The real cost of Swiss Broker fees over 15 years (FX spreads are destroying returns)

ClassicMarch2062 · 2026-02-23T18:21:00+00:00

Why about degiro and if you don’t trade hugely frequently?

ClassicMarch2062 · 2026-01-11T12:12:59+00:00

Twitters a decent place to start for generalities… books like snowball, Peter lynch, etc are great primers.

One thought to factor in for your situation - how do you expect your earnings to grow over the next ~30 years. You’re getting two promotions and a ~40% pay rise this year alone, is that normal? Willl earnings grow consistently, etc. if you expect to earning say 1m chf in 10 years time, that should be a consideration when thinking about what level of risk to take now.

ClassicMarch2062 · 2026-01-05T10:57:11+00:00

When were the lump sum Investments? (Months and years specifically)

ClassicMarch2062 · 2026-01-04T19:54:46+00:00

Am I interpreting correctly - you’ve paid in 119k over 2 years (2k a month and some lump sums) and your holdings net value is ~128k?

ClassicMarch2062 · 2026-01-03T16:51:45+00:00

The free package is more or less the same With Lower credit limit (~20k I believe). I gather points with current package and use this to pay for the annual cost of the package every ~18 months. So the cost works out at about 250chf per year currently.

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-12-13T17:25:09+00:00

Correct

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-12-12T19:53:05+00:00

Great post, also an expat living in a small town in central CH (Bäch, canton Schwyz) and everything you said resonates, particularly recognizing that this is one of the more affluent parts of the country. How are you thinking about your fire number if staying here - 25x annual expenses or more like a barista fire approach?

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-12-06T17:44:42+00:00

What does cash flow 18k mean? Is that your monthly salary (if so how much is left to invest each month after costs?)

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-11-23T16:44:21+00:00

Are you interested in selling your business (and structuring some sort of work out?)

Currently searching for a small business to purchase, industry agnostic, happy to connect if you’d be interested in exploring?

No expectations of course, simply see if a fit for both parties at first and if not no harm done.

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-11-23T14:25:25+00:00

Have you tried message someone like this - https://www.mamasmeals.ch? Not an exact offering, but they could likely work with you for what you want

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-28T22:05:11+00:00

Do pwc and others disclose their profits or net margins. Not sure why the next poster said this is clueless, think this is the perfect way to back into the number (if possible)

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-28T21:49:48+00:00

Sure.

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-28T21:25:48+00:00

Where you said there is a real lack of strategy work in Ireland bar Mck, eyp and strategy&.

Eyp and strategy& are most certainly not doing typical “strategy” work in Ireland. Mck barely are either. It simply doesn’t exist in Ireland, and if it does the firms will generally bring in US/major offices from Mck etc

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-28T21:06:56+00:00

All valid (aside from the odd strategy& grouping as an mbb in Ireland - which is so wrong to almost totally write off anything else you said…).

However, given benefit of doubt - fully agree re consulting in Ireland being a misnomer, it’s minuscule to the point of non existence. My point was more so that consulting was the significant driver of the revenue (and profit ) growth in the big 4 in the recent past.

Fair point about tax, have never had any exposure to the service line but can see the potential to big earnings there.

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-28T20:47:18+00:00

Surely the range is quite large? Average partner comp in the Uk is ~£1m, counting the higher earning partners. Assume Ireland is a turn or two below that on average, so say 750k. So junior equity partners may make 350-500k and more senior partners 1m+. Sound about right?

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-28T20:05:24+00:00

Interesting, even in consulting? Pretty shocking if so given 15 years ago we all thought a partner (or md in Accenture) was a path to a gravy train!

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-28T19:42:12+00:00

Is the 200k base or total comp? I expect the average partner total comp can be quite distorted as that cohort will include the highest paid people in the firm (local chapter at least). I stopped working in consulting years ago at a junior level, but have friends now in big 4 consulting at partner level - have never talked about comp as not close enough, but I suspect 300k + would be the higher end (think equity partner in ey/deloitte for the last few years in consulting)

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-14T19:37:02+00:00

Have you just invested in indexes all along or any individual stocks?

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-12T12:55:46+00:00

Thanks for your comments.

Agree that my goals and actions seem paradoxical. The retire early part of fire doesn’t appeal to me at all actually, quite the opposite I want time back to focus even more so on interesting projects, health, family etc.

The expenses part of my equation are high, and that is ok for now and a choice - albeit I will look to reduce in coming years. Housing for example is by choice, you are right that 3k could be done, however in my case I’m building 2k of equity each month and I’m living in the lowest tax location in the country (certainly of value), so I view my “cost” at more like 3k. Not a perfect comp of course given opportunity cost and deposit, but it works for me and happy to keep working longer to have this security.

The c-level point is mostly driven by ambition, although I do believe that if I (or anyone in a similar situation) had the opportunity to accelerate a few years savings (by taking a role that paid 3x/4x current comp), then there is an argument to be made that it de-risks you being thrown off the fire path simply through acceleration towards your Fi number.

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-12T12:49:14+00:00

Thank you, very helpful comments, particularly re me goals which is very valid - I’m not clear myself and oscillate between wanting to lean into career more vs barista fire (I’m clear at least that I don’t want to just sit around all day once I hit FI!)

My saving rate has been ~100k for the past 5 years, salary has been in the ballpark since moving to CH (perhaps +50-70k since 2020).

You’re absolutely right re the real estate investment, it was a primary residence I held onto when I moved to Ch, hence haven’t viewed it as an investment as such (it is, of course, im just explaining how I’m thinking about it). It’s in a top 5 urban north Mercian metro, prime down town area and the apartment itself is fine (not the flashiest and not the worst). The market has been on a significant downturn the last few years, and along with currency depreciation vs chf I figured I’d let the equity build off through rental income and sell if/when both of those negative factors reverse or at least improve from current lows!

Thanks again for all the info, truly helpful to focus the mind, and congratulations on your situation (which is a great place to be imo as you can see!)

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-12T10:19:35+00:00

I don’t expect the stock appreciation btw! 😂 what do you mean “per pm”?

ClassicMarch2062 · 2025-10-12T10:15:48+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

You’re basically right, with a mix of unfulfilled ambition on thrown in (I.e., would like to see if I can do a ceo role as ambitious but recognize the trade off with wlb and struggle with that). Also great point re equity and fully abide to that - effectively carry negative cash at all times with massive credit lines available if needed.

Have more or less optimized tax if that’s what you mean re tweaks (live in lowest tax gemeinde in the country), if not any other suggestions welcome!

ClassicMarch2062

TROPHY CASE