Getting everything organised

[LukeU 413]

6 hours ago, Meisha&Jake said:

I kept my UK bank account open; Im with Barclay's bank & they said aslong as my account has a UK address attached to it, theres no issue keeping it open.. so I put the address as my mum's

only medical records from my GP that i brought with me was letters from specialists for a medical condition, i didnt bring every single medical record as i agree, i dont think its necessary

I also kept my iPhone; I bought myself out of my EE contract as it was due for renewal in 5 months anyways & I liked how my phone was... I got it unlocked so i could use a AT&T sim on my husband's plan

Good luck at your interview @LukeU! enjoy the day & the feeling afterwards 

 

I'll give Halifax a call or pop in over the weekend and hopefully they're the same as Barclays. Still toying with my phone, I'm really torn. It would be a nice upgrade for a family member so we'd be able to video call for free, but saving a chunk of money on buying an additional line on my fiancee's plan does sound lovely. 

 

8 hours ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

You car - are you selling or scrapping it? Either way, send off the change of ownership document to the DVLA before you go...

 

I'm just going to leave the car with my Mam should anything happen to either her's or my Dad's. Change of ownership will be sent end of March just to be sure as come Mid-April I won't really need one and will just place myself as a named driver until I get of here! 

 

 

8 hours ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Oooh, what about your pension (if you have one)? 

 

I’m with Fidelity, who exist in the US and have confirmed my pension savings can be transferred over (which is very helpful) - so maybe worth checking with your pension company if you can do the same? Or withdraw the money?

Pension I'm not too sure but that's a good one actually thank you! Currently writing an email to them now to see if I'm able to withdraw it to set  up a new policy over the pond and if so what do they charge. I mean there isn't much in it but we'll see. I'm with Scottish Widow with a work placed pension so I'm not too optimistic on them.

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

9 hours ago, LukeU said:

I'll give Halifax a call or pop in over the weekend and hopefully they're the same as Barclays. Still toying with my phone, I'm really torn. It would be a nice upgrade for a family member so we'd be able to video call for free, but saving a chunk of money on buying an additional line on my fiancee's plan does sound lovely. 

 

 

I'm just going to leave the car with my Mam should anything happen to either her's or my Dad's. Change of ownership will be sent end of March just to be sure as come Mid-April I won't really need one and will just place myself as a named driver until I get of here! 

 

 

Pension I'm not too sure but that's a good one actually thank you! Currently writing an email to them now to see if I'm able to withdraw it to set  up a new policy over the pond and if so what do they charge. I mean there isn't much in it but we'll see. I'm with Scottish Widow with a work placed pension so I'm not too optimistic on them.

 

Definitely worth checking it (mine’s a work-based one too) - and if you can’t transfer it, I think they have to let you withdraw, albeit, with fees I would imagine...

 

Another thing to think about is what you may want to take with you (outside of your regular possessions)...I’m visiting in March and am taking a year’s supply of teabags (American ones just don’t taste right to me) and loads of my favourite face moisturiser...when I visited last, I took several jars of Branson pickle and some chutneys 😆.

 

Don’t get me wrong, you can get British products over there, but the prices are waaaay inflated.

[LukeU 413]

43 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

 

Definitely worth checking it (mine’s a work-based one too) - and if you can’t transfer it, I think they have to let you withdraw, albeit, with fees I would imagine...

 

Another thing to think about is what you may want to take with you (outside of your regular possessions)...I’m visiting in March and am taking a year’s supply of teabags (American ones just don’t taste right to me) and loads of my favourite face moisturiser...when I visited last, I took several jars of Branson pickle and some chutneys 😆.

 

Don’t get me wrong, you can get British products over there, but the prices are waaaay inflated.

I've called all of my previous employer pension ones and I thankfully never had one with any of them but my current one I have sent the request regarding withdrawing it due to emmigrating. 

 

I have deals set up with friends for Galaxy chocolate, prawn cocktail crisps and thankfully we've found HP sauce that I can live with. I do agree with tea bags, I only get tetley over there and that just doesn't cut it compared to Yorkshire tea! I think the extra bag of my stuff Courtney is taking back with her this time may well be filled with primarily food haha!

[yuna628 9,712]

5 minutes ago, LukeU said:

I've called all of my previous employer pension ones and I thankfully never had one with any of them but my current one I have sent the request regarding withdrawing it due to emmigrating. 

 

I have deals set up with friends for Galaxy chocolate, prawn cocktail crisps and thankfully we've found HP sauce that I can live with. I do agree with tea bags, I only get tetley over there and that just doesn't cut it compared to Yorkshire tea! I think the extra bag of my stuff Courtney is taking back with her this time may well be filled with primarily food haha!

Yorkshire tea can be found stateside. It was one of a few my grandma always drank and it is a staple of my husband's. You can also find PG Tips, Taylors of Harrogate, and Twinings. Some friends tell me there are also a few British import grocery stores in Michigan, and there are plenty of online order stores too.

[LukeU 413]

Just now, yuna628 said:

Yorkshire tea can be found stateside. It was one of a few my grandma always drank and it is a staple of my husband's. You can also find PG Tips, Taylors of Harrogate, and Twinings. Some friends tell me there are also a few British import grocery stores in Michigan, and there are plenty of online order stores too.

This is quite possibly the final little part of my concerns now squashed regarding this whole process!  

The online stores we''ve seen but I could not ever pay their prices, now it's time to search British import stores for sure. 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

12 minutes ago, LukeU said:

This is quite possibly the final little part of my concerns now squashed regarding this whole process!  

The online stores we''ve seen but I could not ever pay their prices, now it's time to search British import stores for sure. 

Ha, same here! I found a shop selling English products in a couple of places in LA, but everything was at least quadruple the regular price - and I’m way too stingy to pay that if I can take stuff with me instead 😆.

 

I’ve been relocating my stuff for the last 18 months (every time me or my fiancé visit, a full suitcase of stuff gets left at his) - so I don’t actually have that much to take with me, so have room for food and things.

 

I’ve already struck a deal with my family - they must all visit me annually (or I them) and they must bring teabags and pickle 😆. In return, I’ll bring them Jolly Ranchers 😆.

[LukeU 413]

Just now, Zoeeeeeee said:

Ha, same here! I found a shop selling English products in a couple of places in LA, but everything was at least quadruple the regular price - and I’m way too stingy to pay that if I can take stuff with me instead 😆.

 

I’ve been relocating my stuff for the last 18 months (every time me or my fiancé visit, a full suitcase of stuff gets left at his) - so I don’t actually have that much to take with me, so have room for food and things.

 

I’ve already struck a deal with my family - they must all visit me annually (or I them) and they must bring teabags and pickle 😆. In return, I’ll bring them Jolly Ranchers 😆.

I have done the same, unfortunately I had a few trips when I travelled standby with a transfer so I didn't want to bring checked luggage but I'd still max out the hand luggage and personal baggage and just leave it all! 

 

This will be my last big bag and then the next 2 when I move over unfortunately full of general junk (and food). 

 

That's the best, friends etc will often be in/around the states due standby travel so they'll always be bribed into bringing me things I'm sure. It's a staple, I need prawn cocktail walkers and I need Galaxy chocolate. 

We found Yorkshire puddings online and they were something like $9-12 for 18 of them or something crazy! Courtney is now a dab hand at making them 😂 At that price, I should get in to the import/export business of Yorkshire puds alone. 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

2 minutes ago, LukeU said:

I have done the same, unfortunately I had a few trips when I travelled standby with a transfer so I didn't want to bring checked luggage but I'd still max out the hand luggage and personal baggage and just leave it all! 

 

This will be my last big bag and then the next 2 when I move over unfortunately full of general junk (and food). 

 

That's the best, friends etc will often be in/around the states due standby travel so they'll always be bribed into bringing me things I'm sure. It's a staple, I need prawn cocktail walkers and I need Galaxy chocolate. 

We found Yorkshire puddings online and they were something like $9-12 for 18 of them or something crazy! Courtney is now a dab hand at making them 😂 At that price, I should get in to the import/export business of Yorkshire puds alone. 

Hahaha, it’s funny how you start to really evaluate what products you can’t exist without 😆. I also took LOADS of spices over last year, as I spent 2017 Christmas at my future in-laws...I decided to make mulled cider and was horrified when buying star anise - it was THIRTEEN DOLLARS for one jar!!! 😳😳😳 I took several jars of it over after that, at 70p a jar 😆.

 

We’ve managed to find crumpets over there (and only around $3, so expensive, but not insanely so) - though I am going to miss Skips and Lilt Zero 😫😫. To be honest though, food-wise, LA is great - I’m vegan, and the choices I get there, both in restaurants and shops, is excellent.

 

 

[LukeU 413]

5 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Hahaha, it’s funny how you start to really evaluate what products you can’t exist without 😆. I also took LOADS of spices over last year, as I spent 2017 Christmas at my future in-laws...I decided to make mulled cider and was horrified when buying star anise - it was THIRTEEN DOLLARS for one jar!!! 😳😳😳 I took several jars of it over after that, at 70p a jar 😆.

 

We’ve managed to find crumpets over there (and only around $3, so expensive, but not insanely so) - though I am going to miss Skips and Lilt Zero 😫😫. To be honest though, food-wise, LA is great - I’m vegan, and the choices I get there, both in restaurants and shops, is excellent.

 

 

Wow that's insane!! Star anise that price?! 

I spent Christmas 2018 there but I just decided to try Christmas their way and it was amazing, different food but amazing. This year I'm going to try to do things but will be eyeing up the shops earlier so I can get things sent if needed 😂

 

Mulled Cider store like the adult equivalent of the Lemonade stall (don't get me started on flat lemonade!) 

 

That's it, I would assume LA is amazingly diverse for food. I'm easily pleased just point me to a fast food place and leave me be...I'll do enough damage without $10 Yorkshire Puds & $3 Crumpets! Geez now you've got my head thinking, what if they don't have Nice 'N' Spicy Nik Naks?! 😳

Edited February 27, 2019 by LukeU

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

I’m visiting in March and am taking a year’s supply of teabags (American ones just don’t taste right to me) 

 

How many teabags is a year's supply? 

 

I buy PG Tips at a store called Tuesday Morning. 120 teabags/$3.99. That's about 3 quid. You might have to eventually settle for that. Works for me. 

 

 

 

[LukeU 413]

Just now, Wuozopo said:

 

How many teabags is a year's supply? 

 

I buy PG Tips at a store called Tuesday Morning. 120 teabags/$3.99. That's about 3 quid. You might have to eventually settle for that. Works for me. 

 

 

 

3 cups a day Mon-Fri (assuming a 5 day working week),

3-6 Sat-Sun.

 

780 for your working days, 

416 weekends (lets say 4 a day), knock some off for parties/weekend trips,  380 weekends,

1,140 a year.

 

Knock it down, a little summer gets a little too much for tea at times - 950 would do me I recon in a year, maybe 1050? 🤔

 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 minute ago, LukeU said:

3 cups a day Mon-Fri (assuming a 5 day working week),

3-6 Sat-Sun.

 

780 for your working days, 

416 weekends (lets say 4 a day), knock some off for parties/weekend trips,  380 weekends,

1,140 a year.

 

Knock it down, a little summer gets a little too much for tea at times - 950 would do me I recon in a year, maybe 1050? 🤔

 

 

I worked out mine at a conservative 2400 in a year. 😂

 

I find Colmans mustard, Branston pickle, and HP Sauce in my regular grocery store. That's about all I need British anymore. I've found a good cheddar that's not at imported prices there too. I'm pretty much over the rest of it except I splash out at Christmas on sweets from the local British store or World Market.

 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

12 minutes ago, LukeU said:

Wow that's insane!! Star anise that price?! 

I spent Christmas 2018 there but I just decided to try Christmas their way and it was amazing, different food but amazing. This year I'm going to try to do things but will be eyeing up the shops earlier so I can get things sent if needed 😂

 

Mulled Cider store like the adult equivalent of the Lemonade stall (don't get me started on flat lemonade!) 

 

That's it, I would assume LA is amazingly diverse for food. I'm easily pleased just point me to a fast food place and leave me be...I'll do enough damage without $10 Yorkshire Puds & $3 Crumpets! Geez now you've got my head thinking, what if they don't have Nice 'N' Spicy Nik Naks?! 😳

 

I hate to break it to you...no Nik Naks! Introduced my fiancé (Herschell) to them last year and he fell in love - he told me at the airport that he missed me...and Nik Naks...already! 😆😆

 

10 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

 

How many teabags is a year's supply? 

 

I buy PG Tips at a store called Tuesday Morning. 120 teabags/$3.99. That's about 3 quid. You might have to eventually settle for that. Works for me. 

 

 

 

I’m planning on taking a thousand - and yeah, $4 for 120 isn’t bad actually...though I am awkward and drink decaf, so guessing it’ll be harder to get hold of?

[LukeU 413]

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

 

I worked out mine at a conservative 2400 in a year. 😂

 

I find Colmans mustard, Branston pickle, and HP Sauce in my regular grocery store. That's about all I need British anymore. I've found a good cheddar that's not at imported prices there too. I'm pretty much over the rest of it except I splash out at Christmas on sweets from the local British store or World Market.

 

Now that's a Brit number for sure. I drink coffee quite a lot, plus they always have perculated coffee and not instant there so that makes it even better for me. 

 

Thankfully I'm only concerned for the HP sauce out of those 3! The cheddar I will definitely be interested in, although there's some that we have over there when I'm visiting and I love it so I won't complain regarding cheese actually. The crisps are going to be the killer for me.

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

This feels like the most stereotypical Brit conversation ever, discussing our need for proper tea 😆😆😆