Expat Wealth - Cross-Border Financial Advice for Expats in America and Americans Abroad

Hosted by Richard Taylor

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109

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

With the right financial advice, landmines that threaten expat wealth can be avoided. Often encountered by US-connected expats, these financial landmines are more numerous, more hazardous, and less understood than almost anywhere else in the world. As a result, non-cross border professionals, wealth advisors, and even international advisors are often unaware of them. But don’t worry, Expat Wealth has you covered.   Expat Wealth is dedicated to helping ambitious US-connected expats and immigrants navigate those challenges — and thrive. Whether you’ve moved to the US for opportunity, or are an American seeking adventure and growth abroad, our job is to equip you with the tools and insights you need to succeed.  Each Thursday, host Richard Taylor — dual UK/US citizen and Chartered Financial Planner — explores the critical topics you need to understand to protect your financial security and make the most of your global life. From tax and compliance pitfalls to investment planning and estate strategies, our team of expat wealth advisors cover what matters most to cross-border individuals.  Here’s what to expect on Expat Wealth:  1st Thursday: Richard is joined by James Boyle, Partner at Plan First Wealth. Together, they take you behind the scenes as they are building a business that serves the expat community. Get guidance for expats and retirement planning tips  2nd & 4th Thursdays: Expert interviews featuring top voices in cross-border tax, finance, estate planning, immigration, and more. Get expat tax tips from professionals and learn more about your tax and legal obligations.    3rd Thursday: A global economic and investment roundup to help you stay ahead of the game with Brian Dunhill, founder of Dunhill Financial and American investment advisor based in the UK. Get cross-border financial planning tips to help you plan for a better retirement.  Past guests on Expat Wealth have included:  Virginia La Torre Jeker – International tax expert and founder of US-Tax.org  Dan Price – Former IRS attorney with over 20 years of experience in offshore compliance  Paula Jones – US estate planning attorney specializing in cross-border matters  Full video recordings of each episode are released on YouTube on the @planfirstwealth channel.  https://www.youtube.com/@planfirstwealth Host bio:  Richard Taylor is a British expatriate and dual UK/US citizen, originally from the UK and now based in Greenwich, Connecticut. A UK Chartered Financial Planner with international experience spanning the UK, Dubai, and the US, Richard was struck by how uniquely complex and challenging the financial landscape is for US-connected expatriates and immigrants — challenges that simply don’t exist elsewhere.  He was particularly alarmed by the severe penalties that can result from simple mistakes, and how many expats, drawn to America for their career and financial opportunities, unknowingly put their financial futures at risk. Motivated by this, Richard founded a financial and investment planning firm focused on the needs of expats.  That mission later expanded into a podcast, created to share vital information and cross-border tax advice with a broader audience. His goal: to help international, mobile individuals thrive — by seizing global opportunities while avoiding the hidden financial pitfalls that can undermine success both in America and abroad.  --  Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.   https://planfirstwealth.com/  You will like Expat Wealth if you like The Expat Money Show and Gimme Some Truth “Expat” Podcast. 

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October 15, 202638 min

106. Bond Yields Spike, Markets Wobble, and Why We’re Still Cautiously Optimistic

A lot can change in a month. Since Richard last caught up with Brian’s colleague Kam, half the companies in the S&P 500 have slipped into bear market territory, the IPO market has started to wobble, and the bond market has delivered one of its sharpest moves in years. Richard and Brian Dunhill unpack what’s behind the recent spike in US Treasury yields, and why it has them looking at fixed income very differently. With US government debt at $40 trillion and around $2 trillion a year going on interest alone, is this the US’s Liz Truss moment, or a once-in-a-cycle opportunity?  They also dig into where the real strength in markets is coming from. Earnings growth is on track for close to 30% this year, well ahead of the 19% expected in January, but with so much of it driven by AI companies taking on debt, both agree the risks are building beneath the surface. Brian explains how he is repositioning bond allocations, why he is staying away from AI-heavy corporate debt, and why he is looking at emerging market bonds and preferred instead. He also explains why he isn’t hedging back to the dollar, which he believes is overvalued and due a correction. Along the way, the conversation turns to tax and politics, including capital gains and indexing cost basis, the Dutch wealth tax system, whether the UK will ever rejoin the EU, the US midterms, and the elections and unrest shaping markets abroad. There are also detours to a Jamie Carragher shrine in a New York pub and the great James Bond debate. Richard remains cautiously optimistic, Brian is simply optimistic, and on one thing they both agree.. it’s time to take a close look at your bonds!   --   Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management. https://planfirstwealth.com/ -- Expat Wealth 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.   ABOUT RICHARD: Richard Taylor is a British expat, dual citizen (UK & US). Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, CT, where Plan First Wealth has its head office. As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA). Connect with Richard on LinkedIn

October 8, 202638 min

105. Cross Border, Cross Country: 1,000 Miles of RV Life as a British Expat in America

Moving to America is a big leap for any British expat. Moving to America and then towing your home across it in an RV is another thing entirely. One month and more than 1,000 miles into his cross-country adventure, Plan First Wealth's JB is back with his first report from the road. In this Cross Border, Cross Country episode of Expat Wealth, Richard Taylor, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Plan First Wealth, catches up with JB as he travels from New Hampshire through Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina to Greenville, South Carolina. JB hands out his state report card: New Hampshire's surprisingly British charm, the history packed into Washington DC (including the newly opened Lincoln undercroft), and Baltimore's easy-going NFL Sundays. Richard explains how Sir Christopher Wren's rejected plan to rebuild London after the Great Fire may have gone on to shape the layout of DC. Then come the realities of RV life. There's interstate undertaking, a near-miss on wet grass at a Harvest Hosts stop outside Philadelphia, American driving tests that are over in about three minutes, and a tight-knit RV community gathered around outdoor projectors for the football. For anyone weighing up the cost of moving to the US, JB shares the real numbers: $50 to $80 a night for campgrounds and around $870 a month on diesel. The conversation then turns to money and meaning. Richard and JB explore why expats are so hungry for experiences, why travel shows up in nearly every expat retirement plan, and how one client's family trip to the Maldives became a memory his family will treasure forever. JB also shares what has surprised him most in his first month of cross-border financial planning: how smoothly US custodians handle moving and consolidating assets, and how simple IRAs and 401(k)s are compared with the UK pension system. Whether you're moving to America, already living the British expat life in the US, or looking for financial advice on retiring into a life of experiences, this episode is a candid, funny look at building a life and building wealth across borders. -- Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management. https://planfirstwealth.com/ -- Expat Wealth 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. ABOUT RICHARD: Richard Taylor is a British expat, dual citizen (UK & US). Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, CT, where Plan First Wealth has its head office. As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA). Connect with Richard on LinkedIn

October 1, 202638 min

104. NT Tax Code Rejections: Why HMRC Is Making Pension Relief Harder for Expats

For British expats in America drawing income from a UK pension, the NT tax code has long been a straightforward, if slow, way to avoid being taxed at source in the UK on income that should only be taxable in the US. But something appears to be changing at HMRC, and what was once a simple administrative process is becoming unpredictable, inconsistent, and in some cases, actively obstructed. In this From the Trenches episode of Expat Wealth, Richard Taylor, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Plan First Wealth, and business partner James Boyle share three real client cases that have taken them by surprise. The first involves a client who applied for an NT tax code over two years ago and has since had it granted on two of his three UK pensions, with no explanation as to why the third was excluded. The second is a case where HMRC outright rejected an application, claiming the pension in question was not a registered pension scheme, despite it clearly being one, an apparent administrative error that now requires a drawn-out correction process. The third case, and perhaps the most concerning, involves a client who followed expert advice to the letter. Working with a US-UK cross-border tax advisory team, he took small, regular UFPLS withdrawals from his SIPP, a strategy designed to have pension income treated as ongoing payments rather than a lump sum. Despite the amounts falling well below HMRC's own published thresholds, the claim was rejected on the basis that the payments constituted a lump sum, a position that surprised even the specialist tax advisers involved. Richard and James discuss what these cases might signal about a broader shift in HMRC's stance, particularly in light of recent guidance clarifying how lump sums from UK pensions are defined and taxed. They stress that while the US-UK tax treaty should ultimately protect expats from double taxation, the mechanics of resolving these disputes can be time-consuming, expensive, and deeply frustrating. Whether you hold a UK SIPP, are considering applying for an NT tax code, or have already hit a roadblock with HMRC, this episode offers a candid look at a process that is no longer as routine as it once was, and why having the right cross-border tax advice matters more than ever. -- Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management. https://planfirstwealth.com/ -- Expat Wealth 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. ABOUT RICHARD: Richard Taylor is a British expat, dual citizen (UK & US). Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, CT, where Plan First Wealth has its head office. As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA). Connect with Richard on LinkedIn

September 24, 202621 min

103. The 3 Biggest Tax Mistakes British Expats Make in America

Every week, without exception, Richard and his team at Plan First Wealth review British expat's US tax returns and find something missing. Not occasionally, but every single time.   In this week’s episode of Ask an Expert, Richard lays out the three mistakes he sees most often after 11 years working with British expatriates across America, and why even people who actively follow this content still fall into them.  Richard, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Plan First Wealth, breaks down the three mistakes he sees over and over again.  The first is missing informational returns, forms like FBAR, 8938, 8621, and 3520. Skip these and the penalties don't just sit there, they stack up, compound, and in some cases stay on the table indefinitely.  The second is PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Company). This is the tax hit that comes from holding non-US investments like ISAs, unit trusts, or offshore bonds. The IRS looks straight through these accounts, and what was once a tax-efficient wrapper can end up taxed at the highest possible rate, with interest added for every year it goes unresolved.  The third is simply waiting too long. Many expats leave UK pensions, ISAs, and other legacy assets untouched for 10, 15, even 20 years. By the time retirement forces the issue, what could have been a manageable problem has grown into something far more expensive.  Richard also flags two emerging risks worth watching. First, expats turning to generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Facebook groups for tax guidance, and getting advice that's confidently wrong, and second, the currency exposure that comes from holding too much retirement wealth in pounds when you're planning to retire in dollars.  This episode is for anyone with a connection to the UK, whether that's pensions, investments, or family who might one day pass on assets, who wants to know if they're one of the many people currently carrying risk they don't know about. As Richard puts it, the goal isn't to fear-monger, it's to get ahead of it, deal with it, and move on.  --  Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.  https://planfirstwealth.com/  --  Expat Wealth 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. 

September 17, 202638 min

102. US Debt Warning, Yen Carry Trade Risk & Is AI Really a Bubble?

Brian Dunhill has stepped out for this episode, so Richard Taylor is joined by Dunhill analyst Kamaljit Somal for an unscripted breakdown of the forces moving global markets.  First up, the US bond market. Kam explains why rising long-term yields are making policymakers nervous, how higher borrowing costs feed through to mortgages, car loans and government finances, and why the bond market may finally be sounding the alarm over US debt. With federal debt approaching $40 trillion, Richard and Kam dig into the bigger issue: the growing cost of servicing it, which Kam says is now a larger expense for the US government than military spending.  Then, Japan. The yen has strengthened sharply, raising questions around one of the most important sources of cheap funding in global markets: the carry trade. Kam breaks down how leverage has built up around the yen, why a disorderly unwind could put pressure on the Magnificent Seven and other high-growth stocks, and what a stronger Japanese currency could mean for investors around the world.  They also look at what this means for cross-border portfolios. Kam explains why Dunhill has been reducing some US dollar exposure, particularly in fixed income, and why matching the safer part of a portfolio to the currency you actually spend can help remove an unnecessary layer of risk.  Finally, Richard and Kam turn to the US stock market and the constant talk of an AI bubble. Despite investor anxiety, they argue that today’s market looks very different from the dot-com era: the companies driving growth are generating enormous amounts of cash, earnings are broadening beyond the Magnificent Seven, and even some of the software names written off during the so-called “SaaS apocalypse” are beginning to benefit from AI.  As always: real talk, zero scripts, and a cross-border look at what actually matters beneath another chaotic month in markets.  --  Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.  https://planfirstwealth.com/  --  Expat Wealth 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. 

September 10, 202622 min

101. Cross Border, Cross Country: Meet the British Financial Planner Taking on America

What does America look like through the eyes of a British financial planner who has just moved across the Atlantic? In this episode of Expat Wealth, Richard Taylor introduces Cross Border, Cross Country: a new recurring format following Plan First Wealth’s newest team member, James “JB” Beck, as he travels across the US while making the transition from experienced UK financial planner to US-UK cross-border specialist. JB lands in America with a decade of financial planning experience behind him, including eight years working with business owners at UK firm Fiscal Engineers. He knows the British system inside and out. But moving to the US means learning an entirely different rulebook: US tax, UK pensions and US pensions sitting awkwardly side by side, the US-UK tax treaty, and the everyday financial quicks nobody warns you about. In other words, the same challenges faced by the British expats Plan First Wealth works with every day. And JB isn’t experiencing America from one place. For the next 18 months, he and his wife are living on the road in a 43-foot RV pulled by a Ford F-350, using the journey to explore different states, communities and lifestyles while deciding where they might eventually put down roots. Richard will be checking in with JB throughout the journey, following both sides of his experience: what he discovers about life across different parts of America and what surprises him as he develops from a UK financial planner into a cross-border US-UK adviser. In this first instalment, JB explains why a Year 9 maths lesson ultimately pushed him towards financial planning, why joining Plan First Wealth felt like a natural fit, and how experiencing the same international move as the firm’s clients gives him a unique perspective on the financial realities of relocating to America. They also discuss the first culture shocks JB has already encountered — from visiting a bank manager and getting a chequebook to discovering how the US financial system works very differently from the UK — before looking ahead to an 18-month route that will take him from New Hampshire through the Carolinas, the South, Texas and across much more of the country. Whether you're moving to America, already deep in the British expat experience, or just want honest expat tax advice and cross-border financial planning from someone living it, this is where the journey starts. Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management. https://planfirstwealth.com/ Expat Wealth 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. ABOUT RICHARD: Richard Taylor is a British expat and dual UK-US citizen. Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, Connecticut, where Plan First Wealth has its head office. As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA). Connect with Richard on LinkedIn ABOUT JB: James Beck is a UK Certified Financial Planner with ten years of experience in financial planning. Before joining Plan First Wealth, he spent eight years at Fiscal Engineers in the UK, working particularly with business owners who had sold their companies. Now living in the United States, JB is developing his US knowledge alongside his existing UK expertise as he works towards becoming a US-UK cross-border financial planner at Plan First Wealth. Over the next 18 months, JB and his wife will also be travelling across America in their RV, experiencing first-hand many of the cultural, financial and practical differences faced by people building a new life in the US.

September 3, 202631 min

100. The Next 100 Episodes: What We've Learned and Where We're Going

It's episode one hundred, and alongside the celebration (yes, there are balloons), Richard Taylor and James Boyle are using the milestone to take an honest look at where the show has been, where it went astray, and where it's headed next. The catalyst? A two-star Apple Podcasts review that, as Richard admits, is pretty fair.   In this From the Trenches episode of Expat Wealth, Richard and James dissect the review point by point: the name changes (from Always an Expat to Brits in America to Expat Wealth), the rambling episodes, the "scaremongering" label, the theme music, and the ads. They explain the rationale behind each decision, own their mistakes, and push back where they disagree, particularly on the accusation that highlighting the very real penalties facing British expats in America constitutes scaremongering.   The episode doubles as a roadmap for the next eighteen months. Richard and James commit to a tighter thirty-minute format, a renewed focus exclusively on Brits in America, and a structured weekly schedule: From the Trenches with James Boyle, Macro Aggressions with Brian Dunhill, Ask an Expert with twenty-four planned guests covering start-to-finish expat topics, and a brand new segment following a British financial planner discovering America from a campervan as he joins the Plan First Wealth team.   Whether you've been listening since episode one or just found out about the show, this is the reset. Richard and James lay out exactly what you can expect going forward, invite your feedback at expatwealth@planfirstwealth.com, and ask, politely, for five-star reviews.   --   Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.   https://planfirstwealth.com/   --   Expat Wealth 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.   ABOUT RICHARD: Richard Taylor is a British expat, dual citizen (UK & US). Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, CT, where Plan First Wealth has its head office. As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA). Connect with Richard on LinkedIn

August 27, 202650 min

99. [Re-Release] Moving to Europe as an American: The Tax Mistakes That Can Cost You Dearly

This week's episode is a re-release of one of our most popular episodes, covering the US tax obligations, investment traps, and estate planning issues that catch American expats off guard when moving to Europe. For Americans moving abroad, the dream of a new life in Europe can quickly become complicated by US tax rules, foreign reporting requirements, estate planning mismatches, and costly investment mistakes. From buying property in France, to opening a business in Spain, to holding foreign mutual funds or trusts that no longer work overseas, the consequences of poor planning can be severe and expensive to unwind. For those considering moving to America or moving to the US in the future, many of these same cross-border challenges apply in reverse, making early planning essential regardless of direction. Richard Taylor – dual UK/US citizen and Chartered Financial Planner – is joined by Christine Alexis Concepcion – international tax attorney and Managing Partner at Concepcion Global PLLC – to discuss what US citizens and green card holders need to know before relocating abroad, especially to Europe. They explore ongoing US tax obligations, the risks of investing or structuring assets incorrectly, and why trying to “figure it out later” often leads to significantly higher costs. Drawing on real client scenarios, they highlight how decisions around foreign investments, business advise, and international wealth structuring can create long-term tax exposure if not handled correctly. They also explain why working with a qualified wealth advisor and US tax help specialists is critical for navigating cross border complexity. In this episode of Expat Wealth, Richard and Christine discuss: How Americans and green card holders remain subject to US tax filing obligations on worldwide income and assets, even after moving abroad. Why forming a foreign company, investing in a foreign business, or buying non-US mutual funds without planning can trigger punitive tax treatment and complex reporting requirements. How trusts, foreign property purchases, and cross-border estate planning can create major problems in Europe if not reviewed before a move. Why proactive planning with US and local-country specialists can reduce costs, protect long-term wealth, and help expats access the full benefits of international wealth planning. – Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management. https://planfirstwealth.com/ – Expat Wealth 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.

August 20, 202635 min

98. Weak Dollar Policy, Oil Reserve Crisis & Why the Mag Seven Stumble Matters

Richard Taylor and Brian Dunhill are back with an unscripted breakdown of the forces driving global markets in August 2026.  First up, the Yen carry trade unravelling. Brian explains how the Trump administration quietly forced Japan to sell euros instead of US treasuries, what that reveals about a deliberate weak dollar policy, and why currency devaluation is now Washington's preferred tool for managing a 120% debt-to-GDP ratio. For expats and cross-border investors, the implications are massive.  Then, markets. Despite constant noise, the S&P 500 has had a strong run, but the Magnificent Seven are stumbling. Richard and Brian debate whether that's a healthy rotation into broader equities or an early warning that overexposed portfolios are about to feel pain.  They also dig into the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve dropping below 300 million barrels for the first time since the 1980s, why much of it may be unusable, and how rising gas prices could become the political pressure point that forces a resolution to the Iran conflict.  As always, real talk, zero scripts, and two advisors who manage money for a living trying to make sense of a genuinely chaotic month!  --  Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.    https://planfirstwealth.com/  --  Expat Wealth 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. 

August 6, 202636 min

97. Tax Loss Harvesting for Expats: The Direct Indexing Upgrade Nobody Talks About

For many British expats in America, building wealth in a taxable brokerage account often means accepting that a meaningful chunk of returns will be lost to tax each year. But with the right tools, that erosion can be meaningfully reduced, and for those with sizable accounts, the savings can potentially be substantial.  In this From the Trenches episode of Expat Wealth, Richard Taylor, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Plan First Wealth, and business partner James Boyle explores tax loss harvesting and its more powerful cousin, direct indexing. They explain how deliberately realizing losses and reinvesting into similar holdings can lower taxable income, offset future gains, and compound into significant savings over time, and why this only applies to taxable brokerage accounts rather than IRAs, 401(k)s or UK SIPPs.  Richard and James go on to unpack direct indexing, a strategy made possible by the rise of fractional shares and low-cost trading, which allows an index to be rebuilt stock by stock rather than held through a single ETF. This gives far more opportunities to harvest losses at an individual position level and offers added flexibility for expats who may eventually leave the US and want more control over their holdings.  Along the way, they touch on the broader market backdrop, including the unwinding SpaceX hype, hyperscalers shifting from cash to debt to fund AI expansion, and a cautionary real-world story about a green card holder who came dangerously close to missing long-term residency and exit tax obligations entirely.  Whether you hold a brokerage account in the US, are weighing up whether these strategies apply to you, or simply want to better understand how tax efficiency fits into a long-term investment plan, this episode breaks down a topic that is often misunderstood but increasingly relevant for expats building wealth across borders. 