We are moving to India in four days! If you've heard that rumor, it's true (finally). I will be documenting the experience here on the mommysavers blog, from the perspective of both a Mommy and a Saver. What frugal tips can I learn from indian culture? We're about to find out! I'm sure you're wondering… lots of stuff! So this blog post will serve as an introduction to everything about my Frugal Foreigner journey.
Who
I'm Susie Chadwick (swishina on the message board), Wife to John, Mom to Maggie (3) and Dalton (1), Writer, Blogger, Crafter, Deal-Finder, and Cook. I've been hanging out at Mommysavers since 2007. I can type 40 WPM with one hand, read entire novels without getting off the couch, and one of my greatest joys in life is making people laugh. As a family, we love traveling and the great outdoors.
When/What/Where
A 7 month rotation through my husband's employer during which he will be training new employees at an outsource facility in Bangalore, India.
Why
Good question. As you can imagine, people ask me this all the time, in different tones of voice. We didn't pick India – it chose us. That was the opportunity that became available and we took it. I am not afraid. Yes, it's a foreign country. I spent 4 months working in an Romanian orphanage and my husband lived in Hong Kong for two years. Yes, we have little kids – but we don't have to worry about school, and they're fairly portable. This opportunity is right for our family at this time, and we are very excited.
Other Background Information
We first applied for this opportunity over 18 months ago. My husband's work schedule and visa problems delayed us inevitably. We rented out our house based on the original start date and spent 5 months living out of our suitcases in my in-laws basement. We'd actually given up on going when we heard that we actually had working visas and were expected to leave as soon as possible. So here we go.
Also, my brother's wife is Indian-American and her mother lives near Bangalore. This'll come up. 😉
Your Turn
I'm writing this for you! What do you want to read about? Feel free to ask any questions, give suggestions of things you'd like to learn about, lifestyle, culture, or anything else. You may either comment on the blog or send me an email at [email protected].
Update
I posted an update to our India adventure. We are now staying through October. Have you missed anything? Read all the posts in the Frugal Foreigner series.
I’m so excited that you’re taking us all “along for the ride” on your adventure. I’m curious about what frugal means in India. What are their money-saving techniques? Do they have coupons? What do their markets look like, and how do the prices compare?
Thanks for doing this!
Have a great trip, Susie! Also, is there something I can click that I will be automatically informed when you have a new update? Or do I have to keep checking in?
You can sign up for our RSS feed here to get new blog entries sent to you via email. Otherwise, just keep on checking back. I think Susie plans on updating every week, and we’ll post these to Facebook as well.
Susie, God Speed and good luck! What an exciting journey for you and your family, something your children will remember always.
Just so excited for you! Wishing you all God’s presence daily and safety and adventure. With 2 little ones in tow, I’m sure adventure awaits! 🙂 It will be fun to read and live vicariously through you. We’d love to see pictures from time to time. Best of luck to you and your family. Looking forward to reading your blog!
Susie, I’m so excited for all of you – I will be checking this blog faithfully for updates. I can’t wait to explore India through your eyes and adventures 🙂
Susie, Good luck to you. I am from India (New Delhi) but have been to Bangalore. It’s one of the coolest places to visit. Very modernized. It’s been a while since I was there but I have heard that like anywhere else, it has gotten heavily populated. But I also understand that if the kids are going with you, you should be able to find more familiar things (in groceries) in Bangalore more than in Delhi. I hope you have a safe trip there.
Susie, I am SO excited that your adventure begins at last! I know you will make the most of this wonderful experience. And I’m delighted to learn you are going to keep us up to date. God speed and good luck!
I just bookmarked this so I can keep tabs on your adventure. This should be such a fun experience.
What an adventure! I hope all turns out well for you. I’d like to hear about culture shock. What is the biggest difference for you, whether that be good, bad or just plain surprising? Looking forward to following your journey. Thanks for sharing!
I grew up in sri lanka and traveled to india a few times as a teen. It was the best experience of my life! I think y’all made a good choice and I look forward to hearing about your experiences. Good luck!
This sounds like the most amazing opportunity!! Can’t wait to hear more about your experiences!
And one other thing… watch Outsourced before you go… it’s pretty accurate! I get a decent laugh out of it every week 🙂
very happy to hear that you are visiting India, I am an Indian living in US . hope you will have a great time in India and also learn lot of new ideas when it comes to being a mom n frugal living. do mail me if u need any insider tip about this unique country.
Hi, Hope you have a nice stay in India. Indians lived frugally but now the scenario is changing. Hope to read more of your experience.
Susie,good luck on your new adventure,i’m looking forward to learning more through your posts. I am Romanian and i was curious to see exactly where in Romania did u work at the orphanage and what did you think about it?:)
Hi,
Hope you and your family have a wonderful adventure in India. After university my husband and I both took the opportunity to work in Mauritania(Africa), India(Kolkata), Hungary(Budapest) and Italy(Rome) and we only came back home once we decided to have kids. But as you mentioned your children are young enough to adjust to anything and this trip can only help to broden their horizon. Like you, we too have decided to work abroad again while our kids are still young (4 and 1) and in 2 months we are moving to Portugal for a year. My husband will be working as a consultant surgeon and I will be working in the same hospital as a translator.