My story - financial independence in Europe, The Netherlands (FIRE)

Yeah… Same thoughts here. Over months I was watching Fire videos made by people living in US. And most complicated part for them seem to be saving money. And ones you saved it, you put them into « smart savings accounts » and that’s it! While in Europe (I live in France), saving money is just a beginning of this journey. Then you’re killed by taxes and you don’t have much choices regarding « smart saving accounts ».

I live there aswell, the taxes are ridiculous on wealth

Hey robin. I'm a Brit living in NL. I really miss the ISA's plus the siPP and the fact that Vanguard isn't available in the Netherlands.
I've only just started my investment journey. The pension system here though seems pretty good.
I see you haven't uploaded for a long time .. maybe an update video?

😊 Thanks for sharing!

Hi, was wondering what broker you're using for investing in the S&P500 in the Netherlands.
From what I've seen you can't directly invest in vanguard S&P 500 so have to use a dutch broker that invests in vanguard.
If you can make a video about that what you recommend for FIRE in NL that would be really awesome.

What is the site you are using to calculate the monthly income with inflation for the future?

I think this is why the world is in so much debt, paying taxes over your holdings is not fun. You pay over your belongings minus your debt, so if you go out and buy for example real estate for more as your holdings with a good loan, you pay less in loan interest as you would in belonging tax which Robert kawasaki classify as 'good debt'.

One Way to Achieve Financial Independence >>>>> https://youtu.be/cqVO3mqkQo4

The 4% rule takes inflation into account. So, if you calculate your FI number, at least you don't have to worry about that. You take 4% out the first year, and the consequent years you can adjust for inflation

Great channel Robbin. I just literally started investing (VUSA), I've been tempted to also buy VWRL to diversify more though as it's a new fund and doesn't have much historical I think it puts me off a bit. Would you keep investing in emerging markets or just focus on the VWRL?

Also, what are your thoughts of buying in the dip? I know DCA is widely seen as the best way strategy though I've just recently started and playing catch up.

It is intersting that you mentioned taxes. I am also struggling with how to handle that in the long run... NL does not seem to encourage people who want to stop working earlier

Watched a lot of your videos lately, loved them. I wanted to ask, why do you invest both in VUSA and VWRL ? Even though VWRL is a global ETF, it has more than half of its exposure in US market. I'm planning to do the same but I'm just wondering what's the reason behind. Thank you, you're doing a great job!

what you think about being heavily invested in the US? well i actually invest in cw8 amundi msci world but i want to add an SP500 etf what you thaught about that.
And thank you for your sharing its very interesting

It does not matter if you aim for 1, 2 or 3 million, just pick a number and work towards it - along the way you needs may change anyways as will your FI number.

You're right. NL, like other western EU countries, wants to make sure that people continue working as there's a pension system. Unlike in the US, where they motivate people to save for their retirement on their own. I feel your pain as I'm also in NL (moved from Germany) and its more expensive to live here. My goal is to build an enough portfolio to survive and use geo-arbitrage. Your euros will go much farther in other countries. I recommend the channel OurRIchJourney, who retired and moved to Portugal. I'm always on the lookout for other countries to retire in. Like you, I'm still researching and figuring it out. But if the place where I'm at don't meet my future goals, then why stay? Its disheartening, yes. But I'm sure there other ways to achieve it, we just need to research more how it can be done :)

Nice video. By the way, the rule of thumb 25, already considers inflation within it I think.
4% is the real rate of return (Actual rate of return - Inflation rate).

By the way, do you also have a video also of how you made/make your income so far? Is it a single source of income? Would be interested to learn about it.
I am also living in Europe and pursuing the path of FI.

There is no escaping taxes unfortunately. But in some countries you would be much lesser taxes.
Thanks for update video, really love this FIRE video series. Greetings from Rwanda 🇷🇼

You say you don’t spend that much a month at the moment, like around €1000,-. Are you unhappy with the way you are living right now or not? €5000,- is a huge increase from your current spending. What are you planning to do with all the cash? If you have low living expenses (home and groceries) and don’t care if you drive the newest car or stay at the best luxury resort there is, i think that you will do very well with 5k personal spending? What your point of view?

What a clown.. A sad clown though.

You could move to Belgium and take regular road trips to see your family in the Netherlands.

I think 5k Euros a month in some European countries is really good for living; especially if you own your house.

Where are you from?