january filers!

[psiprez 3]

I am visiting my SO at least three times in Ireland before he "officially" moves over here in the Fall....Who would have thought adding a travel budget as part of your wedding budget? ***sigh*** thankfully we don't have to travel back and forth for much longer.

Lucky you!

I will only get to see my SO once more before the permanent move, sometime in May.

God knows I wish it could be more often, and we originally thought it would be. But time off from work is an issue, as well as saving money for the months spent waiting for his EAD to come through. I'm a divorced mom relying on my alimony to pay the mortgage now, so those months will be tough on us.

Also, it somehow costs twice as much for me to fly to London, as it does for him to fly here, on the exact same flights (grrrrrr). So my going there isn't really an option. But it would be nice to be able to meet more of his family in person.

In good news, I finally found an officiant who does what he calls "show-up ceremonies" (lol). You get your marriage licence a day ahead of time, call him to arrange the time, and for $200 he show-ups and you are done in 15 minutes.

Yep, that works for us!

(New Jersey doesn't have Justices of the Peace, so that is the quickest and cheapest way!)

Edited January 22, 2008 by psiprez

[*JG* 2]

It's hard to believe I mailed ours off 2 years ago yesterday. I remember being in the same boat as all you January filiers.

I wish you all good luck and a speedy journey.

One day, it will all be just a memory for you too!

[Joe & Bella 1]

Who is planning on visiting their fiance before they get the K1 (or having their fiance visit them)?

I plan to visit Bella in Bogota in February, if I can get my visa renewed.. I also plan to attend the interview with her

Joe

Edited January 23, 2008 by Joe & Bella

[SusieLuvsPaul 0]

They got my petition again today hopefully this time the check gets cashed!! hehehe I'll check tomorrow

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

I'm visiting D in late March early April for a week; and hopefully get to see him again in the summer...how can everyone afford visiting frequently? It's taking almost all my savings to make those two trips...

Any tips on cutting travel costs?

[Tom212 0]

I was worries too. Filed on the 7th and got NOA1 a week later. Hope everything else goes this fast.

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

I'm visiting D in late March early April for a week; and hopefully get to see him again in the summer...how can everyone afford visiting frequently? It's taking almost all my savings to make those two trips...

Any tips on cutting travel costs?

I don't know any tips...

I'm currently trying to decide if I should go back to the US before I get the visa, or if I should save all that money for after we'll be married. It's hard to make such decisions sometimes!

[gujraja 0]

hello to all January filers,

I mailed my k1 application on the 14th to VSC. They received it on the 15th. I got a I-797C, NOA yesterday saying that USCIS has received it and the notice type says: Receipt Notice. Is this what is called the NOA1 and meaning the case is opened ? It doesn't seem to be asking anything from me.

I took the receipt number from this notice and created an online account at USCIS so I can track further progress. Is there anything else I should be doing at this point ?

Thanks and Regards,

gujara

[SMASHROX 0]

I have money automatically deposited into my savings account with each paycheck and that's how I make sure I have enough put away for trips to see my SO. As far as saving money, I try to avoid doing too many trips during the "tourist season," which in Ireland, is the summertime. I once paid twice as much for a flight in July vs. a flight in November. I am constantly monitoring travel sites as well and find the best prices are usually 2-3 months before my trip.

I'm visiting D in late March early April for a week; and hopefully get to see him again in the summer...how can everyone afford visiting frequently? It's taking almost all my savings to make those two trips...

Any tips on cutting travel costs?

[SusieLuvsPaul 0]

yea buy the tickets in advance as much as you can and you can save hundreds of $$

[imtay 0]

Hiya all! Lending my own post in the fray - we sent out our application to VSC on the 17th and tracked the progress to the destination via USPS. It says it reached them on Friday before MLK day. So, here we wait with fingers crossed! Good luck all!

Edited January 23, 2008 by imtay

[KitEEgirl 0]

I am visiting Marco on February 8th! We found that any travel during February to Europe was much much cheaper than we've ever seen. My ticket (round trip) was only $457. He'll be here sometime in March. We were hoping to time it that he gets back to Germany and doesn't have to wait too long for his interview...around June/July...

Good luck to everyone!

As far as travel tips, I'd assume you are using websites like www.expedia.com, and www.travelocity.com to find out who is offering the cheapest airfare. Once you identify the airline, go directly to their website to book. This will save you $5-$10. Also, I REALLY HOPE EVERYONE IS GETTING FREQUENT FLYER MILES! With all of our long trips, these can REALLY add up!

[mox 298]

While on the subject of buying cheap airline tickets, this article on purchasing Consolidator Airline tickets might shave off another couple hundred dollars for some people. I've hit a couple consolidator sites and have seen one-way ticket prices from Moscow to San Francisco as cheap as $724. Compare that to the $1,200 or so some of the big name sites wants for the exact same ticket. Also, you can usually shave off some more by flying Tues-Thurs.

[psiprez 3]

Anyone looking to travel after the beginning of May (the start of the US summer travel season) should try to book as soon a possible. The price only goes up the closer we get. My SO changed his arrival time from the first weekend in May to the last weekend in April and saved $200.

If you plan to travel anytime in July, prepare to pay more no matter what.

Booking directly with the airline, instead of a ticket site, usually saves money and may earn a frequent flyer bonus for doing so.

And check out the price difference if you arrival/depart on different days of the week. My SO usually leaves London on Saturday (arriving here in Sunday), and departs on a Monday. Big difference. And we get an extra day together!

[imtay 0]

Our check was cashed this evening!!! w00t! No NOA1 yet though...