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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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 Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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| moot point wrote: |
So anyway, Paul, give me some insights on how you've chosen to invest.
As for myself I played in the forex markets for several years using many millions of yen and in the end I finally came ahead about 70,000yen.
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Real estate in New Zealand. Market has been flooded the last 4 or 5 years but its starting to pick up. Property gone up in value and not too much trouble with tenants. Place has just been repaired due to water damage to units so its in good shape now.
Savings plan with Eagle Star (now Zurich life) since 1992. About 30K tied up with them. Funds starting to pick up after being underwater during late 90's.
College education fund and mutual funds savings plan for kids in force with Scottish Provident since 1998.
Term Life Insurance with Zurich in Switzerland. I dont get anything if I dont die.
I dont have the time and inclination and knowledge to get into FOREX trading. I would probably have better luck if I went to Las Vegas if I want to gamble.
About NZ$10K socked away in New Zealand and Australian funds with a local broker.
What I would do If I had an extra million or two? Would probably pay off my mortgage and or invest in another property or two. |
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moot point
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers, mate. That was a great help just to compare portfolios.
I've recently been thinking about moving to NZ in the near future. Perhaps it might be worth it to run down there and buy a house beforehand?
As for myself, I have pretty much all of our investments in equity funds, spread around in different markets throughout the world but with the majority in Asia.
My wife, being Japanese and remembering all too well those folks who lost everything when the bubble burst, is not keen on equities so has placed an extra two million in a stagnant Japanese yen time deposit. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:26 am Post subject: |
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This is a good thread. I have had similar questions about what to do with my money. As a non-resident Cdn I am not allowed to invest or move my money around in Canada. If I did, I would probably get stuck with a 30 or 40K income tax bill upon my return to Canada on my Japanese earnings over the years. Does anyone know any reputable overseas brokers or investment companies? I'm not interested in Japanese one, but an int'l company.
Funny how the longer you live in a country, the more your monthly expenses go up but your earnings (at least in japan) stay flat. We're not saving nearly as much as we used to, but there are other factors too now. |
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Mike L.
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519
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| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 2:02 am Post subject: |
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| As a non-resident Cdn I am not allowed to invest or move my money around in Canada. |
You can certainly invest! I do. It's getting it out that can be troublesome. |
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bearcat
Joined: 08 May 2004
Posts: 367
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 7:38 am Post subject: |
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| Mike L. wrote: |
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| As a non-resident Cdn I am not allowed to invest or move my money around in Canada. |
You can certainly invest! I do. It's getting it out that can be troublesome. |
I have been told by my broker that if I sell and buy stocks and/or mutual funds, I would significantly increase my chances of losing my non-rez status. I'm still depositing money, but nothing more than that. Do you have other official information? |
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moot point
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:14 am Post subject: |
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Gordon, I don't know why you'd want to buy mutual funds using a Canadian financial institution. Since you're living abroad, it makes more sense to take advantage of tax-free offshore investments.
For myself, I use HSBC offshore and am thinking about using Zurich and perhaps getting into hedge funds with Man Investments. With HSBC I was able to purchase all mutual funds on my own and didn't have to go through an intermediary.
Zurich and most other investment companies require you to find a financial advisor to deal with. Previously mentioned in this thread are Meyer and Banner to name but two. |
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shuize
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1270
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Mike L.
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519
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| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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| I have been told by my broker that if I sell and buy stocks and/or mutual funds, I would significantly increase my chances of losing my non-rez status. I'm still depositing money, but nothing more than that. Do you have other official information? |
Yeah, as we all know it comes down to ties. The chances of you losing your non-resident status are proably slim once it's been granted.
I had all sorts of ties and still got mine renewed. I have a feeling they don't check too closely unless Rev Can does an audit. I've never heard of a non-resident being audited.
Unless your broker is some sort of expert, dealing with Canadians living abroad, I wouldn't put much faith in what he/she says. They're interested in comissions and fees.
If you plan to keep that cash parked you'll be fine. You could buy some real estate too!  |
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jello1
Joined: 11 Feb 2005
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 12:03 am Post subject: |
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I invest in U.S. stocks and would recommend this to anyone if you are willing to spend a little time to educate yourself. Start by reading "The Intelligent Investor" by Ben Graham, widely regarded as the investing bible by investors such as Warren Buffett. Other than that, books by Peter Lynch, a biography of Warren Buffett called "The Warren Buffett Way" and books by the Motley Fool investors are all good.
Investing in stocks scares most people, but in my opinion, is doable by just about anyone who can do 5th grade math, IF you are willing to get the basics under your belt and dispel the mystery of it all.
If you don't want to do this, I recommend NOT buying individual stocks. Index funds are a great alternative. They are inherently more secure than "stock picking," they generally have anywhere from an 8-10% annual rate of return (way better than the averages for mutual funds), and do not have the fees associated with mutual funds.
Perhaps you can tell I enjoy this topic, please let me know if you have any other questions....
Matt |
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jello1
Joined: 11 Feb 2005
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Not sure about the "losing you residency issue..." but would this be an issue if you all used one of the many online trading companies such as Ameritrade, Scottrade, or Charles Schwab?
Besides, a "real" broker is very expensive.... |
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moot point
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:56 am Post subject: |
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Matt,
How do you go about trading US stocks if you don't have an address in the U.S.? Could you please point me in the right direction? Cheers. |
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jello1
Joined: 11 Feb 2005
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Hmmmm,,
Do a little research through the investment websites I mentioned...As I live in the states I don't know the answer to that. |
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moot point
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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Gordon, let's talk. I've enjoyed reading your posts on all different areas of this messageboard. I'm new here but after reading your comments I think we might have a bit in common.
I could give you a PM but it might be better to keep our conversation public so others with the same background could benefit. Which do you think is better? |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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| you can PM me if you like. i'm a bit busy now with a new baby and i'm never comfortable talking about financial info on the net. |
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