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Why Location Independence Starts with Financial Independence
Your access to geographic flexibility depends on financial flexibility, not independent wealth.
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As the first generation to rely almost exclusively on the 401(k) for our retirement savings instead of pensions of the past, we know one thing:
The experiment has been a failure.
Of course it was doomed from the beginning, because the 401(k) was never intended to be a primary retirement savings tool, and it certainly wasn't aimed at the average American.
Think about it.
Not only did you need to earn a living and set aside enough money to retire down the road, you also had to be a financial whiz who could expertly manage that money through the ups and downs of the economy over the past 30+ years.
For example, navigating the abject disaster of Trump's first 100 days in office was simple, as Brett Arends at MarketWatch illustrates (with tongue firmly in cheek):
Congratulations to all who successfully prepared their retirement accounts for the first 100 days of the Trump administration by moving their money into gold bullion, silver, Japanese yen, Mexican pesos, and the stocks of companies in countries other than the United States.
That’s what we all did, right? (And if you’re not noting my sarcasm, you may be asked to turn in your Gen X membership card.)
The truth is, despite having the ability to micromanage our investment accounts, the prevailing advice has been:
You’re not smart enough to beat the market, just put all your money in an index fund that tracks the broader stock market.
And that’s what the vast majority of people did and do. And now here we are.
Arends points out that the typical U.S. investor holds 79% of their assets in stocks, with nearly all of those being American companies. Now add in the fact that the typical American has every single other asset in the United States as well.
Your job, your cash, your home, other real estate, and every single material possession you own are “safely” held in the so-called greatest country in the world.
This "home-country bias" is not just based on flawed cognitive assumptions. It also creates a catastrophic tsunami of financial destruction when things go poorly even in “normal times,” never mind the unprecedented situation we now find ourselves in.
So what's the solution?
Creating a location-independent business is only the first step. Even most Americans who’ve achieved the ability to work and live anywhere with online businesses keep their entire portfolio of assets tied to U.S. markets.
At this point, your access to critical geographic flexibility depends on financial flexibility, not independent wealth. And even though your business will likely depend on dollars from U.S. clients and customers, you need to do more than park those dollars in vulnerable assets from the same source country.
It’s time to start diversifying your investments across multiple countries and asset classes before you ever book that one-way ticket to paradise:
International stock funds (not just U.S. companies with overseas operations)
Funds that track safe-haven currencies such as the Swiss Franc
Real estate investments in growing international markets
Bonds from stable economies
The goal isn't to time the market or make political predictions. It's about creating a portfolio that can weather policy changes and economic shifts in any single country, including the one you're leaving behind.
When your investments aren't tied to a single country's economic fate, you gain the flexibility to truly live and work anywhere.
First and foremost, that requires breaking free from the mental model that equates financial security with U.S. stock market dependence.
In fact, this mindset adjustment is on the same level as planning to start your location-independent business. And that’s why it’s an integral part of our Further Premium membership, which is designed to help you create a comprehensive plan for living your best life at midlife.
Next week, we’re kicking off our Becoming Financially Unbreakable series hosted by 25-year financial-planning veteran Denver Nowicz.
This is your opportunity to stop worrying about money and start living with confidence, clarity, and purpose. It’s all about the Further ethos of building a life you love now, while laying the foundation for a secure future — one smart step at a time.
The first of these four high-impact, coordinated sessions happens next Wednesday, May 14, 2024. As a Further Premium member, you get access to all four sessions with an actual value that exceeds the price of admission alone.
Plus, you get instant access to all current webinars and lessons, along with all that follows. Join us!
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If you think Costa Rica is just for retirees, think again. Ojochal is an expat town filled with active “on-the-ground” entrepreneurs mixed in with the digitally independent variety. In other words, the Central and Southern Pacific regions of Costa Rica easily challenge the “retiree-only” narrative, offering a productive work environment wrapped in natural splendor that doesn't require waiting until your mid-60s (or later) to enjoy.
Why Coronado, Panama is a Digital Entrepreneur's Dream
Just an hour from Panama City lies a place that challenges everything you might assume about Central American beach towns. Coronado, in Panama's western province, has quietly transformed from a wealthy Panamanian weekend retreat into something far more interesting. It’s now a thriving hub for international professionals seeking the perfect blend of work and lifestyle.
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