Renewing Your TIE in Madrid

It's that time of year already, back to paperwork!

After receiving my new Carta Nombramiento for this coming school year, and yes staying in my same school, I thought I would try take a few (baby) steps on the paper trail.  Per usual, extremely overwhelming.

As my anxiety started to set in on how I would possibly be able to get all of it done in the month before I go back to the USA for a visit, I had to take a step back and organize myself.  Leading me to this current post, as I assume I'm not the only one grasping at straws right now.  Prepare to be informed and simultaneously bored, after all Spain can't always be exciting.

Representation of my current emotions, but not as pretty...or fun

First off, make sure to use ANY resource available: If you're part of the main Madrid auxiliares FB group, look up in the documents section the document "RENEWING NIE in Madrid."  If not, just use this document from the Madrid auxiliares' website: Renovación de la tarjeta TIE, which was just updated today.

The documents that you will need are:

1. Impreso de solicitud en modelo oficial (“Solicitud de autorización de estancia y prórrogas-
EX – 00) make sure it's completed and signed, and that you have two copies. I used this link
2. Copy of ALL pages of your passport, plus bring your actual passport with you.
3. Old carta de nombramiento from the 2013-2014 school year
4. New carta de nombramiento from the 2014-2015 school year
5. Certificado de aprovechamiento from the 2013-2014 school year (Ask the director of your school!)
6. Photocopy of the student TIE that you want to renew (front and back of card)
7. Receipt of tasas de prórroga: Modelo 790 / Código 052 costing 16,81 euros Download, complete, and print here, make sure to mark the box for: 1.3 "Prórroga de la autorización de estancia por estudios, movilidad de alumnos, prácticas no laborales o servicios de voluntariado (titular principal y sus familiares)"
               *Make sure you select the right province: Madrid- código de provincia 28)
               *No need to photocopy, it will print out the three copies of the tasa to bring to the bank

source

Applying for the renewal:

You must go in person to the Oficina de Extranjería at C/ Garcia de Paredes, 65 (Metro: 

Gregorio Marañón – Line 10, 9am to 2pm, Telephone: 91 272 91 71 – 92 88) either within the 60 days before your card expires OR within the 90 days after your card expires.  According the auxiliares document (linked above) if you later need to present another document, or something has changed you can drop off the document at the registro público auxiliar de la calle Manuel Luna, 29.

According to the FB group, you follow the sign that says “Registro”unless you have questions and need to go to information.  Once you have turned in all of your paperwork you will be given back the stamped copy of your EX00 and Tasa 052 receipt (which you willl need these for your second appointment and to apply for an autorización de regreso if you plan on traveling outside of Spain while your NIE is expired). Make sure the address on your EX00 is correct because this is where information will be sent to you.

While I'm not sure of any specific time frame as I'm in the process myself, the documents from the ministry claims that within two months you should receive a letter in the mail telling you if your renewal was accepted or not.  If accepted, the letter should have a date of when you're supposed to go to Aluche and what documents you need to bring with you.  And after that approximately another month or so until the physical TIE should be ready.

source, Don't let this be you!

I'm in the initial stages of the renewal and have collected almost all of the paperwork, except the certificado de aprovechamiento from my school.  If you're still waiting for your carta, I highly suggest starting to gather all of the documents you'll need.  Most of them felt much easier to gather than from the initial TIE appointment!  Not to mention it will help you start to prepare if you are going home for part of the summer and need an autorización de regreso like I do.

[Update 7/18: Checked the status of my renewal to see that the result is: favorable, meaning that so far in the process my renewal has been accepted.  Pretty good considering it hasn't even been a full month since I turned in my papers.  Now just waiting to see when I get the official letter in the mail to get my fingerprints done!

Update 8/18: About three weeks into the process my favorable letter still never came, so figuring it was either A) lost in the mail or B) sent to my old apartment I decided to make the appointment myself without the letter.  To make an appointment for your huellas (fingerprints) in Madrid go to the extranjería website, select Madrid and EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA DE EXTRANJERO (HUELLAS), then follow through and put in your information.  

1. Once you have your cita, print the justificante form.
2. Print out your "favorable" status
3. Pick up the Tasa Modelo 790, Codigo 012 form at any national police station or foreigner's office (This cannot be downloaded, I went to the foreigner's office on Calle Silva near Callao) and make sure to mark box "4.2 Tarjeta que documenta la renovación o prórroga de la autorización de residencia temporal, la prórroga de la estancia o de trabajadores transfronterizos" pay €18,56 at a bank

4. Original + copy of your passport (including old visa and entry stamps)
5. Original + copy of your empadronamiento
6. Your old TIE + copy of your TIE (front and back)
7. A new photo (carnet size, I went to one of those booths in the metro stops and it cost 5€ for six)I also brought the EX-00 document with the stamp/sticker from my original renewal appointment just in case. 

Update 9/18: Went to pick up my new TIE today!  No issues and I was out in five minutes with my shiny new card :)]

On the day of your appointment go early, like at least an hour early if you can (and bring water if it's in the summer!).  Get in the line labeled "huellas" and wait until it's your turn to enter, if it all goes well you'll get a resguardo at the end and be told to come back in 25-30 days with your old TIE and passport to pick up your shiny new card.  Good luck!

So hot the line was waiting in the tents.

Autorización de Regreso

After you turn in your renewal paperwork you can start to apply for your autorización de regreso (yes, at the dreaded Aluche), which gives you permission to re-enter Spain once your card is expired and you don't have a valid card.  The regreso is valid for three months and is only good for one use, which is why it's suggested to only present it IF asked for it.

To apply for the regreso you must have these documents:

source, How I feel when I have to go back to Aluche

1. Original and copy of your passport (some debate on the FB group if you need a copy of the whole thing, or just the information page)
2. Original and copy of your NIE (front and back of card)
3. Stamped EX00 form from your renewal appointment
4. Copy of your plane reservation
5. EX13"solicitud de autorización de regreso" I used this link
6. Receipt from Modelo 790 Codigo 012 (pick up a PHYSICAL tasa form from any police station or foreigner's office, I went to the one Calle de Silva, 19 near Callao) so show you paid the fee of €10,30

Be sure to ask for an appointment: here.  Choose “Madrid” and “Autorizaciones de Regreso” from the drop-down menus. Click “Entrar” at the bottom and be sure to fill in your personal info correctly. Select “Solicitar cita” to make an appointment and from there complete the rest of the information. Do not forget to print out the confirmation, you need it for your appointment!

Definately feeling the pressure to get these done with my flight home only a month away!  Just a reminder that while life in Spain can be great, it's not as glamorous as people think.  It's full of lesson planning, daily errands, and enough of paperwork to keep you on your toes.

Now go celebrate some football!

Have you started the renewal process, or applied for an autorizacón de regreso yet?  What tips do you have?

Living On a Budget: Auxiliar Style

A lovely day in Madrid to talk budgets.

I've had a lot of people back home, as well as people interested in teaching abroad in Spain, wonder how I'm able to live abroad and make ends meet.  Many who are not in the program have wondered if I get paid on time, how much I spend per month, and if the money I make is sufficient to live abroad in Spain.

In the Auxiliares government program you get paid  based on the location you work.  In Madrid you work 16 hours per week and make 1000€, while in the rest of Spain you work only 12 hours per week and make 700€.    As the capital, and largest city in Spain, Madrid is one of the most expensive cities to live here and with the Auxiliares you make more money to cover the extra living costs.

Though many may not believe it, in this program you can make more than enough money to live comfortably in Spain.  Especially if you find any of the abundant Private English classes.

To help give you an idea of how I live on my budget abroad, here's a breakdown of my monthly expenses:

Transportation:

My school isn't in the center of Madrid where I live, instead it's a city just outside of the city limits so I have to buy a monthly Abono/Transportation pass.  You can buy these Madrid monthly abonos in based on what zone you need to travel between (A, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, E1, E2) and your age: Joven, Normal, and Tercera Edad. Because my school is in the B1 zone I buy the monthly B1 Abono, and unfortunately (for me) because I'm over 23 I have to buy the Normal B1 abono.  The card costs me 63.70€ a month but covers any (trains, metro, or bus) travel in zones A and B1.

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Housing:

As I said before, I live in the center of Madrid.  And when I say center, I mean center, as in three minutes from Puerta del Sol.  My boyfriend and I share a one bedroom apartment together, and obviously the rent and utilities that come with it.  Since it's only a one bedroom apartment it's very cheap for us: 280€ (for each of us) per month for just the rent.As for utilities, we don't pay for our water only for electricity and internet.

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For internet and phone we each pay 17€, but this also includes a few hours of international calling to the USA per month.  [Hear that stateside friends!].  And for electricity it depends on the month and the amount we use.  In September and October it was around 11€ for each of us per month, in November and December it was closer to 25€ for each of us per month, and now that the cost of electricity has risen starting this month...we shall see...

Point being that my cost for housing in Madrid's center has ranged monthly from 308-322€.  Definitely not too shabby for living in the Country's capital.

Groceries:

Groceries in this household depends a lot on how much my boyfriend feels like eating in a sitting, which is usually a lot more than I do!  We still split all food costs 50/50 and usually the monthly cost is 300€ for the two of us, so around 150€ each one.  If you're wondering what grocery stores that we shop at, we generally go to the Hipercor of Cortes Ingles (which I've found far less expensive than everyone claims it to be) though sometimes I also go to the Ahorra Mas across the street from my school, or the Carrefour Express that's also near our apartment.

How can you not love the fresh food in Spain? source

Phone:

In Spain this doesn't have to be you! source

Paying for my cell phone here is so cheap that it's something I rarely think (and never worry) about it.  The thing about cell phone service in Spain compared to the USA is that purchasing the actual phone is generally much more expensive (even with a contract and you don't get free upgrades!) but the plans are usually way cheaper.

The cheapest unlocked smartphone I could find was 79€ but my monthly plan with Tuenti is only 10.89€ (now changing to 10.75€!).  I chose Tuenti because of this plan of 1GB of data and 75 minutes of calls per month, so far I haven't gone over either since being here since September.  The only thing is that when I pay monthly on my account they only accept payments in increments of 5€ so sometimes I only have to pay 10€ while others I pay 15€, so I always budget a full 15€.

Savings:

Like many other auxiliares in this program I'm a recent College graduate with student loans to pay off.  I didn't want to defer them but also didn't want to have to pay them while I was here, so I saved up enough money to pay for my loans for two years (seriously spent all last year saving) to prepare for if I was renewing.  In case I do want to stay in Spain for a third year, I have been saving 80€ a month that is for my loans to be transfered to my American bank account at some point this year.

Save those euros! source

General Spending:

This category is for all the general spending in a month, whether it be for: drinks, clothes shopping, having dinner out, or general miscellaneous purchases.  On average per month I spend around 200€ for all of the above, rarely going over my budget.  While Madrid may be more expensive than other cities in Spain, I've found that it's much cheaper to go out here than where I live (beers and wine for 1€, yes please).

You just have to know the different options and know the ofertas, for example: if you like shopping, know when the rebajas (sales) are during the year.  In the current post-Christmas rebajas for only 115€ I've bought a winter coat, a dress, two pairs of jeans, two blouses, and 1 t-shirt.  Score!


For those who want a clearer break-down, these are my monthly costs and the amount I have leftover:
My Average Monthly Income: (1000€ + private lessons)
63.70€ Abono
308-322€ Rent/Utilities
150€ Groceries
15€ Cell Phone
80€ Saving
200€ General Spending
816.70-830.70€ Total Expenses

Every month I clearly have plenty of euros leftover.  This money  is what I've been saving to use for future European travels, like when my Dad is coming to visit me (and Europe for the first time) in April!

If you want advice on any of the above processes like housing, abonos, and phones; read my post:

 "How-To's" for Moving to Spain: Advice from the First Year

And for those who what more ideas on budgets in Spain check out these helpful posts:

Young Adventuress: Spain Budget Breakdown

Oh No She Madridn't: Auxiliares de Conversación Budget in Madrid

How does your budget abroad differ from mine?  Do you have any questions about living costs in Spain with the Auxiliares program?

"How-To's" for Moving to Spain: Advice from the First Year

As a new auxiliar, and new arrival to Spain myself, there were many things I was unsure of when I first arrived in Madrid almost a month ago (seriously...a month already?!).  Being a chronic worrier I made sure to research as much as I could on what I would need to do, and how I would have to do it.  Luckily for me (and if you're doing the same program too), the Auxiliares de Conversación program is a very popular one and many past Auxiliars have out of the kindness of their hearts written a multitude of blog posts on how to deal with the different aspects of taking this leap of faith.

Don't forget to relax! source

Here are the blogs and blog posts that I used researching the program, learning more about life in Spain, and that I have used to help figure out how to jump through all the hoops you have to in order be settled.  Along with these resources I've added my own personal experience on the process.

Phone

Andalucía Bound-The 411 on Bringing your Phone to Spain

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This is an excellent post that explains how you can bring your American smart phone (if it's GSM capable and once it's unlocked) to Spain and then breaks down some of the most popular cell phone companies in Spain.  I also researched two other phone companies that my Spanish friends talked about: Pepephone and Tuenti Móvil.  Unfortunately when I looked for some of the plans she talked about I couldn't find them or they were more expensive then they had been.  My luck right?

The problem with getting a phone is that most normal contracts need you to be staying in Spain for at least 18 months, aka they have permanencia.  You can either have traditional pay-as-you-go or find a contract that is sin permanencia.  In the end I chose Tuenti with their plan that is: 11€ per month (with taxes), 1 GB of data, 75 minutes of calls (establishment of calls included), and texts are 8 cents.  After the 75 minutes is used it costs (with taxes) around 18 cents to connect and 4 cents per minutes after that.  It was one of the cheapest plans I could find and like most plans in Spain, receiving anything is free.  Plus most Spaniards just use the app Whats App.

My problem is that my normal smart phone from home didn't have a SIM so I took an old one someone gave me, unlocked it, and realized that not only was it not an Android but that it wasn't even wifi capable. UGH! So after hating myself for a day I sucked it up and purchased an unlocked phone online, which (hopefully) will be arriving soon.

Apartment

Vado a Spain-How to Find an Apartment in Any City in Spain
Oh No She Madridn't-How to Find an Apartment in Madrid

Our cute piso

For finding an apartment in Madrid I was very lucky.  I am living right near Sol with my boyfriend, the perfect location because I need to take the trains south to Getafe and he will start an internship just north.

I arrived September 4th around 10:00 am and before dinner that night we had found a piso in the location and budget we had wanted.  We had searched on multiple websites and found idealista to have the most selection of one-bedroom apartments.  Along with the appointments we had set up in advance from the site we called a few places we saw advertising open units on the street, generally this has seemed to be the most efficient way of finding an apartment.

Always make sure to see the apartment before you agree to live there or pay anything.  That is the only way whether or not you know you're getting the place you are planning on.  Don't be afraid to ask questions, look around, and take pictures before you make a decision.  But remember, Madrid is a big city and apartments go quickly.  Try not to take too long to decide if you like a place.  When we were touring our current apartment we saw that there were three other couples waiting to tour or wanting to make an appointment to tour the unit.  If we had waited then we wouldn't have our apartment.

Abono

Oh No She Madridn't-How to Get a Metro/Bus Pass (an Abono) [in Madrid]

The abono is a pass that covers the different forms of public transportation in the city where you'll be living.  For most auxiliars it is the cheapest way to commute to your schools multiple times per week.  The format for abonos has changed this past year, before the abono lasted for the actual calendar month, now they last for 30 days exactly. There are three types of abonos, but only two an auxiliar should worry about: abono joven if you are under 23 and abono normal if you are 23 and over.

New Abonos, source

When buying your abono for the first time the most important thing you need to know is which zone in Madrid you need.  The zone you pick should be the furthest zone out that you plan to travel to regularly, because the further the zone the higher the cost of the abono.  For example, Getafe is in zone B1 so I would purchase an abono for this zone.  Know that when you purchase an abono for one zone it also covers all the zones within it.  This means with an abono for zone B1 you are covered for the month in both B1 and A.  No need to get more than one zone.

Applying for your abono the first time is quite easy.  The best place is to do it online on the transporte website or make an appointment through the website at one of the offices..  You'll need a copy of your passport (or TIE if you have it), a carnet sized photo, and an address/phone number for the form (the form you can find online to fill out). The first time it will cost around 4 euro because you get the plastic card, but for the next months you just go to the kiosks for metro tickets to refill your card.

How to Empadronarse (In Madrid)

Spanish Sabores-How to Empardronarse in Madrid

source

This is, what seems to be, a new requirement for getting one's NIE and TIE in Spain.  While it may seem a little daunting and complicated, it was actually one of the easiest things I had to do for the whole residency process.  Once you are living in an apartment, you get the padrón to legally register that you are living in a certain city.  The easiest way to get the padrón is to have a signed contract with your name in it.

With that you make in appointment online in the district you are living within and bring the filled out padrón form, your passport, and your contract.  If you don't have a contract with your name, then you either need to A) Bring someone who is in the contract/or has a padrón in your apartment B) Bring your landlord to vouch for you or C) Have the police come to your apartment to vouch that you live there. [Much easier to make sure you get a contract when you get your apartment in the first place.]

I have a signed contract with my name in it so I just took that with me to my appointment (along with my passport and the filled out form).  My appointment was at 2:00 pm, during the lunch break so I would have less people, and it was the easiest and quickest thing I have done so far.  I live near Sol so I made the appointment at the office on Calle Atocha, I arrived a little and told the front desk I had an appointment.  They gave me a number and I waited for maybe five minutes before they were ready to see me.  During the actual appointment they took all my information, corrected any information I had filled out incorrectly in the form, and then asked questions (confirming my address and why I needed the document).  It took no more than five minutes and I had my padrón and that was that.

Make sure to to get this done before your TIE appointment!  It's free and painless, and will save you a headache later!

TIE in Madrid (Update 12/18)

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Entranjera) is the Foreign Identification Card that foreigner's need to legally live in Spain if they are not from the European Union. Before you can even apply for this card you need to apply for your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero, Foreigner's Identificiation Number).Thanks to the auxiliares program I didn't need to file for my NIE on my own because the program took my information at the first orientation and applied for me.  

Back in October when the program had my NIE ready, I picked up my number and the date of my appointment from the auxiliares office and began preparing what I needed to get the physical card.  My TIE cita/appointment was back on the 21st of November at the Foreigner's Office in Aluche and despite all the horror stories I've read about, I had absolutely no problems.  Waiting in the line outside to submit my paperwork was the only semi-negative part I had.

To make your experience as painless as possible make sure you have all the documents you need taken care of beforehand, and like always make sure you have a copy of EVERYTHING.  For more information on what you need to bring, check out this website for what documents you need to bring to your TIE appointment.  If everything is all set at your appointment then they should tell you to return in 25 days to pick up the actual card (you'll need your actual passport and the sheet of paper they give at the end of your appointment).  I finally picked mine up the 18th of December sin problemas!  Talk about a relief!

GREAT Websites for Auxilares/Moving to Spain Information:

Spanish Sabores-Required Reading for Future English Teachers in Spain
Young Adventuress-Auxiliares de Conversación
Y Mucho Más
Sunshine and Siestas
Andalucía Bound
Oh No She Madridn't

I hope all this information helped, or will help, anybody else going through the of claiming residency and living in Madrid.

Feel free to comment on your experience with any of these process or ask any more questions you may have!

The Art of Packing Lightly

I am an awesome packer.  I can squeeze everything needed into one bag perfectly...yet this is still more of a "do as I say, not as I do" because I have yet to fully master the art of packing lightly.

Yeah, I can somehow make everything fit...but a 100lb suitcase isn't going to do anyone much good.  With each trip I get a little better at packing lightly so hopefully this is the year I take my own advice and can finally transform into a light packer


This how I try to pack:

source

This is what it actually ends up looking like:

source

So this is what I've learned over the years and am trying to enforce in my packing for this year abroad:

Know What You Can Purchase Where You're Going

Deodorant, check source

Chances are most places you will go will have some similar, if not the same, products that you are used to using at home.  If you’re going on a long trip I would definitely recommend researching what you will readily be able to find in the country you are traveling to.  Knowing this will save you the precious weight and space in your luggage.

I know that Spain has almost everything I will need because I’m not picky about brands or particular products (for those with relaxed hair I have heard it can be difficult to find adequate products so bear that in mind).  I’m only bringing enough of most things for the first few weeks until I’m settled into my apartment and life abroad.  For certain special circumstances, like deodorant and make-up, I did stock up because A) I prefer powered deodorant and B) Make-up is expensive in Spain.  And I am not about that.

Know the Weather of Your Destination

Be prepared for anything, source

This is important for trips of any length!  The first time I visited my boyfriend in Cantabria it was summer so I figured I wouldn't need a jacket so I only brought a sweatshirt to wear at his house.  Well the north of Spain is much milder than what I’m used to for summer weather and freezing, not to mention the stares I got for wearing a sweatshirt in public (at least it was a nice one!).

I ended up finding a great jacket there on sale, but had I thought more about the weather would be like I would have been able to pack more useful items.  If you’re going to the tropics it wouldn’t make sense to pack a winter coat, and vice versa.  Bringing the right clothes can help significantly cut down on the amount you try to pack.

Think of and Plan Outfits

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This probably is where I struggle the most, I can never decide on the outfits I want to bring!  I’m the kind of person who still has clothes from high school “just in case” and when I pack for a trip could pull out any item of clothing I haven’t worn in years and still think “well maybe I’ll finally wear it this time.”  

Packing for a year in Spain I’m trying to be smarter and only pack things I can concretely plan into an outfit.  If I can’t plan it into a suitable outfit, am unsure about it, or can’t wear it with multiple outfits then I most definitely will not wear (no matter how much I try to convince myself I will).

To make my packing criteria all the pieces I pack must be versatile and can be easily layered/”traded” to make multiple outfits with as little items as possible.  Let’s face it if you haven’t worn something or can’t see it in a concrete outfit then you won’t wear it wherever you may be going.  Now if only I could only decide so easily on all of my shoes…

Roll Your Clothes

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After someone first told me to pack this way, it has become the only way that I pack now.  It’s amazing how much more you can fit in when you roll your clothes instead of fold them flat!  Not to mention it helps keep items from wrinkling during your travels.  This is how I packed for my boyfriend when he moved to Madrid last September for his Master’s and we fit about 90% of his wardrobe into one large suitcase (and he has A LOT of clothes).  You just have to be careful about the weight you might have from being able to fit so much more.

Along with rolling your clothes I also recommend simple things like for smaller items, like storing your socks and underwear in your shoes.  It may sound weird, but it will give you space for the small stuff and it will help your shoes keep their shape during any rough handling your suitcase might endure on its journey.

Use Space Bags

Don't think they could make this all fit.

This is one piece of advice I would use cautiously because often with the space bag you may fit more, but you also may over pack the weight of your luggage.  I generally find the bags the most useful in my carry-on, as they don’t generally check its weight (always try to pack your heaviest items in here for that reason!), or for bulky things that are quite light, like my puffy winter jacket.  

I just bought some bags that are roll-up versus vacuum sealed so I can use them traveling abroad even when I don’t have a vacuum readily accessible (like trying to fit more stuff into my Ryanair sized suitcase, winning).  Again, don’t overuse these bags because at some point you could be stuck with an overweight bag or no means of fitting the unsealed clothes in your luggage.

Take Out Anything You Don't Absolutely Need

My stowaway thinks he's necessary...

Yet another piece of advice I should really take to heart this year.  I’m a very sentimental person and I’m very attached to the seemingly meaningless, little things I’ve collected over the years.  I have to go through and decide what I feel attached to versus what I need.  The best advice I’ve gotten from my family from traveling is to pack all the things you want, and then take out half.  

Now it doesn’t necessarily have to be half, but take out anything you don’t absolutely need or could find wherever you’re going.  Chances are you’ll want to purchase cool things you find along your travels and if you brought too much stuff with you to begin with you’ll either have to pay extra to ship it all back or leave things behind.

Helpful Blog Posts for Packing

Key tips for Auxiliars, part 2: packing for Spain
How to Pack for Living or Studying Abroad
How to Pack a Carry-On Bag for a Ryanair Flight

Bonus: Visa Update!

I picked up my Spanish visa in Boston yesterday and am all set!  There was no line and took all of five minutes.  You just need a photo idea and have to sign a paper saying you received.  Now the move to Spain is officially official!  Feels great to have some stress taken off what seems like incessant waiting for Spain!

Have you mastered the art of packing lightly?  What advice do you recommend for anyone packing for a trip?

Bridging the Gap in a Long Distance Relationship

I have previously written before about my experience in a long distance relationship, and have seen more than ever that I am not alone.  An increasing number of couples, especially those in their early twenties, are finding themselves stuck in long distance relationships.  Whether it only be a couple hundred miles or a couple thousand apart long distance relationships are never easy and I can say from personal experience that even after years apart it can still be lonely missing someone you care so much about.  You lose that sense of intimacy and connection you take for granted in an face-to-face relationship, and that can take a toll on any couple.  However, with all of the new technology of the recent years it has become much easier to make the distance not feel so long.  Here are some pretty neat ways to help lesson the distance in your LDR.

source

Build-a-Bear

This may sound like a weird suggestion, but Build-a-Bears can be great for long distance relationships!  You can make ones together which, if you've never made one before, can definitely be a fun bonding experience on its own with the silly things they put you through.  Once you have it stuffed, you can dress the bear up and name it together.  Also, you can even record a sound and have it inserted into your bear, leaving loving messages for each other while you are apart.  It's sweet way to have something connecting you through the distance.

My boyfriend and I made one together for him and it was hilarious the things they made him do before he could put the heart in, like jumping up and down and spinning around (and it was in the middle of the Boston store!!).

Adorable and embarrassed.

Online Games

If you and your significant other like playing games in person, then see what multi-player games you can find online.  Here is a link to some great online multiplayer games that you might like take a look out.  My boyfriend enjoys online games far more than I do so our multi-player games are usually pretty basic because I'm so terrible at most of them.  We generally like card games, checkers, or other board games converted to online play.  It's definitely a fun way to make the distance feel a little less extreme, and you can use it to challenge them to later in person game marathons.

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Phone Apps

Having a smartphone is probably the greatest tool you can have for a long distance relationship.  There are so many amazing apps to play around with that are specific for those in LDRs.  One app my boyfriend and I love using is called couple.  It's like social networking, but only between the two of you.  You can upload photos, draw pictures with one another, make lists, add important dates, and thumb kiss (my favorite part).  A thumb kiss is when you each match up your thumb on the screen and it vibrates, "kisses", when they are held together.  It's the most adorable thing I've seen!

For messaging, there are viber and whatsapp, both messaging tools that you can use to even message internationally (I belive you can also call with viber...).  I really like whatsapp and it's what we have used as a couple for the past two years; I especially like the tons of cute emoticons that we'll often string together for funny messages.  A new kind of "messageing" app I recently stumbled upon is Postagram.  With this app you upload your images and then you can send it as an actual postcard!  I haven't tried it yet, but I think it's such a great idea.  Additionally, I know many of my friends use snapchat as a fun way to talk to their loved ones, though I've never used it myself.

Also on smartphones you have a ton of multi-player games at your fingertips.  A few of these types of games that my boyfriend and I enjoy are: Angrywords (like scrabble), bike race, and draw something.  With a smartphone so much is possible for connecting a long distance relationship!

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Video Chat

Nowadays video chat is often the standard of most long distance relationships.  It's a great way to hear the voice of your loved ones while simultaneously seeing their face, essentially the closest you can get to face-to-face interaction while you are apart.  The most well-known program for video chatting is Skype.  It's free from computer to computer and has come a long way since I started using it my first years of college.  While Skype is the most well-known, it is definitely no longer the only chat of its kind.  There is facetime for Apple users, ooVoo, facebook video calling, and Google+ hangout which allows for multiple users to chat together at once.  It's all about your personal preference and what video chat program works best for your relationship.

"Dates"

When I say "dates," I mean virtual ones that really go hand and hand with video chatting.  I know I have read of some people having the date in public, taking their laptop to a coffee shop or somewhere else and have a date with their loved one but for my boyfriend and I, our "dates" were never anything in public.  Instead we would often cook together, study together, or watch movies together.  We would plan the time for our date and choose what we wanted do together.  Last fall for my boyfriend's birthday we 'celebrated' his birthday together with a birthday shot and blowing out a candle.  It was something small and sweet, but helped feel like we weren't so far apart for the major events in our lives.

Happy birthday to him!

Internet

Along with online games and phone apps, is the great technology that comes along with the internet in general.  There is first of all an abundance of advice you can find on the internet, like this great LDR website: Loving From a Distance.

But if you wanted something to send to your significant other then how about a geoGreating!  Type in your message and it searches for buildings and landmarks throughout the world that spell it out for you.  You could also send flowers with flowers2mail.  You choose and decorate the vase you'd like to use. then make your own floral arrangement.

If your LDR is very long distance like mine, then use this time zone converter or this distance calculator so you know what time it is where your loved one is and how far apart you two are.  You could also make a joint blog about your lives or a pinterest account for the things you would like to do/have when you're finally together.  The possibilities for long distance relationship activities and advice on the internet are endless and invaluable to any LDR.

The geoGreeting I made :)

Care Packages/Letters

This may be "old-school" for many people my age, before being in a long distance relationship I couldn't even remember the last time I mailed someone a letter, but it is much more sentimental than an email or text.  Mailing your loved one a letter or care package is a way of giving them a small part of you, something you physically had in your hands and sent to them.  You could even spray your perfume or cologne on what you sent so they receive your words and scent, or send an item of clothing of yours they loved.  

If you haven't sent your significant other something during your time apart I highly recommend it.  Receiving something in the mail is the best feeling in the world, especially if it's from the one you love.  Here is some stationary you can download and use in your next letter across the distance.

Postcard from when my BF was in the Philippines.

You can read more about my experience in a interview I did as part of the So You're Dating a Spaniard series in one of my favorite blogs: Y Mucho Más.

Have you been in a long distance relationship before?  What have you done in your LDR to help bridge the gap?

How Can YOU Afford to Travel?

When I talk about traveling and my plans for moving abroad in the fall everyone always asks me: "How can you afford to travel so much?"

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In my case, I've been really lucky.  My boyfriend's family is so incredibly kind and have opened up their home to me the past couple of years to visit.  Thanks to their generosity, I have been able to travel to Europe without a huge chunk of living expenses most travelers have to pay.  Despite my own luck, the reality is that travel really doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.  In fact, it's quite possible to have your travels be affordable.  Here are some of my tips I've learned from my personal experiences on how you can make traveling affordable for you and your lifestyle, even if you're a broke college graduate.

Work Hard

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Coming from a low-middle class family, with the responsibility of figuring out how to pay 90% of my college education, I always thought travel was out of the question for me.  Maybe splurging for a few trips here and there throughout my life, but traveling the world?  Never.  So I would pore over travel magazines, collections of maps, and my history books until I realized I wasn't going to be satisfied until I experience the 'real thing.'  So I worked my butt off.  I'm talking multiple jobs during college, six hour work weeks, and currently three part-time jobs.

Now I'm not saying work should take precedent over everything else in your life because not only will you be burned out and miserable, but you would be missing out on so much of your life that is passing you by.  If you want to travel but don't have a vast pool of money just lying around, then you will have to work hard, but never at the expense of your day to day happiness.

Research and Book Wisely

For the actual traveling, also research and book your trip wisely.  Researching for your trip, no matter where you're going, is always a smart thing to do.  Here is some of my advice I have found from my travels:

Flights
When searching for your for flights, always clear your search history and cookies.  You can be shown more expensive results based on what you have previously bought/searched for (also, try searching on a PC because Macs can also return more expensive results).  Search on multiple sites, but be wary of booking flights on sites like orbitz or travelocity because they can make it difficult/expensive to cancel or change plans.  In those cases, it may be best to find your flights there but book on the actual airlines' websites.  I've had great success using kayak.com and have heard good things about Student Universe.  Also, know the baggage regulations and fees for the airlines you are booking with.  Most domestic flights now charge for checked bags and have size/weight restrictions.  Here is an article I read recently about: "How to Find Affordable European Flights for the Summer;" for those not going to Europe, much of the advice is applicable to travel fares in general.

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Hotel/Hostel
Researching where you will be staying is also very important.  Always look at the location: is it safe?, is it touristic?, is there public transportation?, is it close to what you want to see/do?  Look at many things before making a final decision.  Does it have various pictures?  Does the advertised price include taxes and fees? Most people will tell you to look at the stars of a hotel/hostel, but I think it can often be even more important to look at the reviews.  I am far more willing to trust the actual experience of a person than to believe what the establishment itself has posted.

Restaurants/Entertainment
While sometimes these things can be best decided upon spontaneously, it is nice to look into options to anticipate how much you plan on spending and how you can fit in everything you may want to see.  Check out some travel blogs and forums, search a little on the web, see what people are recommending for some good local eats and unique places to visit.  If in doubt when choosing a place to eat, I always use advice my dad once gave me: if you go to a restaurant during a normal meal time (this is culturally dependent, for example lunch time in Spain is around 2/3pm and dinner is closer to 10pm) and it's empty, then it may not have the best food.  Another indicator, is who is eating at a restaurant.  If you're in a foreign country and it's just tourists, then you may want to wander a little bit more for something more authentic.  As for entertainment, research any passes you can get if you don't qualify for discounts offered wherever you may be visiting.  In Paris I got the Museum Pass and it saved me a lot of money!

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Take Advantage of Discounts
If you can manage to travel off season, see if you can.  Often flights, hotels, and sometimes entertainment will be much cheaper.  When I flew to Spain in February last year my flight was only $690 round-trip and this past January when my boyfriend flew here to visit me it was only $630 round-trip (as opposed to my flight to Spain in July last summer that was a whopping $1000, but I was there two months so it wasn't so bad considering).  And if you happen to be a student, or in the case of Europe under 26, you could qualify for some major discounts.  Wherever you travel see if you meet the requirements for any discounts whether it be with your school ID, an international student card, AAA membership, or the likes.  You can get some great deals on anything from museums to trains, and in the long run this could save you a lot of money!

Budget Accordingly

No matter how hard you might work, it's all for nothing if you don't budget accordingly.  Another part of the reason I've been able to travel so frequently, is because I budget all of the money I earn.  First things first, look at all of that research you have done: where do you want to travel, how long do you want to go for, what to you want to do/see, and how much will it all cost.  Once you have a working idea of your travel plans, create a budget of how much you can afford to spend on the trip. This great website has a free travel budget planner that can help you get started on travel budget.  With your estimated travel costs, see how you can afford to make your plans a reality.

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My personal advice then would be to also have a non-travel budget that takes into account your regular payments and monthly salary.  As I discussed in my previous post Budgeting Life After College, this would help you know your biggest expenses and set your financial priorities.  That way you can start saving up for your travel fund without A) Putting yourself in debt or B) Making it impossible to pay off the debt you may already have.  The money you save for travel should not interfere with the bills or other necessary payments you need to make on time.  I use the travel budget to estimate my travel costs and then apply it to my regular budget to see how much I need to/can afford to save per month.

Live Within Your Means

Something that goes hand and hand with budgeting is living within your means.  Between all my jobs I probably barely make a measly $14,000/year, yet I have already managed to save up enough for my flight to Spain, three months of living expenses in Madrid, and two years worth of my student loan payments.  How did I do?  Because along with keeping my budget, I know how to purchase wisely and do without.

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To save money this year: I have been living at home, I drive my mom's old car, and I limit my spending.  I rarely go out to eat or drink, instead my friend's often opt to stay in and cook for ourselves and enjoy some drinks.  When I do go out, still a couple times a month, I always look for drink or meal specials (this is when it really helps living only fifteen minutes away from a major University, I love all the local cheap eats).  And while I do love clothes I frequent: sales racks, thrift stores, and seasonal sales.  I have become a master at revamping my wardrobe without spending a fortune, and I think I dress pretty darn well!  The point is, that yes, you may have to sacrifice some of those fancy new 'things' all your friends seem to have (and when have material objects brought as much happiness as actual experiences anyway?), but you don't have to sacrifice enjoying your life to be able to afford to traveling.

Look at How You Can Work/Study Abroad

Another great way to do some traveling is to work, study, or even volunteer abroad.  What's great about these options is that some may offer a stipend, scholarships, or even opportunity for room and board.  The program I'm doing next year is offered through the Spanish government and I am given a monthly stipend for teaching English in a public elementary school.  You can look at studying abroad through your university, or look into language academies if you only have a couple months to spare (generally they don't give you visas to study there so your time will be limited).  Here are some options I have seen posted through my own university or via articles I have read about:

Work
Jobs Abroad-Work Abroad
Transitions Abroad-Guide to Work, Study, Travel and Living Abroad
Aupair World

Spain Related Work:
Auxiliares Ministry Program
BEDA
UCETAM
Au Pair in Spain

Volunteer
Global Volunteers
Global Aware-Adventures in Service
Earthwatch Institute
10 Volunteer Programs for Budget Travelers
10 Volunteer Opportunities for Free Travel

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What tips do you have on being able to afford travel?  How have you managed to travel on your budget?