Showing 11 - 20 of 52
Why it's never too early for the young expat to start planning
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 13/10/2013
» The younger expat community is growing in Southeast Asia, attracted by the opportunities on offer in one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. This downward trend in age has also revealed a more prevalent integration of expats into local communities. They have left their welfare states behind and are catapulting into the future with enthusiasm. But what provisions must they make for the financial challenges they will face in the future? A more independent lifestyle also carries with it the responsibility of taking care of their own long-term financial independence.
Easing into property-related holdings
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 29/09/2013
» In our last article we looked at alternative investment opportunities available via equities and the S&P 500. This general topic was clearly popular and some readers have asked for more details. Others were keen to explore the possibilities of additional alternative investments. Some want to invest in property assets but do not wish to actually buy the physical asset as they find the cost prohibitive.
Balancing debt with investment and tax advantages
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 18/08/2013
» It pays to consider your options carefully when you have the opportunity to repay debt. Depending on your tax and investment situation, a careful analysis may yield surprising results.
Good reasons to transfer your UK pension to QROPS
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 09/06/2013
» Despite the dull name, Qualified Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) are a hot topic. For any expat who once worked in the UK and has a frozen or deferred pension, there are persuasive reasons to export it, especially if it is a defined-contribution scheme in which an investment pot belongs to you. Defined-benefit schemes, where a calculated pension will be paid, are often difficult to evaluate and many expats make the mistake of not scrutinising them properly.
Contrarian investing: dangerous or rewarding?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 21/04/2013
» Some say that contrarian investing _ investing that goes against prevailing market trends _ is playing with fire. The very few others, who are successful contrarians, simply take it in their stride and enjoy their achievements. You have often heard me say that the only constant is change. When it comes to investing, many individuals have trouble dealing with change; they are too subjective about their asset allocations and what they ought to be doing. In this respect, you can actually be your own worst enemy. Failure to constantly monitor your portfolio to ensure that change is accounted for can be fatal.
Energy investing - the next frontier?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 14/04/2013
» Black or transparent gold for you _ and a silver lining? Fossil fuel commodities such as oil and natural gas may be just the ticket for investors looking for a high return in a low-yield environment. But beware of the inherent volatility in these risky assets.
Can gold give you shelter from the perfect storm?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 31/03/2013
» Equities and gold traditionally fare best during inflationary cycles, and the question is when, not if, inflation will emerge again. Current economic wisdom is that fuelling inflation is acceptable to kick-start economies again. So far expats have mainly seen the downsides of monetary policy implementation, ranging from negligible saving rates to home currency devaluations and pension income dilution.
Asset managing fraught with unknowns, but it's no roll of the dice
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 17/03/2013
» Making the right choices based on long-term planning rather than short-term thinking is the best way to manage unforeseen events. Although we would like to think that the status quo will never change, in reality such an attitude could be a recipe for financial disaster.
How long will your pension last when you retire?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 10/03/2013
» We tend to assume that current realities will remain unchanged, yet the only constant is change. Are you comfortable today with what you have, based on current cost of living, exchange rates, inflation and investments? Will your pension last in retirement?
Dividends vs growth: It's a balancing act
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 03/03/2013
» Are equity investors approaching a bubble scenario in terms of yields? The flight to dividend-paying shares over the last few years has pushed underlying stock values to the point where a correction could result in a sharp reduction of capital values of income-producing shares.