Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
Cross-Border Checklist for Olim
After recovering from a heart attack, a retired American living in Israel called me, not to panic, but to prepare. He didn’t need investment advice for himself anymore. What he wanted was a plan to make things easier for his family down the road.
That call reminded me how important it is for expats to think beyond just account balances…. Read more
Retirees in Israel! Stop Your IRA from Triggering Huge U.S. Tax Bills
Most olim with traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) see them as a safe way to grow wealth for retirement. And they’re right—until taxes hit. The IRS lets you defer taxes for decades, but once you start withdrawing, you could face hefty tax bills that shrink your savings fast…. Read more
The Best Investors Don’t Follow Trends… They Do This
Imagine sitting on your balcony in Jerusalem as U.S. markets drop. Instead of scrambling to sell, you sip your coffee, knowing your accounts are set up to handle whatever comes. That sense of control comes from having a plan.
Don’t Let the Market Control Your Decisions
Many Americans in Israel feel disconnected from Wall Street…. Read more
Can Your Portfolio Handle Life’s Curveballs?
For years, a potential client followed a plan. Patient. Disciplined. Steady. His portfolio mirrored that mindset: high-growth tech stocks and long-term strategies designed to pay off over decades, not days. And for a long time, it worked.
Then one phone call changed everything.
His daughter’s husband had lost his job. They couldn’t cover basic expenses,… Read more
How to Know When You Have Enough Money in Retirement
After decades of working with American retirees living in Israel, I’ve found that the hardest financial lesson isn’t about investing or taxes. It’s knowing when you have enough. Too many people move the goalpost just when they’re about to reach it. When expectations continually change, what defines financial success? … Read more
Retired, Recovered, and Rebalancing
“Does This Still Make Sense?”
That was the question a retired client in Israel recently asked me, not about a specific stock or fund, but about his entire financial setup.
He’d had a health scare, the kind that makes you pause and take stock. Like many American retirees doing legacy planning from Israel,… Read more
What If Retirement Isn’t About Slowing Down?
For some people, retirement is less about stopping and more about starting something new. After decades in education, one man moved to Israel. Not to relax, but to give back. He now spends his days volunteering and exploring, filling his schedule with purpose.
His story isn’t unusual. More and more retirees are seeking meaning—not just rest. … Read more
When the Market Shifts, Stay Focused on the Plan
A longtime client called me recently after seeing a dip in his portfolio. Over the years, he’d done very well, patiently riding the ups and downs by following a solid market volatility plan. But this shift caught his attention.
“There wasn’t any big news,” he said. “So why the drop?”
He wasn’t upset—just curious…. Read more
Struggling to Manage U.S. Investments from Israel?
Struggling to manage your U.S. investments from Israel? That’s understandable, since you’re not just dealing with numbers. You’re navigating a financial maze spanning two continents. A question I hear all the time is: “How can I simplify my U.S. accounts now that I live in Israel?”
For Americans abroad,… Read more
Investment Anxiety: What to Do When Your Portfolio Drops
Ever check your portfolio before breakfast and lose your appetite?
If you’ve experienced cross-border investment anxiety, you’re not alone. One minute you’re thinking about coffee, the next you’re staring at a red number that wasn’t there yesterday. For Americans living in Israel, investing across time zones adds a layer of uncertainty…. Read more