This article is an updated version of an installment in “The Expat Spouse as Household CFO” series. You can download an ebook of the entire series here . As an accompanying expat spouse, you’ve read the first installment in this series and you and your working partner have agreed that for the two of you to most effectively manage your family finances, you’ll take on the role of Household Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With perhaps...
As many expat investors know, sticking to a long-term strategy can be hard to do. In general, investors tend to be seduced by the recent performance of hot stocks and asset classes, meanwhile shunning those that are out of favor. The talking heads on cable financial channels, with competing and contradictory forecasts, only add to the noise. But being drawn into following recent winners or any single idea raises the chances that you'll focus on...
This article is an updated version of an installment in “The Expat Spouse as Household CFO” series. You can download an ebook of the entire series here . If you are a part of an expat household, it may not at first seem necessary to open a local bank account in the country where you and your spouse live and work. However, there are several reasons why you might choose to do so. Simply put...
With increasingly global careers, weak job markets in some developed countries, and retirees looking to stretch their savings and pensions, greater numbers of people are building their lives outside their home countries. In many cases, they end up as expatriates in emerging and developing economies where growth and opportunity seem abundant and the cost of living can be cheaper. While living, working, and retiring overseas can be a rewarding experience, it is not a decision...
Creveling & Creveling protects its clients' privacy. The following is a fictitious example designed to demonstrate the type of financial decision-making required to achieve financial security and does not refer to any specific case. Many working expatriates dream of the day when they can throw in the towel and retire on their savings, enjoying the benefits that an international lifestyle can bring without the hassle of having to work. But how do you know if...
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as specific tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for advice relevant to your situation. As April 15 approaches and 1099 forms from U.S. banks and brokerages roll in, many Americans living overseas are collecting the various documents needed to file their 2017 U.S. taxes. Since there's a number of sometimes obscure tax forms that U.S. citizens living overseas are required to file...
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as specific tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for advice relevant to your situation. As the annual U.S. tax filing deadline for 2017 approaches (April 17, 2018), so does the deadline for making 2017 contributions to U.S. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) . But this is an area where U.S. expatriates need to be careful. If the rules surrounding IRA contributions weren’t complicated...
As the new year begins, many of us expats have a renewed desire to make positive changes in our lives. From a financial standpoint, improving our circumstances largely requires instilling good habits, being consistent, getting started early, and possessing a basic understanding of finance and investing concepts. To help you enjoy a more prosperous 2018, here are some financial resolutions to consider. If you start at the beginning and aim to knock off at least...
As you look for a holiday gift for your favorite expat or perhaps just for some interesting reading over the holidays, have a look through our annual list of highly rated books from 2017, especially selected with the expat reader in mind. All can be easily purchased on the internet, and while some are more serious, others are just for fun. For those expats who may live far away, all of these titles have a...
In recent years, investors’ appetite for cheaper, passive ways to diversify has accelerated growth in the global exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry. According to industry data-provider ETFGI, total assets in ETF products surpassed $4 trillion as of May 2017 globally. Growth in ETF assets combined with frothy global markets has spawned an increasing amount of alarming press emerging over the safety of ETFs . The size of the industry, its largely passive investment style, lack of...
For expats who are considering a home purchase, buying a less expensive house can be difficult—for most of us, costlier homes simply seem more desirable. But you should be aware of the trade-off: By sacrificing a little size and whatever other amenities the more expensive home has, you can add significantly to your retirement savings. As an example, in our case study below we show how additional retirement savings of almost USD 1.2 million may...
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as specific tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for advice relevant to your situation. Buying a home overseas is a significant financial decision for any expatriate. For American taxpayers who are taxed on their global income, it’s important to understand how foreign exchange movements can impact the U.S. tax you may owe when you sell an overseas property. Pay Attention to Currency...