Skip to content
Vagabond Finances

Vagabond Finances

Making Money Work for US Expat Missionaries and Limited-Income Workers

  • Earning
  • Saving
    • “Pound Foolish & Penny Wise”
    • Saving for and on College
    • Credit & Debit Cards
  • Investing
  • Taxation
  • Retirement
  • Winning!
    • Why Vagabond Finances?
    • 1000 Words or Less
    • Winning Financial Freedom
    • Contact Mark
  • Freebies!
    • FREE and Favorite Resources
    • Help this site for FREE
  • Blog

Michael A. Carlson

ACT is money
Savings Warnings for Expats! 

When is 1 point worth $22,000?

16 July 20199 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson College, Michael A. Carlson

The difference between a 33 on the ACT and a 34 on the ACT is worth $22,000.

Read more
These low-cost investments are fantastic!
Savings 

It Works! $8,000 saved on university

4 June 20199 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson College, Michael A. Carlson

Vagabond Finances received an email this month with the subject line of “It works!” The father of a soon-to-be-college freshman

Read more
Local groceries
Savings 

Living Like a Local: Groceries

23 February 20199 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson Budgeting, Living Like a Local, Michael A. Carlson, Modest Lifestyle

Some American expats are like cultural chameleons, seeming to absorb the languages and cultures around them. Others embrace a more

Read more
Helping
Investments Retirement Savings Taxation Winning Financial Freedom 

The best expat financial advisor? – Personal Review

6 November 20189 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson Best in Class, Mark Zoril, Michael A. Carlson

I never thought I needed a financial advisor until I started writing occasionally for Vagabond Finances. As we brainstormed over

Read more
Best Financial Guide
Investments 

The best guide to US expat investing? – Personal Review

30 August 20189 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson Andrew Hallam, Best in Class, Michael A. Carlson

Need a simple, cheap, effective guide to investing as an expat? This is your guy!

Read more
Reckless
Savings Winning Financial Freedom 

Who are you calling “Reckless”?

30 July 20189 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson Michael A. Carlson, Reckless Generosity

If you’re reading this, then you’re a reckless person, and I mean that as a compliment!

Read more
Cash for College
Savings 

$10,000 from a college because we asked

24 April 20189 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson College, Michael A. Carlson

A friend received a fantastic financial offer from a top-notch US Christian college, but the end result would’ve still been too

Read more
Confused yet?
Savings 

How to read the college offer

4 April 20189 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson College, Michael A. Carlson

Do you know how to read hieroglyphics? I hope so because if you are the mom or dad of someone

Read more
Savings 

College shopping is like…

3 April 201810 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson College, Michael A. Carlson

What would you think of this conversation? Hey, dad and mom. I know I just got my driver’s license last

Read more
Yes!
Savings Taxation Warnings for Expats! 

A 529 trick for expats

3 April 20189 August 2019 Michael A. Carlson 529 College Account, College, Foreign Tax, Michael A. Carlson

Any day that you find a way to legally protect investment dollars from the tax man is a good day!

Read more
  • ← Previous

Tag! You’re it!

9 Steps 403b (401k) 529 College Account Amy Young Andrew Hallam Best in Class Budgeting College Credit and Debit Cards Debt Faber Tax Foreign Tax Foreign Tax Treaties Home-ownership HSA Insurance IRA Josh Johansen Living Like a Local Low-cost diversified funds Mark Zoril Michael A. Carlson Missionary Corner Modest Lifestyle Paul Merriman Personal Capital Reckless Generosity Ron Blue Institute Thun Financial Travel US tax Vagabond Path Videos (Webinars) Zach Holz

Recent posts

No more donations? Self-funding!
Savings Winning Financial Freedom 

No more donations? Self-funding!

21 November 201922 November 2019 Mark Mason

When your employment income wanes but your passion for ministry doesn’t, you’ll be glad you planned for self-funding.

Smart Tips for Making the Most of a Fixed Income
Retirement 

Smart Tips for Making the Most of a Fixed Income

1 October 201920 September 2019 Karen Weeks
Free Webinar by Thun Financial!!!
Investments Retirement Taxation 

Free Webinar by Thun Financial!!!

20 September 201920 September 2019 David Kuenzi
Brigada features Vagabond Finances
Savings 

Brigada features Vagabond Finances

17 September 201917 September 2019 Mark Mason

Click to receive Mark’s personal DISCOUNT

Vagabond Finances also likes these (direct links)

Categories

  • Earnings
  • Investments
  • Retirement
  • Savings
  • Taxation
  • Warnings for Expats!
  • Winning Financial Freedom

Tell Me About It!

About Vagabond Finances
Favorite Tools
Cookies Policy
Privacy Policy
Get in Touch

Longest Disclaimer Ever!

I am not a financial, tax or legal professional, have not taken into consideration your personal circumstances and am not offering personal advice. I’m just a US expat nonprofit worker pointing out some of the mistakes I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned. See full disclaimer for specifics. – Mark

Vagabonds Rooted in Christ

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”
Proverbs 11:28 [ESV]

Photos provided by Pixabay.

Copyright © 2018-2019 Vagabond Finances. All rights reserved.