Starting Life/Work in US - Tips and Stories

[xthine]

^It depends, what's your definition of affordable? hehe

To give you an idea try checking this link.. http://www.inspa.com/pages.php?pageid=1#

That's a spa in Santa Row in California, it's a pricey strip so most likely it's cheaper when you go to other spas.  I personally never went to a spa (salons yes) when I was in Cali, I guess I didn't want anyone else touching my skin except my derma here in Manila. 

Hope this helps

[kikoshei]

seduce_me - The Spa is kinda pricey...actually I take it back, it's REALLY pricey $300 for the whole body, actually cheap na yan and I live in the midwest, much more sa west coast. That's why I do my own na lang, kasi ang mahal talaga

[seduce_me]

just saw the prices (thanks xtine), pang-shopping na rin yun ha! just thinking of surprising hubby with that, but oh well, I'll re-think about it..

[xthine]

^No problem

Hope somebody could shed some light.. I'll be moving to AL this weekend to start work in July.  A few questions..

-I have to get phone and internet connections for my apartment and I want to get a post paid phone plan from At & t (using a gophone on a daily basis proved to be expensive for me during my last trip), since I do not have a credit score would they ask for any deposit?  Would they want a SSN or could I present a letter from the social security office that I've already applied for one? 

- I need to buy a new car since I will be on call and there's no public transportation 24/7 in town.  Which is better/more feasible: bank auto loan or dealership financing considering I do not have a credit score yet? Our house staff coordinator told me that I could apply for an auto loan through the local bank but they would need a letter of credit from my bank here in Manila. However, BDO said that since I do not have an existing loan (I don't have credit cards too) they could only provide a bank certificate and a bank statement. 

-I was told that before I could apply for a bank auto loan I need car insurance. So I definitely apply for auto insurance first before I buy the car?  On average, how much do you pay outright for car insurance (new car, no US driver's license)?

Sorry for all the questions, I couldn't access the old thread and a little bit anxious about the move.  Trying to figure out how liquid I should be until my paycheck starts kicking in.

[chocolatefever]

^good luck xthine!  you're leaving na pala this weekend!

i hope someone answers your questions as we share the same concerns.  i'm anxious about those details, too!

btw, is your housing provided for for the first 1 or 2 months?  that's another thing im anxious about since i dont have a credit score either, and i expect they will be asking for a deposit and advance payment aside from the 1st months rent. 

[xthine]

^Thank you sis I know ano, I'm sure we'll get replies soon enough.

Nope we don't have free housing so I had to get my own apartment.  2 weeks ago I sent: 1 month advance + security deposit + prorated fees for apartment and furniture so that my unit would be ready (as in keys under the mat and furnished) when I get to town.  Rent's due July 1st, ouch!

[chocolatefever]

^wow galing naman. how did you find your apartment? sa mga craigslist lang ba or do you know someone who looked for one personally for you?

keep us posted!  btw, did you get a one-way or two-way airline ticket?

[spicyangel]

^No problem

Hope somebody could shed some light.. I'll be moving to AL this weekend to start work in July.  A few questions..

-I have to get phone and internet connections for my apartment and I want to get a post paid phone plan from At & t (using a gophone on a daily basis proved to be expensive for me during my last trip), since I do not have a credit score would they ask for any deposit?  Would they want a SSN or could I present a letter from the social security office that I've already applied for one? 

- I need to buy a new car since I will be on call and there's no public transportation 24/7 in town.  Which is better/more feasible: bank auto loan or dealership financing considering I do not have a credit score yet? Our house staff coordinator told me that I could apply for an auto loan through the local bank but they would need a letter of credit from my bank here in Manila. However, BDO said that since I do not have an existing loan (I don't have credit cards too) they could only provide a bank certificate and a bank statement. 

-I was told that before I could apply for a bank auto loan I need car insurance. So I definitely apply for auto insurance first before I buy the car?  On average, how much do you pay outright for car insurance (new car, no US driver's license)?

Sorry for all the questions, I couldn't access the old thread and a little bit anxious about the move.  Trying to figure out how liquid I should be until my paycheck starts kicking in.

i tried to get a line from at&t and they're asking for a deposit coz i still have no credit score. try at t mobile they wont ask for that.

[xthine]

^How much were they asking for?

@Chocolatefever - I searched for apartments online (rent.com, apartment finder, apartment reviews), did not use craigslist.  My co-worker was in town and he checked the complex for me, he said it was pretty decent and ended up signing a lease too.  I only got a 1 way ticket since I plan to vacation within the US naman.

[chocolatefever]

^thanks sis will look into those sites too when it's time to apartment hunt.

if you find some time kindly PM me re. your ticket details (costs) and where you got it. thanks!

[huckleberry]

- I need to buy a new car since I will be on call and there's no public transportation 24/7 in town.  Which is better/more feasible: bank auto loan or dealership financing considering I do not have a credit score yet? Our house staff coordinator told me that I could apply for an auto loan through the local bank but they would need a letter of credit from my bank here in Manila. However, BDO said that since I do not have an existing loan (I don't have credit cards too) they could only provide a bank certificate and a bank statement. 


>mahihirapan ka dito since wala kang credit history.  but if someone could act as a guarantor pwede, yun nga lang nakapangalan sa inyo ang title ng car.  my advise is get a driver's license first and apply for a credit card.  hinanap kasi sa amin yan when we purchased our car.  di ka rin bibigyan ng car loan ng bank because of insufficient credit history.  if you have a guarantor, there's a possibility na makakuha ka ng loan sa dealership but usually mas mataas ang rate nila sa bank.  in our case, sa dealership muna kami nag-loan then nun naka 6 months na kami na may credit card ni-transfer namin yun loan sa bank.

-I was told that before I could apply for a bank auto loan I need car insurance. So I definitely apply for auto insurance first before I buy the car?  On average, how much do you pay outright for car insurance (new car, no US driver's license)?
> before you purchase a car, make sure na may contact ka na insurance company.  after sealing the deal your dealership will contact your insurance agent then the agent will fax them a temporary car insurance cert.  once you got out of the dealership office go straight to your insurance agent to pay for the insurance.  you have an option if you want your insurance paid on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually.  how much?  initially we paid around $1,200/6mos insurance for a brand new SUV (that was 2 years ago).  if you are a good driver, bababa naman ang rate like now we are paying less than $900 na lang.  of course it would depend on the brand and the model pa.

[krispie]

Mga sis, can you recommend a good website for job searching? And pano ba nalalaman kung may mga job fairs? what site pwede puntahan for that? thanks

[neugierig]

a lot of good info on this post.  thanks.

[xthine]

Thanks so much for the info Huckleberry

As for me, i've been back in the US for only a week now.  Officially moved in to my apartment a few days ago.  I'm glad I got the furnished unit so I don't have to worry about buying furniture for now.

Since I got to town I have:

- Tried to apply for a social security number but they said I had to wait 10 days and re-apply

- Managed to get  a phone plan (not under my name)

- Got a car under my name.  Approved for a bank loan (did not have a co-signer) still have to find out what the loan terms are since they rushed the paperwork for me. Did not have to put down a downpayment. Picked up the new car yesterday. I'll be paying around 220 a month x 5 months for car insurance.

- Had power connected to my apartment, still have to get phone and internet connections (ran out of time yesterday)

- Went to the DMV and passed the written test, got a permit so I have to come back for the road test next week.

We have orientation Monday, Tuesday and start working Wednesday.   Arrgh still have to get SSN and a drivers license. shocked  I'm so thankful the people around here are so nice and understanding.  They certainly made the transition easier for me

[chocolatefever]

^hi sis, glad to hear you're almost completely settled

why did they say you needed to reapply for the ssn?

wow you were able to get a car loan without a downpayment, and without an ssn din. that kind of gives me hope!  is it a new car?

good luck and keep sharing your stories!

[xthine]

^hi sis, glad to hear you're almost completely settled

why did they say you needed to reapply for the ssn?

wow you were able to get a car loan without a downpayment, and without an ssn din. that kind of gives me hope!  is it a new car?

good luck and keep sharing your stories!

The SSO said that since my i94 is less than 10 days old they cannot process my application, so I need to come back.

My private banker was referred to me by my hospital's housestaff, so I guess they've had a long-standing relationship.  Yup it's a new car a 2009 Corolla just to take me from point A to point B.

Thank you, good luck to you too!!

[spicyangel]

^How much were they asking for?

sis 500 for deposit and 300 for the phone.. grabeh noh? mahal...

[gnela_21]

^ baka you're getting an iPhone.  usually the deposit is $500 if you don't have any credit history yet.

[neugierig]

the $500 reminds me of something...

my first personal credit card (a capital one) had a credit limit of $500. hehe pang grocery lang and gas.  i still have it actually, but don't use it anymore.  at least it contributes to my credit score.

buti na [textspeak!] i had a company provided credit card with a high limit.

[catherine]

Please help, would anyone here know how long I can stay out of the US, I am a Greencard holder but I'm already out of the US for 7 months.  SOme say I can only stay out for 6 months, some say 1 year, ano ba talaga mga sis?