Serge Ministries

Financial Education for Serge Families

In 2020, we were introduced to Serge and began having one-on-one conversations with Serge families to help you make smart decisions with your money, in support of their chosen mission. It has been my honor to have conversations with many Serge families since then. What I’ve been doing — and will continue to do — is something we call financial education. While no two families are alike, several themes have emerged based on these conversations. Here are some common financial challenges faced by Serge families:

Six Key Areas from Serge Conversations

1. Retirement Planning

You may have access to a robust, low-cost retirement plan through Serge. For those with additional accounts (like Fidelity), there could be missed opportunities — especially when considering marginal tax brackets and ways to minimize taxes over your lifetime.

2. Emergency Planning & Repatriation

Many in your field tend to maintain low cash reserves. We often say: "You're flying 600 mph at 50 feet off the ground."

That can be risky. You might consider:

  • Building a larger emergency fund

  • Planning for a potentially costly return (repatriation) to the U.S.

Expats face unique challenges here — and we can help you navigate them.

3. College Planning

Your tax status might open the door for need-based aid. With thoughtful planning, your FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) could be lower than anticipated. However, holding too much cash may reduce aid eligibility. This creates a balancing act between college savings and emergency planning — particularly as kids approach their teenage years.

4. Tax Compliance

This may be a significant source of stress. Some of you navigate it well with TurboTax, while others encounter more complex questions around:

  • Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

  • Reporting U.S.-based income

  • State residency considerations

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but we’re here to help you sort through it.

5. Tax Planning (Now & Future)

Many Serge families might not be fully utilizing their current low tax brackets to potentially reduce future tax burdens in retirement or upon returning to the U.S. Remember, finance is often 80% personal and 20% financial. We can help you explore tax-saving strategies aligned with your unique circumstances.

6. Managing U.S.-Based Assets

Some families we’ve spoken with hold:

  • Investment accounts

  • Real estate

  • Inheritances

  • Trust distributions or family wealth

While some manage these assets effectively, others may benefit from revisiting their approach. We’re here to help you explore how to make the most of what you have.

Let’s Connect

Most of these conversations started in early 2020, around the time I had planned to attend the Spain meeting (which was later canceled). I've continued meeting with Serge families into 2021 and beyond.

If any of these topics resonate with you — or if you have other financial questions — I’d love to connect.

Click this link to schedule an appointment.

If you're not currently a client of our firm, it’s important to note that as a CFP® regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, I must avoid offering personal advice to non-clients. Instead, we focus on providing financial education and guiding you to resources that help you make informed decisions about your money.