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Money Basics

Opening a Bank Account as an F-1 Student Before Arriving in the US — Which Banks Allow Remote Pre-Enrollment

07/31/202607/25/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
A stack of US dollar bills spread on a marble surface, representing wealth and finance.

Some banks let F-1 students open a US bank account before arriving, no SSN required. Here’s which options actually allow it and how the process works.

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Your Korean National Pension Contributions Can Be Refunded to Your US Bank — Here’s How to Claim It

07/17/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
Your Korean National Pension Contributions Can Be Refunded to Your US Bank — Here's How to Claim It

Korean nationals in the US can claim the NPS lump-sum refund without returning to Korea. The exact steps, forms, taxes, and timeline — no trip required.

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H1B Layoff and Unemployment Benefits: What Korean Workers Get Wrong

07/15/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
Fired box on office desk

Most H1B holders assume they can’t claim unemployment benefits after a layoff. They’re wrong. Who qualifies, how to file, and what it means for your visa.

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H1B and DoorDash: Why Gig Work Can Cost You Your Visa

07/21/202607/14/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
Food delivery courier on bicycle

H1B holders cannot do gig work on DoorDash or Uber Eats. Why contractor self-employment violates H1B status and what the consequences are.

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You May Qualify for US Social Security Even Without 40 Credits — If You Worked in Korea

07/12/202607/12/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
You May Qualify for US Social Security Even Without 40 Credits — If You Worked in Korea

Korean immigrants short of 40 US Social Security credits can combine Korean NPS work years under the US-Korea Totalization Agreement to unlock benefits.

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First Week US Banking Setup for Korean Immigrants — The Exact Checklist Nobody Gives You

07/31/202607/08/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
US bank debit card and laptop

New to America? The exact US banking setup order — bank account without an SSN, SSA application timing, and your first credit card, step by step.

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Laid Off in America? Your First 48-Hour Financial Checklist (H1B & Immigrant Edition)

07/31/202607/07/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
H1B layoff packing up desk

Just got laid off? Step-by-step financial checklist for the first 48 hours after an H1B layoff — COBRA, severance, 401k, and unemployment benefits.

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Sending Money to Korea in 2026 — Wise vs Remitly vs Korean Bank Apps (Real Fee Comparison)

07/31/202607/06/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
US dollars and other international banknotes representing sending money to Korea

Sending money to Korea? Compare Wise, Remitly, and Korean bank apps by total KRW received — real fees plus exchange rate spreads by transfer amount.

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Why Your Emergency Fund Has to Come First (Before Anything Else)

07/03/202606/26/2026 by DONGHYUN KIM
$20K emergency fund

Something hit my windshield on the highway last week. A small rock. No big deal, right? Wrong. The repair estimate for my Tesla windshield came back at $1,551. No warning, no time to prepare. Just a bill sitting in my inbox on a Tuesday afternoon. That moment reminded me of something I tell every Korean … Read more

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