The purpose of this thread is for those who are in the US and aspiring, to gather, network, seek assistance with questions, and to discuss anything US related without fear of condemnation or derailing.
The rules...
1. Please no fighting
2. Please no namecalling or insulting
3. Please no scamming
4. Please when discussing the opposite sex please be respectful.

Discuss anything US related.
Please upload links or tips that you think others can benefit from.

Good thread.
We are here to learn.
America: GOD'S OWN COUNTRY!

Forbes has released the rankings of the top highest paid 25 jobs in the US for 2018. This list is current as of July 19,2018. According to the list, the top jobs are in healthcare and IT.
The top 11 are as follows..
1. Physician
2. Pharmacy Manager
3. Pharmacist
4. Enterprise Architect
5. Corporate Counsel
6. Software Development Manager
7. Physician Assistant
8. Software Engineering Manager
9. Nurse Practitioner
10. Sotware Architect
11. Engineering Manager
12. Applications Development Manager

To see the complete list along with income, here is the link. https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2018/08/15/the-25-highest-paying-jobs-in-america-in-2018/#436bed635fd5

Market Watch has published an interview with Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Redditt. In this interview he discusses his advice and experiences with starting the company. At the time of the company's startup in 2005, Ohanian states that he was sleeping on a futon he got for free. He furnished his office with furniture he found on the sidewalks of San Francisco. Here are some of the key takeaways.
1. Spend only the money you have, know the value of compound interest.
2. The number 1 reason for failure in startups is running out of money. They get to ambitious with money with hiring, marketing, and decorating their office.
3. Manage the amount of money you're spending every month. Reddit has a built in monitoring system that alerts when spending gets dangerous.

For more of the article, here is the link.https://www.marketwatch.com/story/reddit-co-founder-alexis-ohanian-on-frugal-living-and-what-hell-teach-his-daughter-2018-08-14

Finally this is our very own!!! thread!!!! well I still dey Nigeria ...

Kudos to you for starting this!

Yes hunny!!! this is a good thread.

Derailer thread lol, let me start derailing the thread. Ok I need a friend with benefits in this America, someone tell me how to go about it.

stonemasonn:
Derailer thread lol, let me start derailing the thread. Ok I need a friend with benefits in this America, someone tell me how to go about it.

Technically, its not derailing since anything US related is open for discussion. Wait for one of your fellow bros to show up.
Although, it makes me think I should add a rule about how some topics should be discussed.

I think the most important thing to discuss on this thread for starters is credit. What it is ,how to maximally utilise it especially for our people. I have met people who have been here over 8years and didn't seize it to quickly propel them eco comically. When we got here last year I was told that it takes 2years to build credit,but from my 9month experience I see that the person [though he has lived here for 14yrs didn't know about it]. In my exactly 12months here I know that if understood and used right it can open doors to a good level of living. Anyone that knows about this subject please shed lots of light to us. I am willing and hungry to learn all I can. I also noticed in many threads that there is always a lot of emphasis on employment. Are there any entrepreneurs here ? If we have any please drop lessons, people like me are hungry to learn.I dey wait eagerly......

Aretha Franklin.......

thinktanke:
I think the most important thing to discuss on this thread for starters is credit. What it is ,how to maximally utilise it especially for our people. I have met people who have been here over 8years and didn't seize it to quickly propel them eco comically. When we got here last year I was told that it takes 2years to build credit,but from my 9month experience I see that the person [though he has lived here for 14yrs didn't know about it]. In my exactly 12months here I know that if understood and used right it can open doors to a good level of living. Anyone that knows about this subject please shed lots of light to us. I am willing and hungry to learn all I can. I also noticed in many threads that there is always a lot of emphasis on employment. Are they any entrepreneurs here ? If we have any please drop lessons, people like me are hungry to learn.I dey wait eagerly......

Yes credit very important here, the system is a credit system, the average person borrows money in some sort of form. Many things affect your credit score like payment history, number of debts, portion of debt to income and length of credit history. It takes a long time to build credit history, 2 years is not enough. Even after 5 years, some companies may tell you that you don't have established credit history. If you get a credit card, look at the term and conditions and interest rates. The goals is pay everything in full every month but in case you don't , you don't want the interest to be too high. Not only are they looking at your score but your credit history as well. You have to make that all your things are being reported to the credit bureaus properly each month. I'm not sure what field your into, but some employers may require credit checks as well. Becoming a LEGITIMATE business owner in the country is hard and it's takes a while. Even after you open a business , you may still have to work for someone for a while to pay your own bills. Business and personal bills should not be mixed.

thinktanke:
I think the most important thing to discuss on this thread for starters is credit. What it is ,how to maximally utilise it especially for our people. I have met people who have been here over 8years and didn't seize it to quickly propel them eco comically. When we got here last year I was told that it takes 2years to build credit,but from my 9month experience I see that the person [though he has lived here for 14yrs didn't know about it]. In my exactly 12months here I know that if understood and used right it can open doors to a good level of living. Anyone that knows about this subject please shed lots of light to us. I am willing and hungry to learn all I can. I also noticed in many threads that there is always a lot of emphasis on employment. Are there any entrepreneurs here ? If we have any please drop lessons, people like me are hungry to learn.I dey wait eagerly......

It might be more helpful to you if you ask specific questions that you are wondering about. Credit is such a big subject.

thinktanke:
Aretha Franklin.......

I just looked this up.
RIP.

thinktanke:
I think the most important thing to discuss on this thread for starters is credit. What it is ,how to maximally utilise it especially for our people. I have met people who have been here over 8years and didn't seize it to quickly propel them eco comically. When we got here last year I was told that it takes 2years to build credit,but from my 9month experience I see that the person [though he has lived here for 14yrs didn't know about it]. In my exactly 12months here I know that if understood and used right it can open doors to a good level of living. Anyone that knows about this subject please shed lots of light to us. I am willing and hungry to learn all I can. I also noticed in many threads that there is always a lot of emphasis on employment. Are there any entrepreneurs here ? If we have any please drop lessons, people like me are hungry to learn.I dey wait eagerly......

Here is a link of what credit is and how it works.
Be careful debt/credit is a trap here. It can consume you.
I will upload a link on ways to improve your credit.
https://www-ally-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.ally.com/do-it-right/amp/money/credit-101-what-is-credit-and-how-does-it-work/?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCCAE%3D#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ally.com%2Fdo-it-right%2Fmoney%2Fcredit-101-what-is-credit-and-how-does-it-work%2F

Simple ways to improve credit
The most important are...
1. Paying bills on time
2. Getting a secured credit card.
There are more ways and this article explains it.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/how-to-build-credit/

thinktanke:
I think the most important thing to discuss on this thread for starters is credit. What it is ,how to maximally utilise it especially for our people. I have met people who have been here over 8years and didn't seize it to quickly propel them eco comically. When we got here last year I was told that it takes 2years to build credit,but from my 9month experience I see that the person [though he has lived here for 14yrs didn't know about it]. In my exactly 12months here I know that if understood and used right it can open doors to a good level of living. Anyone that knows about this subject please shed lots of light to us. I am willing and hungry to learn all I can. I also noticed in many threads that there is always a lot of emphasis on employment. Are there any entrepreneurs here ? If we have any please drop lessons, people like me are hungry to learn.I dey wait eagerly......

Nice one bro!!! I'm not yet In USA ... but I would like to know how you where opportune to get there Legally?

I would appreciate it if u Help me with the info!!! financing myself ain't the issue

@backfornow, Thanks for creating this thread. Let's talk more about starting a business in the US

Where are "all of us" people in America making $700000 per year..

Come here come spend Moni oooo. :

Backfornow:

It might be more helpful to you if you ask specific questions that you are wondering about. Credit is such a big subject.

I don't actually have any questions to ask,just open to learn new stuff. I agree that it is a big subject and will take a look at the links you have provided.

My guy jokingly ask me how him go for catch American babe

I told him I hat if he see anygirl he like, he should ask her

" Sup sexy, do you want the D?"

Abi I lie, my American people

Dremca:
@backfornow, Thanks for creating this thread. Let's talk more about starting a business in the US

My relative ran a business some years back while working, it wasn’t easy. There were large bills to pay including wages for an assistant, for instance to place a banner with lightning in front the shop to attract customers also required permit with monthly fees to the state and so on. I Believe it’s better to have complete focus and the required capital to start.
The location is also important, I noticed some Africans and Asians open their shops near low income/ghetto areas, probably due to high cost of rents at middleclass/gentrified areas and also to avoid competition from the likes of Walmart, Sam’s club, Target etc. It depends on the type of business though. Also the use of ecommerce platforms like Shopify and woocommerce with online payment and door to door delivery goes a long way.

I'm looking at software tech startup like: Facebook, Google, apple, twitter and the rest.

stonemasonn:
My relative ran a business some years back while working, it wasn’t easy. There were large bills to pay including wages for an assistant, for instance to place a banner with lightning in front the shop to attract customers also required permit with monthly fees to the state and so on. I Believe it’s better to have complete focus and the required capital to start.
The location is also important, I noticed some Africans and Asians open their shops near low income/ghetto areas, probably due to high cost of rents at middleclass/gentrified areas and also to avoid competition from the likes of Walmart, Sam’s club, Target etc. It depends on the type of business though. Also the use of ecommerce platforms like Shopify and woocommerce with online payment and door to door delivery goes a long way.

lillaowow:
My guy jokingly ask me how him go for catch American babe

I told him I hat if he see anygirl he like, he should ask her

" Sup sexy, do you want the D?"

Abi I lie, my American people

Really Liliawow, you will have StoneMason thinking this will work.
StoneMason do not take this advice.

Dremca:
I'm looking at software tech startup like: Facebook, Google, apple, twitter and the rest.

I will recommend a movie to you, The Founder. It was made in 2016 and tells the story of how McDonald's came to be. Very good movie, my Entrepreneurial class was asked to watch it.

Dremca:
@backfornow, Thanks for creating this thread. Let's talk more about starting a business in the US

I will do a series of miniposts about business startups. The basics of how businesses work, marketing, etc.
Perhaps, others will share their experiences with you here.

Babyvet:
Yes hunny!!! this is a good thread.

I honestly don't know why no one has done it before now.

lillaowow:
My guy jokingly ask me how him go for catch American babe

I told him I hat if he see anygirl he like, he should ask her

" Sup sexy, do you want the D?"

Abi I lie, my American people

lol, you wan go jail?

Backfornow:


I honestly don't know why no one has done it before now.

Because people on nairaland can be ignorant and stubborn. This thread is good for people who want to come this country legally and have legitimate things that they want to accomplish. Those who are looking for get rich schemes without viable means, this thread is not for you.

Creating a business, Part 1
There are 3 types of businesses. The one you choose depends on your goals, resources, liability, and taxation.
1. Sole proprietorship
These are businesses owned by 1 person, and are the most common business type in America.
Examples are restaurants, hair salons, independent grocery stores, day cares, etc
These businesses focus on services.
They are easy and relatively inexpensive to form. All profits belong to the owner. They have the most freedom from government regulation. Profits from sole proprietorship are considered personal income and taxed at the individual rate. The business can be dissolved essily.
Disadvantages
1. Unlimited liabilty- If the business cannot pay its creditors, the owner may have to use personal nonbusiness holdings, ex car, home
2. Limited Source of Funds
There are few sources of money available to the sole proprietor. Ex bank, family, friends, Small Business Association. The proprietor is most likey to have to pay higher interest rates on business loans.
3. Lack of continuity
The life expectancy of the owner is directly linked to how long he/she can work. Ex major illness, death
4. Taxation
Historically, sole proprietors pay a higher tax rate than a small corporations on income less than $75,000
But they avoid the double taxation that corporations face.

Next time-Part 2 Partnerships.
For those who cant wait..
1. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/38822
2. Business A changing world 10th edition

Whenever I discuss a topic, I will include references from reputable sources so you can fact check me and research yourself.
In America, those who believe everyone and are overly trusting will be devoured.

IMHO, starting and running a business in the US is absolutely very easy.

Hear me out.

Unlike in Nigeria, the process is well detailed, the forms necessary are easily accessible, the fees are specific and doesn't change based on who you know.

I have businesses (not conglomerate but business none the less) both in Nigeria and USA and I speak from experience.

People also need to understand that the US is such a big place and that various municipality have their own rules and regulations.

Federal law
State law
County law
City law
Subdivision rules and regulations if in one.

In Nigeria we pretty much have federal law it seems.

One of the other things I want to impress on people is that where you leave, friends you keep and generally things that you do will dictate how you will coexist.

It's a pretty free society. I haven't spoken to a police officer since I came back to California in 2010. My Wife joined me here in 2013 and have never spoken to a police officer. I drove from Ibadan to Ijebu Ode last year and there were maybe 5 or 6 checkpoints. Seriously!

Infrastructure is pretty solid. Yeah we have some bad roads here and there.

Though I have been accused of discouraging people to migrate but it is not so. My whole deal is to migrate legally. It just makes things a lot easier.

On credit, it is very useful but one must be disciplined. I have credit cards with 0% interest for 18 months to 2 years. Basically free money to use while I earn interest on my savings. If you are disciplined to pay it off before the 18 months i sup then you're good. I just pity those that don't know how to use credit as they're selling themselves short in a credit society.

A good credit record affects the following:

Car insurance
Employment
Housing
Utilities (they can then ask for a hefty deposit but won't deny you service)

So you can see that it's not a play thing. You can't get a job in a bank if you have bad credit.

If you see your Americana friend with a iPhone X or S9 then one of three things. He bought it cash for about $1,000, he has good credit so that he got 0% rate or he has bad credit and he's paying ridiculous interest rate.

If you're a car freak like me then it is very easy to indulge yourself in the car hobby. America is not a country where if you have a 2000 Accord people will think you're piss poor like they would look at you in Nigeria. You can drive a very clean, very good and dependable car for under $1,000

Goo luck to all aspirants. Its a very good place to be a normal human being but you have got to hustle.