Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
What People Mistakenly think Financial Success Is
Many people think that they don’t need a financial plan. They think that being able to avoid overdraft means financial success.
While avoiding debt is important, other steps are necessary to build a secure financial future. Creating a workable financial plan is one of the best ways to improve your finances…. Read more
Three Tips for Managing an Inheritance
In my job as a financial professional helping Americans living in Israel with their U.S brokerage accounts, I regularly receive calls from people who just received an inheritance and don’t know what to do with it.
The first three things you should do after receiving an inheritance are:
Take a step back
Many emotions surround an inheritance…. Read more
Why You (Might) Have Bad Financial Habits
Children learn from watching their parents, so when you interact with money, you’re teaching the next generation some pretty important lessons, for better or for worse.
Teach by example. If your children see that you only spend what you have and are careful to save and donate, they will copy your good financial habits…. Read more
What Every U.S. Citizen Living in Israel Should Know
If you are an American citizen living in Israel you have tax reporting requirements to the IRS.
You need to report your foreign accounts
You must report your accounts with an FBAR form, which you send to the IRS. Neglecting to report information leaves you open to stiff fines and penalties…. Read more
Did You Inherit Your Broker With the Inheritance?
If you receive an inheritance, make sure that you only receive financial assets. Just because you inherit assets, doesn’t mean that you need to use the same financial advisor as the deceased did. Before you inherit someone else’s financial advisor, consider the following points:
Put everything under one umbrella
Consolidating your assets,… Read more
Are Bonds a Good Investment for You?
Bonds are a very popular investment, but before you buy any, let me tell you waht I share with my clients about them.
Think of a bond as a loan between you and a company or government. Assuming all goes normally, here’s how it looks:
1. You lend them a sum of money…. Read more
How to Increase Income from Your Portfolio
Recently, a retired widow met with me to discuss her concerns about having enough income from her investments. I reviewed her portfolio and made some suggestions about restructuring her investments to get predictable income. Here are some ideas I brought up:
Consider bonds
Bonds pay a set amount on a fixed schedule,… Read more
Important: How to Choose the Best Power of Attorney
Have you thought of giving someone power of attorney over your finances?
Contrary to the popular myth that a power of attorney (POA) is only necessary for old people, there are times when you may need to give a trusted individual discretion over your finances regardless of your age.
When do you appoint a power of attorney?… Read more
What’s the Best Tool for Making Money in Your Portfolio?
Investors frequently diversify their portfolios between stocks, bonds, and cash in order to find the best tool for making money. Some people also diversify between different sectors of the economy, and invest in different countries around the world. However, an important but often overlooked type of diversification is active and passive management. … Read more
Husband Or Wife: Who Should Manage The Money?
At a recent client meeting, the husband asked, “Why don’t you make all of the decisions in managing our money?” I answered:
“Investment advisors don’t take discretion”
In Israel, there are two different licenses: investment advisor and money manager. As an investment advisor, my job is to talk to people about their needs and educate them about the possibilities…. Read more