I’ve had many conversations with clients and friends. A typical conversation, when it comes to their money, could look like, “I’m earning in dollars, my pension’s in pounds, my kids will probably go to university in Spain, and somehow I’m still paying taxes in South Africa. I feel like my finances are held together with duct tape.”
Whether that’s happening in Houston or Hartbeespoort, it resonates with something very real. A sense of financial drift.
I’ve had variations of this same conversation in Cape Town, London, and Bergerac. Living across borders brings richness, freedom, and opportunity, but also complexity. And nowhere does that complexity show up more clearly than in investment planning.
Markets go up, down, sideways. Currencies shift. Political climates wobble. Legislation changes. And when you’re living abroad, it can be easy to feel like you’re always reacting to the latest change rather than building toward something steady.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need perfect certainty to invest well. What you need is clarity, and a plan that respects your reality.
Whether you’re a South African family in Texas, a Brit in the Dordogne, or a dual-national in London with a foot in three systems, the principles remain the same:
1. Anchor your goals before your assets.
The most important question isn’t, “Where should I invest?” It’s, “What are we building toward?” Once you’re clear on what matters, school fees, future flexibility, retirement in Portugal, a second home near family, the financial strategy becomes a tool, not a trap.
2. Diversify by design, not by accident.
Many expats end up overexposed to the markets of their current location without realising it. Home bias is natural, but when ‘home’ shifts every few years, your portfolio needs to be more intentional. Think globally. Hedge currency exposure. Be aware of tax treaties. It sounds complicated, but with the right support, it becomes surprisingly manageable.
3. Resist the temptation to overreact and over-correct.
Volatility is part of the journey. Whether it’s load-shedding in SA, elections in the UK, inflation in the US, or currency swings in the EU, every region has its drama. A sound investment strategy absorbs uncertainty, it doesn’t chase or flee from it.
What ties all this together is perspective. Our clients often simply want to know that someone has an eye on the whole picture, because they can’t afford to keep guessing.
That’s what thoughtful, cross-border planning provides: not just an app or a platform, but a sense of groundedness. A plan you understand. A team you trust. And a healthy habit to your investing that helps you feel at home, even when home keeps changing.
How’s your plan looking? If you’re feeling like it’s all being held together with duct tape, then let’s talk.
