Podcast appearances and mentions of douglas goldstein

Discover how risky investment behaviors can jeopardize your financial well-being. Douglas Goldstein shares an eye-opening analogy to highlight the importance of risk assessment and diversification in protecting your portfolio. Learn valuable strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions. Key Takeaways: Understand the importance of diversifying your investments. Learn how to properly assess risks vs. returns. Avoid emotional investing and discover tricks to think logically about your portfolio. Regularly review and adjust your portfolio based on life changes. If you're not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug's free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

Discover how Certificates of Deposit (CDs) can offer stable and predictable investment opportunities, especially valuable for expatriates managing their finances from abroad. In this episode, Douglas Goldstein delves into the advantages of purchasing CDs through U.S. brokerage accounts, focusing on benefits for those living overseas, such as in Israel. Learn the ins and outs of CDs within U.S. brokerage accounts, including FDIC insurance, diversification strategies to minimize risk, and the strategic advantage of creating a CD ladder to optimize returns over various terms. Key topics include: Simplifying management of diversified CDs through a single brokerage account Structuring a CD ladder to capture the best interest rates over time Navigating the secondary market for CDs to meet liquidity needs without incurring significant losses If you're not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug's free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

Ever wondered about the best time to switch from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? Or what are the advantages of having a Roth IRA during a market dip? Or how an inherited IRA works if you're living overseas? Join host Douglas Goldstein to discover:

We all wish that one day we'll get a call that a distant family member, who lived a long and happy life, left us a large inheritance. What would you do if you inherited a substantial sum unexpectedly? The financial decisions that follow such an event are crucial. Join Goldstein On Gelt host, Douglas Goldstein, CFP® and discover some considerations for managing newfound wealth in retirement, including the balance between capital growth of the inheritance and preservation, generating a steady income, and reducing risk. Learn some critical steps retirees must take to secure their financial future. Some key takeaways: Assess the needs of your portfolio based on current priorities and risk tolerance. Understand how the new wealth can change your portfolio's balance. Seek a financial advisor who tailors a plan to your needs and risk tolerance Navigating an Inheritance During Retirement: A Practical Guide Picture this: You're comfortably settled into your retirement, your days filled with leisure and newfound hobbies, when out of the blue, you receive an inheritance. It's an unexpected windfall that promises to secure your financial future—if managed wisely. But where do you begin? Let's explore how you can handle this boon with care and confidence. Step One: Take Stock of Your Financial Landscape Before you let the excitement take over, pause and evaluate your current financial situation. How does this inheritance fit within your existing retirement plan? It's not just about adding a couple of zeroes to your savings account; it's about integrating this amount in a way that supports your long-term financial health without overwhelming you. Start by assessing your income needs, your regular expenses, and how long you expect your current funds to last. Step Two: Align Your Investments With Your Current Needs As a retiree, your financial priorities have likely shifted from growing your wealth to preserving it. It's crucial to review the inherited assets—whether they're stocks, bonds, or real estate—and ensure they align with your current lifestyle, which is presumably more focused on stability than risk. For instance, if the inheritance includes high-volatility stocks, consider rebalancing by investing in lower-risk options like bonds or bank deposits that offer steady, predictable returns. Step Three: Rebalance Towards Income-Generating Investments Transforming part of your investment portfolio into one that generates income can be a strategic move. This might include dividend-paying stocks, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and other assets that provide regular payouts. Such a shift not only offers a steady income stream but also helps preserve the core of your inheritance, allowing you to maintain your lifestyle without depleting the principal amount too hastily. Remember, these are not specific investment recommendations but rather ideas to discuss with a financial professional. Step Four: Consult With a Financial Advisor Handling an inheritance, especially a significant one, can get complex. It's wise to seek guidance from a financial advisor who can offer personalized advice suited to your situation. They can help you understand the tax implications of your new assets, suggest appropriate investment strategies, and plan for future needs such as healthcare or family support. Step Five: Regularly Review Your Investment Portfolio As the market fluctuates and your personal needs change, it's important to keep a close eye on your investments. Regular reviews and adjustments will ensure that your portfolio continues to meet your financial objectives and stays within your comfort zone regarding risk. This proactive approach can help you maximize the benefits of your inheritance. Step Six: Honor Emotional Connections Inheriting assets from a loved one is not just a financial transaction; it can also be an emotional journey. Acknowledge these feelings and let them guide your decisions about the inheritance. While it might be meaningful to keep certain assets as they are to honor the benefactor, ensure that they align with your financial goals and risk tolerance. By carefully considering these steps, you can ensure that your unexpected inheritance supports your retirement dreams in a meaningful and sustainable way. It's all about making your money work effectively for you, in harmony with both your current financial scenario and your aspirations for the future. Note: This article is for educational purposes only and not to be taken as specific financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a professional for guidance tailored to your circumstances. If you're not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug's free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

Are you an American married to a non-U.S. citizen? If so, understanding the complexities of cross-border financial planning could save you and your heirs millions of dollars in estate tax (depending on how much money you have).  When it comes to financial planning for cross-border families, especially those with substantial assets, it's crucial to plan ahead of time how the family wealth will be passed on. One of the first things to consider is your estate plan. Determine how you want your assets to be distributed in the event of your death, whether to your non-resident alien (NRA) spouse, your kids, or to charity. For American couples, leaving the entire estate to the second American spouse comes with no estate tax. However, if you're married to a non-resident alien (a non-U.S. citizen), there are tax considerations to address during your lifetime and potential estate tax implications afterward. To mitigate these tax payments, gifting assets to your spouse up to the allowable limit during your lifetime, and planning with a tax professional and financial advisor how to pass your money to your kids, can help to lower the estate tax. It's essential to be mindful of the potential tax implications for your non-resident alien spouse and ensure they understand the tax obligations they may face in the event of your passing, particularly if they will inherit and hold assets in the U.S. Seeking the guidance of a cross-border financial advisor who can help structure your portfolio in a fashion that will minimize the estate tax will greatly help your spouse. In other cases, the use of a qualified domestic trust (QDOT) may be considered as a means of deferring estate tax in the case of the American spouse passing. Collaborating with a legal professional to set up a QDOT to match your family situation. When planning intergenerational transfers, balancing the financial security of your spouse and the desire to help your children, while handling taxes, is essential. Working with professionals who specialize in building tailored financial plans, can help you find the balance between all parties in the family.  Remember, proactive and comprehensive planning could be the key to protecting your wealth and ensuring your family's financial well-being across generations. The Goldstein On Gelt Show and its host, Douglas Goldstein, are not tax advisors. Consult with your own tax professionals before making any changes. If you're not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug's free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

Hosts Gregg Masters and Fred Goldstein welcome Zeev Neuwirth MD, Kehlin Swain & Douglas Goldstein. They discuss “The AI Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Are you approaching the age of 73 or have inherited an IRA account? If so, understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from IRAs is crucial. In a recent episode of The Goldstein On Gelt Show, Douglas Goldstein discussed RMDs in detail and answered a listener letter regarding RMDs for inherited IRAs. Here's a summary of the key points to help you navigate RMDs and avoid potential penalties. What Are RMDs? RMDs are the IRS's way of ensuring that the funds in your IRA, which have grown tax-deferred over the years, are eventually taxed. Once you reach the age of 73, the IRS mandates that you withdraw a certain amount from your traditional IRA each year. This amount is determined by a formula based on your age and the total value of your IRA at the end of the preceding year. Inherited IRAs and RMDs If you have inherited an IRA from a someone, you might also be subject to RMDs. In the case of an inherited IRA, the IRS requires beneficiaries to withdraw the entire amount within a specific timeframe, usually within ten years of the original account holder's death. Penalties for Failing to Take RMDs It's essential to stay on top of your RMDs to avoid potential penalties. For instance, failing to take your RMD can result in a 50% tax penalty on the amount you were supposed to withdraw. However, recent legislation has reduced this penalty to 25% or even 10% under specific conditions. Donating RMDs to Charity One strategy to potentially reduce the tax impact of RMDs is to donate the withdrawn funds directly to a qualifying charity. This can potentially help reduce your tax burden while supporting a cause you believe in. What should you do? Seek professional advice to ensure your portfolio complies with IRS regulations, and to make sure you are informed about any changes in relevant legislation.  If you're living outside the United States and need personalized financial guidance, reach out to Profile Investments Services, Ltd. Profile specializes in assisting individuals outside the United States with U.S. investment accounts. Subscribe to the Profile and Goldstein On Gelt email lists for more valuable financial tips and updates.

How do you think Bill Gates' financial advisor would have advised him regarding the concentration of his wealth in Microsoft stock? Welcome to another episode of The Goldstein On Gelt Show with your host, Douglas Goldstein. In this episode, Doug dives into the topic of over-concentration in investment portfolios. He discusses: The risks and little benefits associated with being heavily invested in one or two positions The importance of diversification and the potential consequences of neglecting it Stories of real life clients who found themselves in precarious situations due to over-concentration PLUS! Practical advice on how to avoid falling into this common investment trap. So, if you're looking to build a strong and well-diversified portfolio, stay tuned as Doug offers his expert insights on this critical topic. If you're not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug's free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

When you choose to go on vacation, you're prioritizing experiences over money in the bank or investments. It's a value decision. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't invest in experiences with your family or put all your money in the stock market! Let's talk specific goals and why you should always start with why. Join host Douglas Goldstein as he shares important financial insights he uncovered during his recent family vacation. When planning a vacation, we often make value decisions, prioritizing experiences over keeping all our money in the stock market. Douglas encourages listeners to have specific goals and understand why they are investing. It's not just about the numbers but about creating a life you envision and leaving a meaningful legacy for your loved ones. Doug also breaks down the concept of total return, explaining the different ways one can make money - capital gains, dividends, and interest. He also explores two different investment approaches: the bucket strategy and the total return strategy. The bucket strategy involves dividing your investments into different buckets to fund specific goals, such as vacations or leaving an inheritance. On the other hand, the total return strategy focuses on managing and maintaining a portfolio where income from various sources can be utilized for different purposes. No matter which approach resonates with you, it's crucial to align your financial decisions with your long-term goals and personal preferences. Don't miss out on these key insights that can shape your investment journey.

Are you an entrepreneur looking to run a thriving business in Israel?

Douglas Goldstein, CFP, will present the research that he's done over the past five years with World Chess Champion Susan Polgar about how high-level participants in any field often miss critical information in their decision-making process and how investors can use the same strategies that chess grandmasters use in order avoid the common downfalls.In this episode, you'll discover:What is holding you back from financial freedomHow to apply the strategies that Susan Polgar used to win 10 Olympic medals to managing your moneySeveral strategies that can make you as "Rich as a King!"About Douglas Goldstein:Douglas Goldstein is the co-author of Rich As A King: How the Wisdom of Chess Can Make You a Grandmaster of Investing. He's a Certified Financial Planner, a college lecturer, and a radio show host. When he started on Wall Street, his favorite client was his grandmother. She had been a stockbroker many years earlier, among the first women to earn the license. Following in her footsteps, his mother also became an investment advisor, helping clients plan and build wealth throughout her 17-year career. He joined her as a partner in 1992, and the #1 lesson he learned from her was the importance of educating clients about handling their money wisely.He is a 20-year Wall Street veteran and head of a major international financial services company but views himself as a financial educator. He writes extensively, using easy-to-understand language so everyone can realize that investing isn't only for the professionally trained. He also writes newspaper columns and is the author of four other books, teaches college courses, and even hosts a personal finance radio program, The Goldstein on Gelt Show.Get in touch with Douglas Goldstein:Visit Douglas' website: https://profile-financial.com Buy Douglas' book: https://revolutionizeretirement.com/goldstein What to do next: Click to grab our free guide, 10 Key Issues to Consider as You Explore Your Retirement Transition Please leave a review at Apple Podcasts. Join our Revolutionize Your Retirement group on Facebook.

Host Fred Goldstein convenes a roundtable featuring Douglas Goldstein, Managing Director, Salt Flats Capital, Neal Sofian, CEO, Tuzag, Inc., and Dr. Nick Van Terheyden, 'The Incrementalist', Principal, ECG Management Consultants. They discuss their impressions at the HLTH conference and key takeaways. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

John Chuback, M.D., Monika Gloviczki, M.D., Emily Iker, M.D., and Mark Melin, M.D. On today's Episode #11, Dr. Chuback, Dr. Iker, Dr. Gloviczki, and Dr. Melin welcomed IRENE WALDRIDGE, the CEO/Founder of Eva Medtec; and DOUGLAS GOLDSTEIN, Medical Adviser for Eva Medtec, to the show. From the EVA MEDTEC Website: "Eva Medtec is the creator of Neuroglide, a system of automated therapy devices which provide effective, convenient, and sustainable pain management solutions. Founded in 2012, the Eva team has worked tirelessly to develop proprietary technology, fine-tune manufacturing techniques, and demonstrate our product's therapeutic efficacy under clinical settings. In 2021, Eva Medtec's flagship product, the Neuroglide Back/Neck Pad, was FDA-cleared for sale to consumers, validating what we already knew: that Neuroglide has enormous potential to improve the lives of those living with pain. Eva Medtec is headquartered in Bloomington, MN, where devices are currently assembled in-house." MEDTEC CONTACT INFORMATION: https://www.evamedtec.com Email: service@evamedtec.com Phone: 1-844-382-9920

When Douglas started on Wall Street, his favorite client was his grandmother. She, in fact, had been a stock broker many years earlier, having been one of the first women to earn the license. Following in her footsteps, my mother also became an investment advisor, helping clients plan and build wealth throughout her 17-year career. I joined her as a partner in 1992, and the #1 lesson that I learned from her was the importance of educating clients about handling their money wisely. Though we could guide them, they ultimately needed to make the daily dollar decisions themselves. I obtained the licenses that allowed me to advise clients on trading not only stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, but also options, commodities, and futures. Eventually, I earned the license to supervise other advisors and also got the designation of Certified Financial Planner™.

Hosts Gregg Masters and Fred Goldstein meet digital health thought leader, author and national speaker Douglas Goldstein. Tune in to hear their discussion on real time healthcare, trends in digital healthcare, the integration of wearables into active health maintenance strategies, and whether digital health tools and platforms can reduce aggregate healthcare spend while improving outcomes and driving health equity through greater access. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play HealthcareNOW Radio.” Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

PopHealth Week (@PopHealthWeek) is brought to you by Health Innovation Media. The show  engages thought leaders, innovations, health system and health plans leaders and the vendor ecosystem in hard hitting conversation on the efficacy and impact of population health strategies. Your hosts are Gregg Masters (@GreggMastersMPH), the show producer and co-host and veteran consultant Fred Goldstein (@fsgoldstein). This week's episode guest is digital health thought leader, author and national speaker Douglas Goldstein (@eFuturist). Tune in to hear their discussion on real time healthcare, trends in digital healthcare, the integration of wearables into active health maintenance strategies, and whether digital health tools and platforms can reduce aggregate healthcare spend while improving outcomes and driving health equity through greater access. For more information or to suggest a guest or sponsor an episode go to PopUpStudio.Productions. ==##==  

How to Overcome the Challenges of Receiving an Inheritance By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel What would be your first reaction if you received an inheritance? When a client received an inheritance from her elderly aunt, she told me: “I thought she was going to leave everything to my cousin. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that any of it would come to me. Although the extra money will come in useful, I don't know what to do with it! I spend my nights worrying about whether I should invest it or if I can spend any of it.” You are not alone This client's anxiety about what to do with an inheritance is not unusual. Strange as it may sound, many people who receive an inheritance or windfall worry about losing their new assets, and this fear paralyzes them. Other people go to the opposite extreme and spend it all without a second thought. Another common problem that inheritors face is when other people somehow find out about their new wealth and want some of it. In the same conversation, my client told me: “When a distant cousin heard that I'd been included in my aunt's will, he called me up for the first time in over 20 years and begged me for a sizable loan to start a new business. What do I tell him? It's hard to say no to family.” Get some answers Since people often ask me questions on what they should do after they receive an inheritance, I created a 20-minute online webinar called, “How to Invest an Inheritance.” The webinar addresses the following points: What should be your initial response when you find out about your sudden windfall? When and how should you invest the money? What to do if you are approached for requests for loans or gifts. Register for the webinar at: Profile-Financial.com/webinar so you'll know what to do if you receive an inheritance.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Avoid This Portfolio Management Mistake By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel   At an initial meeting, a new retiree told me, “I'm not really sure what stocks I own.” When I asked how he had put together his portfolio, he explained that some of the positions came from an inheritance, while others… “Well, I'm not really sure,” and a couple of stocks were recommendations from “this guy who sits next to me in shul.” When I asked him if that guy still thinks they're good stocks, the gentleman admitted, “I don't know. I don't go to that shul anymore!”   This conversation is a superb illustration of a huge mistake that people often make with their investments: following a “hands-off approach to investing” – in other words, not having a clear strategy and buying/selling stocks without oversight. They don't give much thought to important issues, such as setting goals, diversification, and risk management. I understand that not everyone wants to be involved in the details of their portfolio management, but that is not an excuse for your money to go unsupervised.   A great solution to handling money if you don't like to deal with it There is a way to have a properly managed account without having to do all the work yourself: using money managers and a Separately Managed Account (SMA). You can hire a professional money manager to make the day-to day buy/sell decisions on your account so you can sit back and watch from on high. The simple investment plan No matter how removed you want to be about the details of your finances, you (and your spouse) must be able to answer these basic questions: When will you use your savings? How much risk can you tolerate? How much time do you want to spend dealing with the account? Answering these questions will help you keep your financial focus.   How a money manager may help you If your savings is meant to grow and be used in the long term, and market volatility makes you nervous, consider using an SMA to provide some oversight to your account. To learn more about money managers, watch a 12-minute video at: www.Profile-Financial.com/sma.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates

What Happens to Your Retirement Plans When You Make Aliya? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel   As a Certified Financial PlannerTM sitting in Jerusalem, I work mostly with American immigrants who keep the majority of their assets in American investment accounts. When a recent oleh listed the various retirement plans that he held in the United States, he mentioned: Individual Retirement Account (IRA) 401(k) retirement plan from an old employer 403(b) plan from when he taught in a school. Although he had some upcoming financial obligations, most of the money was intended for long-term investment.   He told me that his biggest financial problem was that his investments and money “were all over the place,” and with his busy schedule he was unable to keep track of what was going on. Simplify! Although each of the accounts came from different sources, now that this oleh was no longer working in America and contributing to the retirement plans, he could roll the 401(k) and 403(b) plans to an IRA. This would give him flexibility to choose the types of investments that he wanted and still maintain the tax-deferred status of the retirement plans, as well as avoiding the penalties for early withdrawal. Keeping American accounts when living in Israel When I suggested this option of rolling over his accounts into IRAs, the oleh asked if he could still do this, even though he is now living in Israel. This is a question that many dual citizens ask, often thinking that if they inherit or have an existing IRA in the United States they must cash it out. Cashing out an IRA and moving the money overseas is a taxable event, and often a bad idea.   The good news for this oleh, and also for all Americans living in Israel, is that you can maintain your existing tax-efficient IRAs in American brokerage accounts while living in Israel. To find out more about managing your American assets from overseas, download the “Toolkit for Opening U.S. Accounts from Overseas” for free at www.Profile-Financial.com/toolkit   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

4 Points to Remember at the End of the Financial Year   By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel   The end of the financial year is a good time to conduct an annual review of your financial situation. If your savings plan, or the market as a whole, has swerved off course, now is an opportune time to adjust accordingly.   Saving goals Are your long-term and short-term goals the same as they were last year? If your goals are both time and dollar specific, it's easy to tell whether you are on target to meeting them.   Does the saving component of your financial plan include tax-deferred pension plans?  Review the details of your pension plan to determine if the division of funds among the saving and insurance components of the plan is still appropriate for your current stage in life.   Asset allocation Once you've saved, don't yet breathe a big sigh of relief. Now comes the hard part – making sure the funds are invested properly. Make sure your investments reflect your risk tolerance, growth objective, and time frame.   As the markets and your needs change, recheck your asset allocation to ensure that everything is in order. Consider, for example, if a stock or fund does extremely well (or extremely poorly) this can also affect the balance of a portfolio.                                                              Review your winners and losers Before selling stocks/funds and actualizing profits/losses, ask your accountant about the tax ramifications of such sales. Depending on your situation, it may be wise to hold onto investments for at least one whole calendar year, to qualify for the long-term capital gains rate (if you are a U.S. taxpayer). While tax ramifications shouldn't be the only factor in determining when to sell, they should certainly be taken into consideration.   Use it or lose it In America, mandatory IRA distributions must be taken by Dec. 31. If you're 70½ or older, you must withdraw your minimum required distribution by this date. If you haven't done so, the IRS can impose a 50% penalty on the required amount you neglected to withdraw.   To learn what the most important variable in your financial review is, read my blogpost: www.richasaking.com/review.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.    

What Happens When You File U.S. Taxes From Abroad? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel   American citizens living overseas often need to file U.S. taxes from abroad, even if they don't owe any money. If you live in Israel, gathering the information you need to complete your taxes from Israeli banking and financial institutions can be tricky since foreign institutions don't produce 1099 forms. So what is an American living abroad to do?   Dangers of investing overseas The IRS requires American citizens to disclose information about their investments, no matter where they are held.   The end-of-year statements from your Israeli bank or investment company don't provide the same information that appears on a standard 1099 – and probably won't be in English! This means that when filing your American taxes, you (or your accountant) will need to convert currencies, tax brackets, and other information in order to extrapolate the information the IRS needs. While this may not be a deal-breaker, it certainly adds time and effort to tax reporting, not to mention extra fees for accountants. Consider this issue when you are deciding where you want to invest your money.   YAHOO! You Always Have Other Options. YAHOO isn't only a search engine, but an acronym for a way to look at life… and investing! One possibility is to invest in Israel – but through the United States! There are many Israeli stocks, as well as exchange traded funds that track the Israeli market, which you can buy on the U.S. exchanges. That way, you can manage an internationally diversified portfolio through an American brokerage firm that issues you a year-end 1099. This would certainly make your American tax filing easier.   What you need to know to open a U.S. brokerage account from Israel Go to www.Profile-Financial.com/interactive for an interactive questionnaire that customizes itself to your personal financial situation and helps you determine if investing with a U.S. brokerage firm is the right move for you.     Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Did You Get an Unpleasant Surprise From Your Stateside Broker? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel   When your stateside broker sent you a surprise letter, did it contain good news? Many Americans in Israel (and non-Americans, too) have received a letter from their U.S. investment firm or bank informing them that they need to close out their account. In some cases, the brokerage firm does not shut down the account, but limits its services because the client no longer lives in the United States.   10-step solution I recently produced a toolkit, which you can download for free, which answers the most common questions about handling American accounts from Israel. One of the most popular sections of the toolkit is called, “10 Steps to Opening a U.S. Brokerage Account.” Get this great resource at www.Profile-Financial.com/Toolkit.   A quick and easy solution Though some investment problems may be insurmountable, don't worry if you get a letter from your U.S. brokerage firm about needing to transfer your account. If the firm doesn't want to work with people who live overseas, it's probably best for you to avoid keeping your account there. Maybe the firm doesn't understand some of the basic, yet very critical, regulations that a licensed cross-border financial advisor would know, such as which mutual funds you could buy, which ones you absolutely need to avoid, and how to continue investing like you always have done in a diversified portfolio.   On the other hand, a “cross-border friendly” company can open an account for you in your own name in the United States and simply transfer the assets from your current brokerage firm to one with the know-how and experience to help out. These firms can manage your account because they have taken the time to fully understand the rules and regulations and have designed the systems to help people open and maintain investment accounts in the United States.   Have you received a letter telling you to get out? Let me know the details by calling (02) 624-2788 or emailing me at doug@profile-financial.com, and let's find the best solution for you.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

How to Grow Your Money Twice as Fast: Save More By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel What's the best way to save, and how much money should you save?   As a panelist on the “Money Tree Investing Podcast,” I recently answered a question about how to invest monthly savings. Here's what I advised:   Save more Before discussing specific investment tactics, I suggested doubling the amount of money the listener was saving. My experience as a financial advisor has taught me that many folks don't save as much as they can. One common rule of thumb is to save 20% of your income. If you reach that level or more, you're well on your way to building serious wealth.   Choose investments carefully There are two principles that every investor should follow:   Keep in mind your time frame: Long-term investors can be more aggressive than short-term investors because they have time on their side to recover from potential losses. Though past performance is no guarantee of future returns, it makes sense for a growth investor to place assets in growth mutual funds, ETFs (exchange traded funds), or managed stock accounts. Short-term investors and other people who can't afford or tolerate a potential loss should invest in more conservative investments like highly rated bonds, bank deposits, or money market funds.   Keep in mind your risk tolerance, and invest accordingly. A sound investment portfolio takes into account an investor's risk tolerance. Only choose investments that correspond to your personal risk threshold. Licensed financial advisors are trained to do risk analysis scenarios with their clients. If you don't know what your risk tolerance is or whether your current portfolio matches it, meet with a qualified advisor today.   Once you have accumulated savings and determined how you should invest, take the next step and open a U.S. brokerage account to help further your financial goals. For resources on how to do this, download the free Profile Toolkit, a guide to opening U.S. brokerage accounts from overseas. Download the toolkit at www.Profile-Financial.com/toolkit.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

If you worked in America before your move to Israel, chances are you have an IRA account. What should you do with this American account if you live an ocean away?   Should you transfer your retirement accounts to Israel? An IRA is an “Individual Retirement Account.” There are several categories of IRA, including traditional, Roth, Simple, and SEP IRAs. The main differences between them relate to when taxes are paid. (Check with your accountant about your own situation since this article does not constitute tax advice.)   Another common type of retirement account in the United States is the 401(k), which is a “defined contribution” plan. Contributions to the account are deducted from your paycheck and you only pay tax on them when you make a withdrawal. Sometimes contributions are matched by employers, which make it an especially sweet way to save. However, when you work in Israel, you normally cannot continue contributing to the plans (unless you are employed by an American company). However, if you had such a plan in the United States, you can often roll it over into an IRA and easily manage it from Israel.   Useless or useful? Having American retirement accounts when living in Israel can be useful. One reason is because the money invested can continue to grow. If you were to withdraw the savings and deposit them in Israel, depending on your age, you may be hit with penalties and taxes on the amount withdrawn.   A second benefit of having American retirement accounts while living in Israel is that the savings are held in America, and that means easier reporting on American taxes. Your pension plans produce IRS-friendly tax reports so you save yourself (and your accountant) hours of paperwork.   Also, American retirement accounts are already in Uncle Sam's purview, and therefore don't need to be reported on FBAR forms.   Everything changes when you move abroad If you made aliya, the incongruity of the tax laws in America and Israel create certain complications that affect how retirement accounts are run and their tax status. Work with an international brokerage firm that understands the regulatory requirements of dealing with cross-border clients. In this way, you get the best of both worlds. You can live in Israel – and still benefit from your American retirement accounts.   To learn more, download the Profile Toolkit, a guide to handling your U.S. investments from Israel at: www.Profile-Financial.com/toolkit     Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates

Should Your American Assets Stay in the United States?  By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel When making aliya, many olim move their American assets to Israel and convert all their dollars to shekels. However, there is a strong case to be made for leaving your dollars in America. Here's why: Efficiency U.S. securities markets may still be the most efficient, and individual-investor friendly in the world. You can have a diversified basket of global assets within a “regular” U.S. brokerage account, and do it cost effectively. America has an established market, with steady government regulations and investor protection programs like SIPC, protecting the investor and his assets. Diversification A U.S. brokerage account can host a variety of investment vehicles in American or global companies. Furthermore, you can have checks, debit cards, and other instant access to your funds, even if you are an ocean away. Mutual funds Mutual funds are an easy way to spread risk among different stocks and bonds. They are one of the most popular investment vehicles, both for beginning and professional investors, and they come in many forms, including “Exchange Traded Funds” (ETFs). Uncle Sam's bureaucracy Having the majority of your financial investments in the United States means it might be simpler to file an FBAR, as there will be fewer foreign institutions and accounts to report. Having U.S. compliant accounts makes it easier to meet all your reporting requirements. Cross-border expertise Make sure your advisor is licensed in both the United States and Israel, and has experience dealing with issues that you are facing. Free Toolkit For more about having a U.S. brokerage account from Israel, download the most comprehensive, simple-to-use guide, “Toolkit for Opening U.S. Brokerage Accounts from Overseas” at www.Profile-Financial.com/toolkit. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.    

Why Gender Bias is a Good Thing in Financial Planning By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel One area where gender bias isn't discussed enough is in financial planning. Financial planning for women must be different than for men. What do women need to know when planning their financial future? Women work fewer years than men Even though men are more involved with domestic duties than in previous generations, typically women take time off after childbirth more often than men take paternity leave. When children are young, mothers are more likely than fathers to work part-time or to stop working entirely for a few years. Women's pension savings tend to be smaller than men's, due to fewer and shorter work years.  Compound this with the difficulty of advancing in careers due to working part-time or non-consistently, and the result is that many women have less money saved than their male colleagues. Women live longer Statistically, women tend to live longer than men, meaning they face more years of needing to support themselves after retirement. I often see widowed women who are financially illiterate because their doting husbands handled the finances. Unfortunately, this means that these widows are helpless when their husbands pass away, and may not even know what assets they have at their disposal or what to do with them. Take the reins If you are working, or even if you are a stay-at-home-mom, make sure to put some money aside into savings. Be involved in your family's financial decisions, rather than leaving it all up to your spouse. Financial communication and knowledge are essential to a good marriage. Although gender equality has come a long way, I have found that women, especially elderly women, often have taken a backseat in handling their finances. If you're nervous about managing your money, call my office (02-624-2788) to find out what options are available to you. To learn more about financial equality for women, check out the video at www.Profile-Financial.com/women.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates give tax or legal advice.  

Is Risk Management the Best Financial Strategy? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel What is risk management, and how does it affect your investment decisions? Every investment is risky Every investment carries a chance of making a profit – and a risk of sustaining a loss. However, some investments are riskier than others. Generally speaking, the more profitable investments contain the most risk; if an investment can potentially make a high profit, it can also cause just as much of a loss. So if you're thinking about an investment that could give a high return, ask yourself if you could handle that level of loss if it doesn't work out. Is it worth taking a chance? If you're afraid of risk, you may prefer to play it safe by keeping all your money in a savings account in the bank. You won't make much profit as interest rates are low, but at least you minimize your chances of losing money. Savings accounts, money markets, and CDs offer protection against risk. However, when the product becomes due, the real value of your money may have decreased if the interest rate didn't keep up with inflation. Risk management vs. risk avoidance Fortunately, when investing, there are many choices and you don't need to single-handedly embrace or reject high-risk investments. There's a middle ground: follow a policy of risk management. For example, if you're young and have many working years ahead of you, you may be able to withstand more risk than someone nearing retirement since you have time on your side to recoup any market losses. On the other hand, an older worker may be comfortable with some aggressive pieces in his asset allocation, but he might feel the need to have a more conservative portfolio so he doesn't get a nasty surprise if the market crashes just when he's entering retirement. Consult with a financial advisor to help determine your risk level and develop a strategy to manage risk in your investment portfolio.  To learn more about investment risk, read: www.RichAsAKing.com/risk. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates give tax or legal advice.

Estate Planning: What Happens to Your Money After You Die? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel One of the most important issues in estate planning is what happens to your money after you die. How quickly your heirs receive the inheritance depends largely on your estate planning. (If you're having any difficulties with an inheritance, please email me at doug@profile-financial.com.) 3 things to consider when planning your estate When setting up U.S. IRA and brokerage accounts for clients who live in Israel, I ask them to consider what will happen when they no longer need their money. Here's where to start: Provide beneficiaries for your retirement accounts. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), 401(k) plans, and many other retirement and insurance programs can be transferred to heirs via a beneficiary designation, and therefore do not need to be included in a will. When you fill in the new account paperwork, provide details about who should get the money and what percentage they should receive. Consider a trust. If simply dividing up the money amongst the children and grandchildren wouldn't work for your family, a trust can provide more control, though you should be wary about trying to control your estate from the grave. In cases where children might not have financial skills or where there is a risk of litigation, a trust can protect assets. Israel passed new trust laws recently, so if you already have a trust, or if you're thinking of establishing one, speak to an attorney to get proper advice. Make a clear will. When my office helps to disburse deceased clients' accounts to the heirs, we find the process goes smoothly if the clients had written a clear will with the help of an attorney. Folks who try to save on legal fees can end up costing their estate a lot more in the end since problematic documents mean hours of a lawyer's time to handle. When clients pass away, we work with the family and guide them step by step through the money transfer. If you have questions about handling your estate, send me an email (doug@profile-financial.com) or call (02-624-2788) and let's begin a conversation about how to make the right moves. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.  

Avoid These Common Mistakes When You Receive an Inheritance By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel A new client recently told me, “My late father left me an inheritance of an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) worth $1.5 million, and I'm the sole beneficiary. What should I do with it? If I bring the money to Israel, I'll have to sell the stocks and wire the money to my account here. But if I do that, I'll have to pay tax in the United States and maybe Israel, too.” Unfortunately, many beneficiaries make costly money mistakes. Read about the mistakes you should avoid if one day you receive an inheritance, and then check out our free interactive tool at www.profile-financial.com/interactive. Don't take money out of the IRA If a beneficiary withdraws the funds from the IRA, he'll lose a fantastic American tax benefit. People with regular IRAs only pay tax on the money they withdraw. Any money remaining in the account can continue to grow untaxed. An inheritor can transfer the original IRA into a “beneficiary IRA” (a.k.a. “stretch IRA”) and this maintains the tax-deferred status of the account until the money is eventually withdrawn. No U.S. capital gains tax on sales inside an IRA According to IRS rules, U.S. citizens holding IRAs don't pay capital gains tax (or tax on interest and dividends) when they sell stocks for a profit inside their account. This is a huge benefit when compounded over many years. Probably no estate tax U.S. citizens who leave their estates to their American-citizen spouses or children don't have to pay estate tax as long as they don't exceed the “federal estate tax exemption,” which is $5.45 million (as of 2016). (Be sure to consult with a qualified tax advisor in case there's any state or local estate tax.) As I don't give tax advice to clients, I always tell beneficiaries of an inheritance to consult tax professionals. I often work directly with clients and their accountants to make sure that their investments and tax obligations are handled properly. If you're getting an inheritance and you live in Israel, make sure to check out www.profile-financial.com/interactive.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates give tax or legal advice.  

A Guide to the Tax Implications of a Legal Settlement By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel This is a two-part article addressing questions that arise when people receive lump sums. For the entire article, go to: www.profile-financial.com/settlement. I recently helped a number of people who are in the midst of receiving a cash settlement from a lawsuit, and had to point out that winning a lawsuit is not “free money.” In addition to having survived personal injury and a long-drawn out legal case, there may be tax implications to a legal settlement. Lost wages or profits If you are unfairly dismissed from employment, you may receive a settlement for lost wages, benefits, severance, back pay, or other income. According to the IRS, this settlement is considered regular income, even though severance pay is often tax free in Israel. This kind of settlement is also subject to the Social Security wage base table and Medicare tax rates for the year in which you were paid. Reporting legal compensation for lost wages is similar to reporting income for regular pay when you were employed. Interest payments Interest on any settlement, as with any income, is taxable and should be reported as “interest income.” Punitive damages Punitive damages are taxable and therefore must be reported, even if received in a settlement for personal or physical illness or injuries. Estimate tax Make estimated tax payments early if you know you're going to owe at least $1,000 in income tax from having to report receipt of a legal settlement amount.   Taxation on settlements is complicated. Remember to speak with a qualified tax advisor to get advice since this article is just for general information. We help people manage their U.S. investment account, not file their tax returns. Free information To get this complete article along with the IRS's information about what you need to report to the IRS regarding a legal settlement, go to: www.profile-financial.com/settlement   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates give tax or legal advice.  

A Guide to the Tax Implications of a Legal Settlement By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel   This is a two-part article addressing questions that arise when people receive lump sums. For the entire article, go to: www.profile-financial.com/settlement.   I recently helped a number of people who are in the midst of receiving a cash settlement from a lawsuit, and had to point out that winning a lawsuit is not “free money.” In addition to having survived personal injury and a long-drawn out legal case, there may be tax implications to a legal settlement. Lost wages or profits If you are unfairly dismissed from employment, you may receive a settlement for lost wages, benefits, severance, back pay, or other income. According to the IRS, this settlement is considered regular income, even though severance pay is often tax free in Israel. This kind of settlement is also subject to the Social Security wage base table and Medicare tax rates for the year in which you were paid. Reporting legal compensation for lost wages is similar to reporting income for regular pay when you were employed. Interest payments Interest on any settlement, as with any income, is taxable and should be reported as “interest income.” Punitive damages Punitive damages are taxable and therefore must be reported, even if received in a settlement for personal or physical illness or injuries. Estimate tax Make estimated tax payments early if you know you're going to owe at least $1,000 in income tax from having to report receipt of a legal settlement amount.   Taxation on settlements is complicated. Remember to speak with a qualified tax advisor to get advice since this article is just for general information. We help people manage their U.S. investment account, not file their tax returns. Free information To get this complete article along with the IRS's information about what you need to report to the IRS regarding a legal settlement, go to: www.profile-financial.com/settlement Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates give tax or legal advice.    

Did You Make a Mistake When You Opened Your Bank Account? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel What happened when you opened your first Israeli bank account after making aliya? A new oleh recently told me: “I just tried your online tool [www.profile-financial.com/olim] to find out what I need to know about having a U.S. brokerage account now that I've made aliya. But I think I made a mistake when I opened my new Israeli bank account.” He had gone to a local bank and told them that he wanted to bring some money over to Israel. The clerk there answered that as there is now an information exchange agreement between Israel and the United States (true), he needs to sign an IRS form called a W8 (false). The mistake was the form number, not the fact that the details of the Israeli bank account would be available to the IRS.  What forms do I sign? If you open an Israeli bank account, you need to sign a W9 form (not W8), which tells the bank that you are a U.S. citizen. It provides the bank with your Social Security number to allow for easy reporting to the IRS. The W8 form is used for non-U.S. citizens. You might be familiar with the W9 form from opening accounts in the States. In fact, when we help American olim with their IRA (Individual Retirement Account), brokerage, or other investment accounts, we have them sign a W9. Are there restrictions on my investments from Israel? Now that you live overseas, you may find that some companies, banks, and mutual funds won't want to work with you. But don't worry. Even if your old firm has a problem with overseas clients, it's easy to set up a U.S. brokerage account while you live in Israel. You can find answers to many common questions on this subject at www.profile-financial.com/olim . If you'd like to discuss your situation, call 02-624-2788. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.  

What You Need to Know About Premium Bonds By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel Premium bonds may be a good investment choice for retirees looking to increase their income. (For solutions to other problems retirees face, download a free copy of The Retirement Planning Book at www.profile-financial.com/rpb.) Consider premium bonds In today's low interest rate environment, if you park your money in bank deposits or money markets, the interest you receive generally will not be enough to pay your bills. Even leaving a million dollars in Certificates of Deposit (CDs) in a bank will only generate a few thousand dollars a year of spending money. So how can retirees supplement their income without too much risk to their principal? A solution may be to purchase bonds, especially “premium bonds.” Buying a bond means lending money to a country or a company. In return using your money for a set period of time, they pay you interest. Since bonds are not as safe as bank deposits, they generally pay a higher yield. Some bonds issued previously offer high “coupon rates.” They may be higher than what newly-issued bonds pay today. Since everyone wants to get a higher interest rate, these high-coupon bonds sell at a premium price. By buying a premium bond, you get more cash flow from your investments than if you buy a bond at par or at a discount. When the premium bond matures, you won't get the same amount back that you paid. But you will have received more cash flow every year, which means that you have effectively achieved your goal. Premium bonds are not for everyone, and they carry risks, but anyone who is looking for income should consider if they are appropriate for their individual situation. For more information about how to have a financially stronger retirement, download a free copy of The Retirement Planning Book at www.profile-financial.com/rpb. Alternatively, call me on 02-624-2788 and let's start talking about the best way to get income from your investments. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

The Best Way to Invest When You Want to Gift Money By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel Recently, a couple with four children of various ages asked me for advice on how to invest funds that they had just inherited. They didn't need the inheritance for themselves, and they wanted to pass it along to their children. The couple's oldest child was married and wanted to buy a house, so getting her share of the funds now made a lot of sense. “What stocks should we invest in for her?” the clients asked. “None,” I said. “Money that you want to use in the short term should be in cash or short-term bank deposits because it needs to be safe. The stock market carries risk.” As the next two children wouldn't need the money for the next four or five years, they could afford to take some risk and try to grow their gift. A broadly diversified portfolio that included stock and bond funds could increase their odds of growth. Before getting started, though, I explained the level of the risk and tried to give the clients a sense of what to expect with regard to volatility. Should you invest aggressively? The couple's youngest child was only 14 and would not need the money for some time. So the clients thought that they could afford to take more risk with his portion and put it all into stocks. I warned them that even though the stock market has traditionally offered stronger returns than other asset classes, growth is not guaranteed and they could lose money. In the end, the couple chose to use a “money manager” to handle that portfolio as they felt that this would be the best way to diversify and manage these funds. To find out more about using a money manager, watch the 12-minute video at www.profile-financial.com/videos/SMA. To start a conversation about handling your investments, call my office (02-624-2788). Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.  

Why Interest Rate Risk is Important By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® Conservative investors who buy bonds to avoid high risk might inadvertently be exposing themselves to a potentially devastating risk: interest rate risk. If you are concerned that you may have interest rate risk or other hidden risks in your investments, call my office at 02-624-2788 to discuss your portfolio. Are bonds safe? When you buy a bond, you lock in a specific interest rate that you'll earn until the bond matures. Assuming the issuer of the bond remains solvent, you'll receive your interest payments (usually every six months), and on the "maturity date" you'll get the principal value of the bond. That's what happens in most cases. But… When interest rates rise, people who have locked in a lower yield discover that their bonds decrease in value. For example, let's say you own a $50,000 bond that pays 3%. After you have bought the bond, if rates for similar issues rise, say to 5%, the principal value of your investment drops. It drops, since a 3% return pales in comparison to a 5% yield. If you hold your 3% bond to maturity, you will get your principal paid back, but if you need to sell it beforehand, you will likely lose money.  That is interest rate risk – the fear that if you have to sell your bonds before maturity you'll potentially lose out on regaining your full principal. Longer term bonds and preferred stocks If the bonds you own will reach maturity relatively soon, the rise in interest rates will have a limited effect on their price. But longer term bonds and preferred stocks (which often act like long-term bonds) can drop in value significantly if interest rates rise. If you own bonds and would like to discuss the risks, please call (02-624-2788). If you see yourself as a conservative investor but worry that you might be exposed to interest rate risk, be in touch right away.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. Accounts carried by Pershing LLC., Member NYSE/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates

What You Need to Know About Financial News By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel Should financial news and media reports affect the way you make your investment decisions? Recently, a client said: “I just read about _________ (fill in Israeli company name) in The Jerusalem Post, and I'd like to buy 1000 shares.” I hear comments like this fairly often. Since I help people who live in Israel with their U.S.-based IRA and brokerage accounts, I am able to help them trade stocks. However, before putting in an order, I recommend that they ask a few questions before considering buying an investment. How accurate is the news? The media frequently misrepresents information. News reports are only as accurate as the journalist's orientation. Therefore, it may be reasonable to assume you are not getting the complete story.   Is the information fresh? Once “hot” news reaches the general media outlets, it probably isn't hot any longer. It might be warm at best. Some types of news items about long-term company strategies might give you an indication of where the firm wants to focus its growth. Such reports (e.g., that the company wants to enter the self-driving automobile market) may not have an immediate impact on its stock price. However, if you believe in the future of the product/company then it may be appropriate to invest. However, if short-term news breaks, for instance, a drug company receives FDA approval, and you think the stock will shoot up in value as a result of the new information, be aware that you're possibly already too late for the party. Does news make you a better investor? Studies have compared investors who have made decisions with the input of news versus those who made decisions in a news vacuum. Interestingly, those folks who weren't distracted by the media hype outperformed their well-informed peers. I wrote about this, along with many other behavioral finance facts, in Rich As A King: How the Wisdom of Chess Can Make You a Grandmaster of Investing. Check it out, and sign up for the free articles and podcast at www.RichAsAKing.com.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

How to Increase Your Retirement Cash Flow By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel When you retire, your cash flow changes. Since most pensions won't replace 100% of your pre-retirement income, you need other ways to increase your monthly cash flow. A bank may not meet your needs If you put your money in a regular savings account in the bank, you have little risk of losing your principal. But, you also will receive relatively low interest, as banks normally pay the lowest yields in the world of fixed income. This prevents you from “growing” your money. Whatever money you have may lose value due to inflation. If you have the tolerance to take on some level of risk, consider adding bonds to your portfolio. (Watch a 12-minute video on bonds at www.profile-financial.com/bonds.) Bond coupons are usually higher than bank rates A bond is a loan that you make to a country or company. You lend them money, they pay you interest on a set schedule, and at some point in the future, on the “maturity date,” they return your principal. The main risk of bonds is that the issuer of the bond will default. However, default in the quality bond market is not common. Bonds are rated according to their risk level, and more conservative investors choose high-rated quality bonds to generate income from their portfolio. An easy tool to buy bonds Depending on the amount of money you want to invest, you may buy a portfolio of individual bonds yourself, or you might find a bond mutual fund (or exchange traded fund - “ETF”). These investment vehicles own lots of different bonds and you own a piece of the whole pie, which gives you instant diversification. Make sure to check with an investment advisor and read the prospectus before investing, though, since there are real risks. If you are worried about cash flow during retirement, email me (doug@profile-financial.com) to start a conversation about whether bonds make sense for you.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.  

What to Do When You Inherit an IRA? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel If you inherit an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), you may be tempted to simply withdraw the funds and put them into your own name. But if you do, you would possibly be making a big mistake. Instead, you should transfer the money into a “beneficiary IRA” account. Money in an IRA is tax deferred in America, meaning that any interest, dividends, and capital gains inside the account are not subject to U.S. taxation. Once you withdraw the money, or move it overseas, you'll probably owe money to the IRS. So by asking the brokerage firm to set up a beneficiary IRA for you, and moving the assets directly from the deceased's IRA account into a beneficiary IRA in your name, you can continue to benefit from the tax-deferred status. Can I open a beneficiary IRA from Israel? Many Americans living outside the United States find that brokerage firms are not willing to set up an account for them, due to restrictions imposed by strict anti-money laundering legislation. But this does not apply to all companies. Besides keeping the American tax-deferred status of your inheritance, there are many advantages to having an American brokerage account. For example, U.S. markets are among the most efficient and investor-friendly in the world. You can also diversify easily through the various investment vehicles that a U.S. brokerage account offers, and having this type of account makes U.S. tax reporting a lot easier. If you are interested in finding out more about opening a beneficiary IRA account to deal with an inheritance or any other issue concerning American brokerage accounts, check out www.Profile-Financial.com/10-Steps, or call 02-624-2788 and let's review your situation. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Do You Need to Worry About a Market Crash? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel No one knows if or when there will be another market crash. Anyone who could accurately predict the ups and downs of the market on a consistent basis would make an absolute fortune. Even if the market's exact moves can't be predicted, you can be sure that the market will take a hit sometime in the future. In fact, if you're planning to hold investments for the next few decades, get ready for many crashes, of varying degrees. That's the way the market works. Successful investors, by and large, are those who are well prepared to ride out volatility. Smooth out the ride Naturally, you don't want your account to nosedive. So what should you do?  If you are the kind of person who would sell out in the event of a huge collapse in the stock market, maybe it is better if you don't get in at all. On the other hand, if you have the tolerance to take on some level of risk, there are tools that can help to minimize the risk inherent in market volatility. One tool to minimize market risk is diversification. By spreading your investments among different sectors, you minimize the chance of all your investments dropping in value simultaneously. Own some positions in equities (a.k.a. “stocks”) and some in bonds, cash, or funds that invest in other areas, like real estate. By diversifying, you can lessen risk. Some money managers try limiting volatility in their investments by adjusting the amount of cash in their portfolios in line with macro-economic trends. Do you have an investment account in the United States? If you are worried about its risk level or that it might lose value, call the office (02-624-2788) to discuss the risk level in your account. Also, subscribe to our free newsletter for tips on handling your money and managing risk at www.profile-financial.com.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

How Non-Americans Can Benefit from American Brokerage Accounts By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, helping people in Israel with their U.S. IRA and investment accounts This past week, my office phone rang several times with non-Americans inquiring about opening American brokerage accounts. Given the hassles of dealing in some of the more popular offshore jurisdictions, and given the many benefits of keeping investments in the United States, these people were happy to see how they could easily invest through a U.S. brokerage firm. Why non-Americans have American investment accounts There are two parts to having a brokerage account: the specific investments and the “custodian” of the funds.  The specific investments include what stocks and shares you own, or which mutual funds or bank deposits you choose. The “custodian” of the assets is normally a major bank or brokerage firm that is responsible for safeguarding the securities, executing the trades, printing the statements, arranging for checkbooks and credit/debit cards for the clients, and other back-office services. Before investing money you must choose both a custodian of your account (the firm) and the individual investments (stocks, bonds, etc.) Non-Americans frequently use a U.S. brokerage firm to custody their assets. Here's why: The unrivaled transparency of the financial system in America The huge number of investment choices The potential for good returns The relatively lower fees The ability to geographically diversify their investments in one account America's political stability Send me an email (doug@profile-financial.com) for a detailed report on the additional benefits of non-Americans having American brokerage accounts. Is it legal for non-Americans to open U.S. accounts? Not only are NRAs (non-resident aliens) allowed to hold their assets in America, they are actively encouraged to do so. From the standpoint of the American government, having foreign investors maintain accounts in the United States helps to keep the U.S. markets as the top trading locations in the world. In fact, the United States doesn't tax the interest and capital gains that foreigners make on their U.S. assets (This is a general discussion. Be sure to speak to your own tax advisor before investing.) If you would like to learn about the advantages of global investments through a U.S. investment firm, please call my office at 02-624-2788. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. Accounts carried by Pershing LLC., Member NYSE/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.  

What Should You Do About the FBAR? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel Whenever I mention the acronym FBAR, Americans often say one of two things: “F what??” or “I don't need to do that.”   What's an FBAR? The “Report of Foreign Bank Accounts” (FBAR) is a required U.S. government form, which is important in the post-9/11 world. The purpose of the form is to alert the authorities about accounts held outside the United States with a total value of $10,000 or more at any time during the year.   Can I just skip it? Bad idea. If you have reportable FBAR assets that you don't disclose, the fines can be severe. If you neglect to file or file incorrectly, you can face fines that are greater than the value of the accounts that you didn't include on the form.   The FBAR is due on June 30 for the preceding year. It provides a list of accounts that you have signature authority on, interest in, or are named as a holder, so the American government can track the path of money transfers in the hope of reducing money laundering.   Is there a legal workaround? The only legal workaround is to have the sum of foreign assets below the reporting threshold. Since that is difficult if you have pension and/or savings accounts in Israel, another option is to minimize the number of accounts you must report. If you keep the majority of your assets in an American bank or brokerage account, you don't need to list those funds on an FBAR. Why? Because the government only requires reports on foreign accounts.   If you want to review your investment accounts to see whether they're considered to be in the U.S. or abroad, send me an email with the details (doug@profile-financial.com) or call (02-624-2788) and let's begin a conversation.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Is Your Brokerage Account in Danger of Being Sold Out? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® Imagine if your brokerage firm called you up and told you that they were going to sell out all of the positions in your brokerage account within the next 60 days. “Why?” you ask them. They respond that due to increasing regulatory restrictions they will no longer service your account. They give you two options: Transfer your assets to another financial institution, Distribute the assets directly to you. Believe it or not, many people in Israel are receiving such a call. This is because they are U.S. citizens, and due to tough regulations regarding Americans living abroad originally intended to prevent money laundering, many U.S. financial institutions no longer want to work with any non-resident Americans. Though it may be disconcerting to receive notification that a long-standing relationship with a brokerage firm is about to end, there is no need to panic. Americans living in Israel who have U.S. brokerage accounts have a solution to this issue. If you know anyone in this situation, it is important that they speak with a financial advisor well-versed in cross-border financial issues before they sell out their accounts and transfer the funds to Israel. That is because, if securities are sold, people might inadvertently trigger an unwanted tax bill. Don't cash out your American account Instead of cashing out your American account, find a cross-border-friendly firm that specializes in opening brokerage accounts for U.S. citizens who have a foreign address. Then you can transfer your assets “in kind” to the new account. This new account can even be an exact replica of the old one, unless you specifically want to change your investment structure. Best of all, by moving everything over in kind (without selling), there are no tax consequences or reporting requirements. At the same time, take this opportunity to update and review your financial plan and investments with an investment advisor who is licensed in both the United States and Israel. To find out more about opening a U.S. brokerage account from outside the United States, go to www.Profile-Financial.com/Account.  Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Can Your Israeli Bank Provide Investment Services?       By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® Have you found that your Israeli bank no longer provides investment services for Americans living in Israel? Because if onerous reporting requirements to the American government, many Israeli banks have stopped opening investment accounts for U.S. citizens. While dual American-Israelis can continue with banking and checking services, they need to look elsewhere for their long-term investing. Where can Americans open investment accounts? If American firms turn away U.S. citizens with a foreign address and Israeli banks don't open accounts for Americans, how can Americans living in Israel have investment accounts? That's where investment firms with relationships with U.S. brokerage houses and Israeli investment licenses come into play. Profile Investment Services, Ltd. is one of a select few companies that is able to help, as we work with an American brokerage firm (Portfolio Resources Group, Inc.) that understands there are law-abiding Americans who live and work globally, but want to maintain U.S. brokerage accounts. In many cases, people denied investing services by their Israeli banks can enjoy the same solution. In particular, if a person wants to buy stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, he can easily transfer funds from an Israeli bank to a U.S. brokerage account. Can I open a U.S. brokerage account even though I live in Israel? YES! One reason that investment firms turn away overseas clients is because they do not have the ability to get to know them well and give them appropriate advice. On the other hand, companies that have a presence in Israel can meet their clients face-to-face to help them handle their U.S. brokerage accounts. When I meet new clients, I ask a lot of questions in order to fulfill my obligations under the “know your client” rules so that I can give them the most appropriate advice. In doing so, I am then able to help them open and maintain their U.S. brokerage accounts. Transferring the money to the new account is usually as easy as filling out a form and asking the local bank to move the funds. If you have assets in Israel that you would like to move to an American brokerage account, see if Profile Investment Services, Ltd. can help by calling 02-624-2788.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. Accounts carried by Pershing LLC., Member NYSE/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Read This Before You Transfer Your Money to Israel By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® Making aliya doesn't mean you need to close your American brokerage accounts. In fact, there are many sound reasons for maintaining assets in America even if you move away. Think twice before converting your American retirement accounts to shekels and bringing them to Israel. Recently, some American brokerage firms asked their non-resident clients to transfer out their accounts. To the shock of many clients in Israel, major firms decided to end long-term relationships with them. If this has happened to you (or you fear it may) don't panic! There are U.S. brokerage firms who realize the benefit in holding accounts for law-abiding and tax-paying citizens who just happen to have a non-U.S. address. As a licensed financial planner in both Israel and America, I have over two decades experience in counseling American olim on the benefits of maintaining an American brokerage firm while living in Israel. Benefits include: Tax Reporting Benefits Keeping an American brokerage account makes tax reporting to America easier. Long and short term gains/losses are reported according to the IRS's requirements. This makes tax filing easier (and cost efficient) on 1099s, FBARs, and other forms that Americans must file. Tax Deferred Benefits Keeping an American IRA (Individual Retirement Account, often held through a U.S. brokerage company) or 401(k) account means you can maintain the tax-deferred status of your funds. If you transfer these accounts out of America, you lose the tax benefits and may owe penalties as well. Safety Benefits American brokerage accounts have an extremely high level of transparency and government regulation. While SIPC insurance can't guard an investor against regular market volatility, the protection gives millions of investors peace of mind. You Can Keep American IRAs              Keep in mind that an American brokerage account can't replace your local Israeli bank account for day-to-day services. Nor can it hold Israeli pension and Israeli tax-free savings accounts (which may still be taxable in America). However, an American IRA account is the most common tool used to maintain the tax-deferred status of retirement funds. For help managing your American brokerage/retirement accounts in Israel, watch the video at www.Profile-Financial.com/USAccounts and call Profile Investment Services, Ltd., (02) 624-2788. Neither Profile nor PRG provides tax or legal advice. Consult an accountant or an attorney on such matters before taking any action.   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates

Is Financial Success Just a Matter of Luck? By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® Is financial success more about planning or luck? In the book Rich Kids, Tom Corley discusses three different kinds of luck: Random luck is the kind of luck we can't control. Random good luck includes winning the lottery or getting an unexpected windfall. Conversely, examples of random bad luck include sudden illness or being struck by lightning. Opportunity luck is good luck created as a result of your actions. You can create good luck by following positive “rich” habits that enrich your lifestyle and protect you from fiscal harm. An example of this would be getting an unexpected bonus from work, based on your diligent work. If you hadn't worked hard and made yourself indispensable to your company, you may not have received a reward. In other words, your hard work created this piece of good luck. By following good practices, you are able to create your own good fortune. Detrimental luck is the dark side of opportunity luck. This is when, as a result of following “poverty habits,” bad things happen. For example, poor money habits, such as overspending and not saving, can bring you to a financial crisis. If your bad financial habits mean that you don't have an emergency fund, then you can easily find yourself in a financial crisis. What is the best way to create your own good luck? Random luck will never be within your control. But you can create better opportunities for yourself and head off potential crises by adopting rich habits. Following a positive lifestyle gives you a positive outlook and the tools to create better opportunities for you. Acquiring good habits may be easier said than done. To learn how to create habits that really stick, listen to my podcast at www.richasaking.com/61. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.  

How Modern Portfolio Theory Can Make You a Better Investor By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® Can “Modern Portfolio Theory” increase your investment returns? Recently, on The Goldstein on Gelt Show, I spoke with the inventor of Modern Portfolio Theory, Nobel Prize in Economics winner, Dr. Harry Markowitz. Dr. Markowitz explained various aspects of Modern Portfolio Theory and its impact on the individual investor. His theory explains how to construct an investment portfolio by optimizing expected returns based on the level of market risk. The goal is to help investors construct portfolios to maximize returns while limiting risk as much as possible. By combining various asset classes in one portfolio, Markowitz explains, the overall account may have a lower volatility and higher return than a portfolio that isn't properly optimized. Can theories really help investors? When investors are faced with market upheaval, they often panic and lose confidence. When I asked Dr. Markowitz how to advise clients during turbulent markets, he spoke about the common mistakes that individual investors make:  “The chief error that the small investor makes is buying when the market has gone up and he assumes it's going to go up further, and then he sells when the market has gone down and he thinks it's going to go down more.” He contrasted this investing model to using Modern Portfolio Theory to rebalance your portfolio to reflect market conditions. If used in the right way, MPT can be effective in turbulent times. When I speak with clients about their U.S. brokerage accounts or their investments in the Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), I realize that it's difficult for them to look objectively at their own money. We all have our emotions tied up in our net worth. But when money managers use MPT to design a portfolio, it can help remove some of the emotional bias that might wrongly influence the way people invest. To find out more about Modern Portfolio Theory, listen to our discussion at: http://www.goldsteinongelt.com/markowitz   Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Avoid Making This Mistake with an Inherited IRA By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® If you are the beneficiary of an inherited IRA, avoid immediately withdrawing the money. If you make an immediate withdrawal, you might forfeit the tax-deferred status of the account and be subject to paying taxes. A proper withdrawal strategy for an inherited IRA can minimize your tax bill. What you need to know when you inherit an IRA In an effort to encourage savings, America lets the assets inside an IRA account grow tax deferred – owners only pay tax once the funds are withdrawn. If you are the beneficiary of an IRA, depending on how you title the account and withdraw the assets, you too can take advantage of tax-deferred growth. Any mistake made in titling, transferring, or withdrawing funds may not only cause you to lose future tax-deferred growth, but also may make you liable to pay current taxes on the funds. To maintain the tax- deferred status, your new account must be coded as a “beneficiary IRA” by the custodian of the account. The inherited assets in an IRA can be sold, and other securities bought in accordance with the new owner's wishes. There is no need to maintain the inheritance in the exact positions as you received it. What you need when planning your estate If you have an IRA, make sure you list beneficiaries so that one day, the IRA's assets are not subject to your estate's probate. Update your paperwork, especially after a divorce, to ensure that the beneficiaries are the people you actually want to receive the funds. Make sure to mention to your beneficiaries that when the time comes, they should check with their financial advisors about how to best handle the inherited account. Can you move an inherited IRA to Israel?                                                   Can you transfer an inherited IRA to Israel? Unfortunately, once the funds leave America they lose the tax-deferred status of beneficiary accounts. Therefore, it is crucial that you open a “beneficiary” IRA account with a U.S. brokerage company or bank. If you need help opening or dealing with an inherited IRA or opening a U.S. brokerage account, go to: www.Profile-Financial.com/inheritedIRA. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Why You Might Benefit from Having a U.S. Brokerage Account By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® Unsure of the benefits of a U.S. brokerage account? Use a free interactive form to find why it may be helpful to keep some of your investments in America even though you live in Israel. See the URL below. One of the most common financial problems Americans living in Israel face is when their U.S. investment company closes their account because of their Israeli address. There is no legal reason why you can't have an Israeli address on American brokerage and IRA accounts. In fact, while some investment companies balk at your foreign address, others have no problem. (My company, Profile Investment Services, Ltd., specializes in dealing with people who live outside the United States but still want to have their investments held in America.) This issue can affect you even if you don't have an American investment account Often, clients initially call my office when they receive an inheritance from a family member in America. American brokerage houses are used to domestic business, and dealing with foreign addresses is difficult for them. Other than the time difference, there's often a difference of culture. Most American financial advisors don't have foreign clients and aren't familiar with the basics of cross-border investing, dual tax codes, and international retirement planning. I've even seen cases where foreign clients are given incorrect forms, which can create all sorts of problems. For example, American citizens living abroad should sign a W-9 form, not a W-8BEN, even if they have a foreign address. What forms are needed? As a cross-border investment advisor who specializes in helping people living in Israel with American brokerage accounts, I recognize the need for easy-to-understand information on how to manage U.S. investments from Israel.  I created an interactive tool to clarify the forms you need to sign when opening an account and which investments you can buy. The form takes less than five minutes to fill out, and can save hours down the line: Try the form at www.Profile-Financial.com/interactive, and then watch a few videos on the topic that you'll find there. Call (02) 624-2788 if you have any questions about managing a U.S. investment account from Israel. Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.  

Many people believe the key to winning at chess is the number of moves the player is able to see in advance, but the masters will tell you it is not the case. The key to winning at chess and investing is constantly re-evaluating the moves you anticipate making. If you are truly interested in improving your financial portfolio, you should be ingesting every piece of free financial information available to you. Amateurs at both chess and investing can win by making small, incremental changes to their knowledge-base and income level.   Key Takeaways: [2:58] One piece of good advice can help you win the game [6:34] Constantly re-evaluating your portfolio is more important than thinking about future moves [8:25] Don't make a move with your money if you don't have to make a move [10:06] Behavioral finance - People get overconfident in their decision-making abilities [14:00] Any investment without income is a speculation [15:14] Small advantages are worth the risk [20:43] What exactly are Zero Coupon Bonds? [23:01] Physical securities need to be validated before selling [24:10] Take advantage of every free piece of information available   Mentions: Rich as a King @richasaking Thinking Fast and Slow JasonHartman.com

Jason reads two articles to the audience. One is about the perception of Wall Street from Business Insider and another on CEO wages from Newser. Jason encourages you to leave him a voicemail on your opinion about the articles. Today's guest is Douglas Goldstein. Douglas is the author of Rich As A King and he talks to Jason on using the concept of chess to become a more strategic investor.    Key Takeaways: [3:40] There's one common theme in the CNBC show American Greed – investors didn't have control.  [8:05] Be sure to check out this upcoming Flashback Friday episode. [10:40] Jason reads an article from Newser about CEO wages. Send him a voicemail on your thoughts about this article.  [16:05] Jason introduces Douglas.  [22:15] How do we apply chess to our investments?  [30:30] Focus on one piece of your investment and try to make it just slightly better.  [35:30] What are zero coupon bonds?    Mentioned In This Episode: http://www.businessinsider.in/A-fresh-reminder-of-the-average-persons-perception-of-Wall-Street/articleshow/47331522.cms http://www.newser.com/story/206794/ceo-pay-hits-wild-milestone.html RichasaKing.com   @RichasaKing