5 times when you can really benefit from speaking with us
The most gratifying part of what we do at Black Swan Capital is spending time with our clients, whether that is new clients coming to us for the first time, or existing clients that have been with us for some time. Our clients tell us they appreciate our personal service, that we are specialised in helping expats and international professionals in Europe and, when asked, would be happy to introduce us to friends, family, and colleagues.
We’re always thrilled when a client introduces someone to us. Indeed, we welcome this type of introduction and are always delighted to help new clients to understand the benefits of good financial planning.
Sometimes though, our clients say they are not sure of the right time to introduce someone. To break this down, here are five times when someone can benefit from our advice. If this is you, reach out and arrange a time to speak, and if you know anyone in these situations, we’d appreciate it if you’d introduce them to us!
1. Newly arrived
If you have recently arrived in the place you now call home, there is much to consider to get your life in order. Everything can seem different and complicated. Getting your finances in order is just one of many things to take charge of. Let us help you. If you have newly arrived as an international professional in Europe, reach out to us and we can help you with the big and the small issues around managing your financial lives and keeping you on track with your most important life goals.
2. Planning ahead for, or thinking about, retirement
Planning your retirement is one of the most important and impactful things you can do. Being an expat or an international living outside your home country can make this difficult. You must juggle different pension systems, different currencies, different rules, and often you don’t know where you will retire.
Getting guidance and support can make a profound difference, to the outcome and to your peace of mind.
The main questions we are asked are “how much do I need?”, “Will I have enough?”, “How do I do save for retirement?”. Retirement could last for 20, 30, or even 40 years, and so it’s perhaps no surprise that individuals want to know that they will be able to maintain the lifestyle they want in this next phase, wherever that may be.
We use sophisticated cashflow modelling, and “what if” scenarios to help clients to understand their future and provide specific, practical and implementable advice for the international community.
It’s never too early to start planning, so speak with us if you need clarity, support or to get started.
3. People building up their wealth in their 30s or 40s
In our experience, expats and international professionals in their 30s and 40s, living outside their home country, want to be able to enjoy their life now while also preparing for their life after work.
They are often paying a mortgage or other debts, sometimes looking to save for their children, often living without extended family support networks, and managing careers and home cash flow in what can be an expensive phase of life for an expat.
We can help international clients in their 30s and 40s to build up wealth to get their finances in order. We employ cash flow modelling to put the optimal structures in place to ensure you are maximising your situation so you can prepare properly for the future. We often say it is the balance of preparing for tomorrow without being a martyr for tomorrow, today.
4. Share Schemes and Bonuses
We see many expats and international professionals in Europe, that are fortunate to work for companies offering employee share schemes in the form of restricted stock units, options and buy-ins. You may have the option for this as well as or instead of, cash bonuses.
These can be a great way to build your wealth over time but are not without pitfalls or risks. We work with a number of clients to help them make the most of these opportunities, to solidify and quantify their objectives and align their growth in wealth to their goals.
If you receive company shares and or cash bonuses, speak with us to see how you can really employ these to build your wealth and help you achieve what is most important for you.
5. US citizens
If you are a US citizen living in Europe or are just US-connected, an accidental American, you will know how difficult it is to manage your finances and investments here.
The US reporting obligations, the investment classification restrictions, the potential penalties, and the many firms that will not even accept you as clients, can make life frustrating and difficult.
We specialise in working with Americans living in Europe so you don’t have to forgo your life goals and growing your wealth just because you are living in Europe. Whether it is reporting time or not, it is a good idea to speak with us for advice.
If you are a US citizen or you know someone who is, contact us and we will be able to help and offer the solutions that are compliant for Americans and that keep you on track.
Get in touch
We welcome introductions and would be delighted to help a friend, family member, or colleague. If you know anyone who would benefit from our advice, please get in touch with us. Email info@blackswancapital.eu or speak with one of our team at our Amsterdam head office at +31 (0)20 521 9375.