It’s been a busy couple of weeks of high-stakes decisions and shifting landscapes. Richard and James jump right back into the trenches in the aftermath of the U.S. election, reflecting on the decisive results and how stability, even if brief, has brought some clarity to markets and investors alike. From here, they pivot to the UK budget shake-up, addressing the anxiety it’s sparked across the pond and the potential impacts for British expats in America.

As they dissect market reactions, interest rates, and tax changes, Richard and James keep coming back to a timeless message: stay invested, stay steady, and remember that real financial security is about more than just your portfolio - it’s about building a life that you love. Remember folks, we’ve got one life – take advantage of your health, wealth and time!

Be sure to listen for practical insight with a refreshing reminder to think big picture amid the white noise of the world.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

Transferring large amounts of money overseas can incur significantly large fees, if you go through the banks. FX brokers offer faster transactions, better fees and higher security. So how do they do it? And how much is there to be saved? This week for Ask An Expert, Richard is joined by FX broker David Nixon, Senior Partnerships Manager at Currencies Direct.

They explore the process, benefits and FAQs of foreign currency conversion through a broker. You’ll find out how Currencies Direct offer solutions for clients who need to transfer large amounts of money or navigate banking limits. Plus, Richard and David talk about their strategies for navigating the complexities of property transactions in the US.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

The S&P 500 recently closed at 5,750, up 20% year-to-date and in defiance of gloomy predictions of a recession late last year. The market is up 60% since the closing low in October 2022. The September jobs report showed 254,000 net new jobs, exceeding expectations and demonstrating continued strength in the labor market, despite slight softening in jobless claims. So what does this mean for you and your financial plans?

To find out, James and Richard don their helmets and gear up for another slog through the trenches, analysing the latest in financial markets and sharing their plans.

It’s the same thing we talk about always on the show: the psychological impact of market highs and lows has to be controlled. Investors fearing a looming crash despite continued growth is a textbook example of what not to do.

Also last week, Republican nominee Trump made an announcement about tax policies for US citizens living abroad; what has he said he’ll do if elected in November and what would the impact be?

For more information and insights on everything we talk about on the show, head to planfirstwealth.com

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

“I don't want a valuable life lesson, I just want an ice cream.” Those are the immortal words spoken by Bluey, beloved Blue Heeler puppy from Australia. We can all relate, but when it comes to Australian/American cross-border financial planning, a life lesson might be what you need. You can have an ice cream afterwards.

To deliver the lesson, Richard is joined by Ashley Murphy, founder of Arete Wealth Strategists and the Global Financial Planning Institute. Ashley shares his journey from corporate finance to starting his own firm and specializing in cross-border financial planning for Australians and Americans.

Many expats, especially Australians moving to the US, fail to understand the long-term implications of their immigration status on their financial planning. There are unique tax advantages available to those who plan their entry and exit from the US carefully, but many miss out on these benefits because they don’t seek advice early enough. Many Australians in the US, particularly those on temporary visas, often unknowingly commit to green cards or permanent residency without realizing the financial consequences. For instance, long-term US residents may face an "exit tax" if they leave the country or miss out on tax benefits available only to temporary visa holders.

Bluey is a story of success; an Australian who cracked the US market. Set yourself up for the same success with the lessons learned in this episode.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

CPI increased by 0.2% in August, putting the year-over-year rate at 2.5%. So, inflation is stabilising and we can all celebrate? Possibly. The U.S. added 142,000 jobs last month too, leading to a slight decline in the unemployment rate. What does this mean for markets?

Richard and James are back in the trenches, to bring you the latest cross-border financial advice. What does the CPI data tell us? What’s the rest of the year got in store?

Rich was recently a victim of attempted identity theft, and he shares the steps he’s now taken to protect himself. There’s plenty of advice to stop it happening to you in this episode. Stay vigilant and listen closely.

Finally, remember the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme? What lessons are there to learn from that one?

This week’s From The Trenches is a mix of practical advice, personal stories and life lessons.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

Working with cross-border attorneys who have expertise in both US and UK law is crucial for navigating the complexities of international estate planning. Luckily, we’ve got one here. Paula Jones is a cross-border estate planning attorney. She’s the principal and founder of Jones Estate Group, a law firm based in Philadelphia that serves clients across the US and internationally.

Richard and Paula discuss the importance of working with cross-border attorneys who have expertise in both US and UK law, as well as the need for a network of advisors to navigate the complexities of international estate planning.

If you are, as Paula refers to them, a multinational (you’ve got a business relationship with the US plus a non-US component), you’ll need to know the pitfalls of US federal and state estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and the differences in probate processes across states. Paula explains that probate fees and legal fees vary depending on the jurisdiction, and the process can be delayed if the probate office is backed up. Filled with the answers to the questions you need to know, this episode is a must for any multinational.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

With inflation easing to 2.9% for the first time in two years, we're now entering a particularly critical phase in the economic recovery. Richard and James are back in the trenches to guide you through it. As always, it’s about sticking to your investment plan during these volatile times.

What’s been the impact of interest rates on spending? Richard and James speculate that higher interest rates have, somewhat paradoxically, both curtailed economic activity and increased spending among wealthier consumers, due to higher returns on cash and fixed-income investments.

Plus, watch out for financial scams! They’re getting increasingly sophisticated, targeting older people with large retirement savings. There’s a prominent scam called ‘pig butchering," where scammers isolate and manipulate victims, often by posing as legitimate entities like banks or government officials. Be vigilant, use safeguards such as two-factor authentication, different passwords, and be cautious with electronic payment platforms like Zelle. James highlights the importance of financial institutions and advisors playing their part, and being proactive in recognizing red flags to protect clients from falling victim to these scams.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

Do you know enough about living trusts? They’re a tax-neutral and effective tool in the US to avoid probate – BUT they can have severe UK tax implications for UK domiciliaries. Probate can be time-consuming, costly and cumbersome – especially in New York and California – so it makes sense to avoid if you can.

To explore the options, Richard is joined once again by Aidan Grant, a senior associate at Collyer Bristow LLP.

The use of a living trust can trigger significant inheritance tax liabilities in the UK. Transferring assets into such a trust can result in an immediate 20% inheritance tax charge on the value exceeding the UK’s nil-rate band (£325,000). It’s definitely something to be aware of.

Plus, many more practical steps and considerations for domiciles.

Always an Expat is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.