So, a while back, I hopped on here to chat about how I was gearing up for my first solo trip at the ripe old age of 30. Yeah, I know, I’m fashionably late to the whole “find myself” party. But the responses I got from you folks were so darn sweet and supportive that I found the courage to go for it. Fast forward to now, and guess where I am? Tokyo, baby! After a grueling 48-hour journey with zero shut-eye, I finally made it. But let me tell you, my first night has been a total disaster. Airbnb snafus, locked out dramas, lugging my bags through unfamiliar streets – you name it, I’ve been through it. It’s well past 1 am, and here I am, sitting alone in my bed, tears welling up, missing my significant other, and questioning my life choices. Is it normal to feel like this on a solo escapade, especially when you’re head over heels for someone waiting back home? You might be wondering why I embarked on this lone adventure when we’ve had such epic travels together before, and we’ll definitely hit the road as a duo again. But I needed this solo gig. I craved a longer journey on my lonesome, far away from the familiar, to clear my head and carve out some me-time before the fast lane of life swallows me whole. If any of you out there have been in my shoes, how did you push past this gnawing doubt? Right now, I’m thinking maybe this whole solo thing isn’t my jam after all.

Hey guys, wanna share a little story with you all. So, picture this: I had this client who seemed like a dream come true at first. Good brand, projects coming in regularly, and we were communicating decently. But as time went on, things started to go south. Scope creep, delayed feedback, vague priorities – you name it. And the kicker? Late payments. Every month, I had to chase them down for invoices that they had already approved. The breaking point came when they claimed their international wire transfer failed for the third time in two months. Same excuse, different day. No proof, just blaming their bank over and over.

Now, I knew something fishy was going on because my account was all good for international wires, no issues there. I finally decided enough was enough. Sent them a professional email, tied up loose ends, and politely informed them that I wouldn’t be working with them until they got their payment act together. And you know what? Best decision ever. Sometimes you gotta cut ties to protect your business and your peace of mind.

But here’s the thing that still bugs me: Could I have seen the signs earlier? Maybe set clearer payment expectations from the get-go or been quicker to react when things started going downhill? It’s got me thinking, how do you guys handle these situations? What lessons have you learned from dealing with difficult clients like this? Let me know, I’m all ears for your stories.

Hey there, just sharing my travel plans with you. So, I’m in charge of organizing a work trip from Vancouver to Toronto-Pearson and back. My employer is cool with covering the cost of direct flights, and they’re even flexible about booking my return leg from either Toronto-Pearson or Montreal.

Once the work stuff is done, I’m planning to jet off for some personal travel from Toronto-Billy Bishop to Barcelona and back on Air Canada. All on my own dime, of course. Now, here’s the twist – on the way back from Barcelona to Toronto, I have a domestic layover in Montreal for about 2.5 hours before heading to Billy Bishop.

But here’s the thing: I’d much rather wrap up my trip in Montreal and catch a flight back to Vancouver from there. It would save me time, the hassle of an overnight stay, and, let’s be real, some cash too. No checked bags for me, just sticking to carry-on.

Now, the big question on my mind is whether it’s a big deal to skip that last domestic leg from Montreal to Billy Bishop. I mean, I haven’t booked those flights yet, so I’m trying to figure out if it’s a risky move or not.

To add to the mix, I’ve already snagged a one-way ticket with Air Canada a few weeks later for a trip to Southeast Asia. Naturally, I’m a bit jittery about how skipping that Montreal to Billy Bishop leg on my earlier return flight could mess with my Southeast Asia plans. Could I face a penalty or, worst case scenario, have my Southeast Asia trip canceled?

So, that’s where things stand right now. Just trying to navigate the travel maze and make the best decisions to keep things smooth sailing.

Hey, I’m an 18-year-old guy, turning 19 this October. I just wrapped up my A-levels, and until recently, my plan was to head off to uni. But after a rad three-week interrail trip around Europe, solo travel has caught my eye. My game plan is to kick things off in Spain around October, hitting up spots like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville. Then, post-Christmas, I’m eyeing South East Asia for a few months at least – think Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

My biggest concern? Flying solo and potentially missing out on meeting people my age. I’m all about making connections and having a good time, whether it’s making new buds or maybe even finding a little romance. So, I’m curious – how easy will it be to link up with folks my age in Spain and South East Asia? I’d hate to be flying solo most of the time. I’m counting on staying in social hostels and I’m totally cool with using apps like Hostelworld to connect with fellow travelers.

I’m itching to dive into the social scene, soak up the vibes, and create some epic memories. If you’ve got the deets on mixing and mingling with the cool crowd in Spain or South East Asia, hit me up!

Hey there, I’m a 25-year-old taking care of my girlfriend who’s dealing with end-stage kidney disease. It’s a tough gig, let me tell you. She’s on dialysis, needs meds, regular hospital visits, emotional support, you name it. Her parents are out of the picture, so it’s just me holding down the fort. Because of all this, I can’t commit to a typical 9-5 job or anything that requires me to be on-site all the time. My schedule is all over the place, but I do have some free time here and there during the day.

I’m on the lookout for something that’s flexible, something I can do online and on the go. And let’s be real, I need something that can bring in some serious cash in the long run, not just those quick $5 gigs. I’m more than willing to put in the effort, I just need a bit of guidance. So, if you’ve got any tips, experiences, or advice on how to make decent money online given my situation, I’d be forever grateful.

Now, let’s get down to business. Here are a few realistic ways you might want to consider:

1. **Freelancing**: If you have any skills like writing, graphic design, coding, or social media management, freelancing could be a great option. Sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr can connect you with clients looking for your expertise.

2. **Virtual Assistance**: Many businesses are in need of virtual assistants to handle tasks like email management, scheduling, and customer service. It’s flexible and can be done remotely.

3. **Online Tutoring**: If you excel in a particular subject, you could offer your tutoring services online. Platforms like Chegg Tutors and Tutor.com can help you reach students in need of your knowledge.

4. **E-commerce**: Consider starting an online store selling products you’re passionate about. Platforms like Shopify or Etsy can help you set up shop and reach customers worldwide.

5. **Affiliate Marketing**: If you have a strong online presence, you could earn money by promoting products or services and earning a commission on sales generated through your unique referral link.

6. **Remote Customer Support**: Many companies are looking for remote customer support representatives to handle inquiries and provide assistance to customers. It’s a great way to earn money from home.

Remember, finding the right fit might take some trial and error, so

So, I’m still getting the hang of this bag, you know? Today was the first time I really packed it up. I wasn’t out hiking or anything, just went for a grocery store run and ended up walking a lot. By the end of it, I’d have to admit, the bag was kinda digging into my shoulders. I was at that point where I had to use both hands to adjust the straps, giving my shoulders a break and shifting the weight around a bit. Compared to the TB Synik 30 and Go Ruck, this bag is definitely less comfy on the shoulders. The TB Synik doesn’t sit right on my hips and the weight distribution isn’t great for me, so the Dragonfly wins in terms of overall comfort, despite the TB having some solid shoulder straps. The Go Ruck GR2 is a lot more comfortable on the shoulders and overall than the Dragonfly, no doubt. But, let me tell you, nothing I’ve tried so far even comes close to the Tortuga in terms of comfort. It’s got the best straps and carry system ever, hands down. Shame I don’t really like the bag itself, though.

So, my family and I arrived in Saint Martin last Sunday and decided to rent a car from Hertz on the Dutch side. Just a little while ago, my sister received a notification on her phone about an AirTag being in our vicinity. The strange thing is, none of us own an AirTag. We were near a police station, so we decided to stop by and ask for their help. We could clearly hear the AirTag beeping under the steering wheel or somewhere close to it, even though we couldn’t locate it visually.

The police suggested that we contact Hertz, but unfortunately, no one answered our call as it was quite late. Since our accommodation has a security guard on duty at all times, we informed them about the situation. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t find the AirTag, although its beeping was audible. The police were sympathetic, but there wasn’t much they could do to assist us. However, the security guard took the matter seriously, which gave us some reassurance.

It seems that a similar incident occurred with two female travelers in the past, but information about it is scarce. Has anyone else experienced something like this before? We are concerned about our safety and want to make sure we are not in any danger. I wonder if Hertz could be involved, but wouldn’t they have their own GPS system instead of using an AirTag? My dad has always been meticulous about locking the car, so the idea of someone tampering with our rental vehicle is unsettling.

I recall reading a news story in the US where individuals rent cars, plant tracking devices, and later steal the vehicles. Could this be a similar situation? We plan to contact Hertz first thing in the morning, and if it turns out not to be them, which seems more likely, we will return the AirTag and hope that the authorities take the matter more seriously.

We attempted to deactivate the AirTag, but it required the device to be in close proximity to our phone, which we struggled with. With six people in our group, it seems unlikely that we are being targeted specifically rather than the car or its contents. Moreover, the house we are staying in is gated, providing an extra layer of security.

Hopefully, by addressing this issue promptly, we can ensure our safety and prevent any potential threats to our belongings and privacy. If anyone has any insights or advice on how to handle this situation, we would greatly appreciate it. It’s definitely been an unexpected and

Hey folks, I’ve been putting together a cool tool to help those thinking about moving to Europe. It’s all about comparing taxes, healthcare, and living costs in different countries. I’ve been focusing on Italy and how much tax you’d pay as a digital nomad. If you’re pulling in between $30K and $99K a year, you could opt for the flat tax scheme for small business owners, which comes with an effective tax rate of 24.7%. So, after taxes, you’d take home anywhere from $22.5K to $75.3K. Not too shabby, right? With that kind of cash, you could live comfortably in the southern regions.

Keep in mind, life in Italy can be pretty sweet on a net income of $30K-$35K. But remember, your lifestyle and location play a big role in how far your money goes. If you’re raking in more than $99K annually, your best bet would be the Impatriate Workers Regime, with an effective tax rate of 41.4%. The catch? You’ll need to commit to this tax option for a minimum of 4 years, which isn’t the most flexible arrangement.

But fear not, if you’re planning a shorter stay or making more than $99K (€85K max for the flat tax rate), you could go for the US Certificate of Coverage from the U.S. Social Security Administration or a similar document from your home country. This path comes with an effective tax rate of 53%, which could mean you end up shelling out more as your income rises due to higher effective income tax and potential federal tax obligations.

Here’s an interesting tidbit: Italy has a tax on foreign financial assets, set at 0.2%. It won’t touch your bank balance, but if you’ve got stocks, ETFs, or bonds, get ready to cough up annually for those. Plus, for each foreign bank account holding over €5000, expect a $40 charge. On the bright side, crypto holdings are currently exempt from this financial asset tax.

Now, I can’t say I’ve dealt with Italian tax authorities firsthand, but I have some experience with Italian bureaucracy, and let me tell you, it can be a maze. Sorting through all these tax details might require some extra help or even hiring a professional, if it’s worth the investment. If you’re keen on diving deeper

Hey guys, so I’m reaching out because I’m in a bit of a pickle with my son’s phone situation during his recent study abroad trip to Japan. We’ve always used a second eSIM for overseas travel without any problems, but this time, things got messy.

My son has an iPhone 13, unlocked, on AT&T. Before heading to Japan, we set up the Ubigi eSIM like usual. We made sure Wi-Fi calling was good to go at home and at the airport in the USA. He turned off “roaming” and “Data switching” and disabled AT&T line cell data while keeping the default voice line with AT&T.

Upon arrival in Japan, he activated the Ubigi eSIM, and we thought everything was cool. But boy, were we wrong! When we got back, we found out he was hit with IDP charges totaling $156 over two billing cycles. He was being charged for IDP every day, and the kicker is, he never received any messages notifying him that IDP was activated.

Interestingly, he was getting SMS notifications for using his credit card overseas, but nothing about the IDP charges. This was his second trip to Japan in less than 18 months, and the first time around, there were no charges. When we contacted an AT&T chat agent, they claimed that sending SMS/MMS triggered the charges. However, my son swears he was on Ubigi or Wi-Fi the whole time, using Whatsapp for most of his chats.

Now, here’s where it gets tricky. After digging into his usage history, I noticed numerous texts and SMS being sent daily to his number. He explained that the MMS messages were going into group chats with a couple of Android users, and he suspects that might have caused the charges. But honestly, I’m not entirely sure.

To add to the confusion, I found out that something called Wifi Assist was enabled on his iPhone. Could that be the culprit? AT&T only offered a $50 credit, which feels like a drop in the bucket considering the hefty charges.

The chat agent suggested the absurd idea of suspending the line entirely and then re-enabling it by calling 611 upon landing to avoid IDP charges. That just doesn’t sit right with me. So, here I am, scratching my head and wondering what on earth did we miss in this whole debacle?

If anyone has any insights or advice on how to navigate this IDP mess

I’ve never actually tried doing a one-bag trip before because I usually carry my work bag with my laptops and CPAP machine. But, you know what? I’m seriously thinking of giving it a shot for my upcoming trip to Italy. It’s going to be my first time attempting to travel with just one bag, and I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous about it, especially for such a big international adventure. We’re only going to be away for 11 days, so I know it’s totally doable, and maybe I could even do some trial runs on weekend getaways before the big trip.

To make this one-bag dream a reality, I’m considering switching to a travel-sized CPAP machine. I’ve realized that if I wear my shoes and pack only my Xero sandals, I’ll save a ton of space. I can also cut down on toiletries by being more strategic about what I bring. But hey, I’m curious – how did your first one-bag experience go? Any tips to share with a newbie like me? What are the common mistakes that rookies make that I should watch out for? Am I going to regret not having a suitcase for souvenirs and stuff I pick up along the way?

I’m excited to hear about your experiences and suggestions! Let’s make this one-bag journey a success together.