Off Shore Banking

   / Off Shore Banking #1  

LMTC

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2002
Messages
2,116
Location
SW Ohio
Tractor
yanmar
My question(s) here are completely financial in nature, and I suspect there are many members of this forum who either 1. already have some of the information I am seeking, or 2. would appreciate at least reading about it. Toward that end I ask that any replies/discussion please focus on the logistics of moving and storing financial assets, not on any political side issues of who, why, etc.

In a hypothetical paradigm where the US dollar goes into a decline to the point where it is replaced by many/most other nations as the international currency of exchange there would be serious consequences to savings and investment accounts that are held inside the US...regardless of the nature of the investment. At a minimum their value would fall, and at a maximum they could disappear. At least that is my concern. Historically governments have frequently just taken the assets of citizens when hyperinflation presented the government with the option of collapse or confiscate. My history is marginal, but I believe that's what happened in Yugoslavia, and might well have happened in Greece this year had it not been artificially propped up by outside monies. In any case....I don't wish to debate that here, but for myself I accept the possibility of at least some private asset confiscation (either directly or indirectly) as a possibility in this hypothetical paradigm.

My first response in preparation to such a circumstance would be to store a reasonable amount of necessary consumable goods, but one of my next responses would be (with my current limited understanding) to move some financial assets out of reach of the potentially desperate government whose currency could be in collapse. Finally I come to my basic question....I'm looking for first-hand (or very close "friend of a friend" ;)) information about establishing a savings/holding account of some sort somewhere not just out of reach, but not even reportable (is this possible?) to the gov. I'd certainly appreciate hearing from any of you who might know the basics of what is possible in this area, as well as how one might go about it. Thanks in advance for any information.
 
   / Off Shore Banking #2  
I don't have the information you seek but keep in mind an offshore bank account will not help you if you deposit US dollars and the US dollar collapses. What you might want to do is invest in Gold or Foreign currency of your choice all of which can be done with a brokerage account and you can move it around electronically from there

You are on the right track in storing a significant amount of food, medicines and other consumables with which you could barter for goods or services with your surplus if the need arises. Remember if the worse happens...people will want food, water, medicine and other essentials...toothpaste, toilet paper...see what I mean ? Folks can't eat gold or Foreign currency nor would they be willing to sell food for gold if everyone is hungry...Just something to ponder...MY 2 cents.
 
   / Off Shore Banking #3  
I spent 6 years living outside the US. There is a significant business devoted to foreign bank accounts for US citizens primarily for the purpose of avoiding taxes. I had checking and savings accounts outside the US but closed them after I returned home to the US. If you have foreign investments or accounts you are supposed to declare them in your tax return.

Living outside the US and traveling frequently between european countries I often experienced fluctuations in currency values. At the end I was only dealing with the dollar, the pound and the euro. But earlier I was dealing with marks, francs, gilders and liras as well. At one time I thought I might want to keep money in different currencies ot hedge fluctuations in value but I decided it would occupy too much of my time to try to make these predictions. There are businesses that try to make money from currency fluctuations.

No matter what currency or asset you invest in the value will fluctuate. Whether they will go up or down is the big question.

Personally I choose to make investments that I believe are reasonable based on the current conditions and a belief that things will get better. At the same time I keep enough seeds, ammo and other supplies to support my children if things go bad.
 
   / Off Shore Banking #4  
You are on the right track in storing a significant amount of food, medicines and other consumables with which you could barter for goods or services with your surplus if the need arises.
If the **** hits the fan and it gets to the point where you have to barter for food in the United States, would the society even be worth living in?

Hmmm, I can just see Jesus bartering for food:D

God forbid we try to look out for one another and help one another.
 
   / Off Shore Banking
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I don't have the information you seek but keep in mind an offshore bank account will not help you if you deposit US dollars and the US dollar collapses.
I would use US dollars for deposit, but the point would be to convert them at the time of deposit to the local currency, so when/if the dollar drops even further, that account is insulated from that drop. I'm looking for info from those who've already done the homework (yes...I am trying to copy someone's homework...but I will double check the answers before I turn it in:)) as to the safest, most stable locations/currencies to consider, as well as how to best go about doing it. Not looking to cheat the gov, and will report anything I am required by law to report....but I am looking to put some assets out of their reach.

I have heard some folks talk about buying hard assets (diamonds, silver, gold, old coins, etc.) and simply hiding them. The problem I see with that is that we already have a history in this country of the gov confiscating gold once before....so even if one kept the gold hidden, it would become far less useful/valuable at the point the public was prohibited from owning it, plus one would become a criminal at that point if you didn't turn it in for the specified compensation....so I don't see that as a solution.
 
   / Off Shore Banking #6  
I'm to much of an optimist to go that far with my worries. A friend of mine has some interesting thoughts on preparing for the worst. He was just telling me someone was trying to convince him he needed to buy gold in case money becomes worthless. His reply was that instead of investing in gold he is stocking up on bullets. He said he told the man trying to get him to buy gold that if things get really bad he thinks he can get more with bullets than gold. ;)
 
   / Off Shore Banking #7  
His reply was that instead of investing in gold he is stocking up on bullets

You can stock up on all the bullets you want. It will only get you so far. Sooner or later, someone you love will need medical attention, and the only thing a bullet will be good for is putting them out of their misery.

For myself, cash and gold, but even then, it may not be worth more than water.
 
   / Off Shore Banking #8  
I do think we are more likely than not getting ready to enter a period of inflation. The US has too much debt and the easiest way to erase the debt is to devalue the dollar through inflation. The current inflation index is heavily weighted towards the price of housing whose value is depressed. But commodities and other expenses are increasing. The Fed inflation rate is low ,and the argument is artificially low, because of the weight of the housing market on the index. The idea being that rate of inflation is much higher than the official number. It seems people are running from holding paper money and buying up real assets be it corn, oil, land, copper, gold, etc.

Having an offshore account is one thing but which currency will be stable? I would not be surprised to see the Euro disappear. How long will the German keep propping up the other countries in the EU? The may have saved the Greeks and Irish but the Spanish and Portuguese are in deep scat as well. Will the German's rush in to save them as well? Can they? It seems the German's are reaching a political limit on these rescues and maybe a financial one as well.

If the Euro and Dollar is bad what currency to buy? The Pound? Maybe but it is likely to go the way of the Dollar and the Euro.

Seems like a nice commodity that people will always need is the answer.

Got an ammo catalog they other day. Danged ammo got expensive! 47 cents for .223 rounds in 1,000 round lots!

Seem like people are buying up commodities AND ammo. :eek::D

Later,
Dan
 
   / Off Shore Banking #9  
You can stock up on all the bullets you want. It will only get you so far. Sooner or later, someone you love will need medical attention, and the only thing a bullet will be good for is putting them out of their misery.

For myself, cash and gold, but even then, it may not be worth more than water.

It would seem to me that bullets of common calibers would have more value in trade than cash or gold given the circumstances being contemplated here.

I don't want your 1/4 ounce of gold for my pound of butter. You got any .308 bullets?
 
   / Off Shore Banking #10  
Im all for being prepared... but do you guys actually foresee a time when we'll end up bartering for medicine and gas? Trading gold and diamonds instead of cash? Or needing a personal armory (with thousands of rounds of ammo) to protect ourselves?

Personally i dont see a mad max type future coming down the pipe, maybe ive missed something?

On the banking thing, i think most countries are on board as far as reporting money moment back to a persons home country. I think even the mighty swiss will give out account information when requested.

If the crap does hit the fan, then honestly i wonder if any place would be safe
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

Toro Workman 175 Sprayer Cart (A50324)
Toro Workman 175...
2025 K0720 UNUSED Metal Farm Driveway Gate Set (A53117)
2025 K0720 UNUSED...
2012 UNVERFERTH 10-INCH FRONT WHEEL SPACER FOR 10 BOLT HUB (A53473)
2012 UNVERFERTH...
Shindawa EC7600 Concrete Saw  (A52384)
Shindawa EC7600...
2012 Bomag BC572 Refuse Compactor (A51691)
2012 Bomag BC572...
2018 VOLVO VNL DAY CAB (A52576)
2018 VOLVO VNL DAY...
 
Top