Skip to main content

$$/

currencyproducts.jpg dollar-pound.jpg


We're going to London for the weekend to celebrate our first weeding anniversary. It's not Jamaica (where we were married & planned to go back again this year, but it wasn't in the cards), but I love London, so despite the English winter weather it should be wonderful.
I booked the hotel and theatre tickets last night. The exchange rate is a tricky thing when you move to another country (especially when it doesn't work in your favor), but with time you can learn to work it to your advantage. I still have my US bank account that we mainly use for travelling (as well as a few odds and ends here - I like to use my own money for some things since I don't work). I have learned a thing or two that I'll pass on to other US Expats living in Europe where the exchange rate can really hit you hard (at one restaurant in Paris I paid $8.00 for a coke!)...
I use a lot online services. When ever possible, I use US sites. That way I don't get hit with the exchange rate when using US dollars to pay for the services (or just take advantage of the savings when paying with

Labels:

Comments

Mindy said…
Er, I always find it interesting to read about what it's like to live in another country. This was a really good post. It's not only useful for expats - but for anyone who wants to save money. You're so savvy! ;)
I'm back on the night shift next week...
Min
3:01 PM
Erren said…
Savvy eh? You're a wise ass you know that? =) Thanks all the same...
The gray haired man is no-one you know. Nosey-body =)
5:55 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Our Disaster of a Day!

My in-laws just left after a five day visit.  I don't mind it being a five day visit, but then again, five days of your house not being your own is always a bit unsettling and although I don't look forward to their departure when they are here, I can't say I'm sad to have things go back to normal. As a treat for my son's birthday, we took him to the Museum of Natural History in London on Thursday.  He chose to go because we took him last year (he's been crazy about dinosaurs since he was three years old).  They give out adventure packs at the museum which consist of a back pack, safari hat, and binoculars with an adventure to follow during their visit.  The back pack has clues in it to solve a mystery.  Last year it had a dinosaur claw, a tooth and a sample of dinosaur skin he had to match up to one on display.  He had a great time solving the mystery and even remembered which dinosaur it ended up being. Last year's trip was wonderful.  We walked right in,
1 comment
Read more

Playing with my new lens...

I got a new camera lens for my birthday last week.  I don't have a lot of time to play with it, but this is one of the first shots I took...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beside myself

I had to spend my morning trying not to watch the news knowing because of the time difference, it would be many hours before I could call my loved ones back home (in NJ & NY).  To help pass the time, I took my son to the movies and started making calls on the walk home.  I spoke to my parents, sister and a few friends getting confirmation of my family's safety and most of my friends.  I still can't reach my best friend who lives in Staten Island, NY.  I've been trying to call her once and hour every hour for the last five hours, but still haven't reached her.  Every hour that goes by makes me more and more anxious and I am beside myself with worry.  I spoke to her yesterday.  She was supposed to be evacuated, but chose to stay.  I tried to talk her into going, but couldn't change her mind.  I made her promise she'd call first thing in the morning, but it didn't happen.  Large portions of Staten Island have been devastated by the hurricane and I can't
Post a Comment
Read more