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Foreign currency exchange
5 Tips for Retiring Overseas
Here are our top 5 tips to consider for retiring overseas.HealthcareMany countries operate a national health service, so called “socialised medicine”, which may or may not, cover the entire cost of healthcare and, may or may not be available to foreign residents. Healthcare is a major issue for retirees no matter where they live, but it is essential that they understand exactly what will be covered so that supplementary health coverage can be provided, usually by private provision.A...
The Pros and Cons of Multi-Currency Bank Accounts
It is a rare expat who does not have bills to pay in two countries- often which need different currencies to settle. Learn how offshore savings accounts can help you keep your money where you need it: There are three principal currencies typically available for expatriates to operate through (though there are substantial variations on these themes); the principal currencies are the US Dollar, British Sterling and the European Union’s Euro. In the Far East, it is usual to find...
Current accounts
Bill Payment Options for Expats
Having a healthy bank account is all very well, but how do you ensure the utility bill or car expenses get paid back home when your existing banking support is unable to open the bill, read it to you and then ensure the payment is sent off?Wells Fargo recently conducted a survey of US expats and their attitudes to banking, but what really shone through were the extraordinary demand for bill payment services and the general dissatisfaction with existing bill payment arrangements.Typical...
The basics of offshore credit cards
When traveling overseas, a person needs to have ready access to their funds or to a credit line. Credit cards are one option for having accessible funds without resorting to carrying cash. Legitimate offshore credit cards typically carry the Visa or MasterCard emblem and are accepted at over 14 million locations worldwide. Card holders can get cash advances from over 100,000 ATM and banking institutions and make payments easily from their offshore bank accounts. They are very similar to...
Offshore savings
Ten top savings tips
1) Protect against inflation - The real return is the actual profit made on an investment after taking into account the effects of inflation - the rise in prices for goods and services. Advisers also urge all savers to include the impact of tax when estimating potential profit to get a true picture of potential returns.2) Protect against bankruptcy - As more and more financial institutions merge with each other, check that yoursavingsare not spread amongst deposit-takes with the same ultimate...
Make Sure Your Expat Banking Experience is a Successful One
Many expats are not very well prepared when it comes to making the most out of the banking opportunities that are available, nor in understanding just how important their expat banking experience will be for them.There are three distinct phases involved with expat banking:1. Initial phase – when you are preparing to depart your home country there is a need to ensure you have banking facilities in both countries. You need to ensure your bills back home will get paid and will support and...
Overseas mortgage
Choosing a Mortgage for an Overseas Property Purchase
It is difficult enough to navigate the mortgage market back home, but when you are considering purchasing a property overseas the issues become more complex, while the consequences for failing to choose correctly can be very expensive.Which Currency Should Be Used?The very first issue is to decide whether you want a mortgage denominated in the same currency as that of the country where the property is located. If you choose to apply for an overseas mortgage, it is probable the domestic currency...
5 Tips for Choosing a Offshore Mortgage
The situation is compounded when you are sourcing a suitable mortgage overseas, whether you are simply working for an extended period abroad, purchasing a vacation home overseas or have retired out of country. The principles of selecting the “best” or most appropriate mortgage remain the same as back home; do your research, seek professional advice as early as possible and make sure you understand what you are signing before you commit yourself.Here are our 5 tips for finding a...
Tax advisory Expatriates
Tax Considerations When You Move Internationally
Do You Have a Plan?Having a long term financial plan is essential. High inflation and changes in exchange rates will undoubtedly affect your income and this is precisely why you should take a long term view of things…your income, possible increase in income and expenditure in the future as well as retirement needs.Consider Offshore SavingsApart from opening a bank account in your new country, you should consider opening an offshore savings account or offshore bank account for your long...
Tax advisory US citizens
Should I File a US Tax Return if I am an Expatriate?
When it comes to the do’s, don’t’s and if’s of filing taxes for U.S. expatriates, the rules may seem complicated, but it is suffice to say that if you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, you MUST file a United States tax return. Expats will be happy to learn, however, that although they are required to file a tax return, they may have little or no taxes to actually pay. This is determined both by the amount of income they earn and a variety of possible exclusions and...
Lump sum investments
Investor – know thyself
It is vital you research each area of investment that interests you; the more you know the better your chances of making a profit. But before making any decisions about how or where you'd like to place your investment capital, take time to undergo some financial self-analysis. Specifically, what you need to ask yourself is, 'What is my response to risk?' Low risk investors favour high interest savings accounts and government bonds, as they seek to preserve wealth and hates volatility.Medium...
First Steps to Investing Abroad
One important thing to consider when investing overseas is that an economic environment is fluid. It constantly changing, causing investments to grow and shrink. More and more investors are moving overseas for opportunities to grow their wealth with ventures such as buying and selling property or investing in equities, commodities, and even in currency itself. Buying property abroad to rent has become extremely popular, in part due to the prospect for high profits. In addition to charging high...
Savings
Building Your Overseas Retirement Portfolio
The purpose of this article is to introduce you to some of the issues and concepts of retirement planning while you are working overseas. A major attraction for expatriates working overseas is the opportunity to accumulate capital, by increasing savings due to reduced cost of living and enhanced earnings. What to do with sums you are now able to set aside is a tricky issue, because the retirement and savings products available to you back home may not be available to you overseas, or in fact,...
Don’t Leave Home Without It – A Personal Finance Checklist for Expats Moving Abroad
Many expats are confronted with a new country which frequently has a very different way of delivering banking and financial services than they are used to back home. However, it is not simply their finances in the new country that need attention. Neglecting your finances back home can be just as bad for your wealth and peace of mind as not knowing how to handle your money overseas. In short, you need to have two checklists for your personal finances – one for your home country and one...
QROPS
Should I Transfer My UK Pension Fund to a QROPS?
QROPS are pension funds set up outside of the UK, allowing UK expatriates to attain greater control of their investments for retirement as well as circumvent the red tape, restrictions and taxes imposed on UK Pension Funds by the government. QROPS funds must by recognized by the HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) and must be governed by the federal laws of the country of origin (If the fund will be held in a United States bank then the QROPS account – and bank-- must be regulated by...
Moving Your Pension Abroad
Your pension is your security blanket for your retirement. Its sole purpose is to provide a steady stream of income for you well past your working years. You will spend the bulk of your working life adding to that investment in the hopes that when the time comes, it will have accumulated enough wealth to keep you living at the same level to which you have become accustomed. When your pension is secure, stable and profitable it can be a tough decision to move it into a different style of...
Pet relocation
Preparing Your Pet for Relocation
Here are some tips to help you prepare your pet for relocation…• Recognize That This Is Difficult For Your Pet TooThe change in routine triggered by the entire relocation process and any stress that you may be experiencing is bound to be noticed by your reasonably befuddled pet. While you can talk, share and sometimes even vent out your frustration your pets can only express it or withdraw in to themselves. Recognize that this is difficult for your pet to because your pet has to...
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Learn about the benefits of an offshore savings account and determine which company will be best for your needs.
US expats are expected to continue filing taxes in the States even while living abroad. Learn about your tax obligations today.
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Simple and free city guides to prepare your relocation, housing tips, visa, everyday expat life...
ExpatFinder.com is a website designed to bring support to people and families living abroad or planning to move overseas. It provides the user with information to help make informed decisions when looking for International health insurance with global cover around the world. Expat life insurance are explained for review at the same time as a choice of selected International medical insurance companies are displayed and free quote by direct contact available. Other sections of the website include online broker and offshore banking reviews including a choice of offshore savings accounts to make the most of your expat money. Users can also transfer money abroad and learn more about QROPS and overseas foreign currency exchange. The one stop place to answer all your needs will bring you information on expat health insurance and US Expat Tax. Should you be preparing to move abroad or living overseas you might be looking for a room for rent or else expat often start with an extended stay in serviced apartments