30 yr old expatriate trying to think ahead

[thaidyed]

Hi Billman
Ahem. I have a retirement account with Friends and an investment account with Skandia. I find it hilarious that you and I have the same financial providers, you in Dubai and me over in little ol' Lao: Roth+Friends offshore retirement account+Skandia for the rest.

I checked fees on both as much as I could but I must say being on this and other boards is reminding me just how much impact fees can have...and I started wondering again. I find the financial advisors here are really geared to the aussies and brits so its hard to get US specific advice. What about Dubai?

Do you have or have you considered investing in real estate in the US? Being an absentee landlord is one thing but being one on the other side of the globe has its own dimensions me thinks.

[billman]

Hi Thaidyed,

In Dubai, it's geared towards expats in general, but I find that they have a lot more information on international funds/stocks/etc then say a U.S. advisor might have. I focus my skandia and friends provident funds on international and my U.S.A accounts on more of a domestic approach.

I have been considering the real estate in the USA. I am a Florida native so possibly somewhere in that area, but there is a good possibility I won't go back to U.S.A and will end up in Europe, so maybe something out there. Time to use the good old PetroDollars.

[thaidyed]

Quote:

Time to use the good old PetroDollars

Yes...while they're stil worth something. Or are we too late for that?

To be fair in my case they're actually hydroDollars but...

[Lancelot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaidyed Hey Lance, Thanks for that. So you're FIRE'd and permanently in Thailand? Interesting thought about the SET--I have never even tried to get a handle on what its up to, though a recent article in the Lao papers about setting up a stock exchange was good for a long, long giggle...

Hi TD

Yes, I'm FIRED'd but I don't know how long I'll be in Thailand. I like it here but there are SOOOO many other places to visit. Can you say Brazil

Lance