Death and taxes… yes, even when you move abroad, the IRS still wants to hear from you.

If you’re an American living overseas (or dreaming about it), this is one of those things no one really explains—you still have to file US taxes no matter where you live in the world.

Fun!

💸 This episode is sponsored by MyExpatTaxesOur first sponsor (!!) and a tool built specifically to make filing US taxes abroad way easier.

Use code PACKUP for 10% off one of their plans here https://www.myexpattaxes.com/

In this episode, we break down what filing taxes abroad actually looks like, why Americans are uniquely affected, and how to stay compliant without losing your mind (or all your money).

We’re also sharing how Taylor is legally paying way less in taxes 👀 (hint: things like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) can make a big difference).

We also touch on key things you’ve probably heard thrown around but never fully understood—like FBAR, expat tax deadlines, and what happens if you’ve fallen behind.

We cover:

• Do Americans abroad have to file US taxes? (short answer: yes)

• How to file taxes as an American living overseas

• What the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) is and how it can reduce your tax bill

• Important expat tax deadlines you need to know

• What to do if you’ve never filed taxes while living abroad before

• How to stay compliant with the IRS (without panic spiraling)

• How Americans abroad can reduce what they owe (legally!)

🌍 Join our community: Dream Life Abroad by PUPOConnect with expats and aspiring expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat directly with hosts Lili and Taylor: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 Love the show?Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more Americans abroad find the podcast.

📸 Follow the hosts:

Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/

Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague

Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

She moved from Connecticut to the Czech Republic at 18… because of one NPR segment.

No, seriously.

That one moment completely changed Liza Jean’s life—and now she’s helped dozens of other Americans move to Europe for university too.

Liza is a 25-year-old American living in Brussels who did both her undergraduate and graduate degrees abroad. Now, she’s turned that experience into a career, helping students study in Europe through her company, Skola.

You might already know her—she’s built a community of over 300,000 followers sharing what it’s actually like to live abroad, plus tips on how to make it happen yourself.

In this episode, we get into the real logistics of studying abroad in Europe as an American—from choosing a university to building a life overseas (and yes, even learning French and navigating EU citizenship 👀).

If you’ve ever thought, “Could I actually move to Europe for university?” — this is your sign.

We cover:

• How to study in Europe as an American (step-by-step)

• Why Liza chose the Czech Republic for university

• The biggest differences between US vs European universities

• How she built a life abroad after graduation

• Turning studying abroad into a career (and business)

• What to know about visas, language, and EU citizenship

Follow Liza: https://www.tiktok.com/@lizaajean

Follow Skola: https://www.instagram.com/skola.international

Check out Skola: https://skola.be/

Book a session with Liza: https://skola.be/advisors/liza-jean-miezejeski

🌍 Join our community: Dream Life Abroad by PUPOConnect with expats and aspiring expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat directly with hosts Lili and Taylor:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 Love the show?Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people dreaming of living abroad discover the podcast.
📸 Follow the hosts:

Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/

Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague

Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

What’s the difference between expat friendships and local friendships—and why does it feel so much harder to build a real social circle when living abroad?

After watching a video comparing American and British friendship styles, we dive into a topic every expat struggles with: making meaningful connections in a new country.

We’re unpacking:

• How to make local friends vs expat friends while living abroad

• The key differences between friendship cultures

• Why expat friendships can feel intense—but sometimes temporary

• Are American friendships actually “shallow,” or just different?

• How to build a balanced, long-term social circle abroad

Whether you’ve just moved abroad or have been living overseas for years, this episode will help you better understand your friendships—and how to create deeper ones.

🎥 Video we referenced:https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8bGfQaw/

🌍 Join our community: Dream Life Abroad by PUPOConnect with expats and aspiring expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat directly with hosts Lili and Taylor:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 Love the show?Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people dreaming of living abroad discover the podcast.

📸 Follow the hosts:Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakespragueLili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Celebrating your birthday is always a mix of emotions—but celebrating a birthday while living abroad? That’s a whole different experience.

Whether it’s your first birthday away from home or you’ve been living overseas for years, birthdays can bring up everything from excitement and independence to homesickness, loneliness, and reflection.

In this episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out, we’re getting real about what it’s like to celebrate birthdays as Americans living abroad.

Lili shares what it was like turning 27 in London, while Taylor is preparing for her first birthday abroad in Prague. We talk about the unexpected emotions, the pressure to make the day feel special, and how to actually enjoy your birthday in a new country.

In the episode we cover:

• What it really feels like to celebrate your birthday abroad

• Dealing with homesickness and loneliness while living overseas

• The pressure to make your birthday “perfect” in a new country

• How to celebrate your birthday when your friends and family are far away

• Tips for making your birthday abroad feel meaningful, fun, and memorable

If you’re an American living abroad—or dreaming about it—this episode will help you feel a little less alone.

🌍 Join our community: Dream Life Abroad by PUPOConnect with expats and future expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat directly with Lili and Taylor. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 Love the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other Americans dreaming about moving abroad find the show.

📸 Follow the hosts:Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/

Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague

Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal caught our attention: “Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers.”

So… what’s going on?

In this episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out, we talk about why more Americans are seriously considering moving abroad—and why the traditional American Dream may not feel so attainable anymore.

From rising costs of living to burnout culture, many people are asking a big question: Is a better life actually easier to build outside the United States?

As two Americans who did exactly that, we break down what we’re seeing, what surprised us about living abroad, and why more people are starting to rethink where they want to build their future.

• Why more Americans are considering leaving the U.S.

• Whether the American Dream is actually dead

• Parts of the “dream life” that are easier to achieve abroad

• The biggest misconceptions about moving overseas

• Our best tips for Americans who want to make moving abroad a reality

If you’ve ever wondered whether life could be better outside the U.S., this episode is for you.

🌍 Join our community: Dream Life Abroad by PUPO

Connect with expats and future expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat directly with hosts Lili and Taylor.https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 Love the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other Americans dreaming about moving abroad find the show.

📸 Follow the hosts:Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/

Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague

Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Think moving abroad will solve all your problems? Many expats discover that mental health challenges don’t disappear when you move abroad — and sometimes living abroad can make anxiety, loneliness, or depression even more intense.

In this episode, we’re talking about mental health for expats and people who move abroad with Jamie Martindale, a licensed counselor based in Prague who works closely with the international community. If you’ve ever moved abroad and found yourself thinking, “Wait… why am I not as happy as I thought I’d be?” — this conversation is for you.

Jamie shares what makes expat mental health unique, why culture shock can affect your wellbeing, and how to find therapy and mental health support while living abroad.

Jamie works with Prague Integration, an organization that connects internationals with qualified mental health professionals who understand the expat experience — and can support clients in their native language. For many people living abroad, finding therapists and support groups who truly “get it” can make all the difference.

If you’re struggling while living abroad, know this: you’re not the only one, and it doesn’t last forever.

Learn more about Prague Integration: https://pragueintegration.cz/

Connect with Jamie: https://pragueintegration.cz/?therapists=jamie-martindale

🌍 Join our Facebook community — YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: Connect with expats and future expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat with Lili and Taylor directly: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 Love the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other expats and future expats find us!

📸 Follow the pod: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/ 📸 Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague 📸 Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

When you tell people you've moved abroad, the assumptions start flying. "You must be rich." "Are you running away from something?" "So you just didn't like America?" This week, we're breaking down the most common assumptions people make about expats and immigrants—and sharing whether we think they're true, false, or somewhere in between.

As two American women who moved to Europe (Taylor in Prague, Lili in London), we've heard it all. In this episode, we get honest about the stereotypes, the misconceptions, and the questions we're tired of answering - plus the ones that actually have some truth to them.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The assumption that expats are wealthy or running from something

• The idea that moving abroad is just an extended vacation

• Why people assume living abroad is always glamorous

• The reality of being an American abroad in 2026

This episode is for you if:

• You're thinking about moving abroad and wondering what to expect

• You're an expat tired of explaining your life choices

• You're curious about what it's really like to leave your home country

• You want to hear honest expat experiences from real people

Connect with Us:

🌍 Join our Facebook community — YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: Connect with expats and future expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat with Lili and Taylor directly: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 Love the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other expats and future expats find us!

Follow the pod: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/

Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague

Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Want to save thousands to fund your move abroad? Or work in a stunning US National Park while figuring out your next adventure? Seasonal work might be the answer you're looking for.

In this episode, we chat with Jaxton Bloemhard, who spent last summer working in Glacier National Park in Montana and has used seasonal jobs to fund his travels all over the world. We cover everything from how to find seasonal work, what it's actually like to live and work in a National Park, and how to use seasonal employment as a launchpad for living abroad.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is seasonal work and how does it work?

• How Jax found his job at Glacier National Park

• The reality of living and working in a National Park (housing, pay, social life)

• How to use seasonal jobs to save money fast

• Best seasonal work platforms and companies hiring now

• How seasonal work can help you travel and move abroad

• Tips for first-time seasonal workers

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.coolworks.com/

https://www.xanterra.com/ If you’re applying to a job with Jax’s company Xanterra, put him down as a referral it helps you and him out!

Follow Jax on TikTok

YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: the Facebook Group for the PUPOers! It will be a space to meet other people living in your city, ask questions about moving abroad, share your opinions on the week’s topic, and have a direct line to Lili and Taylor. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it helps us reach more expats and listeners living abroad!

Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/

Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague
Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld