The Expat Money Playbook Launch Week Special
October 6, 2026
Moving abroad starts with why, not logistics. Here's the SMART goals framework from The Expat Money Playbook for turning a dream into an actual plan.
WHY DO SUCCESSFUL MOVES ABROAD START WITH "WHY," NOT LOGISTICS?
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Because logistics without a clear reason tend to collapse under their own weight the first time something gets hard. Most people start planning an international move with a daydream, then quickly jump into visas, taxes, and housing research before ever getting honest about what they're actually running toward and what they're willing to trade. Arielle Tucker argues in Chapter One of The Expat Money Playbook that this order is backwards: moving abroad doesn't turn you into a new person, it turns the volume up on who you already are. A vague or purely escapist reason to move tends to fall apart under the weight of becoming a beginner again in a new country; a clear, honest reason gives you something to hold onto when the bureaucracy gets frustrating.
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HOW MANY AMERICANS HAVE ACTUALLY CONSIDERED MOVING ABROAD?
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A 2025 Harris poll found that 44 percent of Americans have seriously considered retiring abroad, and Gallup has separately found that women are more likely than men to say they'd like to leave the United States permanently. But as the book is careful to point out, interest and readiness are not the same thing. A meaningful share of people consider the idea without ever taking concrete steps, since international life requires a level of effort, patience, and adaptability that can't be outsourced.
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WHAT IS THE VALUES FIRST EXPAT EXERCISE?
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It's a five-step reflection exercise from Chapter One designed to turn a vague desire to move abroad into something concrete. The steps are: writing out your "pull" (what you're running toward) and "push" (what you're trying to reduce) lists; choosing your top five values for the next three to five years and defining what each looks like in daily life; running a trade-off test for each value (what you'll give up to protect it, and what you won't); rating your current capacity across categories like energy, relationship resilience, and administrative tolerance; and finally writing a two-sentence "why statement." The exercise is meant to be done honestly rather than aspirationally, since what surfaces can change significantly over time.
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WHAT ARE SMART GOALS FOR MOVING ABROAD?
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SMART is an acronym, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound, originally created by George T. Doran in 1981 for management goal-setting, applied here to international moves. A specific goal names the destination, visa pathway, and purpose of the move rather than a vague "I want to live in Europe." A measurable goal has concrete steps (saving a defined relocation fund, completing language coursework to a specific level) rather than vague intentions. Achievable asks whether a goal is realistic given current constraints like income, family situation, and health. Realistic goes further: does this fit the life you're actually trying to build, not just a version of yourself you wish you could become overnight. Time-bound gives the goal a window, even a flexible one, since timelines force prioritization.
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WHERE CAN YOU BUY THE EXPAT MONEY PLAYBOOK, AND WHAT COMES WITH IT?
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The Expat Money Playbook, published by Wiley, is available now internationally wherever books are sold for approximately $25. It includes a free 15-page companion toolkit (pre-order exclusive) designed to be worked through alongside the book's checklists and exercises, meant to be written in and referenced repeatedly rather than read once and shelved.
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CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
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00:00 - From bored 24-year-old to trailing spouse in Switzerland
03:17 - Landing in US tax compliance the exact week FATCA hit
06:00 - Why she wrote this book with dozens of contributors, not alone
09:00 - Chapter One: starting with why, not logistics
15:36 - The Values First Expat Exercise
20:38 - SMART goals: turning a dream into an actual plan
24:34 - Where to find the book and the free companion toolkit
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ABOUT THE BOOK
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The Expat Money Playbook, published by Wiley, is Arielle Tucker's first book, written with contributions from dozens of cross-border professionals. Available now wherever books are sold.
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ABOUT YOUR HOST
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Arielle Tucker, CFP® & IRS Enrolled Agent with Connected Financial Planning, is a cross-border financial planner based in Switzerland helping Americans living abroad navigate U.S. taxes, international investments, and cross-border financial planning.
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ABOUT PASSPORT TO WEALTH®
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Passport To Wealth® is the platform for current and aspiring US expats looking for trusted, fiduciary support. We connect globally mobile Americans with expert, licensed cross-border financial advisors, tax professionals, and relocation experts who understand the financial and legal complexities of life abroad. For guidance tailored to your specific situation, book a paid expat expert consultation today.
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LINKS & RESOURCES
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- Pre-order The Expat Money Playbook: https://www.passporttowealth.com/expat-money-playbook
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passporttowealthofficial
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passport-to-wealth
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This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Individual circumstances vary. Consult a qualified cross-border financial professional before making any financial or tax decisions.