Keeping Below
Radar William Cate [http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/] [http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/globalvillageinvestmentclubwelcome/]"Once we begin using material products to define ourselves, we are doomed to be on an endless treadmill of dissatisfaction." Erich Fromm - in his book "To Have or To Be", 1979.
Western Civilization is based upon materialism. It's not so important to be wealthy as it is to show everyone that you are rich. Living beyond your income ensures your eventual bankruptcy. It will happen at smallest of reversal of your fortunes. More importantly, history teaches us that wealthy in every society are usually first ones sacrificed when economic and social upheavals become forces for major political change. The European and Asian social dictum to live modestly were abandoned in 20th Century. The next political upheaval will sweep away everyone who forgot lessons learned by their ancestors.
Amassing wealth shouldn't be your goal in life. Prestige is overrated. Those who envy you will eventually want to destroy you. Money gives you relative freedom and security. To keep your relative freedom and security, you must avoid conscription, confrontation, confiscation, imprisonment or execution by your own or any other government. Criminals are far more likely to steal from people who show their wealth than those who live modestly. And those who demonstrate their wealth are never certain they have any friends. The people they like may be attracted only to their money and not their personality.
Living modestly and telling everyone that you are rich defeats your goal of blending into your Society. Keep your financial affairs private. Encourage your family to follow your example.
Avoid personal debt. Sadly, you'll need a couple of credit cards to blend into Society. However, there is no justification for not paying your charges as they come due. In many countries, it's wise to have a mortgage on your house, but try to ensure that interest rate is below your national inflation rate.
Have more than one passport. Ensure that your immediate family members are included as citizens of your adopted country. It is relatively easy to get a passport, by investment, ancestry or marriage in several countries of European Union. The same is true of Canada, Singapore, Australia or New Zealand. You can get a second passport from assorted tropical paradises. You'll never know when that second passport may be difference between life and death.
