Discover practical tips, real stories, and tools to help you and your family navigate every twist and turn. Whether you’re new to the journey or a seasoned pro, find resources, videos, and calculators to make life abroad easier.
Unofficial, personal project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or speaking for the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Government. Always check official sources.
Estimate gross and net pay for various posts using 2026 scales.
Estimate K-12 costs for multiple children, compare posts, and demystify DSSR rules.
Estimate Travel Per Diem and Travel Comp Time in an easy-to-use tool
Pick the posts you are considering, each invitee gets a say in what matters to them, and see facts and figures for each post side-by-side. See a fit score for the whole group. Free, no account.
Enter beta access codeNow in beta: you need the access code you were given to open it.
Real stories, handy tips, and honest advice from folks who've been there and done that.
In 2027, Foreign Service Benefit Plan Self Plus One costs $46.70 more per pay period than Self and Family for the same two people. Check your code, and see how FSBP compares with GEHA and other plans, before Open Season closes on December 14, 2026.
Our tools now look and feel the same, clearer sourcing and explanations, privacy policy updates, and new data. Here is the short tour.
Keeping your U.S. number and staying connected at post, updated for October 2026: Google Fi's government verification, each carrier's limits on living abroad, eSIMs and a checklist.