Hello everyone,
I'll try to keep this short but would really appreciate some advice on how to best invest going forward.
I am mid 40's earning 6 figures (no taxes as overseas) and expect to be able to do so for the next 3-5 years. I can save/invest 50-60% of that per year. After that, I can continue to invest but likely lesser amounts. In addition, I have $100k USD on hand to invest right now.
On one hand,
(a) I would like to put the existing money I have and everything that I can save after that (above) directly into low cost ETFs (balanced at 60% stocks/40% bonds) located in brokerage in a low/no tax country. I already have experience with that, so it would just be a continuation of what I am already doing.
It's too easy, almost no stress, and suits my lifestyle (i.e. I work, get paid cash, and invest without (on my side at least) paying tax.
On the other hand,
(b) I am drawn to real estate and now have the opportunity to finally get mortgages and leverage my money. The mortgages would be 20-30% down and 3.5-7%.
If I went this route, I would want to get a number of places, rent them out to pay down mortgages, and then, if able, refinance+ put in additional monies and build a small portfolio. I would pay local property managers and "manage" them that way after.
I can get financing in the UAE and Asia (Indonesia/Malaysia/Philippines) or I can go cash (and then maybe later financing) in the USA and/or UK. Depending on opportunities, maybe I could do a combination of those things.
My end goal is a relatively minimalist and low stress lifestyle in Malaysia or Bali within the next 5 years or so. I would work, but not as much as now...and would also have the time to manage any investments. Being that part of Asia has super cheap flights, I could also visit any properties I had in that region and certainly enjoy the trips as well.
As further information, realistically, I don't think I'd need to draw on any of the money for the next 15 years at least and don't like to jump in and out of investments.
Oh, and why am I pondering this so much right now? Basically, I've only just entered into a new phase where I actually have some cash on hand, a decent salary, and the opportunity to finance...so I need to decide best course with the new situation/outlook.
Sorry for the novel and thanks in advance to anyone who replies.