What to Do With Your Stuff in the US Before You Move to Europe

What to Do With Your Stuff in the US Before You Move to Europe

I moved from a five-bedroom house on half an acre in Texas to a two-bedroom furnished apartment in Portugal. That's an 80 percent downsize! The hardest part was standing in my house, looking at decades of stuff, and not knowing where to start. Vivian Najib has done this three times. She's a professional organizer who's moved from New York to Italy, Southeast Asia, and now Portugal. In this conversation, she walks us through her Bucket System. Her framework takes the stress out of downsizing by giving every item a next destination instead of asking "keep or toss." We cover her buckets, learn why "I love it" is not a destination, and find out how and why to set limits before you start sorting. If your stuff is the thing standing between you and your move, this is the episode. Work with Vivian: ftbhomeorganizing.com/moveabroad Join the We're Moving to Europe Community (free): skool.com/were-moving-to-europe 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Moving Abroad 02:21 Personal Experiences with Moving and Downsizing 06:06 Understanding the Emotional Impact of Letting Go 09:24 The Bucket System for Organizing Belongings 13:15 Logistical Challenges of Moving: Fly, Ship, Store 16:50 Financial Considerations in Shipping and Storage 23:28 Setting the Foundation for Downsizing 24:13 Getting the Boat in Motion 26:09 The Simon Cowell Sweep 28:20 Making Thoughtful Decisions 32:51 Clarifying Your New Life 33:59 Approaching a Quick Move 35:49 The Not on My New Album Filter 38:44 Bringing Meaningful Items 42:10 Embracing the Adventure of Downsizing 44:14 Introduction to Moving to Europe 44:16 Practical Steps for Relocation Music and production by @Sage Barton

Finding clients and jobs in Europe as an American

https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe  [https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe] Larry's website: https://larrycornett.coach/  [https://larrycornett.coach/]   Want to move to Europe but don’t have a job yet?  In this episode, career coach Larry Cornett (ex-Apple, eBay, Yahoo) chats with Casey Kelly about how Americans can start landing European clients before they move.  We cover how to build a global network, where to find hidden opportunities (even outside tech), and the biggest mistakes Americans make with European employers.  If you’re serious about relocating, don’t miss this.    0:00 Moving from the US to Europe: where to start  0:19 Meet Larry Cornett (ex-Apple, eBay, Yahoo)  1:01 From PhD to Silicon Valley career  3:13 Why he left corporate for consulting  4:06 Is freelancing more stable than a job?  5:08 How to start as a consultant  6:00 Getting international clients as a beginner  6:50 Why relationships and referrals matter globally  8:09 Building a worldwide network  10:19 Finding opportunities beyond “tech companies”  12:04 How to research companies hiring in Europe  13:13 Best industries to explore right now  13:32 Do you need a master’s degree in Europe?  16:08 How education value differs by country  17:06 Using study as a pathway to relocate  19:33 Key strategies to grow your network and career  20:10 Building credibility and standing out online  21:42 Why you should share your work publicly  22:29 Using speaking and content to attract clients  23:33 Introverts vs visibility: what works  25:22 Final advice for moving to Europe  25:33 Cultural differences Americans must understand  27:56 Where to find Larry online    Production team  Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe  Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives    Sound library  All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.  Medication background music - The Orienvibes (https://pixabay.com/users/43208736/)    Extra visuals curated via Canva

How to Find Your Community and Practice Gratitude in a New Country

www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe [http://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe] Abigail (Abbie) Somma [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-somma/] Gratitude Buddies [https://www.gratitudebuddies.com/] What does it really take to build a fulfilling life in a new country?  In this episode, Casey Kelly speaks with Abigail Somma, who has lived and worked across several countries. They explore how mindfulness, gratitude, and strong community connections can help people navigate the emotional and practical challenges of relocating abroad.  Abigail shares her personal journey of creating Gratitude Buddies, a community built around skill-sharing, meaningful connections, and mindful networking. Together, they discuss managing expectations when settling into a new place, coping with the emotional ups and downs of international life, and finding practical ways to build resilience and belonging.  This conversation offers thoughtful insights for anyone moving abroad, adapting to life overseas, or looking to build deeper connections in a new environment. 00:00 Rethinking the Meaning of Home 00:22 Podcast Introduction – Moving from the US to Europe 00:52 Meet Abigail Somma – Living in Spain, Italy, and Austria 01:48 Abigail’s Journey Living Abroad 03:10 From International Relations to Mindfulness and Community 04:22 The Origins of Gratitude Buddies 05:02 Why Gratitude and Community Matter After a Move 06:09 Belonging, Mindfulness, and Building Connection 07:30 Finding Community Through Shared Values 08:09 Managing Expectations When Moving Abroad 09:50 Culture Shock and Everyday Challenges in a New Country 11:29 Emotional Resilience – Humor, Crying, and Self-Compassion 13:33 Resources for Americans Planning a Move to Europe 14:57 The Hidden Mental Load of Living in Another Language 16:12 Beginner’s Mind – Staying Open to New Experiences 19:20 Guided Gratitude Meditation with Abigail Somma 23:44 Resetting Your Mindset with Mindfulness 25:00 Practical Advice for Building Community Abroad 26:07 Accepting Mixed Emotions When Moving Countries 27:02 Redefining Home and Cultivating Belonging 27:48 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Buddies Community 28:28 Outro – Thanks for Listening Production team Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe [https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe]  Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laasmagdalena/] Sound library All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton. Medication background music - The Orienvibes (https://pixabay.com/users/43208736/ [https://pixabay.com/users/43208736/]) Extra visuals Meditation visual - Nathan Cowley, Pexel Images on title slides - Photos by Pierre Blaché [https://unsplash.com/@pierre9x6?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] and Alejandra Cifre González [https://unsplash.com/@alexciland?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/people-walking-in-front-of-brown-concrete-building-during-daytime-6Sa3eHcMX1c?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText]

How to Build a Successful Freelance Business in Germany as an American

We’re Moving to Europe Substack [https://weremovingtoeurope.substack.com/] We’re Moving to Europe Community [https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe] https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/entreprenuership-in-germany [https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/entreprenuership-in-germany] https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/ [https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/] What does it really take to start over in a new country and build a business from scratch in Germany? In this episode, host Casey Kelly sits down with Eleanor Mayrhofer, who moved from the US to Germany on a whim after a friend invited her to start a business. What followed was a crash course in entrepreneurship, networking, visas, language barriers, and cultural integration. Eleanor shares the realities of navigating German work permits, understanding local business regulations, and building a professional network without speaking fluent German. She explains how a government support program helped her transition into freelancing, breaks down the German public and private healthcare systems, and highlights the power of the vibrant expat community. Whether you're dreaming of launching a business abroad or simply curious about life as an entrepreneur in Germany, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest lessons from the front lines. 00:00 Joining expat groups vs integrating long term  01:03 Welcome + show intro (Casey’s move to Portugal)  01:34 Meet Eleanor Mayrhofer (US-born marketer in Germany since 1999)  01:59 How Eleanor ended up in Germany (a “big accident”)  03:14 The beer garden moment: “Let’s start a business”  04:24 Reality check: no network, no German, no plan  05:26 First job lead through networking (and visa stress)  06:08 Getting paid under the table while waiting on permits  06:43 Munich’s early web boom and the hiring wave  07:08 Landing at Sapient and finally getting the paperwork sorted  08:11 How timing and luck played a role (tourist visa extensions)  08:45 From corporate stability to going independent  09:15 Why “network is everything” when you start freelancing  10:29 Government support for founders: Gründerzuschuss explained  11:35 Germany’s healthcare: public vs private (what expats should know)  14:36 Being covered in the US: the $100k hospital story  16:11 Sponsor break: We’re Moving to Europe membership community  17:05 Does Germany really support entrepreneurs? Yes and no  17:19 KSK (artists’ social insurance) + freelancer reality math  18:26 Taxes, cash flow, and admin: the bureaucracy challenge  20:12 Choosing English vs German as your business language  20:32 Scaling, niches, and early business mistakes (printables)  21:46 Avoiding extra complexity: why a US LLC backfired  22:18 German business structures (GmbH/UG) + today’s tools/resources  23:30 Biggest upsides of self-employment: autonomy and flexibility  24:31 Advice for newcomers: side hustles, compliance, and pipeline  26:41 Networking culture in Germany (English-friendly ecosystems)  27:51 Startup scenes, meetups, and where connections happen  29:38 Expat community in Munich: evolving beyond the “bubble”  31:38 There’s never been a better time: creators, groups, accelerators  33:27 Eleanor’s podcast + where to find her (Germany List)  34:31 Wrap-up + credits (Producer/Editor: Magdalena Laas) Production team Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe [https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe]  Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laasmagdalena/] Sound library All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.

Portugal Taxes for Americans: Digital Nomads, Pensions & Avoiding Double Tax

We’re Moving to Europe Substack [https://weremovingtoeurope.substack.com/] We’re Moving to Europe Community [https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe] Portugal Taxes [https://portugaltaxes.pt/] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=@WMTEurope [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=@WMTEurope] Moving to Portugal as a US citizen? Your biggest surprise might not be the visa, it’s the taxes. From double taxation myths to retirement income traps, this episode explains what Americans really need to know.  In this episode, Casey Kelly speaks with Pedro Gaudêncio, a chartered accountant and CEO of Portugal Taxes, to break down how the Portuguese tax system works for US expats living in Portugal.  They unpack common misconceptions that often circulate online, explain how the Portugal–US double taxation agreement actually works in practice, and why many Americans misunderstand their tax obligations after moving abroad. Pedro also explains how different types of income are treated, including US retirement income, and what digital nomads and remote workers need to be aware of when becoming tax resident in Portugal.  The conversation also explores tax benefits and incentives for younger expats, why early planning matters, and why working with qualified tax professionals is essential for staying compliant with both US and Portuguese tax authorities.  Whether you are planning a move to Portugal, already living there, or researching US expat tax planning, this episode offers clear, practical insight to help you avoid costly mistakes. 00:00 – The tax mistake that shocks most Americans in Portugal  01:13 – The tax expert Americans wish they’d talked to sooner  04:26 – Why the US makes expat taxes so much harder  05:52 – The biggest tax myths Americans believe about Portugal  06:45 – Selling a US home? Here’s the Portugal tax trap  09:04 – Will you really be taxed twice?  13:56 – Two tax strategies every US expat should understand  15:58 – Why Google gives terrible tax advice for expats  19:38 – How Portugal taxes Social Security and 401(k)s  23:16 – Digital nomads: where your income is really taxed  26:24 – “They won’t know I’m abroad” is a risky bet  28:39 – Hidden tax perks for younger expats (NHR 2.0) Production team Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly – We’re Moving to Europe [https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe]  Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laasmagdalena/] Sound library All the music was composed especially for the We’re Moving to Europe podcast by Sage Barton. Copyright 2025, Sage Barton.