it's finance, mate!

My Portfolio is down 20%! Now what?

The moment every investor dreads... Seeing red across the board. Do you sell, hold, or buy more? And how do you even know which decision makes sense? In this episode, we go deep on what really matters when markets drop: your thesis, time horizon, risk appetite, and emotions. We share our own stories from early crypto trades and gold “theses” gone wrong to classic 25% drawdowns and 80% crashes. We unpack what we learned about conviction, timing, and patience. Learn why “time in the market beats timing the market,” why emotion is the hardest asset to manage, and how to separate belief from bias. Start investing wisely, not emotionally. financemate.de [https://www.financemate.de]

US Citizens in Germany: this ones for you (w/Jonathan)

Living abroad is already complex. If you hold a US passport, your finances just got a lot more so. In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Henkels, a US-based Certified Financial Planner who specializes in working with Americans living in Germany. From passive foreign investment corporations (PFICs) to tax treaties, FATCA, IRA contributions abroad, and the ETF block many Americans run into… we unpack the why, how, and what you can still do to build wealth across borders. Whether you’re preparing to move, already living in Germany, or married to an American, this episode gives you the mental checklist and strategy to stay compliant, invest wisely, and avoid nasty surprises down the line. Share this with your American friends abroad. It might just save them a tax nightmare. Plan smart, start at financemate.de [http://financemate.de] You can also connect directly to Jonathan here https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhenkels/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhenkels/] https://beaconglobaladvisors.com/ [https://beaconglobaladvisors.com/] Jonathan Henkels' commentary is intended to be informational and educational.  It is not intended to be tax or investment advice.  It is not a solicitation to purchase or sell any stock, security or form of investment. Disclaimer: This video is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered tax, financial, legal, or investment advice. The content presented represents personal opinions and experiences and may not be suitable for your specific situation. Tax laws and financial regulations vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always consult with qualified professionals such as certified public accountants, tax advisors, financial planners, or attorneys before making any financial or tax-related decisions. The creator of this video is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. Your individual circumstances are unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.

It's compensation, mate!

Your German payslip hides more than it shows. In this episode, we break down how to actually understand your total compensation as an international in Germany: salary, bonuses, equity, and benefits and how to make each of them work for you. We explain why salary is your stability, bonuses are your flexibility, equity is your upside, and benefits are your protection. From tax classes and social contributions to company pensions, 13th-month salaries, RSUs, and blackout periods, we unpack how German compensation really works, what to watch out for, and how to plan your finances around it. Whether you’re negotiating your next role or finally trying to make sense of your payslip, this episode helps you see your income as a system, not just a number. Ready to turn your compensation into a real plan? Book your first session at financemate.de.

Financemate 2.0 is here

Financemate 2.0 is here. We share why we rebuilt our hybrid financial planning experience and what’s new: a client-led dashboard with lifetime access to your data, shaped by months of real user feedback.  We introduce the Independence Chart that projects your income and net worth across your life so decisions connect (not live in silos).  Then we walk through the upgraded planners: Income (drag-to-forecast), Cash (fund near-term goals), Pension (German + foreign), Portfolio (projection and withdrawal rules), and Real Estate (investment vs. home with after-tax math).  We also cover data security (EU hosting, best-practice auth) and why a living, holistic plan beats static PDFs every time.  Want to see it live? Book a discovery call at financemate.de.

Hybrid Financial Planning: Modern tech, Human Empathy

DIY apps or done-for-you wealth managers? We make the case for a hybrid: your numbers in a live dashboard plus a human co-pilot to turn data into decisions. We compare DIY vs. fully serviced, talk bias-free calculators, better visuals and inputs, and why a dynamic plan that adapts with life beats static PDFs so you keep control and still get guidance.  Ready to plan together? Visit financemate.de.