After a death, the widower / widow has a lot to worry about. Most Dutch homeowners have a mortgage and one of the tasks is to notify the mortgage lender that the partner has died. Sometimes this notification results in part of the mortgage being repaid from a pledged term life insurance policy. The result …
We will not soon forget the year behind us. An invisible virus has radically changed our lives. Collateral disappeared. Much suffering unexpectedly came our way. With the advent of a vaccine, we dare to look ahead carefully again. As a financial advisor, we are also thinking about tomorrow. About what we, in our field, can …
We are more vulnerable than we feel comfortable about Read More »
We strive for long-term relationships with the clients. We are also in regular contact with each other. Why? We are happy to explain that to you here. We are your advocate in the field of financial services We are independent. This means that we are free in the advice we give to our customers. We …
Many Dutch couples feel the consequences of Book 1 of the Civil Code. It dates back to the French emperor Napoleon during his occupation stint in the Low Lands at the end of the 18th century. It has been modernized over time; although most of what a marriage meant 200 years ago in law is …
The Netherlands has many different insurance companies. When we talk to our customers about choosing which insurance company to place the risk with, we often notice something in the spirit of “what are you worried about; all those insurers are the same.” That is really a misunderstanding! We are happy to explain this to you. …
It is a type of “elephant in the room” subject: is your estate large enough and liquid enough to provide for your family should you die? It is the combination of the two that often causes challenges. In some households there are two incomes; if one falls away there is at least one. But what …
If there is a top 5 with “abstract financial concepts”, I expect that for most Dutch people the pension will be in the top 2. Actually, that is no surprise, although it is by far the biggest frustration of us financial planners. The Dutch pension system has been around for more than 50 years and …
Of course, the moment you get married, you never think about the possibility of breaking up. Because on one of the most beautiful days of your life, you don’t think about that. Yet nearly 40% of marriages have ended in recent years. While the divorce rate in the 1970s was still around 15%. But a …
Remarriage? Consult your financial advisor in time Read More »
Corona tempts the investor to make big mistakes, but also offers the investor opportunities.In this blog we will discuss these issues. Put money aside for later You probably have a (financial) goal in your life. You may want to stop working earlier or help your children with the first purchase of their home. You will …
What a state. A virus of pandemic proportions that is unprecedentedly strong in our existence (comparisons with plague and influenza centuries ago are made) and thus on our society. However, beautiful things also come from fear, ignorance, uncertainty and suffering. Citizenship, practical help without immediately sending an invoice, attention, help and determination to get out …
A new customer came to see me last month. A widow with long-grown and married children. The reason was her wish to use a small part of the equity in her home for donations to children and grandchildren.The first analysis indicated more than enough space; the monthly charge was easily affordable and the space in …
We often think that buying a house is the biggest financial expense people have in their lives. That is not true. Usually, the pension involves a (much) larger amount than with the purchase of a house. But in our daily life the pension subject does not get the attention it deserves. Income from much of …
Are you sure how much pension income you will receive? Read More »
Many of our customers are able to accumulate money every month / quarter. Or there is a gift from the parents, or there is an inheritance. Anyway: with a savings account that no longer yields you are forced to decide whether you also accept the costs of the bank account or whether you nevertheless accept …
Investing in the stock market now: will I or won’t I Read More »
The newspaper headlines are pretty dramatic: the consequences of the coronavirus have a major impact on your pension. Certainly, the situation is serious. But perhaps not as bad as you think when reading the headlines in the newspaper. The “best” pension system Few countries in the world have a good pension system as we know …
Recently, someone asked me if it is useful and sensible to bring an interest rate review forward by 7 years. Of course with the additional question what in that case the prepayment penalty to be paid would be “net”.The client knew that, compared to the current mortgage interest rates, he was on the high side …
Bring your next interest rate adjustment forward? Read More »
