Korean Job Discussion Forums

[angelgirl]

Has anyone out there ever invested in an "off-shore" investment? I was introduced to a guy who deals in this type of thing, and just wanted to get a feel for others' experiences.

[mike in brasil]

1st rule of investing: if you don't understand it, don't do it!

Generally (but not always) off-shore stuff is for folks who have so much money that they wanna hide it so it can't be taxed.

Some funds require a minimum, like US$50K.

Get your financial education before you do anything.

I'd buy a little bit gold and silver. My 2 cents~

[angelgirl]

To help me with my education, are there any companies that have good reputations, and with bad ones?

[climber159]

[jlb]

I don't know anything about offshore investing (and from all the books I read/podcasts I listen to about finance stuff), but it seems like a sketchy kind of thing for the amateur who is asking a question about it on a forum like this.

If you're interested in a regular, not-sketchy discount broker kind of thing that allows you to buy stocks/ETF's on the NYSE, check out:
https://www.sogotrade.com/Setup/Default.aspx?rf=543925

They also allow shorting and options, if I'm not mistaken. I'm not American, but they allowed me to sign up for an account. And their $3/trade is hard to beat.

[angelgirl]

I don't think that asking other people in Korea or who know about Korean stuff is sketchy (??). I've always thought that there is a community out there who give and get support. That's all.

[bobbyhanlon]

depends who asked you. who does he work for?
there are a lot of con artists selling 'offshore' or otherwise tax-friendly investments.. they rip off your money, and you're not likely to complain to the authorities, since it will show that you were trying to avoid tax.

[brickabrack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nda_OSWeyn8

[atwood]

Go to the Bogleheads wiki to get some solid information on investing.

Whoever approached you is first and foremost a salesperson trying to earn a commission that will come from any money that you invest with them. If you "invest" with them, make sure they are, in your opinion, earning that commission.

[DeMayonnaise]

[red_devil]

Buy gold.

[laguna]

[Epik_Teacher]

[jlb]

Historically, gold is about the worst investment you can make. Do some basic research! Also, asking about offshore investing is certainly not sketchy. "Investing" (I use that term very loosely) offshore is most definitely sketchy, unless you are very experienced and know what to look for in terms of not getting ripped off.

My strategy is to use Sogotrade https://www.sogotrade.com/Setup/Default.aspx?rf=543925 to invest in dividend paying, mostly blue-chip stocks but also some smaller, newer stuff too. I try to find companies that have operations around the world. Some examples of stocks I own include Johnson and Johnson, Kimberly Clark, Walmart, Exxon Mobile, Coke, Pfizer. I plan on holding the stocks long-term and eventually living off the dividends. This is generally acknowledged as a very conservative strategy.

I also use etf's for diversification sake, since most of my individual stocks are US-based. I use Vanguard because they have cheap expenses and buy their international ones.

Anyway, hope this helps some beginners. I am a beginner, but have done extensive research for the past couple years.

[christeacher]

If you are going to invest in US blue chip stocks, a lot of companies allow you to purchase shares directly from them. No broker. No commission.

You'll have to pay a fee that varies from company to company, but it's almost always less than the commission you'd pay a broker.

http://finance.yahoo.com/education/drip/dspp_plans/article/101145/Buying_A_Single_Share_Direct_From_the_Company

Good luck.