accustomed and eventually not notice them either? Fact: I’ve personally only see three cucarachas in my place in the last year(and they died horrible deaths). …

Expat Files – 09.16.16

#1-Shipping and moving items to and from Latin America- PART 2:
Stuff breaks right? What if you have to ship something back to the states for warranty repair? The fact is that most Expats get nailed TWICE for import taxes when they return an item. They’re hit once when the item was first bought and shipped down via Amazon.com or Alibaba.com order (or whatever) and again when it arrives back in the chosen Latin country after stateside warranty repair has been accomplished. However, that just won’t happen if you use the following tips…

Expat Files – 09.11.16

#1-Shipping and moving items to Latin America- PART 1: Shipping your items down can often be a confusing, testy, frustrating, expensive and scattershot endeavor… a big headache for Gringos with poor Spanish skills. Most seasoned Expats who’ve been through the shipping meat grinder often advise newbee Expats to forget about it… just sell everything up north and buy new or …

Expat Files – 09.04.16

#1- Stealing electric power has always been a Latin pastime, especially in chaotic big city neighborhoods and smaller towns in the countryside. How do they do it? How do they get away with it? Yes, some Gringos and Expats do it too. Here’s the skinny and a true “boots on the ground” story that tells all about it.. #2- Latin …

Expat Files – 08.28.16

#1- Latins are perpetually happy. Does that magic rub off on us too? How long does it take? Can even perpetually sour Expats “south of the border” expect an instant personality makeover? Today we discuss those conundrums