Subject: Re: Passive investment options in the EU
"Just keep in mind while evaluating "inflation" that it refers to domestic costs of each currency, but frequently the international exchange rate between, say the USD and your host country's currency, may be more important to your international asset value. Eight months ago, the US dollar index was about 100 and now it is at 108. While US residents scream about their "high" rate of inflation, the international purchasing power of their cash has appreciated 8% over the past few months."

I did not get the impression that the OP was primarily concerned about US inflation, rather the national tremors that are causing many of us to question the over concentration of investments in the US, and is looking to diversify his holdings to other nations that, among other things, won't cause his assets to evaporate from rampant inflation. Rampant inflation is not the primary risk I see in the US.

The times seem to be a changing, to misquote a song. There are many dots just waiting to be connected, warning shots over the bow, but waiting until the ink is drying on legislation leaves no options. We are in the process of getting more nimble, not burning bridges, setting off intensely exploring alternatives and waiting until the 2026 elections to see if the voters snap out of it to recreate some checks and balances. Hopefully by then we will have bought/rented an international "vacation" home and diversified our investments away from primarily being in one country. I figure in the very least we will have an adventure. In the very worst, we will be prepared to offer refuge to our adult kids. 2026 will be time for action, with the research being done now.

Trust me when I say this is absolutely not what I had in mind when I pictured retirement, and are just now starting to be able to take advantage of some of the benefits we so richly have paid through the nose for. Ignore the not so subtle hints of pending change at your own risk.

IP