Read Doug’s articles originally printed in The Jerusalem Post.
Profile Perspectives
Proper financial planning can change your relationship with money.
Are You Losing Money by Doing Nothing? Optimize Your U.S. Investments from Israel
Behavioral economist Dan Ariely noted, “The worst mistakes are the ones we let happen to us.” Often, the greatest pitfalls stem not from poor decisions, but from a lack of action. While autopilot has a time and place, Ariely’s insight teaches that inactivity in financial oversight allows problems to fester, which can significantly impact your financial future. … Read more
What Car Seats and Investing Have in Common
Recently I spotted a parent driving with her baby not properly buckled in a car seat. The mother sat behind the steering wheel with the baby in a Snugli™*. While Snuglies are generally considered a safe method to transport an infant, it’s absolutely crazy to use one when driving!
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stop the driver and give grandfatherly advice on how to safely transport a baby…. Read more
Understanding Cross-Border Inheritance: Tips for Trust Beneficiaries
Receiving an inheritance can be a significant and emotional event. Managing inherited assets, such as trusts, is often complex, particularly when they span international borders. Trust beneficiaries often need guidance in navigating their windfall.
Recently, a client shared her gratitude about inheriting from her uncle’s trust, only to find herself entangled in unexpected legal and tax issues because she lives outside America…. Read more
The Impact of Inherited IRAs on Your Financial Planning
Did you know that inheriting an IRA comes with its own set of rules and opportunities? Recently, I had a discussion with someone who just received a “Beneficiary IRA” and was facing the common, yet complex, issue that many inheritors face: What’s the best way to handle the required minimum distributions? … Read more
What Happens When Siblings Disagree about their Elderly Parents’ Finances
Sibling relationships can be complicated… even among adult siblings. As a financial planner working primarily with American olim, I often encounter families at crossroads dealing with the complexities of both finances and family relationships. A recent case involving five siblings managing their aging parents’ U.S. investment portfolio exemplifies both the challenges and triumphs of family financial planning. … Read more
How to Strengthen Your Financial Future as a Couple
Why do so many couples struggle with managing their finances together? The answer is straightforward: they’re not aligned. As a cross-border financial planner, I’ve observed that couples who collaborate on their financial goals often succeed, while those who don’t frequently struggle. Look at these practical steps to get on the same financial page… and secure your future together. … Read more
Did You Receive an Inheritance? What You Need to Do Now
Did you recently inherit a stock and bond portfolio? Feel uncertain about your next steps? Navigating new assets can be daunting both to new and seasoned investors.
Managing an inherited portfolio effectively means aligning it with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Imagine inheriting a large sum in a single stock;… Read more
Simplifying the Real Estate vs. Stock Market Debate
Are you tempted to invest in real estate since the land prices seem to only go upward? If you decide to be a landlord, make sure you declare your rental income. The Israel Tax Authority is increasing its efforts to clamp down on tax evasion among landlords, using artificial intelligence to cross-reference records from the Land Registry to find unreported rental revenues. … Read more
Tax Confusion: Simplifying Capital Gains for Cross-Border Investors
When it comes to investing, understanding capital gains is critical. Many are caught off-guard by the taxes due on their U.S. portfolios. However, this can be avoided with the right knowledge and strategy. Both realized and unrealized capital gains can affect your investment decisions and tax obligations. (While I do not give tax advice,… Read more
How to Avoid Surprises on Capital Gains in Your U.S. Investments
Navigating U.S. tax obligations from Israel can overwhelm many olim, especially when faced with unexpected tax bills. A common source of surprise is the difference between realized and unrealized gains. Realized gains occur when you sell an investment for a profit and are taxable in the year of the sale…. Read more