So if/when Spain goes "boom", what do I do?

[elenetxu]

Frickin' eh, I'm going to stop reading the news.

I don't know if it's because of my IP address it fed me to a European-specific site, or if things are so friggin' bad the Wall Street Journal's headlines are all related to Spain. It just keeps getting worse.

Have any of you lived through a financial crash like this? Maybe I'm being stupid for worrying, but given the fact that DH and I are both public school teachers, I'm terrified.

[dulcemariamar]

Hello!

I was living in Argentina during the crisis and it was pretty bad. I was only a student so I really didn't have to worry too much but it was still hard.

Do you have any backup plans? Have you given any thought about leaving Spain? It is a bit difficult because we don't know if we should stay here or leave now. We are okay if my DH has his job, but when unemployment is at 25% you never know if you are next. Plus, they are probably going to raise the taxes again next year.
I think I will see what happens this summer and then we will decide. I am really lazy to move but we might have to if things don't get better.

Perhaps, you should transfer some money back to the States just in case.

[elenetxu]

We've seriously considered leaving. I applied to a bunch of jobs in the US and one in Spain and was only offered the job/grant here. Depending on what happens, we may start an application for a visa for DH soon.

Regarding money here, I have nothing. I just paid my tuition for the year and was going to transfer some from the US to cover the part of my Spanish savings I used but we decided it wasn't the best idea. For the first time in four years I'm using my American debit card at Spanish ATMs when needed! (Thank goodness for USAA).

[OscarQ]

This caught my eye as my sister lives in Spain (married to a Spanish air force pilot). My H and I tried to gently nudge her to think about their finances and where they're kept since it seems the Spanish version of FICA is not funded properly. So if her bank closes, she will not have any immediate recourse /access to her money.

Sis is totally blase about the whole crisis. Her SIL is a public school teacher and she keeps swearing up and down that SIL is fine (she's out on maternity for the year but plans to return to teaching in the fall) and she'll have no issues with keeping her post. I don't know.

I ditto pp suggestion to transfer some money back to the States. Wish my sister would do the same.

[elenetxu]

Hello, OscarQ! Thanks for your perspective. Her SIL, if she's a "funcionario de carrera" (meaning she has a "for life" teaching position) may have her job but goodness only knows how much they're going to cut public employees' salaries.

Tell your sister a random stranger also living in Spain thinks it might be a good idea to cover herself ASAP.

[dulcemariamar]

Elenetxu: Are you studying?

Have you thought about staying in Europe? I wouldnt mind moving back to the States, I just cant imagine going over there with having health insurance first.

It sucks. To be honest, I am a bit jealous of the other IN nesties. I wish we didnt have to worry about if we are going to have jobs or be able to take money out of the banks. It is so strange how things are changing so fast. It seems that most people are not super worried about it though. But I rather be safe, than sorry.

[elenetxu]

I start my Master's degree on Monday and I'll also be teaching full time. I've thought about staying in Europe, but both DH and I are limited by language (DH much more than I am).

The financial crisis, for now, doesn't feel real. Yes, DH's salary has been reduced and there's serious issues with jobs for long-term subs. However, we're doing just fine for now. I feel very strange.

[dulcemariamar]

Good Luck with your Master!!!!!

[elenetxu]

Thank you

[allibally]

I think you should file a US visa for your DH as a precaution. You can always start the first half and move forward if things go down hill more. Then if you do need to leave the time apart will be cut down.

Switzerland? The economy in Switzerland is still good. The pay is great even when living expenses can be high. I don't know how it works if the non-EU spouse is looking for a job there. Versus the EU spouse getting a job and then the non-EU spouse getting a permit because of this. There are a lot of International Schools in Switzerland but I am sure there is still competition.

DH is German and got a permit very easily once he found a job. Once we got married I was automatically granted the same rights to live and work there with him.

[clickerish]

I think anyone in the military is still going to be fine because that gets hit last, but otherwise...I feel like plenty of Spaniards are just hiding out and hoping it disappears. Typical behaviour, but hardly helpful.

Definitely try to think of other options, even if they are not completely necessary. I believe in plan b in any case.

[anna7602]

May 30, 2012 15:49:31 GMT -5 elenetxu said:

I've thought about staying in Europe, but both DH and I are limited by language (DH much more than I am).

I don't know how the school teacher certification thing works in Spain, but are you qualified/certified/approved to teach the Spanish govt curriculum outside of Spain? I know that in Paris, at least, and probably in some other major cities, there is a school funded by and run by the Spanish government ministry of foreign affairs. We actually checked out the school for DD when we were planning on moving here. It's the Escuela Federico Garcia Lorca if you want to google it and check it out.

There is another school in Paris funded largely by some European Union organ that has a pretty impressive curriculum and brings in teachers directly from other European countries. It's Euroecole. I loved this school, but unfortunately, we couldn't make the commute work for us and it didn't seem worth rearranging our Parisian lives for it when DD is so small. If she were older, we would have sent her there for sure.

I would imagine that even not speaking French, you and DH might be able to get gigs at schools like these. And if it can happen here, then maybe it's also a possibility in Berlin, Rome, etc.

Just trying to brainstorm on staying in Europe without speaking other European languages fluently...

[dulcemariamar]

Alli: How long did it take to get the VISA? How long was the first half? Did you have to pay to do the first part or just at the end?

[allibally]

May 31, 2012 4:01:48 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

Alli: How long did it take to get the VISA? How long was the first half? Did you have to pay to do the first part or just at the end?

You pay in sections. Part one and then Part two. You will also need to pay for a medical exam right before the interview.

I can't fall asleep and it's late so some info may be off. But the total we paid to USCIS was about $1000. They actually lowered one of the fees 10-20$. We filed October 2010 and DH had interview in July 2011. So 10 months. Took us 5 months for the first part. It was around $400. I think if you file and get approved for the first half you can stall moving on to the second half for about a year.

Your spouse can begin work immediately once they enter the US. That was the huge positive for us.

[dulcemariamar]

How much is part one??? I didnt think it would take the long to get a VISA. Maybe, it is something to consider. But I dont want to go unless we really have to.

Did you have health insurance when you got to the States? Did you give yourself a deadline to get jobs? Or did you go over with the idea of staying?

[allibally]

May 31, 2012 4:52:29 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

How much is part one??? I didnt think it would take the long to get a VISA. Maybe, it is something to consider. But I dont want to go unless we really have to.

Did you have health insurance when you got to the States? Did you give yourself a deadline to get jobs? Or did you go over with the idea of staying?

Part one was $350-$400 don't remember off hand.

I had insurance still through my parents. DH had none. His first month he bought emergency insurance. Then he lived on the edge for 3 months waiting for work one to kick in.

We went over with the intent to stay. We planned to stay with my parent's till DH found a job. He did it in 3 weeks. Seriously I was expecting 6 months. After you spend 10 months trying to get the Visa you don't really want to turn around and go back. We also moved because I needed to finish Uni in the US.

We miss Switzerland. And in three years when DH is eligible for citizenship we might look at moving back.

[ktkl09]

To add something about Switzerland...
You need to be able to speak one of the languages: French, German, or Italian if you want to work in the non-international schools. There's plenty of international schools here, but they don't pay well and you might find yourself struggling here.

[grosnl19]

I haven't been keeping up on the news, ignorance is bliss right? We are moving to Amsterdam in August so I am not too worried. Hopefully the crisis will hold out until then ;D.

I guess I should go educate myself on what is going on.

My only concern is we have a substantial amount of money here in our Euro account and I would hate to see the value go to the crapper. I am debating transfering some to our US bank account.

[grosnl19]

May 30, 2012 13:03:25 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

Hello!

I was living in Argentina during the crisis and it was pretty bad. I was only a student so I really didn't have to worry too much but it was still hard.

Do you have any backup plans? Have you given any thought about leaving Spain? It is a bit difficult because we don't know if we should stay here or leave now. We are okay if my DH has his job, but when unemployment is at 25% you never know if you are next. Plus, they are probably going to raise the taxes again next year.
I think I will see what happens this summer and then we will decide. I am really lazy to move but we might have to if things don't get better.

Perhaps, you should transfer some money back to the States just in case.

Just saw your ticker congrats!!!!

[crimsonandclover]

Anyone know what happened with teachers in the US in the Great Depression? I would hope that in Spain it won't get that bad, right? ::crickets:: Right??

Anyway, I would take a little historical look at what has happened in other countries going through financial difficulties. Obviously education *should* be one of the last things to go, but I don't know what the reality has looked like.

[dulcemariamar]

Thanks grosnl19.

In Madrid they are talking about reducing the funcionarios salaries again.

[OscarQ]

Thanks elenetxu! Didn't mean to post and run. Yes, I'm pretty sure the SIL is a funcionarios but her partner is unemployed so a reduction in pay will hurt.

I'll try to talk to my sister again about offshoring some of her money. It occurred to me today that *I* might be her emergency financial backup plan - and, while I would have no problem if this happened totally out of the blue - I'm not appreciating having my advice ignored in the meantime. I mean, really, how hard is it to shove 200EUR under the mattress to have some back up cash on hand and move a chunk to your offshore account, you know?

Good luck to you!

[elenetxu]

May 31, 2012 7:51:44 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

Anyone know what happened with teachers in the US in the Great Depression? I would hope that in Spain it won't get that bad, right? ::crickets:: Right??

Anyway, I would take a little historical look at what has happened in other countries going through financial difficulties. Obviously education *should* be one of the last things to go, but I don't know what the reality has looked like.

Health and education have been the first major cuts.

[elenetxu]

May 31, 2012 3:59:08 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

I don't know how the school teacher certification thing works in Spain, but are you qualified/certified/approved to teach the Spanish govt curriculum outside of Spain? I know that in Paris, at least, and probably in some other major cities, there is a school funded by and run by the Spanish government ministry of foreign affairs. We actually checked out the school for DD when we were planning on moving here. It's the Escuela Federico Garcia Lorca if you want to google it and check it out.

There is another school in Paris funded largely by some European Union organ that has a pretty impressive curriculum and brings in teachers directly from other European countries. It's Euroecole. I loved this school, but unfortunately, we couldn't make the commute work for us and it didn't seem worth rearranging our Parisian lives for it when DD is so small. If she were older, we would have sent her there for sure.

I would imagine that even not speaking French, you and DH might be able to get gigs at schools like these. And if it can happen here, then maybe it's also a possibility in Berlin, Rome, etc.

Just trying to brainstorm on staying in Europe without speaking other European languages fluently...

Thank you for such detailed information! :heart:
The overseas Spanish schools placements all depend on a "concurso" and it seems like a lot of people are applying. I keep looking for a music position for DH - those are few and far between though!

Thanks again for the ideas!

[elenetxu]

Regarding withdrawing funds and taking them abroad:
elpais.com/elpais/2012/05/31/inenglish/1338476746_543885.html

[elenetxu]

Only in Spain:
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iop2b3oq1O0#!





Also, I don't like soccer, but this ad made me ugly cry when I saw it this morning for the first time:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C63ummLZ26A
The end text says "We're going to show Europe what we can do when we're together."

[anna7602]

Jun 1, 2012 13:53:32 GMT -5 elenetxu said:

Only in Spain:
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iop2b3oq1O0#!





Also, I don't like soccer, but this ad made me ugly cry when I saw it this morning for the first time:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C63ummLZ26A
The end text says "We're going to show Europe what we can do when we're together."

I don't think I can watch that as I'm not really in the mood to cry right now, and I am pretty sure I will. I was just IMing with a friend in Spain about this event I may or may not go to in Lisbon if the event organizers could pull together the funding for me. It started out as a nice, chatty convo about how maybe we could meet up in Lisbon (he lives in Extremadura, so totally doable) and then turned into me kind of bitching about the funding issue. He made me feel TERRIBLE by pointing out the shit show that is the entire Iberian economy and how my not getting a 170 Euro plane ticket covered is nothing compared to the fact that the event organizers probably won't have a job 3 months from now.

So now I feel like a total loser. And just got DH to agree that if they can at least cover my housing for the event, we can offer to pay for part of my plane ticket there (and deduct it on our taxes or something).

Yes, I get guilted very easily...

[elenetxu]

My first year here, back in 2008, we had orientation in a posh hotel complete with a fancy meal. Last year it was in college dorms with cafeteria food. Things have certainly changed during the crisis!

The commercial is a stupid coca-cola soccer ad mixed with negative financial/political news then all the good things that are still happening. The vast majority will probably see it and think "That made her cry?" but it got to me this morning.

[clickerish]

Flamenco protest. Even in a crisis, one has to be Spanish to the core

[popcorn]

Jun 1, 2012 13:53:32 GMT -5 elenetxu said:

Only in Spain:
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iop2b3oq1O0#!





Also, I don't like soccer, but this ad made me ugly cry when I saw it this morning for the first time:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C63ummLZ26A
The end text says "We're going to show Europe what we can do when we're together."

Whoa to the first one. Crazy way to protest!

The second one gave me chills, but it didn't make my cry.

I hope things look up there soon.