American expat looking to invest problems.

Return for 12 months after tax

 

14% is good in my opinion.

My super is 12% YTD and been looking for some place to park some money besides super.

 

I also use Schwab. I actually started with USAA but they were bought out by Schwab a couple years ago. Mine is strictly an IRA account, which does limit a bit on the stocks you can invest in, but like other have said the robot feature lets you pick the risk you want and go from there. I am moderately conservative and have been averaging 12-15% each year. My original stock was just in the 2030 retirement fund, but I started buying S&P500 index fund and it is tracking slightly higher, although it is also a bit riskier. Up about 2.5 just for January. I am happy with that. Plus they have very low fees if you watch what you are buying.

 

Stock market investing is good for younger people but a big risk for we oldies. There is undoubtedly a big correction coming as stocks and shares have no reality when compared with the actual economic situation - a house of cards built on a foundation of debt fueled by money printing. Stock markets have always rebounded, but the past is no guide to the future! The next one is likely to be very big and take some time to recover (remember Japan).

Those who invested in recent times have mostly done very well but perhaps now is not the time for new older investors or for anyone who may need their money to live on.

My opinion is that the financial world is on a cliff-edge but who knows when it is going to fall off (I carried anti-virus masks for 10 years before I needed them!).

 

No one knows for sure what will happen. One could invest in bonds, which is yielding around 4.5% right now. No where near stocks, but definitely a lot less risky. And still better than a bank account..

 

0.5% bank interest is still better than a doomsday crash.

 

It's all about risk and so becomes an individual's choice - for some, investing creates sweet dreams and for others just full-on nightmares. People must do what suits their personality.

 

Absolutely true - and you are in the group young enough to see the other end. BUT, 'Doomsday' gets 24 hours closer every day!