Showing 1 - 10 of 30
The business of living life as an expat
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 07/09/2014
» Expats living abroad are often surprised at the effort required to effectively manage their affairs. Those of us who have left our home countries have usually not emigrated in a single step, yet many resolve not to go back to live in their home country if they can help it.
The underlying costs of having children
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 24/08/2014
» Children are expensive. We hear this all the time from any parent. There is no getting away from the fact that if you start a family your life changes in almost every way. For many, their uppermost thoughts are that their social life will transform into something new; there will be sleepless nights, while changing nappies and feeding become 24/7 tasks that quickly turn into tiresome chores.
A boom or a bubble?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 27/07/2014
» The world seems to be in a state of fervour with appreciating investment assets. Could the apparent nascent global economic recovery be disrupted by mere interest rate rises or even geopolitical threats? On the one hand everything appears to be chugging along very nicely in the boom. However, there are other influencing factors which many opt to overlook as most of the world joins the ever-growing herd stampeding onwards in their quest for wealth accumulation. Or are they really inflating a bubble?
Risk vs return — what to do next?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 29/06/2014
» Yield investors beware! Are we talking bond yields or equity yields? How different are the two?
The UK budget and the expat
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 06/04/2014
» The recently announced UK budget has raised a number of eyebrows. Initial responses are mixed, as there are perceived tax disadvantages and pension advantages, so what do the changes really mean for expats?
A different view of property investments
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 09/02/2014
» Property is a very popular long-term investment. This is because most expats own their home in their country of origin. It is thus second nature to be accustomed to property ownership. When living abroad one can find a multitude of different profitable investment opportunities, but property seems familiar; because of previous experience it gives investors a degree of comfort, helped further by its visible and physical presence.
Year the snake bit, but not fatally
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 29/12/2013
» The Year of the Snake, 2013, has been mixed in many ways. We have witnessed some unexpected surprises while certain expectations have not come to fruition. Will this uneven trend continue into next year and beyond? Here is a recap of current trends and a look ahead.
Finding safe and sound alternative investments
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 15/09/2013
» Investors' expectations have been reshaped since the turmoil of the 2008 financial crisis. Whereas solid returns from traditional investments were once the norm, today's investor is happy to beat inflation expectations. Finding good opportunities is another matter altogether.
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.
Offshore private pension transfers: growing clarity for QROPS
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 26/05/2013
» If you have ever worked in the UK, no matter what your nationality, you probably were enrolled in a private pension scheme to which your employer and maybe you made contributions. The UK government continues to tweak legislative changes affecting the expat's ability to move this pension offshore. On the surface, these changes appear to limit transfer options, but in reality they have strengthened the legal framework, offering expats continuing advantages.