Thailand Thread

[Danno2 0]

Yes Danny, Scott and his wifee were drinking this afternoon. We got to see her slam a pound of craw-fish. The funny part is none of us knew how to eat them and needed a demo. A huge storm rolled through and knocked down the Dallas Cowboys practice field but it didn't stop our party. The highlight was ordering her a Michelada (Corona, limes and Tabasco sause) She squealed when she drank it. I think that was a good sign.

[daboyz 36]

Yes Danny, Scott and his wifee were drinking this afternoon. We got to see her slam a pound of craw-fish. The funny part is none of us knew how to eat them and needed a demo. A huge storm rolled through and knocked down the Dallas Cowboys practice field but it didn't stop our party. The highlight was ordering her a Michelada (Corona, limes and Tabasco sause) She squealed when she drank it. I think that was a good sign.

I'm blaming the whole thing on Hyena. Nok was saying when does the rain stop? It never does.

[scandal 951]

Yes Danny, Scott and his wifee were drinking this afternoon. We got to see her slam a pound of craw-fish. The funny part is none of us knew how to eat them and needed a demo. A huge storm rolled through and knocked down the Dallas Cowboys practice field but it didn't stop our party. The highlight was ordering her a Michelada (Corona, limes and Tabasco sause) She squealed when she drank it. I think that was a good sign.

I'm blaming the whole thing on Hyena. Nok was saying when does the rain stop? It never does.

Glad you guys had fun!

[rin and john 71]

Just wanted to share good news with all of you. Rin and I married in 2006, so for TY 2006 I filed MFJ (got her an ITIN). After reading through alot of the IRS tax documents, decided to file an amended 2006 return (1040X) claiming her children as dependents even though they did not enter the USA until October 2007. Basically pub. 519 states that children are considered resident of the same country as their parent/step-parent. So I filed the 1040X and stated that her children were in Thailand attending school (an acceptable reason not to be living at "home"). Today I received a letter from the IRS stating that they accepted the amended return and that we will receive the additional refund (almost $5,000) within the next two weeks! Woohoo! We immediately opened a bottle of Caymus Cabernet to celebrate!

[scandal 951]

Just wanted to share good news with all of you. Rin and I married in 2006, so for TY 2006 I filed MFJ (got her an ITIN). After reading through alot of the IRS tax documents, decided to file an amended 2006 return (1040X) claiming her children as dependents even though they did not enter the USA until October 2007. Basically pub. 519 states that children are considered resident of the same country as their parent/step-parent. So I filed the 1040X and stated that her children were in Thailand attending school (an acceptable reason not to be living at "home"). Today I received a letter from the IRS stating that they accepted the amended return and that we will receive the additional refund (almost $5,000) within the next two weeks! Woohoo! We immediately opened a bottle of Caymus Cabernet to celebrate!

:dance:

Way to go! Party at Rin & John's place

[Danno2 0]

Money Transfers

We are sending in Packet 3 next week so it looks like we are 6 - 8 weeks from the interview. I'm sure those who know me are going to be shocked but we have a Pre-POE checklist. Lots of those things are going to take time and small amounts of money. In addition my girl (along with other members) is adamant about following protocol and giving 1 months notice at the hospital. Since the thought of waiting an additional month after getting the visa and missing summer doesn't sound appealing I want to pay her living expenses for approximately 4 weeks. We have worked out a good plan to reduce the expenses but the combination of everything is going to add up. I have previously done 2 small paypal transfers but don't like to rate they charge and and wait time for them to put the money in her account. Western Union seems crazy expensive and Bank of America charges a $45 wire service fee. All seem to give a poor exchange rate.

Can others share their experiences with sending money. Think I should post this in the larger forum?

Edited May 3, 2009 by Danny and Chada

[bill13060 0]

Money Transfers

We are sending in Packet 3 next week so it looks like we are 6 - 8 weeks from the interview. I'm sure those who know me are going to be shocked but we have a Pre-POE checklist. Lots of those things are going to take time and small amounts of money. In addition my girl (along with other members) is adamant about following protocol and giving 1 months notice at the hospital. Since the thought of waiting an additional month after getting the visa and missing summer doesn't sound appealing I want to pay her living expenses for approximately 4 weeks. We have worked out a good plan to reduce the expenses but the combination of everything is going to add up. I have previously done 2 small paypal transfers but don't like to rate they charge and and wait time for them to put the money in her account. Western Union seems crazy expensive and Bank of America charges a $45 wire service fee. All seem to give a poor exchange rate.

Can others share their experiences with sending money. Think I should post this in the larger forum?

It may be cheaper to do an international bank wire transfer from your bank. It cost me $25 every time i do it from my bank. alot cheaper that western union. The correspondant bank for my bank and bangkok bank is JP Morgan/Chase. When i send money that way, the amount deposited in my wifes account is at the rate for that day according to bangkok bank exchange rates and it takes about two days to be deposited in my wifes account.

[daboyz 36]

Money Transfers

We are sending in Packet 3 next week so it looks like we are 6 - 8 weeks from the interview. I'm sure those who know me are going to be shocked but we have a Pre-POE checklist. Lots of those things are going to take time and small amounts of money. In addition my girl (along with other members) is adamant about following protocol and giving 1 months notice at the hospital. Since the thought of waiting an additional month after getting the visa and missing summer doesn't sound appealing I want to pay her living expenses for approximately 4 weeks. We have worked out a good plan to reduce the expenses but the combination of everything is going to add up. I have previously done 2 small paypal transfers but don't like to rate they charge and and wait time for them to put the money in her account. Western Union seems crazy expensive and Bank of America charges a $45 wire service fee. All seem to give a poor exchange rate.

Can others share their experiences with sending money. Think I should post this in the larger forum?

Moneygram is the cheapest. You can do it online also.

[daboyz 36]

https://www.emoneygram.com/eMoneyGram/index.do

[AaronLV 12]

Money Transfers

We are sending in Packet 3 next week so it looks like we are 6 - 8 weeks from the interview. I'm sure those who know me are going to be shocked but we have a Pre-POE checklist. Lots of those things are going to take time and small amounts of money. In addition my girl (along with other members) is adamant about following protocol and giving 1 months notice at the hospital. Since the thought of waiting an additional month after getting the visa and missing summer doesn't sound appealing I want to pay her living expenses for approximately 4 weeks. We have worked out a good plan to reduce the expenses but the combination of everything is going to add up. I have previously done 2 small paypal transfers but don't like to rate they charge and and wait time for them to put the money in her account. Western Union seems crazy expensive and Bank of America charges a $45 wire service fee. All seem to give a poor exchange rate.

Cheapest and easiest way is send her an ATM card, call your bank and tell them you will be using it in Thailand, don't tell them you she is using it. I basically opened up am extra checking account with my bank, and then was able to just transfer money to it with out any worries, and I knew when she made the withdrawals we would get the current rate. I used Western Union a few times, and the fee was 15.00, and the rate was about .75 off of the current rate.

[daboyz 36]

Money Transfers

We are sending in Packet 3 next week so it looks like we are 6 - 8 weeks from the interview. I'm sure those who know me are going to be shocked but we have a Pre-POE checklist. Lots of those things are going to take time and small amounts of money. In addition my girl (along with other members) is adamant about following protocol and giving 1 months notice at the hospital. Since the thought of waiting an additional month after getting the visa and missing summer doesn't sound appealing I want to pay her living expenses for approximately 4 weeks. We have worked out a good plan to reduce the expenses but the combination of everything is going to add up. I have previously done 2 small paypal transfers but don't like to rate they charge and and wait time for them to put the money in her account. Western Union seems crazy expensive and Bank of America charges a $45 wire service fee. All seem to give a poor exchange rate.

Cheapest and easiest way is send her an ATM card, call your bank and tell them you will be using it in Thailand, don't tell them you she is using it. I basically opened up am extra checking account with my bank, and then was able to just transfer money to it with out any worries, and I knew when she made the withdrawals we would get the current rate. I used Western Union a few times, and the fee was 15.00, and the rate was about .75 off of the current rate.

Yeah eventually I did the same thing. Just sent her an ATM card with my name on it. Seems like you're pretty close to getting your approval, so not sure if you want to bother with that.

[Danno2 0]

Yeah eventually I did the same thing. Just sent her an ATM card with my name on it.

Wow, that's a great offer. You fellow VJ'ers are the best!

[scandal 951]

Yeah eventually I did the same thing. Just sent her an ATM card with my name on it.

Wow, that's a great offer. You fellow VJ'ers are the best!

Yeah, I second that. If you wanna send ME an ATM card with your name on it, I'll take one!

[ThaitoUSA 15]

I have only sent my fiancée money a few times and used B of A. The rate was good and the fee wasn't unreasonable. I have used ATM over there and the rate was also decent. The fee was minimal, perhaps a couple of dollars per use, and considering the minimal frequency perhaps the most convenient.

Danny's idea to help with cost of living, just to ensure that notice may be submitted in due time is brilliant. Thank you sir, as that was the internal dilemma I had been facing the past couple of days. I appreciate the economy of effort in your plan; Sincerely, a moment of perfect clarity.

[Danno2 0]

I have only sent my fiancée money a few times and used B of A. The rate was good and the fee wasn't unreasonable. I have used ATM over there and the rate was also decent. The fee was minimal, perhaps a couple of dollars per use, and considering the minimal frequency perhaps the most convenient.

Danny's idea to help with cost of living, just to ensure that notice may be submitted in due time is brilliant. Thank you sir, as that was the internal dilemma I had been facing the past couple of days. I appreciate the economy of effort in your plan; Sincerely, a moment of perfect clarity.

Well I've got to give thanks to Chada. She provides the motivation I provide the plan.