Inquisitive Society

Hey guys, I’m a fella from Peru, and I recently dipped my toes into the world of international trade by snagging iPhones from eBay in the US and flipping them in Latin America, mainly in my home turf. Surprisingly, that side hustle turned out to be a cash cow. I managed to rake in a sweet $3,000 USD in profit, which in my currency is around S/11,250 soles. The whole experience opened my eyes to the potential of global commerce, provided you’ve got a good handle on pricing, logistics, and market demand.

Now, I’m itching to level up my game. I’ve got big dreams of setting up a legit business in the US that would enable me to export Peruvian goodies like maca, cacao, and coffee, while also bringing in tech gadgets under more favorable tax and shipping terms. But here’s the kicker—I want to do it all above board, keeping my tax burden as low as legally possible by choosing the right business structure.

I’ve done my homework and found out that forming an LLC in states like Wyoming, Delaware, or Florida could be a smart move for international folks like me. However, I’m at a crossroads here. I can’t quite figure out which state offers the best tax perks and operational simplicity for a business focused on exports. So, here’s my burning question for you savvy entrepreneurs out there: What’s the optimal approach for a non-US resident looking to kickstart a small-scale import-export venture in America, ensuring tax efficiency and steering clear of pesky double taxation headaches between countries?

If any of you have nuggets of wisdom to share or personal anecdotes to enlighten me, I’d be forever grateful. Drop your insights below, and thanks a ton in advance for any guidance you can offer. Let’s make that international business dream a reality!

Alright, so here’s the deal: I’ve got this international trip planned for next week. I’m all set to fly out from the US, but with the government shutdown messing things up, it seems like the air travel scene might go downhill. They’re talking about more cancellations rather than just delays and even the possibility of certain airspaces being shut down by the DOT. I’m really hoping to make this trip happen because I’m due to visit a family member I haven’t seen in ages, and my PTO options are pretty limited.

I’ve already booked a flight with one airline to take me from the US to France. But to dodge any potential airport chaos caused by the shutdown, I’m thinking of taking a train up to Montreal and catching my flight from there instead. The thing is, I don’t want to jump the gun and cancel my original flight right away in case the government gets its act together soon. Plus, flying out from the US is way more convenient and budget-friendly than going through Montreal.

So, here’s my game plan: I’ll hold onto both bookings for now and make a call on which one to cancel closer to my departure date when I have a clearer picture of what’s going on with the shutdown. Luckily, both flights are refundable, so that gives me a bit of flexibility. But here’s the thing that’s been bugging me: since the airlines I’ve booked with are in different alliances (one’s in Oneworld, the other’s in Star Alliance) and they don’t share codes, I’m wondering if there’s a chance they might catch on to me having overlapping itineraries and automatically scrap my flights.

I want this trip to go off without a hitch, so I’m trying to cover all my bases here. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice on how to handle this dilemma? I’m all ears and open to suggestions. Just hoping I can reunite with my family member without any last-minute surprises from the airlines!

So, I was checking out the new Osprey Farpoint backpacks, and it seems like they’ve made some changes. The 40 now has a more traditional top-loading laptop compartment, and they switched from polyester to a thinner nylon material to shave off some weight. The 55 is basically the 40 minus the laptop compartment, making it a bit lighter once you take out the daypack. I’m curious about how the laptop compartment on the 40 is working out for folks who have it. Are the materials durable, and are there any other features worth mentioning that the website might have missed? Let me know if you’ve got the scoop on these new bags!

So, I decided to give Sixt a shot for my one-way rental from Lisbon to Faro because they were significantly cheaper than other rental companies. Little did I know what a massive mistake that would turn out to be, and boy, do I wish I had listened to the warnings about them. The horror story began when the agent sneakily added a “prepaid fuel” charge to my reservation, making it seem like some kind of bonus for renting in Portugal when, in reality, it was just an unnecessary extra cost.

Then there was the car itself. Oh, where do I even begin? The thing was a disaster on wheels, with a laundry list of damages that included dents, remnants of past crashes, cracks, and scratches. It was like they had picked the most beat-up car in their fleet just for me. But the cherry on top of this rental nightmare was when, upon returning the car, they tried to claim that I had caused new scuffs on the rear bumper. Seriously, these scuffs were in a spot so inconspicuous, near the bottom lip of the car, that it was almost comical. Thankfully, the photos I had taken when I picked up the car clearly showed that the damage was already there.

Even though I had the evidence to refute their claim, I can’t shake off the feeling that they might still try something shady later on, especially since the pictures were taken at night and weren’t the best quality to clearly show the damages. This whole ordeal was hands down the worst rental experience I’ve ever had. I mean, I’ve rented from National, Avis, and Hertz multiple times, and none of them have ever given me such a nightmare of a car or wasted so much of my time during the return process.

Needless to say, I will be steering clear of Sixt in the future if I can help it. The few bucks I saved with them are not worth the hassle, stress, and potential headaches that come with dealing with their shady practices and subpar vehicles. Next time, I’ll gladly pay a bit extra to rent from a company that actually values their customers and provides decent cars. Lesson learned, the hard way.

So, picture this: I rented a car from Avis/Budget back in February, and returned it a month later in March. When I grabbed the wheels, I made sure to snap some pics and even took a video, just in case. Fast forward to a few days before the due date, and boom, a flat tire. No biggie, I returned it early and even gave it a good clean – washed and vacuumed the heck out of it, because who wants to pay extra for cleaning, right?

But then, a few months down the line, I get a letter in the mail claiming I owe some cash for cleaning – what? I called them up, and turns out, it was a mix-up, and they dropped the whole thing. Phew. That was a relief… or so I thought.

Now, over seven months later, another letter arrives. This time, they’re claiming I owe a whopping $2100 for damage to the bumper. Hold up, I never laid a finger on that bumper! Total scam alert, right? The kicker is, just a while back, I was clearing out my phone, thinking this whole mess was behind me, so I deleted those precious pics and videos. Talk about bad timing.

So, here I am, freaking out and plain pissed about this whole situation. I need to know – is this for real or what? I gave them a ring, but the guy handling my case was busy. They promised to email me their so-called evidence, but guess what? It’s nowhere to be seen in my inbox. And of course, this bombshell drops on a Friday afternoon, so I’ll be stewing over this all weekend until I can get some answers on Monday.

Update: I decided to give the standard customer service line a buzz instead of the central recovery unit. They couldn’t find any evidence in their files, and just like that, the scratch on the bumper was history. But when I asked for an email confirmation, things got fishy. The rep had to dive into a “different system” to check, and surprise, no record of any claim there. Huh, smells fishy, right?

I’ll still give the central recovery unit a ring on Monday to double-check if they got the memo. Lesson learned – snap all the pics and videos you can at pick-up and drop-off, and for the love of cars, never delete those files for a long, long time. It

Hey guys! So, I’m a 24-year-old woman and I just locked in a trip to Southwest Germany and Köln. I’m feeling a mix of emotions right now – excitement and stress are battling it out in my mind. I mean, why did I even decide to go on this trip? But hey, I can’t deny that I’m super pumped for it.

Here’s the deal – I suspect I might be Autistic. No, it’s not just because I spend way too much time on TikTok. I have an assessment coming up soon to get some clarity on this. The idea of traveling solo is both thrilling and nerve-wracking for me. On one hand, I’m looking forward to being able to cater to my own needs without any external influences. But on the other hand, I’m worried about getting lost, not fitting in with the locals, missing out on social cues, falling victim to scams, or facing harassment.

Oh, and by the way, I speak German at a B1 level. So, if anyone out there can relate to my situation, I’d love to hear your tips on how to make this trip smoother and more enjoyable. Hit me up with your advice!

So, the struggle is real, guys. As I gear up for my upcoming adventure, I’m trying to find a balance between my excitement and my anxiety. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, for sure. But hey, I’m determined to make the most out of this trip, despite my uncertainties.

Navigating through a new place can be daunting, especially when you’re traveling alone. I’m worried about not being able to blend in with the locals or understand the social norms. The last thing I want is to end up in a sticky situation because I missed an important cue. And let’s not forget the constant fear of being scammed or harassed – it’s always lurking in the back of my mind.

On the bright side, my language skills might give me a bit of an edge. Knowing German at a B1 level could definitely come in handy during my travels. But still, I’m on the lookout for any advice or tips that could help me navigate through this journey with more ease and confidence.

So, if you’ve been in a similar boat before, I’d love to hear how you managed to make your trip a smooth and enjoyable experience. Whether it’s about communication, safety, cultural nuances, or just overall travel hacks, I

Hey there! So, I’m new to Europe, chilling in Pomezia, Rome, trying to figure out my next move. I need to find a place to stay pronto because my friend’s kicking me out tomorrow – sheesh, talk about short notice! I’m debating between Sicily and Palma for my next adventure. I’m all about that wellness and active lifestyle vibe, love being by the ocean, and prefer a chill vibe over a bustling city. Plus, I want to be able to walk around easily without relying on public transport all the time, and be close to the airport.

I’m on the hunt for a place that’s got awesome fresh markets where I can grab all my fave goodies like fresh produce, fish, meat, eggs, and honey. Oh, and budget-friendly solo rentals are a must since I’m planning to stay for about 3-4 weeks. I was thinking of doing a bit in both Sicily and Palma, but the flights are a bit steep, so I gotta choose just one spot.

Now, getting from Pomezia to either destination seems like a bit of a hassle, and I’m not sure which route to take that won’t break the bank. So, where do you think I should head next that ticks all my boxes? Also, I’ve been scouring Airbnb for options, but if you know of any sweet long-term rental spots or websites, I’m all ears! Hit me up with any tips or leads you’ve got. Thanks a bunch!

So, I recently bought a Travelex essential plan for my upcoming trip to the Orlando theme parks. I found the coverage details on a SquareMouth page. Here’s the scoop: I’ve got an evening flight booked with a budget airline that’s nonrefundable. The plan is to spend three full days at the parks and stay four nights at a hotel before heading back in the afternoon. The park tickets and hotel reservations are nonrefundable by the departure date. My travel goals? I want to enjoy the parks for over two full days and get back home without a delay of more than 8 hours, with a midnight arrival. Canceling the trip would be a major bummer since vacation days are precious to us.

Now, let’s get to my burning questions:
1. Will insurance cover flight cancellations or delays caused by airline operational issues like staffing shortages? None of the plans I’ve checked clearly state coverage for operational issues.
2. If a few days before departure, I get an email saying my flight’s canceled with no other options from the airline, will insurance cover alternative transportation to my destination?
3. If I get a cancellation or delay notification on the departure day before I leave for the airport, does my plan coverage kick in then? Do I need to be at the airport to file a claim?
4. If I’m at the airport and the flight’s canceled for a covered reason, with no options from the airline to keep the delay under 12 hours, does the insurance cover alternative transportation ASAP?
5. If my rescheduled flight is the next morning (more than 6 hours later than the original departure time of 8 pm), can I book an overnight hotel stay or grab meals at the airport before 2 am (6-hour mark) and still be covered for trip delay?
6. If the rescheduled flight makes me miss the first night at the Orlando hotel and the first day at the theme park, do these count as nonrefundable expenses reimbursable by the insurance?
7. On the return day, if my afternoon flight is canceled or delayed over 8 hours, messing up my return to work the next day, will insurance cover alternative transportation?

I’ve dug through Travelex’s detailed plan description but can’t find clear answers to my scenarios. I sent them an email, but it might take a while for a reply. Any experienced travel hackers out there who can lend a hand? Your help is much appreciated!

Hey there fellow onebaggers! I’ve been part of this awesome community for a while now, and I’m excited to share my first-ever packing list with you all. So, I’m gearing up for a trip across Eastern Europe, focusing on Bulgaria and Serbia. My go-to bag for this adventure is the NH500 Escape 23L – in my opinion, it’s hands down the best onebag option available. I’ve had this gem for over two years, taken it on numerous trips, and it’s simply unbeatable for the price and features it offers.

Initially, I had my sights set on bringing along my Matador SEG28 for this journey. I purchased it a few months back but hadn’t had the chance to put it to the test until now. However, as I began packing, it became apparent that the Matador just wasn’t the right fit for me. While the quality and materials are top-notch, the compartment system felt somewhat awkward in practical use. When fully packed, there was hardly any room left for my bulky laptop in the designated compartment. It was a bit of a letdown considering the hefty price tag, but hopefully, I can sell it off and recoup some of the cash.

So, here’s a rundown of what I’m packing for my upcoming trip:

# 🧳 Packing
– **NH500 Escape 23L** – my trusty companion, as mentioned earlier. I’ve added a budget carabiner from AliExpress and a couple of Nite Ize S-Biners on the zipper pulls. In the bottle pockets, I stash a Decathlon bag rain cover on one side and a compact umbrella on the other.
– **Alpaka Flight Sling 2L** – a must-have on all my travels. Inside, you’ll find my Herschel card holder, Anker Zolo power bank, USB-C cable, and passport. This sling has been a lifesaver during my previous Europe jaunts, especially when I got caught in heavy rain without an umbrella – everything inside stayed dry as a bone.
– **Packing cubes** – I rely on two small ones from Decathlon. They may be basic, but boy, are they handy!

# 👕 Clothes
– 6 t-shirts (5 affordable cotton ones from AliExpress + 1 Lululemon quick-dry tee)
– 1 flannel shirt (tucked under the cubes)
– 2 pairs of Lulule

So, here’s the deal: I was on a retirement insurance plan with Health Net HMO, but now I’m moving on to Medicare. Luckily, my old employer hooks us retirees up with a bunch of group plan options, including supplements and Advantage plans, plus they chip in for part B premium reimbursement. I’m going with a part B supplement through Anthem Blue Cross (not an Advantage plan) that also throws in BCBS Global Core. This new setup kicks in on January 1, 2026.

Now, the lowdown on this BCBS Global Core policy is that it’s got my back for 80% of the services I get abroad after I hit an annual deductible (somewhere around 50 or 100 bucks, I think?). But here’s the kicker: it’s only good for the first 6 months I’m outside the US, so it’s not a full-on replacement for health insurance if I decide to make a permanent move overseas. And yep, you guessed it, there’s still that pesky 20% that’s on me to cover. Oh, and this policy isn’t just for emergencies – it covers stuff like preventive care, doctor visits, surgery, x-rays, you name it.

Now, I’m a bit of a globetrotter, so I like to jet off for long stretches at a time. I could be away for months on end, being the retired jet-setter that I am. As of now, I don’t have any solid plans to be out of the country for more than 6 months straight, but who knows what the future holds, right? If that day comes, I’ll have to figure out the local insurance scene in whatever new spot I land in (I’ve peeked into that a bit already).

But for the time being, my main concern is snagging some extra coverage to handle that 20% gap left by the BCBS policy. And hey, if there’s a way to score air ambulance coverage, sign me up! I’m crossing my fingers that there’s a policy out there that can piggyback off what I’ve already got.