10 Things I'm Doing Right Now To Prepare For International Living

If you check out my about me page under what to expect from my blog, I stated that I will be sharing my plans for international travel. Around this time last year, while I was writing that, most of my preparations were in my head.

Now, as my living situation, plans for the future, and short and long term goals have changed, I am taking action, and will be relocating within the next few months.

I am a firm believer of planning out as much as you can, doing extensive research, and moving with a specific mission or purpose.

I’m totally against going out on a whim, with very little money, to move anywhere, nationally or internationally. That will not work for me!

I know that even with the most meticulous plans, things can, and will change.

But again, I say if you have back up plans, ( My abcdef and g plans, have never failed me) 9 times out of 10, unexpected mishaps, and expenses can be avoided, or may not set you back as far.

10 Things I’m Doing Right Now To Prepare For International Living

1. Moving to a Less Expensive City and State

Since moving from Northern California while in my 20’s, Houston, Texas has always been my home base. I love it here! But it’s time to go.

Houston, you have been sooo good to me, and I thank you. I will be back to visit, but I must move on for good now.

Yes, I must move on to another city and state, where my expenses will be lower so that I can save more, and have the freedom to move about with fewer restrictions.

In my opinion, this is the best way to cut back on major expenses, while on your way towards traveling the world or moving internationally.

2. Budgeting Every. Single. Penny.

Seriously!

My personal spending is wayyyy out of control! And this is because I have gotten too comfortable….again!

When I looked at how much I could have saved (instead of splurging) just within the past 4 months, I had to put myself on a time out!

While I am proud of myself for keeping up with my personal expenses, as far as writing them down, and keeping receipts-so I at least know where my money is going, I definitely need to get rid of my impulse spending.

I am not only budgeting every single penny for my out of state move, but I also have a budget for my international travels as well.

I know exactly how much I will need to maintain my international lifestyle for 3, 6, and 12 months.

3. Meditation Visualization and Manifestation

Manifestation is speaking and acting as if you already have it.

(Without doubting, because doubting ruins manifestation.)

Throughout the day, I am constantly speaking my travel plans into existence. I am not only speaking of my plans out loud but talking in my head as if it is already so.

I see myself at certain locations, (visualizing) being very specific about the region and area in which I plan to travel and live.

I am constantly looking at pictures, and images of my exact REALITY location!

I don’t want to write, or say dream location, because the word dream sounds so far away, or as if it will never happen.

The video below isn’t in my top 5, because I just discovered Mei-lan a couple of months ago. I listen to this almost every night, and feel as if I am floating.

4. Networking

I was raised in Northern California, and have always been a multi-cultured type gal-constantly hanging out and making friends with people from different countries.

I have more international friends than I do Americans! Lol!

Soooo, I have made some new contacts and friends in the country in which I will be moving to-and I have long-time friends from the countries surrounding areas.

I am still observing certain groups, and location-independent businesses, so that I can connect with the right people, who have my same vibe, mindset, and outlook on life.

5. Research

To be honest, I have been around the people and researching the continent in which I will be visiting, and then moving to for 20 years!

As you already know, the world is constantly changing and will continue to change.

I can never learn too much, so I am still researching different cultures, governments, land, houses, presidents, cost of living, and lifestyles.

On each short trip that I take locally, I always research the cost of living, see what the jobs and businesses are like, and check on the rent and buying prices for apartments and homes.

I especially take note of the disposition of the people, and customer service-are they friendly? Family-oriented? Is this a seemingly happy community?

Other questions I ask myself-

Would this be a good fit for my kids? How would I get around? How much is transportation? Is it best to get around by car, bus, taxi, or uber?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living, relocating, and traveling to my destination country, or a certain side of town, versus living in its surrounding areas/countries?

6. Learning New Languages

How is it that my international friends know the English language so well, but I haven’t even taken the time to consistently learn their language?

So sad!

I should be fluent in many languages! I start off learning, then “get busy” and stop.

Now, I have to learn!

I am making it a habit to learn to read, write, and speak the languages of my friends, every time we meet-up, talk, or text.

7. Explaining The Moving Process To My Children

My kids are troopers! They all adjust to change quite well.

My oldest does not know how serious I am about my long-term destination as of yet. I am waiting to tell them in a special family meeting that I will be holding.

My long term location just got specific last month, and will greatly benefit my older and younger children, grandchildren, and my future grandchildren, whether they choose to stay or visit.

However, I am sure that they will not be too surprised-I have mentioned it to them quite a few times throughout the years.

8. Watching YouTube Videos

I have been getting a lot of great information concerning international travels on YouTube.

For the past 3 months, I have been binge-watching specific videos geared towards my destination.

(I’ve been binge-watching to the point where it is not exactly healthy on my eyes!)

One night, I stayed up until 4 am, watching videos, and taking notes. It was totally worth it!

9. Pinterest Pins

Pinterest is my new obsession!

I am pinning everything that has to do with traveling- from Africa to Asia, USA, Paris, and Island excursions.

While reading a lot of blogs about my future destinations, I take handwritten notes.

I can get pretty caught up on Pinterest too!

But again, I am seriously talking about my future here, so it is well worth the time!

10. Listening To Music From a Specific Country

I am listening to music that is from my reality destination. I’m no stranger to it, but hooked on it now, more than ever!

The rhythms, and languages, always takes me to that place, lifts my mood, and makes me even more excited about my trips!

Listening to music from a specific destination in which you want to live or visit, can be used for manifestation and visualisation too.

Example: I used music to take us back to Houston, Texas while we were living on the Corpus Christi Islands.

One day, I started to feel the energy of the city of Houston really strong. I then began to get flashbacks.

I felt so excited, seeing the faces of old friends, swimming around in my head. I found myself reminiscing about where I used to go, and what I used to do…

While searching online, I discovered that I could live stream both of the Houston radio stations that I used to always listen to. Why did I do this?

It was torture!

I began missing Houston even more. I felt that I was actually there. I said out loud, “I’m ready to go back to Houston!”

While dancing to, and enjoying some familiar tunes, my journey from the first day that I moved to Houston, until I left, was slowly being played before my eyes.

For 3 or 4 consecutive weekends, I listened to two of my favorite radio stations in “H-Town”.

Okay, I thought, I got my little “Houston Fix”. I’m satisfied.

I moved out of that phase, and sort of forgot about it.

A few months later, without even trying, we found ourselves living back in Houston, Texas.

*Sources Of Income

What is my mission for my destination countries? What would I like to accomplish there? Who, what, when, and where do I want to invest? How will I continue to create multiple streams of income overseas?

I feel that it is crucial to keep a list of all of my business skills, trade, and talents that would be of good use in my near future destination countries.

Sacrifice

There are a lot of things that I am willing to sacrifice in order to get to my reality destinations!

Should I just homeschool my kids, and call it a day?

For the past 5 years, I have been in the position where I do not have to work in, or out of the home-or even start new businesses.

But I do anyways, because I feel that would be very unwise of me not to-for I have a greater vision that I just can't sit on, or ignore.