Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
When a Safe Investment Ends, the Real Risk Begins
A client called me last week. His $50,000 CD (Certificate of Deposit) had matured, and while that felt like a win, he didn’t know what to do next.
“I don’t want to just leave it sitting there,” he said. “But I also don’t want to mess this up.”
That kind of uncertainty is more common than you might think…. Read more
Managing Cash After a Home Sale in Israel
A retiree in Israel recently sold his Jerusalem home and deposited two million shekels into a bank account. He kept additional cash at hand for potential family assistance, unsure how best to handle the funds long-term. When we spoke, he admitted he felt stuck, worrying about making the wrong decision with the money and choosing to park it safely for now. … Read more
Inherited U.S. Assets While Living in Israel? Read This Before You Act
Inheriting money should feel like a blessing not a burden. But for Americans living in Israel, a U.S.-based inheritance can bring more stress than security. Instead of clarity, many people face a whirlwind of tax traps, frozen accounts, and decisions they don’t feel ready to make.
A potential client recently called me in that exact position…. Read more
Retirement Income: Why Living Only on Interest May Hold You Back
Retirement income looks simple on paper. Then the paycheck stops, and the numbers feel tighter than expected.
Recently, a client in his seventies sat across from me and said, “I don’t have enough retirement income.” He had cut back to part-time work, and his monthly income dropped sharply. He had also received a large inheritance…. Read more
When Liquidity Becomes the Real Test of Your Portfolio
Imagine this: you’ve spent decades building a solid portfolio. It’s diversified, growth-focused, and designed to last a lifetime. Then life throws you a curveball, and suddenly you need cash tomorrow.
That’s when many investors discover a painful truth: being asset-rich doesn’t help if you can’t access your money without paying a steep price. … Read more
Keeping Up Can Cost You Everything in Retirement
The biggest threat to your retirement isn’t the stock market or taxes. It’s your neighbor’s Instagram feed.
After decades of advising American retirees in Israel, I’ve seen portfolios that should deliver comfort and security turn into sources of stress. The culprit often isn’t market volatility or taxes. It’s comparison. When retirees measure their success against neighbors or friends,… Read more
What to Do When the Market…and Your Stomach…Drops
A longtime client of mine, one who generally isn’t prone to panic, called me unexpectedly one afternoon. “I just saw a headline about the market dropping and I’m wondering if we’re in for another 2008.”
What he saw was a sharper-than-expected decline. No breaking news. No explanation. Just that sinking feeling: Did I miss something?… Read more
Why Talking About Money with Your Kids Pays Off
A few weeks ago, a man walked into my office carrying a folder full of paperwork. His father had passed away recently, leaving him heir to his sizeable account.
He sat down and said, “I don’t even know where to start. I never knew he was so rich. We never talked about this.”
It’s a moment I’ve seen many times…. Read more
How to Access Your U.S. Money in Israel without Paying a Fortune in Taxes
What happens when your retirement savings stay in America, but you move to Israel?
Many retirees feel stuck, unsure how to access their money or restructure their financial life without creating problems or additional taxes in either country. The good news is that with the right setup, your finances can support your life in Israel instead of adding stress. … Read more
The Market is Up, So Why is Your Account Down?
You wake up, check the news, and see the markets are soaring. Relief washes over you until you log into your account and notice your balance has dropped. Confusion turns to panic. How can the headlines say one thing while your portfolio tells a very different story?
This kind of confusion hits especially hard for Americans living in Israel who have U.S…. Read more