ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaIn need of your real estate help!
Mandy, we're in the burbs of Philly, Haddon Township / Collingswood / Cherry Hill area.

Also, the other thing about making an offer for a home in the U.S. is that it seems like there's a lot more flexibility after you make the offer. In Canada, it seems that once you make the offer and it's accepted, it's legally binding and very difficult to retract. In the U.S. it can be conditional on financing or the home inspection and it SEEMS LIKE (not absolutely sure) that you can get out if it's not meeting your needs. I'm not a real estate expert, but that was my experience.

So, if you really want a place, you can make an offer you're happy with. They don't need to accept it. Or they can negotiate with you.

The process is very stressful, so hang in there!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-10-17 10:42:00
CanadaIn need of your real estate help!
We bought a house in September and I was surprised at closing costs as well. I think ours were about $7k-$8k. The process is so different in the US. vs Canada. We had to bring a certified check or money order to settlement which included our downpayment and an extra chunk of change for closing costs. They give you an estimate on settlement day of what they want you to bring and if, at the end of the day, you brought too much they write you a check right at the table for the overage. Weird.

We tried to keep our costs down as much as possible, but we couldn't find that much to negotiate on, though everyone recommends that you negotiate. Our sneaky mortgage company tried to make us pay our taxes for the full year at settlement, which drove closing costs way up. Even the deed company said this was ridiculous and we ended up paying 2 months. So that's one thing to watch out for.

The seller of our house had already reduced the price of the house so much that they werent' willing to pay closing costs as well.

The other thing is that we had to buy a year's worth (in advance) of insurance on the house and bring proof of that to settlement. That was around $750 on top of everything else.

I found it a way more stressful process than the process I went through in Canada.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-10-15 13:52:00
CanadaAlien or Canalien?
I have this really weird cold that has gotten into my eyes, resulting in very swollen funny-looking eyes. They're so swollen that you can't really see the white of my eyes, so I look like one of those weird black-eyed aliens from a bad tv movie.

I went to the doctor today and she said I was going to look like this for four or five more days. Of course I have my biometrics tomorrow so I'm gonna have a funny-looking picture! I assume this is the picture that goes on my green card. Is that true?
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-03 19:00:00
CanadaMortgages...
I think it they need a deadline (ie. your settlement date) to get it done. At least that was our experience. Mind you we were getting ours right before this whole financial crisis and I think they were already feeling it at the mortgage company. Apparently, they had closed the local offices right when we were trying to have ours finalized.

In the end, it took about 3.5 weeks and it seemed like they didn't do any work on it until the final 5 days, when they had a bunch of crazy questions and issues. Right up until the morning of settlement they were asking for more information. Then they sent the wrong info to the deed company the morning of settlement. And there was more back and forth. It was very stressful!

I hope yours goes more smoothly and swiftly!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-10-28 14:05:00
CanadaPort Of Entry (POE) help request
We went through the Peace Bridge. Everything went pretty smoothly, except that they wouldn't let my fiance pull over and wait with me (he was following in a separate car with a lot of my stuff). He went on to the motel we'd booked outside Buffalo. Also, my cat was in the car and they don't allow pets into the building ... it was the summer but it was about 10pm so all was well. It wouldn't have been ok if they had wanted me to leave my cat in the car on a hot summer day. I waited for about an hour and processing took about 20 minutes. Also imported my car there. That part was fast and easy.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-28 14:18:00
Canadavisa on hand
Congratulations!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-28 14:21:00
CanadaGetting to Know You -
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both + I looooove cute gift tags.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I love real, but I was in a condo for four years and they didn't allow real, so I had to get fake. This year it will be real!

3. When do you put up the tree? A couple of weeks before Christmas

4. When do you take the tree down? It stays up until the needles start falling off. Last year with my fake tree, I think I left it up most of Jan. Oops!

5. Do you like eggnog? Love it. I like the new soy versions too, especially with rum.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Easy Bake Oven! Oh, and also skis.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? Me. I tend to buy things for myself when I'm out shopping. Very dangerous. smile.gif

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither. I've just never been able to do them. Maybe this year because I'm so far away.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Pink big t-shirt pajamas with a picture of a huge white cat that covered the whole t-shirt. Plus matching pink socks with separate places for each toe and kitty paw print grip things on the bottom. I was 38 at the time. I guess our Moms never see us as grown ups! (Note: I do love my cats both past and present, but that was too much for me!)

12. Favorite Christmas movie? I don't really have one, though I like the TV versions of the Grinch and Charlie Brown.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I always think I'm early when I start, but I never am and it's a scramble.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No .

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Shortbread cookies.

16. Lights on the tree? One of the most beautiful things about Christmas

17. Favorite Christmas songs: Merry Christmas Baby, by Bruce Springsteen

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Mostly travel. As an adult, I think I've slept in my own bed only 3 times on Christmas Eve. It'll be 4 after this year!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Probably!

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Ice Wine Martinis on Christmas Eve! Mmmmm.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning (maybe one on Christmas eve)

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Buying something and then seeing it on sale closer to Christmas.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'm a sucker for shiny sparkly objects.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Stuffed squash (I'm a vegetarian). Cookies.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? For the stupid car insurance company to keep insuring me, even though I don't have my green card yet. I need to get around so I can buy presents!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-01 11:31:00
CanadaWhos going Home for Christmas?
My brothers and sister will be having Christmas at my parents' place in Sudbury. I will probably be here in NJ as I'm assuming I'll still be waiting on my AP. sad.gif
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-24 20:45:00
CanadaI move today :)
Good luck on your move Treble! Moving is never fun, but when you're moving into somewhere you love it makes it much less painful. And congrats on your painless settlement.


GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-11 12:41:00
CanadaSo THAT'S why coke tastes different in the USA
Just read this article on sugar and sugar substitutes. Nothing conclusive, but it does say it's not so much what kind of sugar but how much. And that sugar (mostly HFCS) is added to so much stuff that Americans are eating way more sugar than they ever have. My issue is that I don't need HFCS in my ketchup ... I don't need it in my bread ... I don't need it in my peanut butter ... I don't need it in my salad dressing ... I don't need it in my yogurt. It's in the most unexpected places! And it's too sweet in my Starbucks iced tea. It's too much!!!!

http://ca.finance.ya...-and-sweeteners

Maybe this post should have gone in the rant section! blink.gif
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-04 11:08:00
CanadaSo THAT'S why coke tastes different in the USA
Acme is coming out with a line of organic things and the ingredients are generally pretty good e.g. their organic ketchup doesn't have HFCS. However, I very much prefer Wegman's to Acme. Sometimes it's cheaper too! I still haven't found my way to a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods yet. Some day!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-01 14:49:00
CanadaSo THAT'S why coke tastes different in the USA
It takes me forever to go grocery shopping because I'm always reading the labels. One thing that has disappointed me is yogurt because most brands have HFCS in it. I didn't know how much it was bothering me until I found some Liberte yogurt in Wegman's. I literally teared up when I saw it. Oh yogurt, how I have missed thee! heart.gif I felt like kissing it right then and there, but I waited until I got home. yes.gif
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-01 14:33:00
CanadaOath ceremony today!!
QUOTE (flames9 @ Dec 15 2008, 11:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I must admit, I did wear my Canadian socks,lol.


Congratulations! I like your subversive socks. biggrin.gif
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-15 12:12:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
Just had my EAD and AP approved! Yay! Yikes, now I have to think about actually working.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-15 13:56:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Dec 10 2008, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So last night my husband said I have "Become an American" because I'm so cold all the time and after all I'm supposed to be from hearty CDN stock!.. i've been freezing the past 3 days and two nights ago I couldn't sleep because it was FREEZING in our apt.

Hubby turns down the heat to 60 degrees at night and one of the windows in our bedroom must not have any insulation in the walls which creates this tremendous draft in the room, and because hubby has to sleep closest to the door luv.gif in order to protect his bride (with what I have no idea I REFUSE to let him have a gun in the house).. I get all the draft at my back. I had EVERY blanket in the house on me the other night and i was STILL freezing.. headbonk.gif

We literally argued (like our very first argument EVER) about it for about 1/2 hr last night. He was making fun of me (something he never does).. and I said FINE!... and I put my pillow on his side of the bed and made him sleep on my side of the bed and said YOU SUFFER THEN! laughing.gif


I'm with you guys on this cold thing. We have the heat set at 58 at night. The other night had 2 dreams: one was that I was in a meeting and whenever I spoke, my glasses completely iced up because it was so cold in the meeting room. I couldn't see a thing. The other dream was that we were in a hotel and the room was very nice, except for the fact that there was no roof. And it was winter. The stars sure looked nice but it was like sleeping outside.

And then he wakes up complaining that he's so hot! During the day he wants to set the temperature at 60. I can barely make it when it's set at 70. My friend calls it the 10 degrees of separation between men and women.

Living alone in my condo last December, I had to turn the air conditioning on at night because it was so hot in my condo. It was very silly, but I miss that!!!! It's a real life style adjustment being freezing all the time. Meanwhile he's wandering around the house in a t-shirt and shorts when it's above 60, complaining of the heat. ARGHHH!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-11 12:31:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
QUOTE (mary @ Dec 6 2008, 08:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Dec 6 2008, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (TheATeam @ Dec 6 2008, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That sounds like fun xtinab!

Okay...so I know this isn't exactly off topic...but I didn't want to start a new thread just for a silly little question. We just mailed out our AOS paperwork today, 6 months after we got married. Needless to say my I-94 is expired. Does anyone know if this will affect our application? I hope not!


You'll be fine, I think you have up to two years to file after marriage. Or is one? Regardless its only been 6 months so you'll be fine. smile.gif



There's no set limit for this, But i've read the USCIS does take it into consideration (i.e. if you waited <5 years...).

I see you mailed it today... We're jealous. We've been collecting the AOS paperwork for weeks... I just want to send it!


I don't know why it's so hard to get that paperwork together. It seemed to take forever. I arrived in July and didn't file until October. Every time I look at that I wonder how it took me so long to do it! LOL. It's good to know it's not just me!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-07 13:00:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
QUOTE (trailmix @ Dec 1 2008, 09:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thetreble @ Dec 1 2008, 08:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Morning ya'll. We had a toll hike here in NJ and I drive a toll road every day to go to work and back. sad.gif I guess the state government has to make up for all the money it has spent on shady deals.


No doubt. It would be interesting to see what would happen if governments (local, state, federal, provincial) stopped squandering tax dollars. I wonder what we would really need to pay in taxes if that happened.



Our taxes in NJ are really high. I see little things that bug me. Like every little town having a complete police force and public works. I live on a street where we are in one town and our neighbours next door are in a different town. So, on our street the garbage collectors collect as far as our neighbours then scoot down the rest of the street to turn around and then come back and stop at our neighbours across the street (also in the other town) and collect their gargbage. Same with the leave collectors.

Everyone does a good job, but it just seems silly to me.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-01 10:56:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
QUOTE (~Nini~ @ Nov 22 2008, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good morning! I come bearing bad news - skip if you don't want to be sad.

This weekend started off on a bad note - our cat Stella had to be taken to the vet ER yesterday after we found her unconscious underneath the basement stairs. She's a diabetic, and the vet told us that her blood sugar had dropped to nothing, which precipitated a coma and several seizures.

Unfortunately the decision was made a few hours later to put her down. It happened so quickly, I'm still trying to process it all. sad.gif



Nini,

I am so sorry. It seems that with cats things happen so fast. Like you said it's so very hard to process. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Karen
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-23 20:46:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Jan 15 2008, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 15 2008, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Jan 15 2008, 02:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You probably don't want this job then... (check out the annual salary!!)

http://nwct.craigsli.../534647835.html

ohmy.gif Are you kidding me? Is this for real?


Welcome to the North East Darling!! this stuff is common!! There's a whole lotta money round these here parts..

Clinton Kelly from What not to Wear lives 15 min from me.. smile.gif Maybe he's looking for a few good people for his mansion!


Did you see the show on TLC where they followed Clinton Kelly building his mansion? I didn't realize you'd make so much money from hosting a TV show. His contractor went over budget by about $150,000. Ouch. I wouldn't want to work in his mansion, but it does look incredible.

Karen
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-01-15 20:05:00
CanadaMoved...and married!
Congratulations!!!! That's a lot of good news in a short time. Have a great holiday season!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-22 13:53:00
CanadaSkype Calls and other proof of bonafide relationship
Hi TayL!

I saw this on another thread and thought of this thread. Thought I'd post it here because there were some questions about whether or not one should meet their fiance before filing for the I129F. As Trailmix said, and from what this person is experiencing, USCIS specifically says you have to have met and requires evidence of meeting. Not sure if this is the case all the time, but here it is .... something to consider before you spend hard-earned $$$ filing. Hope this helps rather than making you feel discouraged!!!!



QUOTE (Roxyroo @ Dec 15 2008, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi there VJers,
I just opened the mail and have received a dreaded Request for Evidence. I live and work in Bogota, where my fiance lives. So I have never had to travel to visit him. We worked together; that is how we met. I do not have the 129F packet on hand (I am in the US for Christmas) but I know we at least submitted:

photos of us together from various dates
my apartment lease (on which he and his mother are co-signers)
my passport copy (with my Colombian work visas, including the job where we met and stamps in and out of the country)
a letter from a coworker/friend

Here is what the letter says.
"LAST MEETING : The Petitioner and the benficiary must have met in person between July 22, 2006 and July 21, 2008. Submit evidence of meeting the beneficiary in person within the 2-year period preceding the filing of the petition.
You have submitted primary evidence including copies of your passport pages that show the identification page and admission stamps; however secondary evidence is requested.
This secondary evidence may be airline ticket stubs and receipts (that include month, day, and year), ATM and credit card transactions, flight itinerary on airline/travel agency letterhead, etc.
NOTE: Secondary evidence is used to support any primary evidence that has been submitted. The following DOES NOT constitute evidence of meeting: photos (dated or undated), disc, videos, emails, letters, phone bills, and greeting cards."

Reading this very carefully I see the phrase "preceding the filing of the petition". Soooo...this means I have to submit something from between when we started dating in January 2008 and when we submitted the petition in July 2008?
Ideas:
1.We are taking our first trip together in a few weeks, from Dec 30-Jan 10. Will submitting the currently unused (but purchased by me with both our names on them) tickets for this trip do anything for us? I am not sure I have the receipt, but I can dig around.
2. Can I contact our employer and have them write a letter on company letterhead saying that we worked there simultaneously until July 1, 2008??
We did not travel together during that time. We lived in the same city, we were busy with work and saving for the 129F; we went on friggin dates.
3.Will submitting email receipts of my flights between the US and Bogota (arriving in Jan 08 and leaving July 08 to visit my family) be useful? They were all e-tickets...
I realize this does not prove that we met, but for the love of god, I have a work visa for his employer blink.gif in my passport and flew in and out of the city where he lives. I really don't know what more to submit.
Also, credit/ATM receipts for WHAT?
The kicker is I am in the US til the 30th, he's in Colombia, they want this evidence by Jan 4.
Sheesh.
Thanks as always, VJ Team....


GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-19 12:29:00
CanadaPort of Entry question
Maybe I misunderstood, but I've gone through US immigration at Pearson and it's pretty straightforward. You go through immigration and then you go through secondary (which is right there) and then through security.

I think it might depend on where you're flying from, whether you have to take the bus to secondary. I would assume from Ottawa you're travelling to Terminal 1. That's where secondary is. Maybe it's international flights where you have to travel from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1.


GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-02-12 11:04:00
CanadaA little good news
Congrats! It's exciting to get some sort of acknowledgement after submitting your applications!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-02-17 15:42:00
CanadaJuicer Recipes???
I don't have an exact recipe, but one of the drinks I love making includes carrots and celery as a base. And then add ginger and lime juice. Not too much ginger because that can make it too hot, but you want enough to make it tangy. And maybe 2 limes. Not sure if that's to your taste, but it's refreshing in the summer over ice. And good for you too.

I love juicing because it's a quick way to get some veggies. Except the clean up can be a pain sometimes.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-02-22 18:03:00
CanadaAdvice Needed-Got a New Pup...
I think you should keep him too. There was a reason why s/he came into your life at this time. Also, if they're a tough dog to own then s/he probably needs someone like you who can see the big picture. Also, you've also already been trained by your first dog, so the new dog should find you to be easy to train! biggrin.gif

Does your other dog enjoy the company?
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-02-24 13:16:00
CanadaThe Vent
QUOTE (JillA @ Feb 23 2009, 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I really despise Verizon. When I moved here we signed up for their "Triple Play" which is cable, internet and phone for $99.99 per month. Which is a good deal. So anyhoo for the first month you get HBO for free, which we never even watch. The catch is, you have to cancel it after 1 free month or they will charge you on the next invoice. I marked it down on my calender after 30 days to call and cancel, which I did. So the next month, lo and behold we have an extra charge of $13.99 for HBO on the bill. Knowing I cancelled I called and said that I cancelled this last month, why is this on the bill. They said it was an error, they see I cancelled and to short pay the invoice by $13.99 which I did. The next month I get a bill with 2 charges of $13.99 (the short paid amount and a new one) for HBO. I was pissed at this point so I called b*tching and the guy said so sorry, HBO is now cancelled but short paying an invoice is not policy here, don't know why the guy told you to do that. Pay the FULL invoice, and next month you'll have an $82 discount on your next bill to make up for all of this overcharging and inconvience. So I do that. Then today get ANOTHER bill this time for the full amount, so they took off the HBO but the $82 refund is not there. So I call again even more pissed that last time. After being on hold for HALF an hour, they say oh sorry, your voucher/refund was denied by management. This is because we have no record of you calling to cancel HBO, and we record all calls. Are you kidding me right!? I called so many times and talked to a bunch of incopmetent idiots that told me different things to do, and none of that worked! So now I paid for 3 months of HBO which I didn't want overpaid one bill and now not getting any refund. All the anger in the world didn't make a difference, this "customer service" person said there is nothing they can do. Oh really!? Comcast here I come!! devil.gif

And don't even get me started on Verizon Wireless, that's a whole other vent. But let's just say I'm switching cellular providers too because Verizon in general SUCKS!


I'm a little worried about Verizon as well. We have home phone, internet and cell phones with them. Keep planning to get TV too, but haven't gotten around to it.

Anyway, we moved in November and I noticed in January that we hadn't received a bill from them. So, I called them and they had our address wrong. So, they provide the service to our address but can't mail us a bill to that address. It takes 2 calls to get them to change the address and actually send us our bill. Then they ask if I have a phone number where they can reach me because the bill is now kinda high. Um ... you provide us with our home phone and cell phone services, so any one of those would work. It's a little silly if you think about it for a minute.

And the cell phones ... we're on a family plan for $60 a month that somehow costs about $100 a month. Go figure.

GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-02-23 16:38:00
CanadaThe Vent
QUOTE (JillA @ Dec 22 2008, 10:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thetreble @ Dec 22 2008, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (JillA @ Dec 20 2008, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was so upset this morning... I went to get my PA driver's license. I looked on the Penndot website before to find out exactly what non-US citzens required. I needed my Ontario license, SSN, K-1, passport, I-94, proof of residency, etc. So I went prepared and the clerk was so RUDE. I explained that I was here to get a PA driver's license and gave her all of my paperwork. She looked at my Visa and very rudely and with attitude said "Your Visa expires on January 11th, therefore you are no longer legal and don't qualify for a PA license". Well the Jan. 11th expiry date is just the date I had to activate my K-1, obviously but try explaining that to her. She kept insisting I wouldn't be legal anymore. I tried to explain how I got married and applied for AOS but it was like talking to a brick wall. Finally she called her manager over and he was very rude too. When I calmly tried to explain the K-1 he actually said "SETTLE DOWN MISS" like he was talking to a child and as if I was getting upset which I wasn't. I said "Actually, see this sheet here, I printed this off YOUR website. It indicates as a K-1 Visa holder I am entitled to a PA DL as long as I have the following paperwork listed, which I have." They hummed and hawed and finally decided to give it to me. I was so upset with the treatment and the way they spoke to me I had tears. I know it's silly but I'm always kind and polite to everyone and didn't deserve to be spoken to in that manner. The worst part was THEY work there and I was telling THEM what was required as a non-US citizen. I was so mad that once they gave me my temp DL I huffed out and didn't even register my car mad.gif I'm going to go somewhere else to do that!!


Doesn't the visa have to have a certain amount of time left on it? As I have understood it, many states require the visa to be valid for x number of days in order to use it as proof to get a DL. The thing I find so tricky is that technically, the K-1 visa is null after you get married and if you don't file for AOS right away doesn't it leave you in limbo?




Not too sure about that.... but the sheet I received off the website stated you require the marriage certificate to obtain your DL if you have already applied for AOS so I had that too which they made a photocopy of....


I had the same problem in NJ, except I wasn't as lucky as you in that I couldn't convince them to give it to me. And I went to 3 different offices trying! Why don't they have the correct info on their brochures and on their website? Web site and brochures say I94 is enough, but apparently you need a green card to get a NJ driver's licence. Sprailenes and treble told me so, but I couldn't help trying anyway. blush.gif

Congrats on getting your driver's licence! I'm a little bit jealous!

GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-12-22 14:05:00
CanadaThe Vent
QUOTE (~Nini~ @ Oct 31 2008, 03:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm at my wits' end telling my MIL that I don't want to carpool with her to the city every morning for work. I've told her (almost) every reason that I have for wanting to take the train into the city, and she still insists that she'll take me - it's frustrating that she's brushing me off and treating me like a little kid who has to be dropped off at the school door. sad.gif


Oooh. That would drive me crazy. I'm with you, I'd rather take the train too. Hold your ground!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-11-01 14:55:00
CanadaThe Vent
If you don't like soy milk, you could also try rice milk or almond milk. They're not real milk, but they're still good. Chocolate flavoured is the best!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-10-14 10:18:00
CanadaThe Vent
Thanks Krikit. That actually makes me feel a bit better (not the head exploding part- though that's exactly how I feel) in that it's part of the process. I keep expecting Suze Orman to pop out from behind the bushes saying, "Girl, you are ruining your finances. Just stop it!"
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-09-03 12:09:00
CanadaThe Vent
I feel bad that my vent is going to follow all those cute pictures. At least they made me feel better.

I'm venting about our stupid mortgage company. They keep jerking us around. It's making me crazy. We're buying a house and our deal is that I can provide some equity because I sold my place and my hubby can get the loan part (because he can). First they told us that we have to have significantly more cash on hand than the cash needed for the house purchase. And they want proof of it and the proof we provide isn't good enough. Now they have required that I have to "gift" my money to him in order for them to give him the mortgage. Doesn't being married count for anything? (Yes, I need to update my timeline) I don't mind the money being "our" money, but it bugs me that it has to be his and not mine.

And this is supposed to settle/close tomorrow. Shouldn't they have thought of these things earlier? I'm waaaaaaay too stressed about it.

What's really bugging me is that gut-wrenching feeling of being in great shape financially in Canada, but then being no one here. Wah.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2008-09-03 11:55:00
CanadaCANADIAN HEALTHCARE vs. US MEDICAL COVERAGE
It seems that everyone's experience is a little different. This is mine: I got immigrant insurance from Seven Corners (you can google it ... they have inbound immigrant insurance). Hubby could add me to his insurance after we could produce a marriage certificate, but it still took almost 8 weeks for them to add me. And they made it as onerous as possible in that he had to go down to their offices and wait and show the certificate, etc.

I'd only bought insurance for 4 weeks, but it was really easy to extend (it's easy to do online and it's "instant") so I remained covered until we got notice that I was covered under his insurance.

I didn't have to make a claim on the immigrant insurance so I can't comment on how good it is, but I felt better having it. Yet another hit to the wallet in this process!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-03-08 13:32:00
CanadaThe loonie's demise
It's stressing me out too. I'm working on contract for a Canadian company and I'm not making what I thought I was. I also have some cash in my Canadian bank account that I keep trying to transfer down here, but the exchange is so painful!!!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-03-08 13:34:00
CanadaWhy do I feel 2 inches tall
I just got my first credit card offer in the mail (from Amex). I started establishing credit in September, but I haven't checked my FICO score or anything yet. I didn't think I'd have a score yet. I'm nervous about applying and being denied and it affecting my score. Anyone know about chances of being approved if they send something to you?

After reading these posts, I was thinking of going to my bank and getting a bank credit card when I get my green card (any day now I hope!) and driver's licence.

Thanks for all the advice! It's a great help.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-02-22 17:59:00
CanadaWhy do I feel 2 inches tall
When I was still living in Canada I applied for a Target Visa, a Macy's card and a Victoria's Secret card. When I moved to the U.S. I tried to have them transferred to my U.S. SSN. It wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be. Maybe because I was trying to do this in Sept/Oct when the banking crisis was hitting.

For Target, I called them ... they wouldn't take my SSN over the phone, but sent me a letter asking for a copy of my SSN and a copy of my driver's licence. In NJ, you can't get a driver's licence until you have a green card. So, that one is still pending. I called Macy's to give them my SSN, they told me to go into a store and go to customer service and customer service would call them while looking at my SSN card. I did that, but that wasn't good enough .... they still wanted to talk to me and asked me to mail them a copy of my SSN card. Victoria's Secret was the only one who would take my SSN over the phone.

It hasn't been as easy as I thought, but I still think it's a great piece of advice to get whatever US credit cards you can using your Canadian SIN before you move here.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-02-16 13:11:00
CanadaSSN before Wedding??
QUOTE (OBX @ Mar 14 2009, 06:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (poprocks @ Mar 14 2009, 04:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm sure every State has some way around it? I mean, what if Tourists want to get married at a US destination?

I wonder about Jersey...that's where we are planning for innocent.gif


Yes. it is required in NJ. In addition, I believe there is a waiting period.
FYI : http://www.state.nj....age_apply.shtml




I got married in NJ without an SSN, and it was no problem. Instead of my SSN I just needed to show my passport information. The waiting period was a matter of days (maybe 36 hours after we got the licence). I arrived in the U.S. July 17 on a K1 and got married August 1. My SSN came in early September.

My fiance at the time called the city to clarify, so maybe your fiance could call the municipality in which you want to marry just to confirm and put your mind at rest.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-03-15 20:17:00
CanadaGreen Card Interview-Any hidden costs?
I assume you're talking about an AOS interview. There weren't any charges when I went. If you're talking about a K1 interview in Montreal, I think there's a charge of $130 or so.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-03-17 09:46:00
CanadaWell... here we go!
Congratulations! It's a strange time of good-byes and excitement about the future. Have a safe and uneventful trip!
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-03-17 09:48:00
CanadaNEW CANADIANS TO US & US CREDIT
QUOTE (trailmix @ Mar 13 2009, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Gypsyangel @ Mar 13 2009, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (trailmix @ Mar 13 2009, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
- Before you leave Canada do two things at least (like now) - apply for a Canadian American Express Card and apply for a JCPenney card - the Penney's card is easy to get. Neither of these will help your U.S. credit rating yet - however as soon as you move you can change your Penney's card over to your SSN from you SIN and that's a good start. With American Express you will be able to do the global transfer and get a U.S. card as soon as you move or just before (remember to call them with your SSN when you get it).


I would also recommend getting a Target Visa card using your Canadian SIN before you move and then transferring it to your US SSN. It's a Visa card you can use anywhere, rather than just a department store card. At least when you're in the U.S. you'll have a US dollar credit card.


Can you apply for that while you are still in Canada Gypsy - that would be great - if you didn't actually have to appear in person in the store I mean.



I applied when I was visiting the U.S. and was in a Target store. I'm not sure if you can do it from Canada. I just looked on-line and while they do accept applications on-line it doesn't look like they accept Canadian info. It was pretty easy through the store. I got instant approval, so it would make sense that they could do that on the phone as well. It's worth a try if you don't expect to be in a Target while in the U.S.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-03-15 20:08:00
CanadaNEW CANADIANS TO US & US CREDIT
QUOTE (trailmix @ Mar 13 2009, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
- Before you leave Canada do two things at least (like now) - apply for a Canadian American Express Card and apply for a JCPenney card - the Penney's card is easy to get. Neither of these will help your U.S. credit rating yet - however as soon as you move you can change your Penney's card over to your SSN from you SIN and that's a good start. With American Express you will be able to do the global transfer and get a U.S. card as soon as you move or just before (remember to call them with your SSN when you get it).


I would also recommend getting a Target Visa card using your Canadian SIN before you move and then transferring it to your US SSN. It's a Visa card you can use anywhere, rather than just a department store card. At least when you're in the U.S. you'll have a US dollar credit card.
GypsyangelFemaleCanada2009-03-13 13:57:00