The Tools We Actually Use
The Asia Traveler’s Toolkit
Moving abroad is complicated enough. Over the years living in Asia, we’ve tested dozens of apps and services. These are the few that stuck, the ones we personally rely on to manage our money, health, and connection every day.
Money & Banking (Wise)
We stopped using traditional banks for international transfers years ago because the hidden fees and bad exchange rates were eating our budget. We use Wise because it gives us the real exchange rate (the one you see on Google) without the markup.
A Gift for You: Because we use the platform, we can offer you a head start. If you create your account using the link below, you get a fee-free transfer of up to $600 USD. It’s the perfect way to send your initial deposit or tuition without paying a cent in fees.
Health Insurance (SafetyWing)
I started using SafetyWing back in 2019 to protect my travels, and it has stayed with me ever since. The real test came when I actually needed medical attention abroad. Instead of a bureaucratic nightmare, the reimbursement process was completely seamless and handled entirely through their dashboard with no stress.
Today, we rely on their Remote Health plan. I appreciate that their policies are clear (no hidden fine print) and their support team is pretty efficient.