Once upon a time, offshore investment strategies were spoken of in hushed tones. They were conversations restricted to plush offices of private Swiss bankers, or a dinner table topic in expensive playgrounds of multi-millionaires.

Thanks to information explosion of 1990s, internet has opened up many investment possibilities that were traditionally exclusive preserve of billionaire boys club.

Many readers of Offshore News are new to this arena and probably confused by barrage of information online. After all, these are shark infested waters and there are many out there who make a very good living ripping off recent stream of naive new entrants to offshore world.

First, you need to consider your reasons for going offshore. You need to take very careful note (and sound legal advice) of your domestic tax liabilities first. Americans for example will still be tax liable to IRS on their investments no matter what country they are in.

Many investment funds are available only to entities located in 'tax haven' countries - IBCs (International Business Companies), Offshore Trusts, Offshore Foundations and like. You will need to establish a suitable structure in a tax friendly country to gain access to some of better opportunities available, which is reason enough to go offshore for some even ignoring tax benefits. Again, residents of USA in particular are not acceptable as clients in many offshore investment funds, but this can be worked around by establishing a suitable offshore company or trust.

It is most important that you do not engage any professional advisors who are 'foreign' to offshore investment field. If you are your accountant or lawyer's first client ever to enquire about offshore structuring, you need to change accountants. Whilst their consultancy is charged at a premium, large multinationals are very experienced in field - talk to likes of HSBC or deVere and Partners.

Most people understand basics of debt consolidation, however there are several dos and don’ts in world of consolidating debt. Most importantly, make sure you research company before you choose to consolidate your debt with it. Some companies will take advantage of unassuming consumers. Here are a few underhanded tricks unfavorable companies will employ when you are trying to consolidate your debt:

1. Some companies will take advantage of high interest loans, and benefit of consolidating those loans, by charging exceptionally high fees in debt consolidation loan. These fees can sometimes even be near state maximum for mortgage fees. Any company with fees that seem unnaturally high should not be your choice for debt consolidation.