rodent

Congrats! Can't wait for the pictures!

I have been told FM3 visas are nearly impossible to get if you do not actually live in mexico for a period of time. I couldn't find anything else for mexico, but if you were coming to the US for business, but getting paid from your home county you would need a B-1 visa.

I thought of another. We buy the kids meals at fast food places. Less calories & a lot cheaper. Plus you get a toy! The kids meals usually have as many calories as a normal adult meal, so it's enough food.

I did a sreen shot for you so you can see what we see. If you can't see it now, I think you might be pink sparkly/ light green colorblind.

Quote: Originally Posted by manda0812 that is very sensible.. if you like living there and it's affordable then that's more important than having that big house where you will have to sacrifice so much more to pay it off.. I am also trying to not buy new furniture just because I am sick of the old, I am repainting and recycling old things that were used in other rooms and trying them out as something different.. We are just living in this state temporarily. It keeps us from expanding too much to stay in a small place. Everything we own has to fit in a UHAUL & move with us again. But, the efficient heating & cooling is a great bonus. Noise is the biggest problem, but I finally found a solution with an ocean sounds CD. it make me dream about Riviera Maya everynight

I love it! It's so perfect for a Mexico beach wedding. i was just thinking the other day that I had never seen a picture of you. When i need a face to put with the name I just see that fuzzy haired pink thing.

Quote: Originally Posted by SheaS If this is government related, wouldn't this apply to all resorts in Mexico? This makes me think it is just a way for the resort to scare you into paying their fees. I honestly think I would gone on if I hadn't received this email from her. I think it has a lot to do with the resort just trying to get their $500.

Quote: Originally Posted by jfwolfe72 So not only do we have to pay $500, + day passes for the photographer and each assistant, + costs for any private meals, the photographers ALSO need to pay the resort? This is absolutely ridiculous. If I had to start this process all over again, I think I should have picked Dreams or another resort.....we'll see after I get back, but right now, I'm still pretty upset with the resort. I think this is a good point to make. EDR is a beautiful hotel, but if they are not treating photographers & brides right, people should consider other options. I wouldn't care if I had to use the same flowers/ cake/ DJ as everyone else. But, photography is not one-size-fits all. People should have the choice to pick someone that matches their style & personality. Restricting you to just their hotel photographer is too limiting. I feel like brides should stand up to EDR & tell them they will just book elsewhere. When anyone picks a hotel other than EDR because of this reason, they should let them know.

I went to buy a new font once. But, I didn't see a list of fonts to pick from. So I just took a stab at it. I paid for several font changes that didn't do anything. I finally picked one I had already seen someone had.

Quote: Originally Posted by scharke Let me clarify. A traveling photographer who does not live in Mexico needs a Business Visa to work in Mexico while they are here. They do not need an FM-3. The form that you fill out on the plane has the visa card on the bottom and it has blue boxes that say "For Official Use ONly". If you check the box that says "yes I'll be doing business here" then the customs official will check the box on your visa that says "Business" in the blue box part on the bottom. There are two checkboxes on the visa for the customs official, one that says "Tourist" and one that says "Business". It's the same form and the same visa card (attached to the form) for everyone on the plane. I have never tried to enter Mexico and get a Business Visa so I don't know what kind of song and dance you have to do when you get to the customs official in order to get them to grant a business visa. I don't know if it's easy or difficult but I would recommend having lots of emails printed out and maybe a contract with the name of the resort on it that you can point out. The photographer is shooting "on location" in Mexico and I have to believe this is very common so it won't be too much hassle. This is my suggestion. The photographer should bring a nice binder with their business card attached to the front. Inside the binder is a copy of the contract with the resort name and coordinators name highlighted. Put a copy of an email correspondence that confirms the payment of any fee and the permission for the photographer to work there. A copy of your travel itinerary that shows the return trip date. Present this to the customs official when you get to the front of the line. If someone is bringing down a photographer, call the Mexican Embassy/Consulate in your hometown and ask them what you need to get a Business Visa. Post their answer here. Thank you so much for clarifying this. There has been a lot of information around saying that it is not legal for a photographer from the US to fly in to Mexico to take pictures without a FM-3. But, when I read all the info, it sounded like that was just for someone who will be living in Mexico to work. And according to NAFTA, it should be legal for US traveling photographers to work in mexico. Thank you for clarifying the business visa. Recently a photographer who is a US citizen with an FM3 visa was herassing photographers on this forum (they are banned). That is why I started looking into this.

Quote: Originally Posted by manda0812 It's amazing what we can do for the environment if we put our minds to it. I have beans and peas growing in the garden, not ready yet, hopefully one day will have loads more vegies. I have a machine that weighs the load so means I can separate my whites and coloureds and not feel guilty about it. oh yes amazing how much energy hot water uses up. I work at an electricity company and you would be surprised how you can save on your bills with all these little tips. Having a second fridge for beer (which I know is important ...) costs over $100 a quarter to run. and running aircon at higher temperature saves $$ also.. I just wish I could practice what I preach when it comes to saving!! We live in a small apartment so we don't have to worry about heating/ cooling. We barely have to run the ac or heater. But, in college we kept our place very hot/ cold. Even then our electricity bill was higher. The efficient heating & cooling is the main thing that has kept us from moving into a bigger place.

That's great news! Grandmas in Mexico 2008!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by manda0812 I also suck at saving, luckily FI is good so I am slowly getting better. Although we ate out three times already this week! - I try and take my lunch to work every day - I haven't bought any new shoes for a long time (and I am almost dying from lack of shoe buying but I am making do) - wash in cold water - buy laundry powder in 20kg box, big saving and lasts for ages - walk to work, not only good on the wallet, but also the environment and is hopefully helping with toning up! I have noticed a lot of things that save money are also good for the environment. So instead of saying "I keep my house hot because I'm a tight wad" I can say I do it to help the environment I also wash in cold water too. Never really thought about why. I figure it will keep anything from bleeding. I do completely full loads too, so I tend to mix a little more than I should.

Quote: Originally Posted by scharke When an American or Canadian citizen is entering Mexico with the intention of doing business, then you have to state that on the immigration form you fill out on the plane. It's one of the checkboxes. I've never done this, but I assume you have to explain it when you get to the front of the line in customs in mexico. it would help here to have email correspondence with the reort stating that you'll be working there. Then the person in customs marks your tourist visa as a business visa. This is what Karisma wants to see. Alternatively, if you are an American citizen living and working in Mexico, like myself, then you need an FM-3, the equivalent to a green card (yes it is colored green). This would be the other thing Karisma wants to see. This has always been the policy here and is always a concern for ex-pats living here. My neighbor is a timeshare salesman and he tells a story about the mexican Federales surrounding the sales floor and checking everyone's FM-3. It does happen and it's big trouble for the resort. So it's totally within their rights to request it. Look into getting a business visa for your traveling photographer or confirm that whoever you hire here is either a Mexican citizen or an FM-3 carrying foreigner. Is it possible for a traveling photographer to get this? From the guidelines, it doesn't look like you can obtain an FM-3 without living in Mexico.

Quote: Originally Posted by twinkletoes Very well put. I would think that most people on the forum use those 'guidelines' not just on the forum, but in life in general. Constructive criticism is one thing. But just being plain out crass is something entirely different. Very true. You know those people that start every sentence with "no offense but..." and then they say something really offensive that wasn't at all constructive. I might print out glenda's tips for them.

Wow, what a cool house! So modern.

Quote: Originally Posted by xandrafaye I love this idea! I'm currently unemployed (between contracts at work) and I need all the help I can get! lol Me & my girlfriends share magazines. 2 of them have received susbscriptions as gifts so when they're finished they pass them on & then we pass them on & so on... those badboys add up if you buy 1 or 2 a month!Also I recently spent some money in order to save some money. We usually go to this nice coffee house to relax & talk & unwind... so I went out & bought 4 beautiful new mugs & some yummy tea & coffee so now the girls can come to my house while my bf is at work (he's a shift worker, so he's gone alot!) & we can use my fancy mugs & coffee & not have to put out $5+ each time we grab a cup at the coffee shop! Hm, I also save my dimes. Sounds silly, but it adds up! I am hoping to take a trip to Peru in the fall with my father so I started saving my dimes around December just to see what would happen. I probably have over $100 now, which isn't that much but it's money I never would have had before! I get my subscriptions from slickdeals.net or ebay (although I don't think they can sell them on ebay anymore). I usually pay $2 per year. I pile them up when I'm done & send them home with friends when they come over. I'll be putting some in my OOT bags too.

Quote: Originally Posted by MikkiStreak Ok, the way this sounds---- it seems as if Canadian residents entering Mexico provide "proof" they are entering Mexico without the intent of long-term employment, and that's about it. Temporary Entry into the United States and Mexico - The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) I tried going to the Canadian Embassy site listed, but get an error (something between the two sites isn't communicating properly). Is it the same for someone from the US entering mexico? I would think NAFTA would be the same for all of north america. The work permits only seem possible to get if the person is a resident of mexico for some time. If NAFTA states a person can do business in Mexico as long as they are not making permenent residence then traveling photographers shouldn't have a problem.

It would be quicker for me to list the things I don't do I pack a lunch We don't eat out much & when we do it's a cheap place We workout at home with DVDs & weights my friends & I have clothing swaps where we trade clothes I scan slickdeals.net daily I DIY for most things (wedding stuff, presents) I don't buy expensive gifts. I just make/ buy very thoughtful/ personal gifts. I get my hair cut at an Aveda Institute (students) My friends & I get together for dinner parties/ game nights- much cheaper than going out I call to negotiate my bills (internet/ cable) every 6 months or so to keep them low

Quote: Originally Posted by Saraha Great idea Morgan.... I feel like putting a cow costume on because Im a heffer... but we will see what we can pull out of the ol closet! I wore my cute PJs around the house this evening. I did feel a lot sexier. Mike noticed too. I think tomorrows challenge should be Send your guy a spicy text or email

I can't find the previous thread.

There is a great thread on this. I'm definitly doing pictures before the ceremony.

Quote: Originally Posted by CarrieRN What do you suppose the unicorn would do if it were animated? giddyup? anyone know about charlie the unicorn? Charlie, charlie, chalie...

Quote: Originally Posted by JamaicaBride062108 Morgan, did you steal "toxic friend" from Smart Steven from Real World Las Vegas? I totally did! LOL! Oh, no am I quoting real world? Atleast i don't get my advice from trashelle. I googled it & it's a real thing. Not sure where I heard it. Or maybe steven started it all. He is pretty smart. 6 Types of Toxic Friends and How You Can Deal with Them I also learned "frienemy" from sex and the city

Quote: Originally Posted by indypitty I just want to give Morgan a public THANK YOU!!! She helped me out tremendously and it is much appreciated! your welcome