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I use Redpocket.com. I ported my US number to them from Verizon. They have a plan you can buy on Ebay for $60 annually and a slightly more expensive plan on their own site, redpocket.com. My US phone number is a "normal" number; i.e., it can receive SMS for authentication. It works perfectly with WiFi calling when i have WiFi coverage at my home abroad -- or in a cafe abroad--and randomly works when i have cell service (though they don't provide support for cell problems when when roaming.) That way i have a US number i can keep permanently for a cheap price. I have used it in several EU countries and in LatAm, and it works.

It probably wouldn't hurt for some of us to eat a little humble pie. My experience in foreign countries, even 50 years ago, was that a lot of people seemed to feel that people from the United States were rather arrogant, even though we are trying to be friendly. Calling ourselves American can really bother people from Mexico, Canada, Central or South America. The people in Argentina called me Estado Unidense (United Statesian) or Yankee. With the Argentine accent, that sounded to me like they were calling my "junkie". Needless to say, I didn't like the sound of that. So breaking the ice wasn't easy. I eventually made life long friends with them, but it wasn't a great way to start.
As far as people from other countries hating our government, especially places like Panama, Canada and Greenland, I can only think to comiserate with them, and let them know that is one of the reasons I'm coming to their country now.

Hi Jim. I'm Jim Santos, IL's Roving Correspondent, and we have had to deal with this issue ourselves. You hate to pay for insurance when you are not using the car, but on the other hand, car rental prices in the US have increased greatly over the last two years. So a lot comes down to how long you will be gone on each trip, and where you can keep your vehicle.

We have found that if our car is garage-kept, being away for up to three months at a time isn't a problem. We complete any regular service required, and make sure the car is clean and the gas tank full before storing. I've read that reducing the tire pressure a bit helps, but we haven't tried that. We also once kept our car in a rented outside space (with an all-weather car cover) for 5 weeks while we were in Mexico and it started right up on our return.

Last April, we did sell our car, because we planned to be traveling for two or more years. However, a medical issue forced an early return, and we ended up having to buy a car again. In the future, we plan to keep our car, and like yourself, travel 8-9 months of the years in 2-3 month increments.

Hope that helps, and happy travels!