Showing 1 - 10 of 17
When your house is not a home
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 02/11/2014
» Many expats have conflicting views of the difference between domicile and residence. One school of thought is that they are easily interchangeable, not realising the impact this may have when they die. The vast majority do not understand that probate will have a significant effect on the administration of their estate. Whether you like it or not, your domicile and the probate process are closely tied together.
Which is better for you: Active or passive investing?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 15/06/2014
» A passive armchair investor and an active day trader have two things in common. They both depend on making the right decision at the front end of their investment cycle; in other words, active decisions.
The intricacies of self-managed investing
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 01/06/2014
» Many expats manage their own investment portfolios and in doing so experience varying degrees of results. It would be easy to measure these as success or failure, but investment decisions do not really result in success or failure — they are simply subject to consequences.
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.
The many facets of property investment
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 09/12/2012
» The decision to buy property is often driven by a wider range of motives than purchases in most other asset classes. Motives vary from subjective reasoning to assessing the financial facts. It is unwise to mix emotional considerations with investment reasoning.
Should you buy or rent your home in Asia?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 18/11/2012
» The question of whether it is right for you to own or rent your home in Asia is not always easy to answer. The final decision often depends on both commercial and emotional thinking. I was recently involved in helping a client make such a choice.
Ignoring medical insurance could be a grave mistake
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 16/09/2012
» Medical insurance is a wise form of insurance protection, for yourself and those dependent on you. For a fraction of the price you would otherwise have to pay, you get peace of mind and protection against a serious downside. Have you ever contemplated how you would survive financially if you were to have medical problems?
Domicile, residence and probate
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 26/08/2012
» Readers are divided in their views on the difference between domicile and residence. Some seem to think they are interchangeable and do not realise the impact that not understanding the distinction may have when they die. Many people do not realise that probate will have a significant effect on the distribution of their assets after they pass away, but the reality is that the issues of residence, domicile and probate are all tied together when dealing with your estate.
Your pension: the harsh realities
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 20/05/2012
» One of the most difficult things to predict is the amount of income you will need for your golden years. This is something you should discuss with your financial adviser so that he or she can make detailed calculations and come up with a projection for you to use as a target.
It's time for a brand new banking review
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 15/04/2012
» It's been a while since we looked at banking and the merits of taking time at least once a year to conduct a thorough review of your personal financial situation (see "Net Worth", "Annual banking review", Dec 19, 2010). We all know that bank accounts are essential. We use them as a convenient place to keep our cash safe, to withdraw it as needed, to receive regular salary deposits or other income, and to manage our personal finances. Most people use their accounts for paying bills and set up regular payment schedules so they don't forget.