The JetSetter Show Blogcast

Jason Hartman has talked a lot about how the stock market is simply a modern version of organized crime–stocks manipulated daily, fluctuating and changing as the sun rises and sets. As you probably know, Jason prefers the stability of income property. While businesses ebb and flow, the need for housing remains constant. Essentially, these type of investments get rid of the middle man, giving you complete control and ownership of your investment. And investments should pay–otherwise, they’re nothing more than speculations. Which can be alright, if they equal a very small percentage of your investments. Jason Hartman also frequently recommends a diverse portfolio, which may include some international investments. Investments across a number of jurisdictions, bank accounts across the globe, and passports internationally all help diversify your portfolio and protect and grow your assets. But investing abroad can be very complicated, and requires a bit of research. It may also require the consideration of different kinds of investments. It’s important to note that even real estate is sometimes considered an alternate investment (as it is not a stock, bond, or cash). While real estate transactions have happened for a very long time, investment property is most often still considered an alternative investment. Working with a trust company If you’re going to be doing business internationally, it’s a great idea to manage your money through a trust company. When you work with a trust company, you simply set up a relationship with a trustee. You’ve probably heard of people setting up trusts for children, etc. to access down the road. Until that time comes, a trustee manages the assets. Trusts are wealth management tools, established to protect assets by minimizing litigation risks. Trusts also can be located offshore, which allow for a variety of tax benefits. But trusts can be tricky.  Should a judge question your trust in cases where money is owed, you could be in trouble. But it depends on how the trust is structured, so make sure that yours best protects your assets. If you’re working through a trust, you also need to make sure that your assets cannot be stolen by the trustee. When assets are easily liquidated, this risk increases. For example, hard assets (like income property) are more difficult to cash out and are thus safer than other types of assets. Alternate investments Luckily, there’s always income property, but additional alternate investments are always worth considering. Alternative investments are those investments which fall into an asset class that is not stocks, bonds, or cash. It can include tangible assets (like metal, wine, art, other things people tend to collect). It can also include real estate funds, commodities, hedge funds, venture capital, even film production. The Merrill Lynch/Cap Gemini Ernst and Young World Wealth Report from 2003 indicated that high net work individuals typically have about 10% of their assets in alternative investments (structured products, luxury valuables and collectibles, hedge funds, managed futures, and precious metals), as defined by the report. In 2007, this was reduced to 9%. Timber That’s right, ladies and gentlemen–timber is more than just another annoying Ke$ha/Pitbull song. Bobby Casey, from Global Wealth Protection, recently spoke with Jason Hartman about his alternate investments. He’s got a timber farm in Nicaragua that yields 15% annually. Because trees mature at different rates, wealth is compounded with such an investment. The longer the trees grow, the bigger they get–a great deal, if you’re selling by the pound. The property is in his own name and is managed by local employees who share in the profit. Of course, there are risks involved (as with everything)–political, business risk, management risk. Ultimately though, people still need timber. So while prices fluctuate, Casey says that it is a pretty safe investment. Mangos Casey also invests in mangos from Panama. Similar to a tree farm, the yield comes more quickly and the initial investment is just $40,000. Cash flow doesn’t happen immediately–Casey says it takes between two and three years–but one tree is good for 50 or 60 years. After Within a couple years, Canadian teenagerjustin-bieber-news.info went from covering Usher on YouTube to working with Usher. only five years, an investor can expect to make a 25% cash yield annually. Best of all (trees or not) you own a piece of land. Coins Many coin collectors do not initially identify themselves as an investor, but that’s what they’re doing. Coin investors buy either bullion coins (those minted by national governments, usually gold) or numismatic coins. The former is not collected because their value is not dependant upon their scarcity and the later is valued for their rarity. Bullion coins reflect the value of gold while numismatic coins vary greatly in value. They’re fun to collect, but difficult to rely on from an investor standpoint. Wine Finally, an investment that’s consumable! All kidding aside, many people chose to invest in fine wines to the tune of an annual return between six and 15 percent. Because prices vary from year to year, investors need to conduct a fair amount of research on vineyards and vintages that have done historically well. Wine is tricky because you’ve got to invest in a lot of it at once to make a profit, it must be properly stored, and collections should be insured. Art Many investors like investing in artwork because it doesn’t follow the market fluctuation of stocks and bonds, making it a more appealing (and pretty!) choice. The value of art has shown an annual increase, but the market still shifts often. Since the 2008 recession, art has slumped in value. To invest in art, expect a startup cost of at least $10,000. While you may not immediately profit from your purchase, you’ve got something to hang on your walls. The bottom line   We’ll always recommend real estate because it is safe and money-making. The smart investor has a large variety of options from locations around the world and, if he or she is wise, they’ll all be working to make money for the investor.

Many expatriates use investment properties in a variety of countries to supplement their income–it’s a smart choice, given the ease of acquiring income. While the rules might be different in every country, investing in property will always be a good choice–if you’re smart about where and how you do it. Jason Hartman has traveled all over the world, so he knows a thing or two about international investments. While Jason hasn’t yet made the news, we bring you a few tales from those who have. News in New Zealand Very recently, New Zealand made the news for a New Zealand High Court decision regarding residency–a decision that should be celebrated by expats with property in New Zealand. In 2013, the Taxation Review Authority made a decision that any New Zealander who both lived and worked overseas for over ten years was a tax resident in New Zealand. Any claim otherwise was not acceptable. Fortunately, the High Court overturned that ruling this September. The Taxation Review Authority deemed ownership of an investment property in New Zealand a sufficient tie to New Zealand for the purpose of tax residency. The residence, Mr. Diamond, lived outside of New Zealand and didn’t ever live in the investment property. The committee’s decision was made because the investment property was available to and for the investor and was in the general area where his ex wife and children resided. They ruled that he would likely choose to live in his investment property, should he move back to New Zealand–and was therefore liable for taxes. The High Court, however, focused on how the piece of investment property was actually being used. They determined that he intended to rent it out and had, as demonstrated by his past, no plans to live there. As such, it was not considered his home and could not be listed as his New Zealand residence. The Taxation Review Authority chose to uphold penalties implemented by the Inland Revenue for not paying taxes on the basis that he was not a resident, claiming that position was incorrect. The Inland Revenue, in a recent Interpretation Statement, recognized that investment properties and holiday homes may not be treated as a permanent residence, though those properties might be considered if other strong ties to New Zealand still exist. The decision is good for expats who live and work overseas but make money via investment property–so long as they’ve never called their rental home. Long term residency in the Middle East Real estate investment has been growing in the Middle East, thanks to the rising number of expatriate centers in the area. They’re buying property at greater rates, thanks to real estate ownership being a qualifying factor for long term residency. Property ownership guarantees a residence permit, but expats are seeing more benefits.Local economies are flourishing and property sales are higher than ever–21 percent belonging to British expats. Rental income is high (and growing) and properties appreciating in value. In 2012, property values showed an increase of 13 percent and are expected to continue their assent. So property is increasing in value–but so is rent. Of course, these facts aren’t universally true. As Jason Hartman often points out, good rental properties are those in good, rentable locations. The same is true in the Middle East. Singing in the ….Spain? You just might be, if you’ve got the cash. In October of 2013, Spain passed legislation to benefit non EU citizens who wished to be in Spain. It’s a popular area for foreign investors, and the Spanish Parliament was likely wise to allow additional opportunity. Expats can now buy a commercial or residential property to qualify for a visa that allows them to remain in Spain for twelve months (previously, a three month maximum)–but they’ve got to be willing to pay. To qualify, a property must be worth at least half a million euros. If this is sounds like it could be you, you’ll also receive a two year residency permit that can be renewed again. The law also happens to be retroactive, so those who already own expensive properties will have the same opportunities. Want another way to gain residency in Spain? Invest two million euro in public debt bonds or one million euro in Spanish companies. You might also set up a business in Spain to create jobs and positively influence the economy. Of course, proof of your ability to provide financial support and health insurance for you and your family is required, as is a lack of criminal record. Turkey lurkey Turkey has seen a large number of expatriates because of the warm client, culture, and affordable prices. Inexpensive property is readily available and (overall) Turkey is a pretty cost effective place to retire or work. People like Turkey. In April, the General Directorate for Migration Management announced changed to expat healthcare policies, requiring nationals from outside the country to invest in local policies in order to gain residency. Expats could either purchase expensive policies directly from the government or to invest in private Turkish insurance policies (even more expensive). This raised the country’s cost of living considerably and angered expats who were already paying in their home country. Still others were happy to pay the cost, given that they’d be receiving better care. The lack of policies available frustrated many–so much so that the Turkish government is no longer requiring it. Instead, Turkey is offering the opportunity to choose a policy in either Turkey or one’s home country. Perhaps strangely, these rules apply only to expats who are of a standard retirement age–younger expats must still pay into Turkish health insurance policies. Though the rule may change shortly, it presents a problem for a younger generation of traveler.   As you can see, residency is a complicated affair made more complicated by the differences between countries. Laws and regulations change frequently–so make sure that you do your research before embarking on an international journey. Prepare yourself, save a little money, and secure that investment property!

Dubai has been in the news a couple of times lately, for reasons of varying important. First, because it hosted a hang out between at least one of the Kardashian sisters and former nemesis Paris Hilton. But Dubai again made  the news because of a massive stock crash (6.5%) on Sunday, October 12, 2014. The drop represents the biggest in four months and brings the Dubai Financial Market General Index to the lowest its been since late July. In the United States, stocks fell about 2.5% across the board–the Nasdaq lost more than 4%. But Jason Hartman has long spoken about the perilous gambling that is investing in stocks. Dubai is the biggest city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates and is the second largest emirate (after Abu Dhabi, the capital) in territorial size. Located on the Persian Gulf’s southeast coast, it is one of seven making up the country and one of only two with veto power in the legislature. Home to the 2020 World Expo, it is a city on the rise. Whether or not your wealth was affected by a fluctuating Dubai market, you might be wondering how the city rose to its current status. Only a few years ago It seems like Dubai only recently entered our minds–a city that was rich and unique, interesting, new. A city with a skyline that set records and allowed skiing any time of year, thanks to the inclusion of an indoor ski facility. The city was home to a shocking number of foreign born individuals–96%, making it more diverse than any other city. Dubai was a modern city at the forefront of innovation, thanks to advances in both technology and transportation. Dubai before Before the jet plane came to Dubai in a significant way, it was a city linked to other developing cities and served as a place for Saudis and Iranians to visit when they wanted to get away from the more restrictive natures of their own countries. Russians would make purchases in Dubai and sell items back in Russia. In fact, a lot of international business people began to visit. And they stayed. The idea of tax free salaries was pretty enticing, and by 1995, 20,000 Brits lived in Dubai. Dubai is now the financial hub of the Gulf. Not all hearts and roses Much of the money associated with the 9/11 attacks on the US traveled through Dubai, so it’s reputation is not spotless. But the 9/11 attacks only fueled growth in the area, growth that stopped only because of the financial crisis. Still, when the Patriot Act made it less appealing to invest in the United States, money was pulled from one country and invested in Dubai. In real estate news… In 2002, Sheikh Mohammed issued a decree which allowed foreign investors to own property in Dubai. This was the first time land reform measures allowed the ownership of real estate in any Gulf state–and it paid off. An area with little to no previous real estate market suddenly saw a shift from renting to home ownership. Wealthy folks from surrounding companies invested in Dubai real estate because their own countries were unstable and they feared for their wealth. Real estate investment experts tauted Dubai as one of the greatest cities in which to invest and real estate markets continued to boom. If you’ve seen photographs of Dubai, you know what we’re talking about–a city that looks new and shiny, modern and full. Local architecture blossomed and the city built buildings shaped like trees and sandworms. Population increased and real estate continued to grow. Free zones Dubai is divided up into free zones. People would be governed by different legal coded dependant upon where they were within the city. In this way, traveling amongst  the various neighborhoods in Dubai became similar to traveling between whole different countries. In 2002, the Dubai International Financial Center free zone opened, which made a block of desert off a major road into a free zone. The complex contains a variety of global banks and is intended to be a large space (110 acres) in which civil and commercial laws don’t apply, though other laws are written and implemented where needed. It’s a financial district with Western business sensibilities. The DIFC has it’s own court system, it’s own official currency, it’s own official language. Other “cities” Dubai is known as the financial hotspot of the Middle East, but leadership also hoped to make it a king of industry in other areas. Internet City and Media City make up another of Dubai’s free zones, which also have a very American feel. These two “cities” are exempt from internet censorship laws too. They’re a big deal, just ask Microsoft, who leases rent free for 50 years because they agreed to locate there and hang a big sign on the building. And where Microsoft goes, so go others–Hewlett Packard, Canon, and Dell, for starters. The area has struggled to attract more creative types though. Regulations regarding intellectual freedom have prevented the two cities from growing as much as Dubai would perhaps like. Media City is home to BBC, CNN, Reuters, al-Jazeera, and al-Arabiya. The location is popular because of it’s relative quiet in an area frequently at war. A household name Big companies mean big publicity for Dubai, as do the crazy buildings and indoor ski slopes. A man made island doesn’t hurt either–Dubai has become something of a household name. And while restrictions may now prevent Dubai from experiencing the growth many would hope for, it is certainly on its way. It’s a city on the rise, both for celebrities and investors–heck, even celebrity investors. Dubai is quite a destination for expatriates and tourists alike, and certainly shows no signs of stopping. Whether you’re looking for a piece of investment property, a week of skiing during the off-season, or a visit to discover some of the most interesting architecture around, Dubai is a city worth visiting.

People are more excited than ever about the possibility of working from anywhere. Established jetsetters and young graduates alike are keen on the idea of making money by working for themselves in a location of their choosing–and it is more possible than ever. While businesses can take on many forms, buying and selling remain essential components of both. If you are prepared to begin a business, you’re going to have to choose a product to sell–and this may mean a number of things. When you’re thinking about products, it is important to note that you need to think about a specific product rather than just a niche. Defining product Your product should be narrowed down even within the niche in which you will operate. While not all niches are created equal, they all contain profitable products that tend to do well. This focus can make a new business seem less overwhelming. It can also be small enough to give you some side income–it needn’t be your full time job if that’s not something you’re interested in. If you are successful, you may later consider branching out. Identifying your product Not all products will make money and not all of them will be easy to sell. Identifying a product that will work for you is your first step to business success. It may seem silly to think about actual object size and shape, but it can be important. Good products tend to be small, light, and mobile. Good products are extremely specific–you won’t sell pillows but goose down couch pillows. If you’re new to business, you’ll probably want to sell things that don’t cost a ton of money–think $200 and below. They’re affordable for everyone and tend to have a high profit margin, but you should make sure you’re selling for at least double the cost of purchase. They also seem to maintain buyers, ideally through all seasons and economic trends. Avoid products that are overly mechanical, need warranties, and are sold at larger retailers for similar prices. As with any investment, you’ll want to minimize risk. Avoid fragile products, trademarked products that will get you in legal trouble, and products without universal appeal. Price checking We’re very luck to live in the age of information, so take full advantage of it in all of your investments. Do your research and check around for price comparisons. You’ll want your product to be competitive but you’ll also want it to make you money. Amazon and Ebay are great places to start your research and establish a price point for your product. Finding a supplier For every product you decide to sell, you’ll need to find and contact at least three suppliers–more, if you’d like. You’ll be in touch with salespeople who can feel pushy, but don’t be intimidated by them. They’ve got answers and you’re not obligated to buy from them. As you begin your communications process, create a separate email to avoid spam in your primary account. Identify the suppliers that look promising to you and begin contacting them. Email or use a contact form that asks for general information and explains who you are. Ask for a price list, shipping information, payment details, and a sample of the product. Suppliers will typically be quick to respond to your request, as it means business for them. Response time is a pretty good way to evaluate potential suppliers, so this should help you narrow your list to two or three suppliers you can test out. Purchase samples, making sure that you’re paying through a reputable service that provides records so that you’ll be protected from scams. You’ll also need to think about minimum order quantities and your ability to place an initial order, especially if this is a new business. Once you’ve chosen a supplier, you’ll probably have to negotiate a little bit. Everything in business is negotiable, so don’t take anyone at their word when they say that rates are firm–they’re not. To negotiate the best price, you might say that another supplier is offering the product for a quarter less or negotiate cheaper shipping costs for continued business. While many suppliers are similar, it’s important to find one that you are able to develop a good working relationship with. You’ll work closely with them for the duration of the life of your business, so don’t be afraid to shop around. Selling your product Once you’ve been through all the nitty gritty of product supplier selection, it’s (nearly) time to begin selling your product. First, make sure that the sample products you received are up to par. If they’re of low quality, your customers will complain and you won’t be able to build a strong reputation as a good businessperson. Before you place a bulk order, sell your samples and wait for feedback. If something is very wrong with a product, your customers will let you know and you can address the problem before you’re stuck with 200 or them. Limit your risk by testing things first. Congratulations! You’re now ready to sell your product. List it on eBay, Amazon, etc. from your seller account. Get those samples out there and wait a week or so after they’ve been delivered. Because your samples cost you money and shipping, you probably won’t begin making money when you sell them–but it’s an important part of the process. If you’ve listed your products, conducted your research, and written good, clear copy, you should be making sales. If you aren’t, it may be time to reevaluate price, product quality, etc. Solve any problems you may have before you order in bulk. You may also find that your product simply isn’t in demand. While you may be frustrated at your wasted time, you should understand that this is simply part of growing a business. As you continue to buy and sell products, you’ll find that your business sense also grows. It does get easier.   For more information and next steps in the buy and sell process, read next week’s “Part 2” article.

Coming your way: a new generation of (probably permanent) renters. It’s the millennials, making news once again for the basic contradiction of their lives: better educated than their parents, but simultaneously economically more disadvantaged. And because this generation is both the largest demographic and one of the poorest, their circumstances may mean new opportunities for income property investors. According to census data reported in a recent article from The Atlantic, the median income for the nation’s youngest members of the workforce lags far behind that of their parents at similar ages and locations. On average, young working adults today earn $2000 less than their parents did. That’s no surprise given the current economic climate and the large amount of student debt carried by many new and fairly recent college graduates – debt that will likely shadow them for the length of their professional lives. And that’s assuming that they’ll be able to enter the profession they trained for. Securing solid employment is a challenge for this generation in an era of stagnant job growth and declining demand in key fields. And the picture is even worse for those without a college degree, since job options are even more limited. For college dropouts who ended up without a degree but still have student loans to pay off, things may be even worse. Still, as the Atlantic points out, comparing today’s young workers with their parents at the same age may be like comparing the stereotypical apples and oranges. It’s a very different world in many ways. The country is a far more diverse place than it was thirty or forty years ago. Some of today’s young workers are the children of immigrant parents who earned very little. In an era of increasing globalization, jobs have been outsourced overseas and technology has made others obsolete. Four-year college degrees can’t always keep ahead of the curve in a fast moving world. But all these change notwithstanding, by most standards, the millennials are struggling. And that struggle is clearly illustrated in the housing market. To save money, many underemployed young workers are still living with family. Others are sharing dwellings – and rent – with friends. Of those twenty and thirtysomethings on their own, though, an overwhelming majority is renting dwellings that range from apartments to houses. Citing money concerns and lifestyles, they’re choosing to get married later and postpone having children. And unstable employment situations mean they might need to move to another city for work. Along with millennial attitudes toward home buying, the housing landscape has changed dramatically since their parents’ day. The housing collapse and the recession that followed brought tighter standards for getting a mortgage, including higher down payments and credit scores. That made it more difficult for young workers with unstable employment to even qualify for a home loan. Because those standards were actually preventing people from getting loans and buying homes, they’ve relaxed somewhat. The government has asked the Fair Isaac Corporation, purveyors of the famed FICO credit scoring system, to loosen their standards. And amendments to the Qualified Mortgage Rule that took effect in i2014 have relaxed the down payment requirements for some kinds of loans. Those changes don’t seem to have affected millennials’ interest in home buying much. Another trend might: the surge in rents in many markets around the country. A recent study by online real estate giant Zillow found that on average, renters pay twice as much per month for housing than homeowners. Some industry watchers speculate that the sheer cost of renting could push millennials with the ability to make a down payment to take the plunge into homeownership.   But that depends on factors that, for now, seem to elude the grasp of many in this youngest generation of workers still struggling to find and keep well paying jobs. While their parents may have been able to opt in to the American dream of homeownership at a similar age, today’s millennials are postponing it, perhaps indefinitely.

It seems like cruise ships are always in the news for one thing or another—whether they’re sinking, flipping, or serving up a mass amount of sickness, cruise ships are a popular topic of conversation. Infamous writer David Foster Wallace immortalized his experience aboard with A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again and The Simpson’s took the cruise idea further with their own parody episode. Recently, cruise ships have been in the news because Lee Wachtstetter, an 86 year old Florida woman, is paying $164,000 to live on one. She’s on the Crystal Serenity ship, where she’s known as Mama Lee. She’d been there since her husband died in 1997. The ship holds just over 1,000 people and has a chef’s garden, an abundance of retail stores, a movie theater, and a whole bunch of food. Wachtstetter says she’s gained 25 pounds—but at 87, she’s hardly concerned about calories. Instead, she’s attending ship christenings by Dame Julie Andrews and making friends and dancing all of the time. And, while a bit unusual, Wachtstetter isn’t the only person in the world who does this. There’s actually a private residential ship called The World, which is home to 165. It’s been around since 2002. There’s also a number of people who live aboard other tourist ships, as does Wachtstetter. Wachtstetter doesn’t know how many countries she has visited because she’s been to so many (she’s been to basically everywhere that has a port) and attributes her love of cruising to her late husband who was a banker and a real estate appraiser. During their 50 year marriage, they went on 89 cruises. Since, she’s been on around a hundred more, 15 of which were World cruises. While aboard, Wachtstetter definitely misses her family, but technology has been a lifesaver. She’s got a laptop she uses to stay in touch with her three sons and seven grandchildren. Plus, she sees them whenever they dock in Miami. Last year, that happened five times. She’s shelling out $164,000 to live in a single occupancy stateroom on the seventh deck, but that includes meals, gratuities, and entertainment. Prior to her residency on her Crystal Cruise ship, she lived on Holland America for all of three years. She left when the ship decided to stop offering the dance host program Wachtstetter loves so much. On the Crystal Cruise ship, there are three other women, but Wachtstetter has been there the longest. Everyone on board loves her—and she loves them right back. The case for cruise ships   Why exactly would one want to live aboard a cruise ship, you ask? There are quite a few reasons Wachtstetter and others might choose this lifestyle. Everything is contained in one relatively small, safe space. There are malls containing everything a person might need or want to purchase, and endless supply of food (people often joke that most people gain a pound per day aboard a cruise ship) and plenty of entertainment—from movie theaters to fire dancers to swimming in a manmade pool within view of the ocean. There’s a lot to offer.

There are a growing number of expatriates across the world and, unsurprisingly, many are married or otherwise coupled. When a spouse makes the decision to live and work abroad, they often receive training and other accommodations to make their transition overseas easier. But what about their partner? For many, a transition to expat life when a partner makes the decision to live and work abroad can be a difficult and lonely process. When you move because your significant other has accepted work, they’ve often got a built-in community as a result of their job. As a result, you may have a hard time creating your own opportunities. Luckily, many companies offer (at a minimum) a course or two before your travel to assist with learning the culture, language, and food. Of course, learning the language will inevitably smooth your transition, as will connected with other local expatriates. You may also be able to find pre and post relocation counseling that will ease your transition and set your expectations. You may also meet people by involving yourself with your significant other’s company events, joining parent groups, etc.–but be prepared to feel overwhelmed at first. The reality of the situation While various forms of cultural preparation can make you feel a little less uneasy about your new home, you should prepare to feel isolated and even lonely at first. As with any move, it can take awhile to assimilate into a place and meet people with whom you can become friends. Simple things may suddenly become difficult–purchasing clothing in your size, for example. Often, transitional help is provided as a couple prepares for expatriation, but fades once the move is complete. It is estimated that 30% of those who chose to return early from international job assignments do so because of the inability of their significant other or family to adapt to the new culture and lifestyle. This is problematic for a couple of reasons. First, early returns cost both the former expatriates and the company they work for money. Reputations can be damaged beyond repair and replacements must be found. This of course interferes with productivity. But there is a human cost too–such decisions can encourage resentment from one spouse and interfere with relationships. Repatriation can also be a difficult process, and the former (home) office of the employee may not be prepared to deal with the reintroduction of an employee who has been living abroad. What’s being done Obviously, the best solution to the problem is to find a way to accommodate expatriate spouses and significant others before it is too late. Some companies have begun to send spouses and/or children to immersion courses that begin with the initial concerns of a place–food, etiquette, language, appearance. These courses may also cover topics like gift giving, customs during births or deaths, and so on. The courses will progressively delve deeper into the country and culture, giving spouses and children a more thorough idea about what’s going on in their new country. Some companies even continue these courses, especially in language, once the family has relocated to their new country. While these courses do cost a company money, the goal is to reduce relationship and family stress, loneliness, and culture shock to make the transition to expatriate life as easy as possible. These courses work best when they are cumulative, happening before, during, and after the move. What spouses can do Even in the absence of professional support, there are steps significant others can take to make things easier in their new country and culture. It is recommended that they adapt an immersive attitude–become part of the new culture by experiencing it in every way from day one. This means purchasing groceries from local stores, using local post offices, and buying supplies from the same places the locals do–basically, do everything as you normally would. This can provide invaluable experience to a new expat–by observing the actions of others, you more easily begin to behave like them. You’ll learn the secrets the locals know, and soon you’ll be one of them. Focus on learning language, which will almost certainly act as a cultural entry point for you. Of course, you’re going to have to deal with some major differences in culture–but there area ton of resources available, including Jason Hartman’s many podcasts. Training can help negate these differences, but do your own reading and observing too. Know that these differences can be deeper than what you see on the surface–there may be deeply held beliefs that aren’t immediately apparent (though you may still need to be aware of them). The key to assimilating will be to completely invest in being part of a culture, and a positive attitude will go a long way. Set realistic expectations for yourself and your new country and embrace change with open arms. Pulling the plug While some people may try to make the expatriate lifestyle work, there comes a point when you may have to call it quits. Unfortunately, living and working abroad isn’t for everyone and it can be in your best interest to go home, assuming you’ve given your new country a fair shot. A spouse may continue to feel isolated if they’re not getting support outside of their relationship. If your spouse’s company isn’t considerate of your needs, you may end up heading home–and that’s okay too. Appreciate the opportunity to travel and explore, give life outside of your home country a change, and don’t be ashamed if (for whatever reason) it simply doesn’t work out.   Support is obviously crucial to successful spouse expatriate experiences, and when it isn’t received, things can go south pretty quickly. If you are the employed expatriate spouse for whom the family is moving, ask about options for support. If you are the spouse or significant other, seek out resources to help make your transition easier. Similarly, if you are a company who sends employees on long term international assignments, think about what you could do to make the experience a better, more productive one for your employees and their families.

Travelling the world is an ambition that many people share, but few get the opportunity due to the costs involved. However, taking simple steps to increase your income and save money can make all the difference between a staycation and an amazing vacation. Jason Hartman offers tips and advice for anyone – regardless of educational background or prior investing knowledge – to earn income through investment rental properties. It is an excellent way to supplement your current income to set aside additional income for your current or future travels. Cutting back on current expenses is an added option for saving money for travel in the United States or abroad. 1.       Reduce utility spending: Take a shorter shower, line dry your clothes on warm days, open the windows to create a breeze rather than running the air conditioner, drop your thermostat by one degree in the winter, or let your hair air-dry rather than blow-drying it. There are many ways to save on your energy and water bills, simply by using them less. The small efforts really add up to noticeable savings. 2.       Use your car less: Save on gas by carpooling or taking the bus to the store or work. You can also ride your bike or walk to nearby locations that you would typically drive to, which is better for your health and your wallet. 3.       Cancel your gym membership: Speaking of walking or riding your bike, why not save even more money by canceling your gym membership and pick up cycling or running instead? You can even invest in home gym equipment and still save money that would normally be spent on a gym membership. 4.       Pack your lunch: Even if you’re only spending $5 per day on lunches, which most likely it’s closer to $15, you’ll be saving a lot over the course of a year simply by packing your own lunches. Brown-bag lunches do not have to be boring tuna fish and a brown banana, either. Get creative. Use Pinterest for adult-friendly packed lunches or make extra for dinner and freeze it for a lunch later in the week. 5.       Give up Starbucks: Everyone enjoys a Double-Shot Whipped Mocha Latte every once in a while; but if you spend $3 to $5 per day indulging in coffee drinks, you are wasting money. Calm your caffeine addiction with home-brewed coffee and save your bills for that Caribbean vacation instead. So start saving money today and contact Jason Hartman to learn how you can acquire investment rental properties as a means of additional income. You’ll be on that tropical vacation before you know it!

The recent boom and subsequent bust of the housing market has left many Americans skeptical of investing in real estate. While it is true that we may be on the upswing, potential sellers and buyers are still treading lightly. Yet, things are not as bad as they seem. Money can be made in real estate and Jason Hartman wants to show you how. Jason Hartman is a self-starter. While attending college he began investing and brokering in real estate. He would go on to found three companies: Platinum Properties Investor Network (PPIN), The Hartman Media Company, and The Jason Hartman Foundation. He and his colleagues help fellow investors through podcasts, software, and speaking engagements. Hartman encourages others to financial independence and literacy in order to turn the tide of our current financial crisis. Jason wants to make it known that the so-called “housing market” is actually made up of several minor, specific markets – some of which are currently very healthy. Through PPIN the difficult work of scouring the country in search of potential investment properties has been done. Hartman’s group works as a researcher and aggregator in major cities in eleven different states, such as Texas, Florida, and both the Carolinas. These are cities specifically chosen for their real estate investment potential. From there, Hartman educates investors on how to make money through income properties. The key term here is returns. Hartman’s philosophy centers on the idea of choosing real estate in markets where the prospective return on the investment is maximized. Buyers use low interest, fixed-rate loans to purchase properties in areas where the market is about to blow up. For instance, Atlanta is the home of several Fortune 500 companies, one of the fastest growing and most diverse cities in the U.S., and is projected by the U.S. Census Bureau to steadily grow through 2030. By investing now in the right Atlanta Metro properties, Jason Hartman is sure that investors will see quick, large returns. It is no secret that investing in real estate can be highly risky. However, there are locations and strategies to greatly diminish that risk. Jason Hartman has earned millions of dollars in the real estate business through such means. He wants to share his methods with you and help you on your way to a life of financial independence offering all of us the opportunity for a higher standard of living.

Thanks to our ridiculous American tax code and lawsuit-crazy national mentality, it’s not surprising that those among us lucky enough to have a little money are looking for ways to protect it from the IRS, litigants, ex-spouses, and maybe even to stiff a few creditors in the process. (We’re not making moral judgments here, just calling them like we see them). In case you missed the news, the United Bank of Switzerland, formerly a bastion of stability and privacy, has reached an agreement with the IRS to turn over personal information related to account holders suspected to be engaged in tax fraud. Ouch. The bottom line is that the Swiss banking system, which was built on a rock solid devotion to secrecy, now only offers stability, privacy, and protection to clients against private parties. An additional disincentive to go offshore is that domestic judges have taken to jailing people who refuse to disclose or turn over assets stashed there. So, what are you going to do? One option is to take advantage of a growing trend in domestic trusts. Seeing an opportunity to carve out a slice of a lucrative market, individual states like Alaska, Delaware, Nevada, and South Dakota have promulgated the most attractive trusts and pro-debtor laws. These new domestic trusts aren’t your grandfather’s trust. They’ve been tweaked to allow you to put money in and benefit from it but also to prevent creditors from getting it out, after a certain period of time. For example, during a bankruptcy hearing, a federal court can access trust assets going back ten years, which probably makes most readers wonder why even bother? The good news is that the window of opportunity for private creditors to claim your assets is much shorter when the federal government isn’t involved, as little as two years in Nevada. These new trusts also prevent ex-spouses from claiming funds for alimony, property settlements, and (surprisingly) child support. Jason Hartman would like to remind you that these new types of domestic trusts haven’t been fully tested in a court of law. While many lawyers believe they will hold up, you might not want to volunteer yourself as a guinea pig. The bottom line is that the best strategy to protect a large amount of cash is to spread it among several jurisdictions, both foreign and domestic. Diversification still works better than anything else. It’s more time consuming and expensive for a creditor to fight a legal battle on several fronts simultaneously, making it more likely they’ll agree to a settlement.

Whether or not you want to tip the service staff while traveling is entirely beside the point. You’d better do it, especially if you use the facilities often and don’t want to find yourself wandering why the doorman can’t seem to find a vacant taxi when they’re lined up and down the sidewalk; or why it was your suitcase that got mashed repeatedly between the elevator doors on the way down to the lobby? As a swanky Jetsetter, it is certainly your right to disagree that proper tipping is necessary but be prepared to suffer the consequences. Think service staff at high-priced hotels and restaurants aren’t as petty as the rest of us? Think again. The following is the going rate for a nice dinner out: 1. Waiter - 15%, Captain 5%. If you add the tip on your credit card, specify the breakdown between the two or the waiter gets it all. 2. Headwaiter who seats you - Give him $5 if it’s a one time visit or $10 at regular intervals if you’re a regular patron. Always make it cash. Never tip the headwaiter if you like long waits and lousy tables. 3. Sommelier - 10% or 5% if the wine is very expensive. Come on, what are you doing ordering expensive wine if you can’t cough up a little something for the wine dude? In most places, $2 or $3 is a decent tip. 4. Bartender gets a buck minimum or 15% of your drinking bill. 5. Hatcheck, restroom attendant, and doorman should get fifty cents to a dollar. Opt for the latter if he has to flag a taxi for you in the rain. Other random tipping advice. The limo driver expects about a 15% tip. Hotel valets, room service, and bartenders get fifty cents to a dollar. The bellman need fifty cents a bag and the chambermaid a dollar a day. The headwaiter at your favorite nightclub should get $5 to $10, depending upon the level of service you’d like (and how much you want to impress your friends). That about covers it for tipping. Remember, ignore the "little" people at your own peril.

Airlines love to dictate how you should book a connecting flight with at least a three hour safety window to make sure you don’t miss it. Well, that’s a bunch of poppycock. Often, you can find cheaper air fare by booking an “illegal” connecting flight that leaves as little as 45 minutes after the first leg of your flight lands at the airport. Apparently, airlines don’t trust themselves to stay on schedule and the thought of hundreds of travelers sprinting through the airport simultaneously in a mad dash to connect fills them with trepidation. Plus, what better way to force you to drop some bills on local food, beverage, and book vendors than “encouraging” you to hang around for three hours? Got the waiting-around-the-airport blues? Here’s what to do. Normally these too-close-for-comfort flights don’t show up on computer schedules generated by third party aggregates like Travelocity or even the airline’s own website. But you can call your handy-dandy travel agent and have him book two separate tickets. The second is a flight that commences at your connecting city. See how that works? Instead of waiting for three hours in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago or some other God forsaken airport, touchdown, grab your bag and go. The cost to book your trip this way should be no more than a traditionally booked flight. If you happen to miss your connection, simply turn in your ticket at the counter and have them book you on a later flight. Using this method, you’re really rolling the dice if you check baggage. Chances are that’s not going to work out well for you. Go the carry-on route and make sure it’s something you can move fast with. 

You don’t have to fly around the world constantly to live the splendid life of a Jetsetter. Don’t forget that there are plenty of spine-tingling road trips to be had right here in the good, old United States of America. The clear advantage to American travel is you can rent yourself a hot little sports car and roll in style. If you already own a hot little sports car, bully for you. What are you waiting for? Get it out on the road. When it comes to seeing the highways and byways of America at top speed, what better rental car choice than the current fastest production model available, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. Now we didn’t say you could trot down to your friendly neighborhood Hertz dealer and find one of these. And who knows what the daily rental rate would be. Probably one of those deals where if you have to ask – you can’t afford it. How fast is fast? The Ultimate Aero clocks in at 255.83 miles per hour. That’s fast. You could see a lot of America fly past the windows at that speed. Stepping down from fantasyland for a moment, what would be a good, high-performance car to choose for your American travel that’s a bit more grounded in reality? The Mazda RX-8 can be had for a $26,000 to $35,000 (purchase price). This practical sports car uses a 238 HP engine to hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and, strangely, can seat four adults in comfort. With the RX-8′s great combination of handling, speed, and comfort, you might almost convince the wife that it would make a good family car. Good luck with that. All that’s left is for you to lock and load your American travel destination. We hear the fall foliage in Maine is an excellent sight to behold. And don’t forget the Pacific Coastal Highway. Or the Overseas Highway heading out to Key West. 

Don’t just assume you know everything there is to know about the ins and outs of credit cards when traveling overseas. That could be the biggest mistake you’ve made in a while and nobody wants that. First of all, don’t take debit cards masquerading as a credit card. You know the ones we’re talking about. They walk, talk, and look like a regular credit card, but back at the company, it’s a whole different beastie that will likely be turned down in many international locations. The main reason to call your credit card company is to alert them to the fact that there will be charges coming through from outside the country. Otherwise, they might grow suspicious when payments for women’s lingerie in Istanbul and hand grenades in Switzerland start coming in, and shut down your card completely, thinking it is being used fraudulently. Other issues to address with your company before traveling are: 1. how acceptable their card is in your target country 2. if your PIN works there 3. foreign exchange and cash advance policies 4. phone number to call in case of trouble There’s one thing of which you can certain; having your credit card declined in the midst of a two week vacation to another country would be classified as the opposite of fun. Though you will likely be able to use your credit cards for cash advances while traveling, remember that the ATM will dispense funds in the local currency, so don’t freak when unusual colors and shapes come out instead of trusty Uncle Sam’s dinero. And you might won’t to take more than one credit card, in case the first one becomes mysteriously maxed out or won’t work at a particular location. Bring at least two different companies of the Big Four along for the ride: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover.

Who among us hasn’t had the fleeting (sometimes permanent) urge to test ourselves against the earth with nothing but two feet between ecstasy an disaster? Would you settle for old, rickety wood, a stout chain to hold onto and a deadly plunge down the side of a Chinese mountain? If you’re really dialed into adventure travel, don’t miss out on the chance to journey to Mount Hua for what might be a trek across the most dangerous hiking trail in the world, known as the Huashan Trail. Located 120 miles east of Xi’an City, and on the vertical slopes of one of China’s five sacred mountains, some people come for the rugged natural scenery and others for the ancient Taoist temples. But in this area, it’s all about the Huashan Trail and those who dare to tread upon it. Thanks to the Chinese government’s policy of censoring such information, we don’t know exactly how many people die each year on the trail but unofficial estimates put the number upwards of at least 100. The thing to keep in mind with the Huashan Trail is that this is hiking, not mountain climbing, so generally you don’t get to rely on fancy gear to keep a misstep from plunging you into the abyss. However, a pair of work gloves and a strong grip are helpful. The worst part of the trail is a thirteen-foot long, one foot wide plank path hammered into the rock of a vertical cliff face. There is a chest-high chain hammered into the rock also, which would be a great place to hook yourself to with a mountain climbing harness. Other portions of the trail only have chain and a few footholds to keep you from tumbling back down the mountain.