I hope the haters enjoy it.Plus much of the world hates us on general principles, aggravated by our current administration.
I hope the haters enjoy it.Plus much of the world hates us on general principles, aggravated by our current administration.
I can believe that based on the six days I spent there in August. But I also saw why anyone should love it there.but somehow making it work here in this country, which is either #1 or #2 each year in the contest (with Norway) to be the most expensive in the world to live in.
How about get a local rental property? At least own the place you live in.
I know Switzerland housing is crazy expensive when we traveled around the country last year.
Seems the franc has appreciated 2.5x vs. $ since '73. In same period, gold has appreciated over 10x vs. $, or 4x vs. franc. Net to me, holding some Au vs. U.S. $ assets could help.Yes, short term ups/downs but on a steadily declining trend line versus the Swiss franc over the last 40-plus years. Here's a graph:
https://snbchf.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/USD-CHF-Longterm.jpg
-BB
I can believe that based on the six days I spent there in August. But I also saw why anyone should love it there.
It is the best place I've ever lived in -- social and economic stability may be boring as hell; but it sure works. It's an amazing country in so many ways.
That said, it's an insular system with very protective barriers for imports and not much competition from abroad. Here's an example, the person who cuts my hair decided, after a small, contested accident, to have a video camera installed in her car as insurance against future incidents. The estimate was 5,000 CHF (about $5,100)!!!!!
-BB
First, I am not critical of what you said. I just could not parse the sentence structure.I was very careful to say stock and share funds. Individual stocks are okay to trade.
I think you are misunderstanding this. You said in your response that rates go up and down, implying there was no need to be concerned. I showed you a chart which, over 40 years, shows short term ups and downs along a decidedly long term down trend; i.e., 4.38 CHF per 1 USD in 1970 vs. .97 CHF 40 years later. The chart illustrated that simple reality. I picked the first chart I found to illustrate my point about short vs. long term trends.
In any case, the last 5-6 years are immaterial...short term noise. The exchange rate (USD:CHF) was 1:.97 on January 3, 2011. It went up and down over the intervening years (as low as .84 if I remember correctly and up above parity at times) and is now 1:.98, virtually the same as where it was in 2011. The trend from 4.38 to .98 has not been broken, do you see? My last two years of experience in retirement aren't as important as my next 30. In this case the old adage, "the trend is your friend," doesn't apply to me!
Hope this makes it clearer. Thanks.
-BB
We rent...we could never ever afford to buy our place, even if it were for sale. This is true for something like 60% of the Swiss...all renters. ......
BTW, landlords cannot raise rents unless there is serious inflation/interest rate rises or they do some renovation in your flat or house. So, our rent hasn't changed in almost 8 years. Our next door neighbor said hers hasn't been raised in over 20 years (!). And if interest rates go down significantly the renter has the right to request a decrease in rent.
Another problem: the longest fixed mortgage is only 10 years, then you have to renegotiate new terms at the current interest rates. So, there is some risk there.......
We have considered buying some real estate here and renting it -- like a studio apartment (only about 400K-500K CHF gulp); but it is complicated, even with permanent residence permits, which we now have. And, we don't want to get new jobs as landlords!
-BB
First, I am not critical of what you said. I just could not parse the sentence structure.
What is the difference between a share fund and a stock fund and a share fund fund?
Ha
My bad, sorry about that, the common terminology here is “stocks and shares” ISA’s and I didn’t even get that wording right. An ISA is the UK equivalent of a Roth but the IRS does not recognize the pension wrapper and taxes the gains as they are produced. (I have a cash ISA and as interest accumulates free of UK tax I still pay US tax on it)
10 steps to finding the best stocks and shares Isa - Which?
I am also a regular user of Transferwise to transfer funds which matches those who want to sell with those who want to buy to give very low forex transfer fees. I have an HSBC account in both countries and transfer money either way in minutes at good rates but still prefer to wait a few days for Transferwise to do its thing.