‘I don’t worry about not being able to pay my bills’

At 33, I sometimes feel like I’ve lived a thousand lives already. I’m originally from Los Angeles, and over the past decade, I’ve done it all teaching English in China to work as an emergency aid worker in Türkiye during the war in Syria.

After I completed my master’s degree in London, I started working as a product manager for a global travel technology company, and I had the choice of moving to the US or to Germany, where my husband is from.

When I thought about my decision, I did some calculations and realized that in Germany, even with a lower salary than I would have earned in the United States, I could achieve my financial goals, e.g. Pay off my student debtfaster.

Since February 2020, Berlin, Germany has been my home, and I have never been happier. This is why I love living here:

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When I was choosing between the United States and Germany, I… Crushed some numbers I realized that with a social safety net — and not having to set aside thousands of dollars for medical emergencies, for example — I would be able to save $1,000 to $3,000 a month. That made a huge difference.

When I arrived, I was facing $130,000 in student debt. I was able to pay it all off in November 2023, all while continuing to save and invest for my future. It’s been a huge weight off my shoulders, and I don’t have to worry about not being able to pay my bills here.

My money goes further, and I’m also happy to contribute my fair share so people can access support when they need it.

a lot Cultural events Entry is free, because access and participation are two big core values ​​here. One of my favorite things to do during the summer is to explore cafes in other neighborhoods and go to food festivals.

Festivals are fun, inexpensive (I usually only spend $12 on a drink and snacks) and often celebrate different cultures and countries. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people in a city of 6 million people.

I also found the immigrant community in Berlin, of which I am very proud to be a member, to be particularly friendly. We all know how finding your footing in a new place can be an isolating experience.

Vanessa Wachtmeister She is a proud Chicana from Los Angeles, California. She is a thought leader and digital content creator, and has amassed over 700,000 followers across multiple social media sites, through her platform Wander onwards. Today, Vanessa lives in Germany, and her goal is to continue building digital products that enhance the lives of North Americans abroad, and help others achieve financial and location independence.

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