Aspiring couponista

Learning the ropes of a couponista. I sat on the floor at Target trying to combine coupons and find the best deals but I got so confused. It was fun though.

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Fedex SmartPost vs. UPS Shipping

I am expecting two shipments in one order from Amazon.com (free stuff agan because of Swagbucks I know I said was going to post about it lol). One package was sent through UPS and the other package through Fedex Smartpost. It is very interesting to compare the two shipping services as both couriers shipped my items on the same date. So in real time I can compare their services.

I track both packages on Packagetrackr.com - an all-in-one tracking tool for all shipments and what I love about this site is that it includes a visual route of a package using Google Maps. It's a cool way of understanding where and how far your package is. For me, a picture or an illustration is easier to understand than mere updates like scan updates, etc. Below are the screenshots from Packagetrackr.com of my shipment tracking info.

Fedex SmartPost route originated in Indianapolis, IN. Photo insert is the item to be delivered.

UPS route originated in Louisville, KY.  Photo insert is the item to be delivered.

The green computer icons are the shipment scans. As you can see UPS route is slightly further compared to Fedex's route but as of this writing my item from UPS is to be delivered today while Fedex tomorrow based on the tracking details. However, USPS received my item yesterday so I might receive today we'll see.

Here is what I figured out SmartPost takes longer because they utilize USPS which does their own tracking and sorting time so time between that is critical as to when you would actually receive your package. Bottom-line is Amazon.com or any business that uses SmartPost are the ones that fully gain the advantage not the customers.

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Amazon.com Free Super Saver Shipping Review

I am excited to receive my first and free Amazon.com order. Free because I used Amazon gift cards I snagged from Swagbucks. I will have to post about how I got free gift cards and what Swagbucks is. But for now I want to share my experience with Amazon's shipping service -- the Free Super Saver Shipping (SSS). It's free shipping when you order eligible products that reach at least $25.

As you know, it was my first time to place an order online so I'm pretty excited in receiving it. I tried to combine items to take advantage of the Free Super Saver Shipping but I ended up redoing my orders until I settled for one and placed an order on July 10, 2012. The delivery estimate is on July 19, 2012 as shown on the picture below based on my Amazon.com order summary.

I learned that Amazon.com uses various carriers like the USPS, Fedex, UPS and a regional carrier in the area.  For the Free Super Saver Shipping Amazon utilizes Fedex SmartPost where the final delivery is serviced by the USPS. I searched reviews about SSS and Fedex SmartPost most of them are negative reviews -- not a good impression for me. Although I had to give the shipping services benefit of the doubt because a free shipping is obviously going to take days or weeks. If you want free, be ready to wait. Duh.

Anyways, I have been checking the shipping status since it was shipped the next day July 11, 2012 (hooray!) The screenshot below is from Fedex tracking page. So my package just got forwarded to USPS today but I wasn't pleased with the adjusted delivery date a day later than the original delivery date. I don't like how Fedex adjusted the delivery date and still indicate it's on schedule.

I tracked it on USPS site and below is the screenshot. Maybe my package will arrive on time after all. Now it's in the hands of USPS. We'll see...... This post won't be a complete review until I receive my package.

Update: I received my order ON TIME! Yahooo! I was so happy and satisfied with the Free Super Saver Shipping from Amazon. It took 7 days excluding Sunday. So far so good I'm definitely using their free shipping again.

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The Second Step: Applying for K-1 Visa

After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing, and NVC will send it to the U.S. Embassy where your fiancé(e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

I remember my excitement after our petition got approved but I was very confused on what to do next. Below are the processes I did prior to applying the K-1 Visa.

• Obtain your Manila Case Number from NVC - call/email NVC after you receive the NOA2 (Approval Notice from USCIS) between 2-3 weeks. 
  Note: Visa interview may be set up before OR after the medical exam. In my case, I scheduled my interview AFTER I completed medical exam.  Also, don't wait for the Packet 4 because the U.S Embassy seldom send them to the applicants and it would arrive late usually and I never received mine. But here is the link to Packet 4
• Your  fiancé(e) can proceed to a complete medical exam at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC) before the visa interview Applicants are advised to have their medical examinations done at least one week before their interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Click here for the Medical Exam required documents. I suggest register online because you will skip the registration process at SLMCEC so you save time.
  Current Medical Exam Fee:  $223.00 - SLMCEC does not accept credit card or dollar payments. The fees must be paid in Philippine pesos at the prevailing exchange rate.  

Documents I brought with me for my medical exam

• Make sure your income meets the current  Poverty Guidelines because it is a strict requirement that you can support your  fiancé(e) when she/he arrives to the U.S and some applicants have been denied or delayed the process of a visa because of this. Click here for the current Poverty Guidelines.
• Pay the Visa Fee at any BPI Branch (your Passport Number will be the Receipt Number.) Wait 3-4 hours before scheduling your interview date.
• You may either call U.S Embassy and have them schedule your interview or you may set it up online: www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/  
• Below are the documents I prepared:
• BPI Receipt
• Visa Interview confirmation 
• PASSPORT. You must have a passport valid for at least six (6) months. 
• Form DS-156 (2) copies 
• Form DS-157 (2) copies 
• DS-156K (1) copy 
• Visa Photos (3) copies. I pasted two of them on the Form DS-156
• NSO BIRTH CERTIFICATE. 
• NBI CLEARANCE. 
• EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. Photos, e-mails, chat transcripts, Western Union Receipts, engagement ring receipt
• CENOMAR
• Form  I-134 Affidavit of Support (Original copy) 
• Supporting documents: Form W-2 (2010-2008), ITR 2010, Recent Pay Stubs, Letter of Employment, Bank Statement, US Petitioner's Birth Certificate
• We also prepared our co-sponspor's documents just in case the CO would determine that my husband (fiance at that time) didn't meet the Poverty Level required. But the Consul didn't ask for it so I was very relieved. 

Sources:
www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/
St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMCEC)
Personal Experience

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The First Step: Filing the Petition

You, the U.S. citizen sponsor, must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live. You will send your petition to the address below:

The USCIS Dallas Lockbox
For U.S. Postal Service:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266

For Express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS 
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business 
Suite 400 
Lewisville, TX 75067

Current Filing Fee: $340.00 (Money orders or personal check are accepted. Click: Guidance on paying immigration fees)

Required Forms for the petition:
Form I-129F - Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
G-325A - Biographic Information
G-1145 - (Optional) Clip this form to the first page of your application (on top of the cover page). By completing this form and attaching it, USCIS will send you an email and/or text message to alert you when your application was received.

Here is how we assembled our K-1 Packet.
Cover Letter - this is optional but it helped organize our documents
Payment ($340.00) Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Form I-129F - Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 18, explanation of meeting in person
G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
Birth certificate/US Passport (Petitioner)
Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
Proof of having met in person in the past two years (Pictures, visa stamps, boarding passes)
Proof of ongoing relationship (Western Union receipts, chat transcripts)

Make sure to sign and date the forms. Triple-check everything before sending your petition to USCIS. Good luck on filing your petition!

P.S. below is our K-1 Timeline

03-24-2011 Filed i-129F Petition for Fiance(e)

04-06-2011 NOA1

07-11-2011 NOA2

07-15-2011 NOA2 (Hard Copy)

11-02-2011 Visa Interview

11-25-2011 POE (Chicago)

01-27-2012 Civil Wedding

Sources:
VisaJourney
Travel.State.Gov
USCIS
Personal Experience

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What is a K-1 Visa?

If you are a U.S Citizen and your fiancé(e) is overseas and you want to marry in the United States. This visa lets your fiancé(e) enter the United States for 90 days so that your marriage ceremony can take place in the United States. Once you marry, your spouse can apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while the USCIS processes the application.

While the K-1 Visa is legally classified as a nonimmigrant visa, it usually leads to important immigration benefits and is therefore often processed by the Immigrant Visa section of United States Embassies and Consulates worldwide. If the non US Citizen fiancé(e) has a child (under 21 and unmarried), a K-2 non-immigrant visa may be available to him or her. Be sure to include the names of the children on the I-129F petition.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for a fiancé(e) petition? 

You must be a U.S. citizen to file a fiancé(e) petition. In your petition, you must show that: 

• You are a U.S. citizen;

• You and your fiancé(e) intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé(e) entering the United States;

• You are both free to marry; and

• You have met each other in person  within 2 years before you file this petition. However, there are two exceptions which require a waiver:

– If the requirement to meet your fiancé(e) in person would violate strict and long- established customs of your or your fiancé(e)’s foreign culture or social practice; or
– If you prove that the requirement to personally meet your fiancé(e) would result in extreme hardship to you.


Sources:
VisaJourney
Travel.State.Gov
USCIS

Related Posts: The First Step: Filing the Petition
                            Getting Married on a K-1 Visa

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Silly Sleep Positions by Ninja Cat!

oh yeah!

Such a hard day today

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