2024-04-24 11:06
Most investors know that in the past few years, the US market has delivered above average returns, compared to many other markets.
There's also been quite a lot written in the media lately… Read More
Blog Directory > Finance Blogs > Expat Financial finance Blog >
Expat Financial Blog
aesinternational.com/blog
The voice of the only Corporate Chartered Financial Planners in the Middle East, AES International’s blog seeks to educate and inform expats with respect to pensions, savings and investments in the offshore marketplace. A key instrument of its mission of ‘Positive Change’, AES International’s blog tackles some of the toughest topics, often challenging the status quo maintained by international life companies and unscrupulous international financial advisers.
2024-04-17 04:45
For the first time this year, we're seeing some volatility.
The S&P 500 saw its largest weekly loss in 6 months.
The MSCI World Index is down.
Even Nvidia saw its second weekly… Read More
2024-04-10 01:30
Taking your first investment step can be scary.
You want to be sure you’re doing the right thing.
Perhaps you’ve already read everything you can about effective investing.
You… Read More
2024-04-03 07:07
Doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know. It's about how you behave. And behaviour is hard to teach, even to really smart people.
Getting rich and staying rich require di… Read More
![Investment Mistakes You Don’t Even Realise You’re Making [case Study]](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/4811/481062-2698302524.w320.jpg "Investment Mistakes You Don’t Even Realise You’re Making [case Study]")
2024-03-27 07:54
Have you ever buried your head in the sand when it comes to getting your financial house in order, only to find delaying your decisions ended up costing you far more than anticipated?
This… Read More
2024-03-20 09:31
Imagine going to a casino to play some blackjack.
You convert your money into casino chips and start playing.
With blackjack, you get to choose how much you want to bet on a particular han… Read More
2024-03-13 07:57
Every financial decision is driven by one of two fears:
The fear of losing money...
Or the fear of missed opportunities.
The former is far more common.
The fear of losing money is a prim… Read More
2024-03-05 07:07
Martin Radebaugh wedged his right foot against a crack in the rock we were climbing.
He pushed hard with his leg.
That allowed him to bring each of his hands onto two separate rock surface… Read More
2024-02-28 14:08
A common challenge in personal finance, is deciding when to invest a sum of money.
You've just received a bonus (or 'distribution'), an inheritance, or sold your business. … Read More
2024-02-21 07:41
Money conversations are my daily life.
Over the past twenty years, I’ve had thousands of conversations with successful, internationally-minded families.
These have armed me with the… Read More
2024-02-07 07:46
Have you ever felt unmotivated?
You just can't find the motivation to exercise, read that book, study, stick to the diet, or spend time making memories with your kids.
Would it help you to… Read More
2024-01-30 07:06
Check your Facebook and Instagram.
One of your friends posted a blissful shot with her boyfriend in the Maldives.
A colleague just announced his promotion.
Your neighbour posts how much h… Read More
2024-01-16 11:02
When managing money and working towards financial goals, it's important to understand which factors we can control and which we can’t.
Interest rates, inflation, investment market ret… Read More
2024-01-09 06:14
You’re trekking along a path below the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains.
In the afternoon, you grab your mountain bike, hit a few more trails, and then sip coffee outside a café… Read More
2024-01-03 07:48
Did January 1st catch you by surprise?
You were aware the year was winding down, with pending projects, a review of the past twelve months on your to-do list, goals to set, and new habits t… Read More
2023-12-27 05:43
People say you can't predict the future.
But you can.
Time always wins.
2023 has been an interesting year.
Perhaps just what we needed after 2022.
Year end represents a big opport… Read More
2023-12-20 10:24
You’ve worked hard to build your portfolio, but have you ever stopped to think what it’s all for?
When we think of a capable person, we usually picture someone smart, maybe well… Read More
2023-12-13 10:26
The benefits of diversifying globally in order to achieve your investment goals, are huge.
With these benefits and opportunities, comes exposure to foreign currencies.
While there's littl… Read More
2023-12-12 05:00
The person who made billions applying his colleagues' Nobel prize-winning concepts, is worth paying attention to.
His name is David Booth.
He's the Founder and Executive Chairman of… Read More
2023-12-06 07:47
As we grow older and navigate through life, we quickly realise the more we delve into a subject, the more complex it becomes.Take supply and demand.
It's a concept most of us can wrap our h… Read More
2023-12-05 05:54
John Tapie stuffed his laptop in his bag and strolled to the exit.
The 32-year-old married Brit works for a CyberSecurity firm in Dubai.
After a long day at work, he’s ready to hit t… Read More
2023-11-29 08:13
In a timeless parable, a wise grandfather shares a lesson with his grandchild about the constant struggle between two wolves.
One representing evil, with qualities like hate and greed.
The… Read More
2023-11-28 07:45
Each year, I asked my high school students to write a 600-word narrative essay.
The working title was, ‘Epitomizing America.’
A narrative essay is basically a story. I wanted t… Read More
2023-11-22 08:15
Sometimes, it can be tempting to think that if you had a certain amount of money, your worries would go away.
But many people with this mindset find that as their wealth increases, so too d… Read More
2023-11-21 08:03
New York attorney general, Leticia James, successfully wrestled former US President, Donald Trump, back into the courtroom.
She’s accusing him of fraud for inflating his assets to rec… Read More
2023-11-15 07:10
I’ve lost count of the number of times a client tells me they’re investing in ‘bonds’ from their bank or ‘broker.’
I’ve also lost count of the amou… Read More
2023-11-14 07:52
It’s hard not to feel sorrow and despair about the latest atrocities in Israel and Palestine.
Coupled with the Russian war in Ukraine, it’s enough to make us wonder what’s… Read More
2023-11-07 07:07
Sixty-year-old Paul Smith led me along a quiet country road, lined by bright sunflowers.
He accelerated his grey Basso racing bike up a short climb.
“We didn’t have climbs in D… Read More
2023-11-01 13:37
I read a great blog recently from Ben Carlson, who answered a question I'm also asked a lot...
"What real return can I actually expect from the stock market?"
Many financial professionals… Read More
2023-10-31 07:23
Do you remember what it felt like when you first earned money?
I’m not talking about money your parents might have given you.
I’m talking about the first dollar, euro or pound… Read More
2023-10-24 05:06
Roberto Ramirez and Gwen Stark sipped wine while they dipped their toes in the Caribbean Sea (I changed their names to protect their identities).
They sat on a wharf near Bocas del Toro, Pa… Read More
2023-10-18 09:26
Following last week's Hamas attack and the prompt reaction by the Israeli government, global discussions have once more shifted towards the topic of war.
The distressing events and the unfo… Read More
2023-10-17 06:51
A couple of years ago, my wife Pele and I took our campervan on a road trip through British Columbia. We stopped at a busy supermarket parking lot. Pele jumped out to buy a few groceries. I… Read More
These 5 LinkedIn Accounts Could Be Your Key To A Brighter Financial Future - Are You Following Them?
2023-10-12 06:50
In an era defined by information overload and rapid change, LinkedIn stands as a beacon of knowledge and connection.
As professionals, we know sensible decisions in the financial world requ… Read More
2023-10-10 08:18
When I was fifteen, I noticed that my closest friend didn’t come to school one day.
He didn’t come the next day, either. I called his house, but his mom said he was too sick to… Read More
2023-10-03 06:53
The guy next to me on the airplane asked, “Where do you plan to sleep tonight?”
I was 18-years old…and just dumb enough to think my plan was smart.
“I’m goin… Read More
2023-09-26 05:02
James Goldfinger smirked at the game show host, Guy Smiley.
Every week, for the past 10 years, Goldfinger had asked his assistants to get him on the show as a contestant.
“If I win… Read More
2023-09-18 07:33
I might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer.
But back when I had hair, I never wandered into a barbershop to ask, “Excuse me, sir. Do you think I need a haircut?”
I can&rs&hell…Read More
2023-09-14 07:43
“How can smart people so often be wrong? They don’t do what I’m telling you to do: use a checklist to be sure you get all the main models and use them together in a multimo… Read More
2023-09-12 05:41
The most famous battle of the sexes might have been the tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.
A charismatic showman, Riggs was also a toe-curling chauvinist.
The f… Read More
2023-09-06 09:48
A pension and a mortgage are the two biggest financial responsibilities you'll ever have.
But when times are tricky, as they are currently in the UK, which should you prioritise?
Homeowner… Read More
2023-09-05 05:15
The Barkley Marathons might be the world’s nastiest running races.
Only fifteen people have finished the 100-mile-long Odyssey of brush and rock in under the 60-hours allotted.
Inste… Read More
2023-08-30 11:21
People love talking about property.
Should you rent?
Should you buy?
Should you invest?
After all, a house is the largest asset many families will ever own.
It's also the most emotional… Read More
2023-08-29 05:53
A few years ago, a popular business radio station in Dubai interviewed me.
After we left the studio, one of the show’s hosts asked, “What are the best-performing markets now?&rd&hell…Read More
2023-08-23 07:25
The S&P 500 is an index of 500 US stocks that covers roughly 80 percent of the available US market capitalisation.
It’s one of the oldest and best-known stock indexes… Read More
2023-08-22 04:39
You might think thirty-six year old Steve Meade has a few screws loose.
After all, if his portfolio dropped 20 percent this year, he might dance on his kitchen table.
If it plunged again t… Read More
2023-08-16 06:17
It's natural for you to want some certainty in your financial planning.
You're human after all.
You want to know a decision will turn out right, or if you'll be able to achieve a… Read More
2023-08-15 05:06
John is a corporate executive in Dubai, where he moved to set up a better future for himself and his family.
But lately, he feels like a frog in a warming pot of water.
It was nice at firs… Read More
2023-08-09 11:02
Strong financial foundations are critical to achieving the flourishing life you envision for yourself and your loved ones.
This checklist of 25 action points serves as your map.
It will g… Read More
2023-08-08 07:36
You’ve heard it before.
Over your lifetime, it’s almost impossible to beat a portfolio of index funds on a risk-adjusted basis.
But when someone says, “Invest with me… Read More
2023-08-02 04:03
You aren't in control of your financial life.
That might come a surprise to read, but it's true.
So if you aren't, who (or what) is?
Your decisions around money, although fully aware to y… Read More
2023-08-01 07:14
Seán and Sarah McHugh didn’t expect their tenants to damage their UK-based property.
But that’s what happened.
“I couldn’t believe how badly they treated ou… Read More
2023-07-26 07:53
The Nasdaq 100 is often mentioned in financial media, but recently something quite rare happened.
On Monday 24 July, it went through a special rebalance.
This is only the third time… Read More
2023-07-25 05:00
Every Saturday at 9am, Jane walks out of her house with a bucket of hot water.
She drags the hose from the side of the garage and begins to wash her Toyota.
Her husband, Tony, teases abou… Read More
2023-07-19 08:44
Gold is often viewed as a safe haven that will protect you from inflation, market crashes, anarchy and even the total failure of a major currency.
But in my view, it has no place in your po… Read More
2023-07-18 06:28
Luke and Rachel Ellyard were camping in the mountains in the UAE.
They were reflecting on their lives and Rachel asked her husband, “If you died tomorrow, would you be happy with what… Read More
2023-07-12 09:56
What if I told you there's a way to enjoy a more comfortable retirement without worrying about running out of money?
Sounds good, right?
It's totally possible.
For those who dream of re… Read More
2023-07-11 05:18
My friend Neil and I were running hard through a jungle in Singapore when he blurted, “I don’t eat farmed fish, man!”
Random? Yeah.
But Neil isn’t just some flake… Read More
2023-07-05 06:18
Determining the perfect portfolio for the next three decades is an impossible task...
But, given the evidence widely available, we now know what works and more importantly, what doesn't, i… Read More
2023-07-04 08:39
Elliot’s routine might kill him.
But can you tell what he’s doing wrong?
Each weekday morning, he drags himself out of bed, shuffles to the kitchen and brews a cup of coffee… Read More
2023-06-28 05:05
It's mid-point of the year, so a good time to look back again at the 60/40 portfolio...
Do 'experts' still predict it's demise?
There's a famous tale from 1895.
Mark Twain, while fe… Read More
2023-06-27 04:33
If protesting were an Olympic sport, France would own podiums like Zeus on Olympus.
Ferry workers have blocked the Eurostar channel tunnel line. Railway strikes are commonplace.
Farmers h… Read More
2023-06-21 07:46
Buying a new car this year?
You’ve probably been researching since about January.
Petrol or Hybrid...
BMW or Toyota...Add to this the questions, showroom visits, reading online arti… Read More
2023-06-20 05:30
I only met my great Uncle Arthur once.
I was 12 years old.
I believe his advanced age rendered him blind and mostly deaf.
Of course, I could fill pages with how horrible that would be.
B… Read More
2023-06-14 05:24
Any good financial planner will tell you: Invest for the long term.
But can you – or anyone, really – ignore the short-term?
In case you didn’t realise, we’re offi… Read More
2023-06-13 05:44
“Sir, we’ve cloaked our vessel and we’re in Earth’s orbit.”
“Well done, Captain. Let’s check their communication devices to see what&rs&hell…Read More
2023-06-07 13:01
It's commonly accepted that if your monthly mortgage payment is equal to or less than what you'd otherwise pay in monthly rent, then buying a home is a sound decision.
However, this oversim… Read More
2023-06-06 05:51
As the Chairman and co-Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger have made more great investments than anyone alive.
So it pays to listen when the wise men speak.
S… Read More
2023-05-31 05:20
Investing is a long-term endeavour.
Successful family stewards often spend decades pursuing their financial goals.
But being an investor can be complicated, challenging, frustrating, and s… Read More
2023-05-30 07:50
“Just buy a handful of high-dividend stocks or a high-dividend paying ETF. It’s relatively safe, and you’ll beat a broad market index fund. It’s an even better strate… Read More
2023-05-23 07:29
Last week, I was cycling with a friend above the French Riviera.
We had recently crested the 13km climb of the Col de la Madone.
While coasting down towards the valley, another cy… Read More
2023-05-22 11:25
Although the term 'philosophy' may sound daunting and complex, it can be quite simple.
It can be so simple in fact, that it can be summed up in a single phrase...
Our investment philosophy… Read More
2023-05-17 09:31
I was recently asked about our exposure to US banks.
It comes after the collapse of First Republic Bank earlier this month, which is a harsh reminder any stock can go to zero, no matter… Read More
2023-05-16 06:37
Several years ago, developers in Tofino, Canada planned to cut down a massive tree they deemed unsafe.
If it fell, it would have crushed a hotel on the bank beneath it.
Protesters climbed… Read More
2023-05-10 08:52
There's a fascinating show on Netflix right now.
"How to get rich", hosted by Ramit Sethi, is based on his best-selling book.
He looks at the emotional side of financial planning - e… Read More
2023-05-09 08:20
Joey Practicalis had come a long way from his days of studying Journalism at Yale University.
He now worked for a global media firm.
He walked into his boss’ office and sank into an… Read More
2023-05-03 08:01
Are being rich and being wealthy the same, or is there more to it than meets the eye?
These words might seem similar, but they hold entirely different meanings...
That can play a crucial r… Read More
2023-05-02 06:56
What would happen if everyone invested in index funds?
I get asked this a lot.
But unlike most index fund fans, I don’t sugarcoat my answer.
If every penny in the markets were inves… Read More
2023-04-26 09:01
Imagine taking a group of caring, successful international families—mostly with male decision-makers, mostly older, mostly upper-middle class, mostly well-educated—and have them… Read More
2023-04-25 04:35
Plenty of professionals from North America and Europe gravitate to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Many are drawn to higher incomes and lower taxes.
But they have to save… a lot… Read More
2023-04-19 06:12
Are you a British expat with gaps in your National Insurance contributions between 2006 and 2016?
You can breathe a sigh of relief...
The government has extended the deadline for securing… Read More
2023-04-18 06:30
A guy I’ll call Bruce recently emailed me in a tizzy.
Every month, he had been adding money to his portfolio.
But in 2022, his portfolio dropped by several hundred thousand dollars… Read More
2023-04-13 10:30
Not all decisions are important.
Why? Because the consequences don’t matter.
Yet some decisions are critical — they change our lives.
Decisions about who to entrust with your… Read More
2023-04-12 07:36
Could this chart from the 1800s give investors today a way to navigate unpredictable markets?
I'm not a fan of predictions, but let's take a look...
Back in the 19th century, an… Read More
2023-04-11 05:35
I recently received an email from a woman who has money to invest.
She wanted to know whether it’s a good time now, or whether she should wait.
She fears that UK stocks might fall ba… Read More
2023-04-06 05:48
Here's a thought many won't like.
Your "to-do" list will never be finished.
We live in a culture obsessed with productivity.
There's constant pressure to produce more, be more effici… Read More
2023-04-05 05:11
Building wealth is hard.
Building generational wealth is even harder.
By generational wealth, we of course mean passing down assets, whether it’s a cash inheritance, property, busine… Read More
2023-04-04 08:51
My friends, Billy and Akaisha Kaderli, lived a normal life… until the day they decided not to.
Billy worked as an investment broker.
Akaisha ran their restaurant.
But they weren&rs&hell…Read More
2023-03-30 07:32
What if I told you the principle of time value of money was first discovered over 2,500 years ago?
And the person who discovered it was neither an economist nor a mathematician.
He was a s… Read More
2023-03-29 11:31
Over the last 18+ years I've spoken to a huge cross-section of the international community, from partners at law firms to doctors, business owners to engineers.
Of course, not all speak "fi… Read More
2023-03-28 05:38
Most mornings, I jump on my bike and ride uphill.
This somewhat sadistic hobby isn’t for everyone.
But where I’m currently located in Boquete, Panama, I love riding up the shou… Read More
2023-03-23 08:39
I recently returned from a trip to Mt Kilimanjaro with my 12-year-old son.
The plan was to ‘make memories’ in the precious little time before he starts boarding school.
Things… Read More
2023-03-22 11:16
One of life's most challenging financial puzzles is retirement planning.
Mainly because of the irreversible nature of many decisions...
To make things harder, the decisions are often ones… Read More
2023-03-21 09:00
Forty-six-year-old American, Amber Rhinehart and her fifty-two-year-old German husband, Johannes, took a financial risk when they moved abroad.
The couple has spent most of their careers wo… Read More
![How To Read A Book [four Techniques]](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/4811/481062-3889852284.w320.jpg "How To Read A Book [four Techniques]")
2023-03-16 09:13
'Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.'
I bet you already know how to read a book.
But do you know how to read well?
You soon will...
I'm fascinated by this area beca… Read More
2023-03-14 10:41
Before Friday, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was a thriving U.S. bank where credit losses were fairly low while enjoying a tripling of deposits between 2019 and 2021.
So, what happened?
The ba… Read More
2023-03-14 07:41
In 2005, I was teaching a high school English class when a student, who obviously didn’t want to talk about Shakespeare, dragged me off-topic.
He asked, “Is there anything you w… Read More
2023-03-14 07:41
In 2005, I was teaching a high school English class when a student, who obviously didn’t want to talk about Shakespeare, dragged me off-topic.
He asked, “Is there anything you w… Read More
2023-03-09 11:09
Have you ever wondered how caring, successful families pass values from generation to generation?
Perhaps they pay attention to Japanese culture...
Japanese people have developed a deep r… Read More
2023-03-08 03:15
Whether you’ve been investing for decades or are just getting started...
At some point on your investment journey you’ll likely ask yourself some of the questions below. … Read More
Subscribe to Expat Financial
Get updates delivered right to your inbox!