If You’re an Expat, What’s Your Exit Plan?

In November, I visited my home country, the Netherlands, for a long weekend. It was wonderful to reconnect with family, friends, and in-laws.Having spent over 11 years as an expat, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on the future. A key question I often ask myself is:nbsp;What’s my exit strategy?If you’ve followed my personal blog, you know I like to lead by example. Before asking you to consider your exit strategy, I’ll share mine—because I believe it’s only fair to show that I practice what I preach.

My Exit Strategy

As an expat, my priority is maintaining a high quality of life. While doing so, I also make it a non-negotiable goal to accumulate significant savings each year.

Whenever my cash balance grows to a certain amount, I invest it. This disciplined approach helps me build an investment portfolio, which is central to my exit strategy.

The ultimate goal? Achieving financial freedom. Once my portfolio reaches a specific value, I’ll be able to live anywhere in the world without the need to work. My investments will provide me with sufficient income to sustain my lifestyle indefinitely.

At that point, I’ll execute my exit strategy on my own terms—stress-free, financially independent, and without the burden of hefty taxes back home. For me, it means leaving with a couple of suitcases filled with sentimental items like souvenirs, paintings, and memories of our journey. Clothes and other essentials can always be replaced.

I left the Netherlands with two suitcases, and if I ever decide to return, I’m content with leaving the same way—accompanied by my wife and two daughters.

Everyone’s Exit Strategy is Unique

Your exit strategy will look different from mine. Life circumstances and priorities change, which is why I review my plan three to four times a year to ensure it aligns with my goals.

But one thing is clear: having an exit strategy is essential.

Leaving on your terms is vastly different from being forced out. I’ve witnessed expats who were removed against their will, and the experience can be devastating.

By planning ahead, you take control of your future and shape it to fit your vision.

Questions to Help You Define Your Exit Strategy To get started, ask yourself:

• How detailed is my exit strategy?
• Do I review my strategy at least once a year?
• What emotions come up when I think about my exit strategy?
• On a scale of 0 to 100, how close am I to achieving it?
• Do I need help creating or refining my exit strategy?

Ready to Take Action?

If this resonates with you and you’d like support with: A) Crafting your exit strategy, or B) Achieving it.

Let’s talk.

Planning ahead empowers you to leave as an expat on your terms—not someone else’s.

Was this blog helpful? Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss your exit strategy.

Investment tip: Diversify your portfolio

Diversifying your investment portfolio is a key principle of smart investing.

Diversification spreads your investments across various asset classes, industries, and geographies. This minimizes the impact of a poor-performing investment on your overall portfolio. For example, if one sector or region experiences a downturn, gains in another area can offset potential losses.

A diversified portfolio typically exhibits less volatility, leading to more stable returns over time. Instead of riding the highs and lows of a single investment, diversification helps balance performance, reducing emotional stress for investors.

Investing in multiple asset classes—such as stocks, bonds, real estate, private equity, or art—allows you to participate in various growth opportunities. It ensures you’re not missing out on potential winners by focusing too narrowly.

Market conditions can change unexpectedly. Diversification helps protect your portfolio from the effects of these fluctuations, as different assets react differently to economic shifts. For example, while stocks may struggle during a recession, bonds or gold could perform better.

A well-diversified portfolio aligns with the adage, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” By spreading investments across different areas, you position yourself for more consistent long-term growth, as you’re not overly reliant on one asset or market to perform well.

Diversification allows you to structure your portfolio based on your financial goals and risk appetite. A mix of conservative and aggressive investments can help you achieve your objectives while managing your comfort level with risk.

By diversifying internationally, investors can take advantage of growth trends in emerging markets, global innovations, or economic cycles that may not align with their home market.

While diversification is essential, it doesn’t guarantee against losses—it’s about managing risk and maximizing opportunities. Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio ensures it remains aligned with your financial goals and market conditions.

Diversification isn’t just about spreading investments; it’s about smart allocation based on informed decisions. A diversified portfolio sets you up for resilience and long-term success in an unpredictable financial world.

Would you like tips on how to build a diversified portfolio tailored to your goals?

Highlighted investment of the month

I wanted to share some information about Walton?Global, a leading land asset management and real estate investment company specializing in pre-development land in high-growth areas. Since their founding in 1979,?Walton?has managed a diverse portfolio and currently oversees $4.37 billion in real estate assets for investors across 86 countries.

Walton’s Investment Strategy Their approach is structured into several key phases. First, they carefully select prime land parcels in strategic growth regions. These lands are then syndicated through tailored investment structures for their global sales channels. During the holding period,?Walton?actively manages the land, aiming to sell it for significant profits.

This innovative method of acquiring, managing, and monetizing land has made?Walton?a trusted partner for top-tier developers and builders on local, regional, and national levels. Currently,?Walton?manages over 90,000 acres of land across the U.S. and Canada.

Key Highlights About?Walton:

• 45 years of proven track record.
• $4.37 billion in land under management.
• Focuses exclusively on U.S. land investments.
• Partners with leading U.S. homebuilders before investors commit.
• In over 45 years, investors have never lost money, consistently realizing solid returns.
• Title deeds are issued in the investor's name, making the investment fully asset-backed.
• Walton?handles the entire process, offering a hassle-free experience for investors.
• If no sale is made within 5 years, investors receive their capital back plus 15% profit.

Project availability?nr. 1? Below, you’ll find a cash flow projection for?Walton’s latest land investment opportunity: Cascade, Atlanta, Georgia, USA?– Project IRR: 14.27% per annum. With a $100,000 investment you can make $75,336 gain and get back a total of $175,336 in 3-6 years.?

Project availability?nr. 2

Please see the project information for Stantonsburg Road?located in the?Greenville MSA, North Carolina?which is under a signed Letter of Intent with Lennar (2nd largest public homebuilder in the U.S.)?–?Projected IRR: 17.94% p.a.

With a $100,000 investment you can make $97,773 gain and get back a total of $197,773 in 3-6 years.?

I've also attached?Walton’s recent track record and a brochure for this project for your reference. Additional Key Points:

• The land is registered in the investor’s name, ensuring your investment is 100% asset-backed by a tangible asset.
• Walton manages the entire process from start to finish, allowing investors to remain passive while waiting for profits to be realized. Although timelines may vary, Walton has consistently delivered profitable outcomes, and no investor has ever lost money.
• Walton also offers an app for investors to receive updates on their projects and to schedule meetings for more detailed progress reports.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

My white hair disappeared!

It’s happened again! After coming back from Nepal, where I trekked through the mountains, ate healthy, and slept 10 hours a night, I was stunned to see fewer white hairs once more!

The same thing happened two years ago when I returned from Antarctica.

Turns out, research supports this: after a long period without much stress, your white hairs can actually reduce.

It feels amazing! ?? I wasn’t even aiming for this, but it goes to show that stress doesn’t have to be the end of the world if you balance it with real relaxation.

If you can, I highly recommend taking some time off, disconnecting completely, and experiencing true stress-free days for a while. ??

Have you done something like this before? If so, what was it like?

And if not, what’s holding you back?

WATCH VIDEO VERSION

The difference between a good and bad investment

The difference between a bad investment and a good investment goes beyond simply losing money; it also comes down to whether or not it’s generating enough to maintain or grow your wealth.

Here’s why: if an investment doesn’t outpace inflation, it’s also a loss because the real value of your money decreases over time.

So, for me, a bad investment is:

A) When you’re losing money outright, and

B) When you’re not making enough to keep up with inflation.

Interestingly, a good investment can sometimes appear to be a bad one. Take Dubai real estate, for example. Let’s say you buy now, likely at the height of the market.

If prices drop by 40% in the next year or two—which isn’t guaranteed but could happen like it has happened multiple times before—you could end up needing 6 to 8 years just to break even.

But if you had bought Dubai real estate three years ago, you would have doubled your money by now.

WATCH VIDEO VERSION

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About me

I’m a Dutch expat who’s proudly called Dubai home for over a decade. I’m fortunate to share this life with my wonderful wife and our two lovely daughters.

In the early years of my career, I dove into the early education and childcare business my father built. Those five years were incredibly formative, giving me hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the business world at a young age.

But as valuable as that experience was, I soon realized my true passion lay elsewhere. I craved a career that challenged me and sparked my enthusiasm, which led me to the financial industry. Here, I’ve found the fulfillment and excitement I was searching for.

For the past ten years, my focus has shifted from growing businesses to helping individuals navigate their financial journeys. Along the way, I’ve built strong, lasting relationships that I deeply cherish.

As both an expat and an investor, I understand the challenges of finding the right investment opportunities and trustworthy partners. It’s not always easy, but it’s crucial. That’s why I prioritize honesty, doing the right thing, and building relationships rooted in trust. My commitment is to provide solutions that truly work, offering sound advice and striving to be the best at what I do.

I know I can add value to expats and investors not just here in Dubai but across the globe. In fact, 50% of my clients are based outside the UAE, spread across various countries.

If you’d like to connect sometime, I’d love to chat.

PRESENTATION SIMON

Services we offer

Investment Advisory Services

• Income Generation: We aim to help you achieve consistent returns, ranging from 8% to 14% per annum.
• Portfolio Management: Personalized strategies to grow and protect your wealth over the long term.
• Private Equity Opportunities: Access exclusive opportunities with potential returns of 2X to 4X your investment.
• Protection Strategies: Safeguard your future with tailored solutions, including life insurance, critical illness coverage, and jumbo insurance policies.
• Estate Planning: Ensure your legacy is preserved and passed on seamlessly to the next generation.
• Alternative Investments: Explore innovative investment options that go beyond traditional markets.
• Art Advisory: Leverage our expertise to invest in and enjoy the world of fine art.
• Real Estate Investments: Invest in prime properties across the UK, Germany, and the US, designed to diversify and strengthen your portfolio.
• Citizenship & Residency: Secure your future with bespoke advice on citizenship and residency opportunities.

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