FAQ: What Makes Expat Money Different?

Moving abroad is never an easy endeavour. It’s not about packing your bags and leaving everything behind. Unexpected complexities always arise. Whether getting a new visa, moving funds abroad, or buying real estate in a completely different country, becoming an expat can certainly be a challenge. 

After experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly of this lifestyle firsthand, I became an expat consultant focused on helping others secure their new lives abroad. Having travelled all over the world for almost 25 years and called multiple countries home, I've dealt with every single aspect of the expat lifestyle.

Now, you may wonder, “What makes you and Expat Money different from other competitors in the space?” And I get it; there are many options these days, and it’s hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. 

That’s why I’ve decided to use this space to answer some Frequently Asked Questions I often get from potential clients about why the experience working with Expat Money is completely different from that of other consulting firms in the expat space. 

Let’s begin.

Even after the consultancy package has ended, we continue to support our clients on an ongoing basis. We make sure that you have access to us whenever you need

Q1: HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMPANIES IN OUR SPACE?

We stand out in several key ways:

• Family Values: As a family man who is happily married to an amazing wife and our three children, my approach is grounded in family values. I am not some playboy running around with Instagram models, which is a stereotype seen in our industry. I work with families who value honesty and ethics, ensuring our services align with those principles.

• Clientele: Our client base primarily consists of highly paid professionals, such as dentists, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and financial planners. Additionally, we work with business owners across various industries, from general contractors and roofing company owners to real estate investors. Unlike competitors who might focus heavily on tech entrepreneurs or Bitcoin millionaires, only about 5% of our clients come from that sector.

• Personalized Service: We provide unlimited phone calls and emails with a 12-month consulting package. Even after the package period ends, we continue to support our clients. This is in stark contrast to others who might offer a rigid, limited engagement. You will always have access to us for ongoing questions and support.

• Transparent Pricing: Our pricing is straightforward and much lower compared to competitors. For example, while competitors might charge exorbitant fees for services like residency in Mexico, we either teach you how to do it as part of our service or connect you with trusted professionals who charge a fair price. This transparency ensures you are not overpaying for services.

Q2: CAN’T I JUST HIRE A LAWYER FROM MY LOCAL AREA TO HELP WITH THESE SERVICES?

Hiring any old lawyer for these specialized services is like asking a General Practitioner to perform brain surgery. They lack the necessary experience and knowledge. Here’s why:

• Lack of Specialization: Most local lawyers do not have experience with international legal and financial services. Even if they agree to take on your case, they may lack the expertise to navigate the complexities involved.

• Professional Network: Local lawyers often rely on professional networks to find international specialists. This means they outsource the work and act as middlemen, adding delays and potential mistakes.

• Our Approach: We have established relationships with lawyers and specialists worldwide. These relationships are built on trust and experience, ensuring high-quality service. We vet professionals rigorously before referring them to clients and remain involved throughout the process, providing a "done with you" service rather than just outsourcing tasks.

Without specialized knowledge, you may make costly mistakes that can compromise your strategy to move abroad. Even minor mistakes can lead to significant financial losses

Q3: WHY CAN’T I HIRE ONE OF THE BIG FOUR ACCOUNTING FIRM?

Big accounting firms often lack the specific expertise needed for international tax planning and can be prohibitively expensive. Here’s why:

• High Costs for General Research: These firms might charge high hourly rates for general research rather than providing specialized solutions. They often start from scratch and rely on generic information, which can be costly and inefficient.

• Copy-Paste Solutions: There have been instances where clients paid significant amounts for analyses from competitors that turned out to be simply copied and pasted from publicly available resources. This does not provide any real value.

• Our Specialized Knowledge: We bring in specialists who are deeply knowledgeable in specific areas. For example, our American tax lawyer has handled over 6,000 cases of US citizenship renunciation. This level of expertise ensures that we provide accurate, efficient, and cost-effective solutions without the need for unnecessary research.

Q4: WHY CAN’T I DO THE RESEARCH MYSELF BY WATCHING YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND READING BLOGS?

While it's possible to gather information from YouTube and blogs, it’s not advisable due to the following reasons:

• Time-Consuming: It would likely take at least 2,000 hours of research to gain a basic understanding of everything you need to know to start a new life abroad -  legalizing documents, preparing your stay, moving your money, dealing with banks and government bureaucracies and making your transition smooth. This is a significant time investment, one that most people are simply not going to have to devote to on their own.

• Risk of Mistakes: Without specialized knowledge, there’s a high likelihood you might make costly mistakes along the way. Even small errors on a residency form or in a real estate contract can result in significant financial losses. Remove the risk, and let our experienced experts handle the details.

• Return on Investment: Working with us saves you time and money. Within the first few calls, our clients will have a clear idea of the personal connection and specialized service they’ll get from Expat Money. Our specialized advice and ability to connect the dots in complex situations will ensure you receive a high return on your investment. Working with us saves you both time and money, so you can focus on enjoying the fruits of your labour.

We have taken care to establish trusting relationships with local professionals. This way, we can ensure that all the details of your move are handled in an integrated and efficient manner

Q5: WHY CAN’T I JUST SEARCH FOR LOCAL LAWYERS OR ACCOUNTANTS IN THE COUNTRY I WANT TO MOVE TO?

Finding reliable local professionals can be challenging for several reasons:

• Reputation and Trust: It’s difficult to ascertain the reputation and reliability of local professionals. Many do not have online reviews or detailed information available.

• Lack of Specialization: Even if they have websites listing multiple services, this doesn’t guarantee expertise in the specific area you need.

• Coordination Issues: Local professionals often work in silos without coordinating with each other. This can lead to gaps in your overall strategy.

• Our Network and Coordination: We have established trusted relationships with local professionals. We ensure that all aspects of your move, from legal and tax to real estate and immigration, are handled seamlessly and efficiently.

Q6: WHAT’S THE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR SERVICE OVER TRYING TO BUILD MY OWN TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS?

Building your own team of professionals can lead to several issues:

• Coordination and Communication: Managing multiple professionals from different countries can be difficult and time-consuming. They may not communicate effectively with each other, leading to delays and mistakes.

• Comprehensive Planning: We spend significant time on the front end developing a comprehensive plan that covers all aspects of your move, ensuring everything is interconnected and works seamlessly.

• Efficiency and Speed: Our established relationships and communication systems allow us to handle issues in real time, avoiding the delays and inefficiencies that can occur when building a team from scratch.

By becoming a Private Client of Expat Money, you gain access to a large and engaged community of like-minded individuals. We organize events, dinners, and various networking opportunities to help you connect and make great friendships

Q7: HOW DOES YOUR SERVICE HANDLE REAL-TIME ISSUES AND COMMUNICATION?

Our communication and case management system is designed for efficiency:

• Sophisticated Software: We use advanced software to manage and track client cases in real time. This ensures that all your information is secure and easily accessible.

• Instant Communication: During calls, I have three screens: one for your case file, one for the Zoom call, and one for messaging partners on platforms like Signal and Telegram. This lets us get real-time answers from our trusted professionals and get answers to urgent questions immediately.

• Rapid Response: Our partners are accustomed to responding quickly, often within minutes, ensuring that we can address any issues promptly and keep your case moving forward without delays.

Q8: WHAT ADDITIONAL BENEFITS DO YOU OFFER YOUR CLIENTS?

Beyond our core services, we offer several additional benefits:

• Community and Networking: When you become a Private Client, you gain access to a large community of like-minded individuals. We host dinners, events, and other networking opportunities to help you integrate and connect.

• Travel Planning: We have a full-time travel agent who assists clients in planning trips to potential relocation countries, such as Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Colombia, offering tours and detailed insights. These tours include real estate tours, fine dining, and many unique experiences within the local communities. We take all the hassle and worry out of your travel plans so that you can focus on learning more about the country and investments you’re exploring.

• Emotional Support: Moving to another country or transferring significant assets can be daunting. When you become a Private Client, you really become part of the larger expat community. You get to know other clients and HUB members (our private membership community), and you’re suddenly surrounded by people who understand every part of your journey. This network of support makes your expat experience smoother and more enriching. Whether it's sharing tips on navigating new cultures, discussing investment strategies, or simply exchanging stories over a virtual lounge, you're never alone in this adventure.

• Ongoing Relationship: We build long-term relationships with our Private Clients, offering continued support and advice even after the initial relocation. While my clients theoretically work on a twelve-month consulting client, the reality is I have never stopped working with any of my Clients over nearly a decade of offering consulting services. This includes access to services like exclusive real estate opportunities, connections to our specialized experts, invitations to trips and parties, and more. Once you are a Private Client, you really are part of the Expat Money family.

• In-house Lawyers, Researchers, Analysts, and More: Exapt Money is a full-service consulting firm with nearly 30 full-time team members. Our team of researchers, lawyers, analysts, and others is constantly exploring new avenues to secure our clients' freedoms.

By working with us, you receive a comprehensive, personalized, and efficient service that addresses all aspects of a Plan-B, relocation, or offshore asset protection, ensuring a smooth and successful transition.

Working with Expat Money will always be a value add. We have a 100% success rate; there has never been a client who moved abroad and then decided to return home afterwards. 

CONCLUSION: EXPAT MONEY WILL HELP YOU THROUGH IT ALL

Working with Expat Money will make your journey much smoother, whether because of our highly personalized service, our community connecting you with people who share the same experiences and concerns, our networks of professionals, or our alignment of our overall philosophy of liberty. None of my advice is theoretical; it all stems from decades of experience - twenty-four years now, to be exact - of myself and my family living the expat life in every conceivable way.

I tell all of my Private Clients this: You may pay me, but it will never cost you anything.

Working with us will always be a value add. We have a 100% success rate; we have never moved someone overseas and then had them move back home or be unhappy with the work we did for them. Our clients don’t simply stop in, use our services, and move on - they become a valued part of the family. I have consulting clients from nearly a decade ago, and I still talk to them regularly. I have clients who have stayed at my home or had access to my beach house. We go out for dinner together. We have a huge community that you get access to when you become a Private Client. 

Besides that, we provide all the support you need, both technical and emotional, throughout the entire process. It can seem like an awe-inspiring task to move to another country or to transfer large amounts of money overseas to purchase real estate, and that’s exactly why we are here. We handle the emotional side of this for the client and their family—the kids, spouse, elderly parents, the whole family—through the process. I guarantee no one else in this industry will spend as much time getting to know you and staying with you every step of the way as we do here at Expat Money.

If you want to work with me, rest assured that I will sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and be by your side throughout your entire expat journey.