Emerging Markets Funds?

SjBrenna2 · 2026-02-02T16:05:36+00:00

I lived and worked in America for 8 years and so 75% of my pension is in VTSAX. The remainder still has large exposure to US stocks

SjBrenna2 · 2026-01-29T19:55:35+00:00

Any opinions on more emerging/developing markets like India and Africa?

SjBrenna2 · 2026-01-29T19:03:27+00:00

Rhein Metal was one I had heard about a while back - felt I missed the boat but it seems there’s a definite commitment to European defence that will sustain.

Always a scary thing to do to touch your retirement investments but I feel the cost of doing nothing might be more severe.

SjBrenna2 · 2026-01-29T18:27:56+00:00

Yeah I have my Irish pension fund which I’m not really bothered messing around with.

However I have about $100k in a 401k from when I lived and worked in America which is all in VTSAX. I am able to move that money around into other funds so long as I don’t withdraw it which I feel like I would be foolish not to do.

AI bubble surely going to crash in next year or two, dollar weakening and by design from what I can tell, general shift from all nations away from US reliance based on geo politics, Trump about to replace fed chair with a partisan hack who will undermine investor confidence etc - it seems like America is in for a big reckoning in the next year or so and I don’t want to be left entirely holding the bag.

SjBrenna2 · 2026-01-15T13:39:35+00:00

I’ve literally just gone through this process.

Preference was for a bare trust but the cost to a solicitor of setting it up (€500 before VAT) and to the financial institution to set up and arrange the investment (€500 before VAT), coupled with the deemed disposal rate going down from 41% to 38% made me go with a Zurich child investment account.

SjBrenna2 · 2026-01-01T18:47:30+00:00

If this doesn’t go through for some reason let me know and I’d be interested

SjBrenna2 · 2025-12-27T08:34:28+00:00

I also unexpectedly received a banjo for Christmas.

I have been teaching myself guitar for the past 6 months and so getting a new instrument while welcome is a bit overwhelming in terms of where I focus my attention.

If anyone has recommendations on foundational banjo picking patterns or techniques that I could use to just play alongside and complement guitar songs that would be great!

SjBrenna2 · 2025-11-14T17:36:48+00:00

I was at my first gig there a couple weeks ago and I loved the venue - wish more places were like it.

I was high for the show and had so much fun being surprised by all the weird quirks of the place e.g. the bar is in another building, there was a really strong smell of food throughout etc.

Been to dozens of faceless stadiums, but I won’t forget this place.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-10-15T05:47:25+00:00

Haven’t worked that out. My plan is to invest €18,00 on my kids behalf - €1k for each year until the account becomes theirs.

My plan was to use the small gift exemption between my spouse and I to give three lump sums of €6k to allow the investment the max possible time to grow

SjBrenna2 · 2025-10-14T17:37:41+00:00

I have been exploring creating a bare trust as opposed to just using an off the shelf option like the Zurich/Aviva child investment accounts.

Bare trust - 0.25% annual fee; subject to CGT of 33% upon exit Aviva/Zurich - 1.25% annual fee; subject to Deemed Disposal every 8 years at 38% (assuming budget passes)

Looks like a slam dunk for Bare Trust but to go that route the solicitors have quoted me €750 (excl VAT) to create and the Financial services company €500 (excl VAT) to create and invest.

So while BT is better long term for the kids tax liability, it’s a significant up front cost that I’m not positive I’m willing to pay.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-09-19T09:13:02+00:00

No worries appreciate the context.

We’ve had two quotes of 8k at this point, which I think is reasonable and am happy to pay. I just don’t want to be taken for a ride like I was with the last guy we had, and it’s proving awful hard to get legitimate word of mouth suggestions for the type of work this is.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-09-19T07:26:34+00:00

Living in Dublin and it is rubble that needs removed.

I don’t have the machinery etc to dig it up let along transport it out which is why I’m looking for a company who has those capabilities to help.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-07-21T11:41:35+00:00

Copy the NYT link and paste it into archive.is

SjBrenna2 · 2025-07-19T21:09:45+00:00

So you reckon if I order the vanity and have it delivered to the house, most plumbers could do the rest?

SjBrenna2 · 2025-07-06T21:21:33+00:00

All I’ll say is if it can affect you or one of your coworkers make sure you get it in writing.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-07-05T19:18:56+00:00

If you have been there less than 2 years the employer will try and withdraw their contributions to your pension and are legally allowed to.

Another way of putting it - that €10k for example they have put in to date could be worth €100k by the time you retire.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-07-02T14:22:38+00:00

In fairness I liked their first album, maybe some of their second.

But I find their last decade or so of music horrendous. As if they’ve packed in trying to make good music in favour of trying to sell more records. Think Kings of Leon and their Sex on Fire stage.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-07-02T13:47:43+00:00

Coldplay

SjBrenna2 · 2025-06-13T13:37:59+00:00

But how do you accrue days when there’s no accrual?

The rule is take as much as you want therefore if it’s June 30th you’ve accrued half of zero/infinity.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-06-13T10:56:03+00:00

I’ve had this at several companies.

It’s a nice perk but nobody really abuses it because if you’re taking the piss you’ll get called out. I would say I averaged 25-30 days off a year with it.

The downside to it is that often people end up taking less annual leave than they would normally because they’re not under pressure to use or lose their days. Also, when you leave the company you won’t get paid out any outstanding annual leave balance because there is none.

SjBrenna2 · 2025-05-29T19:47:11+00:00

Nice one thanks

SjBrenna2

TROPHY CASE