If you are a US citizen flying to Mexico, you need a valid US passport book. If you travel by land or sea, you can use a passport book, a passport card, or another approved document. Requirements differ by how you travel and can change, so confirm before your trip. Here is what to know.
Mexico Independence Day is celebrated on September 16 each year, marking the start of the country's fight for independence from Spain in 1810. In 2026, the main celebrations center on the evening of September 15 and the day of September 16. Here is the history behind it and how families mark the occasion.
You're trying to remember everything your family mentioned over the past few weeks. Your mom asked if you could bring her favorite vitamins. Your nephew has probably outgrown the shirt you bought him last year. Someone wants a specific chocolate they can't find back home. Another relative is hoping you can squeeze one more “small” thing into your suitcase.
A CVV is the short security code printed on a payment card, used to confirm that the person paying has the card in hand. It is usually three digits on the back of the card, or four digits on the front for some cards. Here is what a CVV does and how to keep it safe.
A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank in the United States. It tells other banks and payment systems where to send or pull money during a transfer. You will find it on your checks, in your banking app, and on your bank's website. Here is how to locate and use it.
A SWIFT code and an IBAN both help move money across borders, but they do different jobs. A SWIFT code identifies the bank, while an IBAN identifies the specific account at that bank. Many international transfers use both. Here is how each one works and when you need them.
The photos usually arrive while you're asleep. By the time you wake up, the birthday cake has already been cut. Candles have been blown out. Someone posted a family photo in the group chat, and you're scrolling through pictures of a celebration you wish you could have been part of.
Some family traditions happen without anyone planning them. A Sunday evening phone call. A group chat that comes alive every Friday. Your mom sending photos of dinner before anyone takes the first bite. Your dad texting the weather back home because he knows you'll ask anyway.
It usually happens when you least expect it. You're walking through the grocery store when you spot a snack you grew up eating. Someone passes by speaking your native language, and for a second, it feels like you're back home. A familiar song comes on during your commute, or you catch yourself checking the time. Then you picture your family sitting down for dinner thousands of miles away.
A first-time adult US passport book costs 165 US dollars in government fees, while an eligible adult renewal is 130 US dollars. Routine processing usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks, and expedited service takes about 2 to 3 weeks, not counting mailing. Here is a full breakdown of costs and timing.
Building credit in the United States usually takes at least three to six months of activity before a score appears, and often a year or more to reach a strong score. Credit history does not transfer between countries, so newcomers typically start fresh. Here is what to expect and how to begin.
