Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
How Non-Americans Can Benefit from American Brokerage Accounts
This past week, my office phone rang several times with non-Americans inquiring about opening American brokerage accounts.
Given the hassles of dealing in some of the more popular offshore jurisdictions, and given the many benefits of keeping investments in the United States, these people were happy to see how they could easily invest through a U.S…. Read more
What Should You Do About the FBAR?
Whenever I mention the acronym FBAR, Americans often say one of two things: “F what??” or “I don’t need to do that.”
What’s an FBAR?
The “Report of Foreign Bank Accounts” (FBAR) is a required U.S. government form, which is important in the post-9/11 world. The purpose of the form is to alert the authorities about accounts held outside the United States with a total value of $10,000 or more at any time during the year…. Read more
Is Your Brokerage Account in Danger of Being Sold Out?
Imagine if your brokerage firm called you up and told you that they were going to sell out all of the positions in your brokerage account within the next 60 days.
“Why?” you ask them. They respond that due to increasing regulatory restrictions they will no longer service your account. They give you two options:
1…. Read more
Can Your Israeli Bank Provide Investment Services?
Have you found that your Israeli bank no longer provides investment services for Americans living in Israel?
Because of onerous reporting requirements to the American government, many Israeli banks have stopped opening investment accounts for U.S. citizens. While dual American-Israelis can continue with banking and checking services, they need to look elsewhere for their long-term investing…. Read more
Read This Before You Transfer Your Money to Israel
Making aliya doesn’t mean you need to close your American brokerage accounts. In fact, there are many sound reasons for maintaining assets in America even if you move away. Think twice before converting your American retirement accounts to shekels and bringing them to Israel.
Recently, some American brokerage firms asked their non-resident clients to transfer out their accounts…. Read more
How Modern Portfolio Theory Can Make You a Better Investor
Can “Modern Portfolio Theory” increase your investment returns?
Recently, on The Goldstein on Gelt Show, I spoke with the inventor of Modern Portfolio Theory, Nobel Prize in Economics winner, Dr. Harry Markowitz.
Dr. Markowitz explained various aspects of Modern Portfolio Theory and its impact on the individual investor…. Read more
Is Financial Success Just a Matter of Luck?
Is financial success more about planning or luck?
In the book Rich Kids, Tom Corley discusses three different kinds of luck:
Random luck is the kind of luck we can’t control. Random good luck includes winning the lottery or getting an unexpected windfall. Conversely, examples of random bad luck include sudden illness or being struck by lightning…. Read more
Should You Have a Shared Savings Account With Your Spouse?
What’s the best way to invest with your spouse? Should you have a shared savings account or separate accounts?
Whenever I help a couple set up U.S.-based brokerage and investment accounts, I ask whether they want a “joint” account, or whether they want to keep their money separate.
Shouldn’t couples always invest together?… Read more
How to Avoid Tax Mistakes When You Receive an Inheritance
When receiving an inheritance, it’s important to avoid making tax mistakes. Certain tactics, such as opening a U.S. brokerage account (see below for an interactive tool) can help. Watch out for these mistakes:
Mistake #1 – Taking money out of an IRA
To maintain the tax-deferred status of an inherited IRA (Individual Retirement Account),… Read more
Why You Might Benefit from Having a U.S. Brokerage Account
Unsure of the benefits of a U.S. brokerage account? Use a free interactive form (Profile-Financial.com/interactive) to learn why it may be helpful to keep some of your investments in America even though you live in Israel.
One of the most common financial problems Americans living in Israel face is when their U.S…. Read more