In the UK we are fortunate to have access to NHS healthcare; free at the point of delivery, based on needs not ability to pay, and available to all who may require it. However, many people also access the private sector for healthcare and with that draw on the benefits of seeing a private GP, this may well be the case for patients unable to access the NHS.

Speed of Access

One advantage of seeing a private GP is that they are readily available at a time that is convenient to you and offer a shorter waiting time. Most private GPs offer same day appointments and you should expect to be seen within hours of requesting an appointment, not days. Most private GP’s will see their patients on time, and time spent in the waiting room is significantly shorter then when seeing an NHS GP.

Longer Consultations

A private appointment means there is more time for your consultation. You can bring several symptoms or problems to the attention of your GP, rather than just the one problem as is often the case in NHS General Practice. Most private GPs will offer a consultation time of around 30 minutes or even an hour. In this time you are given plenty of time to discuss your concerns, be clinically examined, be investigated thoroughly and referred to a specialist if required. You can expect a full medical examination and a detailed discussion about your family as well as personal medical history in order to fully assess your condition or any risk factor. This is done in an organised, efficient and timely manner. Therefore, your condition will be treated much more quickly, effectively and appropriately.

Flexibility

There tends to be more flexibility in private general practices, offering extended appointment times to provide their patients with ease of access. This may include early morning, lunchtime, evening or even weekend appointments. The London General Practice offer a 24 hour service. With doctors on call covering every hour of the day including Christmas and Bank Holidays visiting you at home, place of work or hotel.

Personalised Bespoke Treatment

There is normally greater choice in selecting a private GP with patients being able to choose who they wish to see. Patients may have the choice of GPs at a practice and can choose who they prefer to see. This may be for personal reasons or they may prefer a male or female doctor. Similarly, if desired, in the private sector you are more likely to be able to see the same Doctor each time you visit, enhancing the personal experience and quality of care.

Efficiency

Private GPs tend to have access to very best diagnostics, specialists and consultants. Referrals are fast and much quicker. The turnaround time for test results is also quick with blood tests being returned on the same day. For example, we aim to receive results of urgent diagnostic scans on the same day. This means that if you see a private GP in the morning you can expect to have a full examination and the answers to any blood tests or diagnostics by the afternoon, meaning that any concerns are rapidly addressed.

Visits

Private GPs provide house visits coming to you if required. A private GP can see you in your own surroundings and in the comfort of your own home, work or hotel at a time to suit you, for example, after work or at the weekend. Private GPs also offer a one stop shop where patients can access additional services such as travel vaccinations, blood tests and health screens.

Private GPs offer extensive health screening including cardiovascular health screening, screening for cancer, well woman and well man screening.

Article by Dr Angela Rai.  The London General Practice was founded by Dr Paul Ettlinger, one of London’s most respected and well established private doctors. The Practice is based on Harley Street, London and provides UK-based and international patients with a comprehensive range of excellent private healthcare. We pride ourselves on the flexible, personal care we provide to our patients, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Practice consults for many private families, leading insurers, the entertainment industry, numerous multinational companies and prestigious London hotels.

PRIVATE GP SERVICES

Building personal, meaningful relationships with all patients is of the utmost importance for the Practice, as is allowing adequate time for a comprehensive, thorough and accurate personal health assessment.

The London General Practice has consultation facilities on Harley Street, which is linked to an excellent range of diagnostic and analytical facilities, many of which are available in the same building.

In addition to our comprehensive private primary care service, our preventative healthcare service includes general health screening, and also well-woman and well-man health screening, to address gender specific health concerns. The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place) Tel: +44 (0)207 935 1000 www.thelondongeneralpractice.com

“You’re Moving To England?... Why Would You Want To Do That?”

It was the spring of 2004, I was in sales for Heineken USA and working and living in Arkansas. If you’ve never been to Arkansas, it’s a beautiful place, but a whole lot of nothing in large parts of the state. Same is true for Texas, where I’m from. So, being in sales, I drove and drove and drove all the time. On the last day of my job in Arkansas before moving to London (promotion with my husband’s job), I called on a liquor store literally in the middle of nowhere to take a last order and say good-bye. I told the owner/clerk/ only employee I was moving to England.

First, she said, “England, Arkansas?” And I said, “Um, no ... it’s England, like THE England, you know way over there, like across the pond” (though I’m not sure if that bit registered). Seemed ages as she pondered this then said, “Why in the world would you want to do that?”.

And maybe she had a point. What was I really expecting? It all seemed so worldly and exciting as I anticipated the move. Buckingham Palace, Afternoon Tea, world class shopping, travelling by underground - I’ll do it all! Everyone speaks English, the transition will be seamless! I’ve been to London once on holiday, no problem!

As you can imagine, after a few months, the novelty and bright lights started to fade, though I did finally get used to public transportation and not having a car. I learned to have no fear and move through a crowd like I was a horse with blinders on. I’d tell myself “move quick and with purpose, or you will get run over”. I’m really quite brutal about it now.

But I did start to love the pub culture, Sunday lunches, quiz nights, grocery delivery (this was 2004 remember), the NHS, Indian food, Eastenders, walking everywhere, the Eurostar, travel - so much was different from what I had ever experienced.

However, as time went on, I was really missing things from home. Friends, family, Fritos, the weather, the Gulf of Mexico, corn tortillas (I still struggle with this one) and I began to see lots of differences in people in London vs. what I was used to at home. I’m a runner and noticed early on, when you go for a run here, no one usually says a word to you. In Texas, you’ll get several acknowledgements “Mornin!”, “Hi”, “Have a nice day” as you run. Pretty much silence here, which I wasn’t used to.

Though I will say if you have an emergency whilst (love this word) out in public in the UK, people will leap to your defence and help. I was pregnant in 2006, almost fainted on a packed train to London Victoria one morning, and this woman from out of nowhere yelled at the top of her lungs “HEY everyone, this lady needs air! Make way, I need help!” And loads of people moved, made a place for me to lie down, and were fanning me with their morning Metros.

When we first moved, I was offered the chance to work with Heineken UK, which I had to have a real think about. I ended up deciding instead to pursue a Master’s degree in Addiction Psychology, and today I have my own Psychotherapy Practice. How in the heck does one go from beer to counselling?

I think part of it was that I hoped to figure myself out, and surely I’d learn enough to make myself happy no matter where I lived. I was really struggling missing home, my parents, friends, everything I was used to. I’m an only child and was feeling tremendous guilt for not being around the corner to help my parents. Dad was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and Mum in her late 80’s.

I went back when I could, once or twice a year, but still struggled with not being closer. Luckily in my Master’s degree training I was required to go to a therapist myself. Good thing because I didn’t realise how I was completely a “grass is greener ” person, dreaming only of being back in Texas.

I recently went on a cruise to Mexico with 49 of my sorority sisters from The University of Texas at Austin. Most of us hadn’t seen each other in 35+ years. When I arrived, I was considered the “world traveller”, the woman whose life was envied.

But moving to the UK is not all “easy peasy lemon squeezy”. Everyday things you felt you “just knew” in the US have to be re-learned. Even though the Brits do speak English, words for everyday things differ.

“Paper towels” are “kitchen towels.” “Restroom” and “bathroom” are replaced with “loo” or “toilet.” The temperature is reported in Celsius, and the list goes on.

Social customs can also be challenging. Customer service may feel different. You may question when, and how much, to tip. Workplace norms, or the challenge of being the trailing spouse, can add to these frustrations.

Triggers for home can pile on. Babies, marriages, holidays, and illnesses are big triggers for homesickness – whether happening in Britain or in the US. Dealing with all of this can require the right kind of space to vent your frustrations and feelings.

People often choose therapy because they are experiencing difficulties and distress in their lives. You don’t have to be in crisis to have counselling, you just may be seeking help to get through a difficult/challenging time.

In the UK, there are many resources to provide support beyond expat concerns.

The NHS provides many options that you can find online or confidentially from your local GP.

For concerns triggered by your expat experience, speaking with a qualified professional may help ease your worries and find practical ways to manage. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the largest and broadest professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK with over 44,000 members. Support can range from face to face sessions to online (Skype) sessions or even phone or email counselling.

Sometimes, just having the ear and advice of a professional can help guide you through a rough time.

Eleven years later, one move back to Texas, and therapy for myself to adjust, I finally feel like London is home. Texas is also still home, and it’s ok to have two places that I love and that I call home. And I even whinge about the sweltering heat in Texas now. How did I ever stand it that hot?

Ann Allega, MSc, MBACP, FDAP, ACTO, MCiPN is a Psychotherapist in private practice with a particular interest in American expat clients. Before pursuing a Masters in Addiction Psychology from London South Bank University, Ann worked for Heineken and Miller Brewing Company as a Sales Manager covering several states. Ann, her husband Philip and son Austin now live in Greenwich in South East London and love travelling. In her spare time, she likes to cook anything Italian, go to the gym and read crime thrillers. Visit annallegacounselling.co.uk

Autumn is typically a busy time, both professionally and personally. A few short months are squeezed between the end of Summer and the start of holiday season festivities. It is easy to forget to prioritise important year end planning for you and your family.

Given that 2018 is the first tax year with President Trump’s tax reforms in place, now is the time to review your individual situation and look to take advantage of tax-deferred growth opportunities, tax advantaged investments and charitable-giving opportunities amongst others. Reviewing your investment portfolio with respect to your wealth goals and the current tax, political and economic landscape can help you understand where adjustments need to be made to be optimally positioned for 2018 and beyond.

For those considering tax moves, you generally need to take action before 1 January. The tax reforms have resulted in different marginal income tax bands, an increase in the standard deduction, and a change in the types and thresholds of expenses allowed to be claimed as itemised deductions. Additionally, it has resulted in a change in estate planning thresholds and the way income will be taxed for many self-employed individuals.

Whilst we are not Tax Advisers, and we always recommend clients discuss such matters with their Tax Advisers, from an investment perspective, there are a few planning areas to consider before 2018 ends. Keep in mind that the ideas listed are conversation starters for most investors and is by no means an exhaustive list. You and your Wealth Manager along with your Tax Adviser should assess any action based on your own personal circumstances.

Capital Gains Planning

For any taxable investment portfolio, you should consider whether it is sensible to realise long-term gains and harvest capital losses. Reviewing opportunities to offset investment gains with investment losses may help to reduce your overall tax liability, including the Medicare surtax. If you are filing UK tax on an Arising Basis you may benefit from the UK’s annual £11,700 capital gains tax allowance. If you have not used up your annual allowance, you should consider opportunities to accelerate UK gain recognition so that the allowance benefit is not lost. In this regard, it is important to assess the gain in both GBP and USD terms as foreign currency movement over the period of ownership can potentially have a big impact on gain recognition.

With any transactions that you decide to undertake, you should be aware of “wash-sale” rules that stop you from deducting capital losses on the sale of a particular security if you purchase a similar position within a 61-day period (30 days before and after the sale date).

Retirement Planning

With respect to retirement savings goals, it is generally sensible to take advantage of tax- deferred growth opportunities.

2018 maximum contributions are as follows:

 • $5,500 to Traditional and Roth IRAs (an additional catch up contribution of $1,000 is available for those aged 50 or older) – allowable and deductible contribution limits are determined based on filing status and income limitations

• $18,500 to 401(k) plans (an additional catch-up contribution of $6,000 is available for those aged 50 or older). The total of all contributions to a US qualified Defined Contribution scheme cannot exceed $55,000 (or $61,000 if aged 50 or older) in 2018. An employee still actively participating in a company 401k plan may be able to make up to $36,500 in after-tax contributions before 31 December (in addition to the $18,500 in pre-tax contributions)

• For tax year 2018/19, the maximum UK pension contribution allowance is tapered down from £40,000 to £10,000 for any individual who earns between £150,000 and £210,000 in the tax year. Individuals with any outstanding available prior year catch-up contributions should consider utilising their available allowances before they expire. This may also be a way of using available excess foreign tax credits carried on your US tax return.

It is equally important to understand what retirement distributions may be required. In most circumstances, anyone with US qualified retirement plans are required to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions from the year in which you turn age 70 and a half. If RMDs are required in 2018 they must be taken before the end of the year in order to avoid penalties. Individuals have the option to direct up to $100,000 in RMDs as a charitable contribution for the year which can lower an individual’s taxable income.

Charitable Giving

With the higher standard deduction thresholds now in place for taxpayers, it is likely that fewer individuals will be in a position of itemising deductions each year. This could result in charitable donations being lumped together in certain tax years to maximise the tax impact in the year donations are made. With this in mind, it may be sensible to consider whether a dual qualified donor- advised fund helps meet your legacy and tax- savings objectives. The tax deduction occurs in the year the DAF is funded, but donations can be spread out to various charities over the preferred number of years.

Additionally, as always it is important to think strategically about what assets are used to facilitate charitable donations. For example, consideration should be given to whether to donate low-cost basis stocks or highly appreciated assets rather than cash.

Gift Planning

In 2018, US individuals can gift $152,000 to non-US citizen spouses and $15,000 to other non-spouse individuals before the gift applies against the individual’s US lifetime allowance. If tax efficient wealth transfer is a consideration, then thinking about utilising this allowance can help you transfer significant wealth over time without triggering a gift tax liability.

Individuals can consider making a gift of up to $5,500 to a Roth or Traditional IRA for any US resident children or grandchildren who are not funding their own IRAs but have enough US earned income to do so. Contributions to IRAs for family members will be considered taxable gifts and should be coordinated with any other gifts that you make.

For any children or grandchildren that might attend primary or secondary schools with tuition bills or are of university age, you could consider paying the tuition bill directly to the institution. Paying the institution directly can qualify as an exemption from the US gifting rules and will not reduce your lifetime allowance.

Business Planning

There were a number of changes announced under the Trump Tax Reform for US owners of foreign businesses. If you haven’t yet sought tax advice on how the changes impact your individual situation, it is important to consider doing so. In addition to the repatriation tax that impacted many business owners, the global intangible low- taxed income, or GILTI for short, is set to have a material effect on tax payable on a go forward basis for many individuals. As is always helpful as you approach year end, it is sensible to get organised by first making sure your accounting records are updated and accurate.

If you are self-employed, consider contributing to an individual qualified retirement plan, such as an individual 401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE plan, or UK pension plan, if you qualify. This can allow you to make contributions as an employee and employer based on your earnings which may result in higher deferral options.

Accelerating Payment Of UK Taxes

If you claim foreign tax credits on the paid basis, it is often necessary to accelerate your UK tax payments into the same calendar year as the income will be reported on your US tax return. This will ensure that the credit is available to offset the US tax that would otherwise be due.

This point is typically relevant to the following groups:

• Self-employed individuals

• Partners in partnerships

• Arising basis UK taxpayers

• Individuals who have large, one-off transactions such as a major capital gain.

It is important to look to the UK/US Double Income Tax Treaty to understand which country has the primary right to tax and which must give credit. For UK resident individuals, including US citizens, the UK is awarded that right on most investment income, other than US real estate income and some proportional element of US dividend income.

Summary

There are several key actions you can take before the end of 2018 to ensure you have a clear picture of where you stand financially. A call with your Wealth Manager and Tax Adviser will help ensure you are on track to meet your goals and help to identify areas in need of adjustment so your plan can evolve as your needs change. Take the time now to discuss those changing needs, to fully understand where you are and where you want to go.

Risk Warnings And Important Information

MASECO LLP (trading as MASECO Private Wealth and MASECO Institutional) is registered in England and Wales as a Limited Liability Partnership (Companies House No. OC337650) and has its registered office at Burleigh House, 357 Strand, London WC2R 0HS.

MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor in the United States of America.

This article does not take into account the specific goals or requirements of individuals and is not intended to be, nor should be construed as, investment or tax advice. Information contained in this article is based on MASECO’s understanding of current tax law and legislation which is subject to change. MASECO Private Wealth is not a tax specialist. Your ability to benefit from any of the tax mitigation planning mentioned in this article will depend on your personal circumstances. The levels, and bases, of tax relief is subject to change. You should carefully consider the suitability of any strategies along with your financial situation prior to making any decisions on an appropriate strategy. We strongly recommend that every client seeks their own tax advice prior to acting on any of the tax mitigation opportunities described in this article.

Andrea Solana is Head of Advanced Planning at MASECO Private Wealth where she helps to provide financial planning and wealth structuring advisory services to US expatriates in the UK and British nationals in the US. Before joining MASECO, Andrea spent the first part of her career with a well-known Washington DC based international tax and global wealth management firm where she gained considerable experience advising high net worth individuals with multi-jurisdictional financial interests to design and implement strategies for tax-efficient and risk-managed asset growth. She has written numerous white papers regarding fundamental financial planning and investment strategies for US connected individuals and has previously been a speaker on financial planning topics at numerous places including both The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Andrea graduated from University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce with a degree in Finance and Management and completed her MBA at Imperial College London.

Visit www.masecoprivatewealth.com for further information.

Putting a coherent strategy around charitable giving can be an important part of an individual’s Wealth Plan. If giving strategies are among actionable priorities, it is important to identify tax-efficient ways to achieve your charitable objectives.

There are often two primary reasons why people give to charities:

(1) To support a cause or organisation about which they care

(2) To leave a legacy through their support.

Whilst charitable giving often forms part of an individual’s estate planning objectives, some also give during their lifetime by transferring a sum of money thus removing it from their estate.

There are many different methods by which an individual can give. One way is by maximising the potential tax benefit and thereby ultimately gifting more.

Ways To Give

Before exploring optimal strategies for US persons living in the UK, it would be good to review some of the different ways to give to charity.

(1) Give directly - This approach is the most straightforward and simple. It involves donating money directly to a charitable organisation of your choice. Any tax benefit is received in the same year in which the donation is made.

(2) Use insurance as a vehicle for gift-giving – If you do not have large sums of money to give during your lifetime and you hold a life insurance policy that is not needed for other important purposes, you could consider naming a charitable organisation as your policy beneficiary. This could result in a larger gift than you otherwise would have been able to make and potentially creates a longer-term legacy. However, serious thought must be given to this method and you should seek guidance from a financial adviser before any steps are taken. Even though the policy may be redundant in terms of the purpose for which it was originally taken out, there may be valuable benefits attached of which you are not immediately aware.

(3) Volunteer time – Giving is not always about money. It can also be about getting involved by giving your time. Many organisations need volunteers to help deliver on their charitable goals. This can be a way to establish a personal connection and give in ways that require little or no money changing hands.

(4) Establish a trust to give money - This is a longer-term approach towards charitable giving. It will allow you to receive tax benefits today on funds allocated specifically for charitable giving, but actual donations may be made at a future point in time. This may be a strategy for people who are asset rich but time poor and have not been able to decide to which causes they want to donate.

A Donor Advised Fund is one type of vehicle that facilitates the giving strategy. Donor Advised Funds have increased in popularity over the last few years due to their offering of administrative convenience, cost savings and tax benefits.

What Is A Donor Advised Fund?

A Donor Advised Fund, or DAF, is a charitable investment fund, administered by a public charity, that is formed for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organisations on behalf of an individual, a family or an organisation. It allows donors to make an irrevocable charitable contribution, receive a tax benefit immediately and then allocate charitable gifts from the fund at some point in the future. Gifts are made to a specified charity whenever they decide it is the appropriate time. While the gifts remain inside the fund, they are invested with an eye to grow the balance.

What Are The Benefits Of A Donor Advised Fund?

DAFs have a number of benefits. First, a DAF is a cost-effective way for donors to maximise the tax benefits of making charitable donations to causes about which they care. A DAF can be set up with a relatively small amount of money (as little as £1,000 or £5,000) so an individual can choose to donate a lump sum or make small contributions in regular intervals over time.

DAFs have relatively few administrative responsibilities. There is generally minimal paperwork that needs to be completed, and quite often grants can be made directly online.

Additionally, DAFs are not subject to the minimum payout requirement each year. Private foundations, for example, must distribute at least 5% of assets annually. The fact that DAFs are not subject to this requirement leads to more flexibility on timing of distributions.

Another benefit of DAFs is that when donors decide to make a donation from the funds held within their DAF, it is possible to choose whether their donation is made anonymously, or if their personal details are disclosed to the donee.

One of the benefits that a DAF offers is not only the ability to receive a tax benefit upon funding the DAF but the ability to invest the pool of money and choose an organisation to donate to at a point in the future. So, if an individual can benefit from funding a DAF today but has not had time to decide which cause they would like to receive their gift, a DAF provides a mechanism to make that feasible.

Under current US tax law and practice, when donating to a US qualified charity ((a 501(c) (3) organisation), an individual can receive a US income tax deduction if they itemise their deductions as opposed to claiming the standard deduction. Under the new tax reforms and the higher thresholds for itemising deductions that have come into effect this year, making charitable contributions in lumps can potentially provide a greater benefit than in previous years. So, for example, if a 37% taxpayer contributes the equivalent of £100,000 into a US qualified DAF, the donation will receive a tax deduction of up to £37,000.

Similarly, when donating to a UK charity, currently the donation will qualify for UK income tax relief. In addition, the donation should qualify for UK Gift Aid which will increase the value of your donation by 25%. So, for example, if a 45% rate individual taxpayer contributes £100,000 to a UK qualified DAF, the donation with Gift Aid will be £125,000 and your additional claim back from HMRC would be £31,250.

How Can A Dual-Qualified Donor Advised Fund Be Beneficial For Americans Living In The UK?

Many charitable organisations are considered to be qualified non-profit organisations in one jurisdiction or the other. As a result, giving directly to charities in either the US or the UK will often result in a tax benefit in only one country.

As Americans living in the UK are generally subject to income tax in both the UK and the US, there are advantages to ensuring that you receive a tax benefit in both jurisdictions for the dollars that you donate.

A dual qualified DAF allows individuals who are taxpayers in both the US and UK to receive tax benefits available in both countries. As such a dual qualified structure will ultimately allow the individual to allocate more money to their favoured charitable causes. Once the money has been donated to the dual qualified structure, it can then be directed towards charitable organisations and causes around the world without the need for the organisation itself to be dual qualified.

Identifying An Appropriate Donor Advised Fund Provider

Awareness of DAFs and their rising popularity seems likely to continue as more people reach retirement and look for ways in which to give away some of their wealth in a tax efficient manner.

There are a number of charitable organisations that will facilitate dual-qualified DAFs. A few of the organisations are listed below:

• Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)
• SharedImpact
• Prism the Gift Fund
• National Philanthropic Trust (NPT-UK)

When deciding which organisation to establish a DAF with, it can be important to identify one that ultimately aligns with your own interests and values. Each charity has their own cost structure, investment options, minimum contribution requirements and account balances and varying ability to transfer the account to another institution. As the organisation will be trustee over the donated assets, the donor should make sure that the organisation will help facilitate their giving in the manner with which they agree.

While charitable giving is not all about receiving a tax benefit, we know that we are often limited in the amount we can give and would like to be able to give more if we had the ability to do so. Giving in a way that maximises the benefit to both the charity and the donor will help ensure that more assets ultimately reach the causes about which we personally care. Utilising a dual qualified DAF is one way to help facilitate this strategy and should be considered when assessing your charitable giving objectives.

Andrea Solana is Head of Advanced Planning at MASECO Private Wealth where she helps to provide financial planning and wealth structuring advisory services to US expatriates in the UK and British nationals in the US. Before joining MASECO, Andrea spent the first part of her career with a well-known Washington DC based international tax and global wealth management firm where she gained considerable experience advising high net worth individuals with multi-jurisdictional financial interests to design and implement strategies for tax-efficient and risk-managed asset growth. She has written numerous white papers regarding fundamental financial planning and investment strategies for US connected individuals and has previously been a speaker on financial planning topics at numerous places including both The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Andrea graduated from University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce with a degree in Finance and Management and completed her MBA at Imperial College London. Visit www.masecoprivatewealth.com for further information.

Risk Warnings And Important Information

MASECO LLP (trading as MASECO Private Wealth and MASECO Institutional) is registered in England and Wales (Companies House No. OC337650) and has its registered office at Burleigh House, 357 Strand, London WC2R 0HS.

MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor in the United States of America.

This article does not take into account the specific goals or requirements of individuals and is not intended to be, nor should be construed as, investment or tax advice. Information contained in this article is based on MASECO’s understanding of current tax law and legislation, however, MASECO Private Wealth is not a tax specialist. You should carefully consider the suitability of any strategies along with your financial situation prior to making any decisions on an appropriate strategy. We strongly recommend that every client seeks their own tax advice prior to acting on any of the strategies described in this document.

From Desert to Drizzle By Katrina Boydon

Our final fling in the United States was a six- thousand-mile cross-country adventure with our four children and two dogs. Epic doesn’t even begin to describe it. It was AWESOME. We wiggled our way from West to East and ended up in New York one day before we left forever. But that’s a story for another time. We are naturalised Americans who lived in Reno, Nevada for ten years. Before that, we lived in France and Russia for many years. And before that, Britain, where we were born and raised. When we made the decision to move “back” to Britain, it didn’t feel like that at all. Meaning we had been away for so long that it felt as if we were moving, yet again, to a foreign country. And we were right. The question everyone asked us when we told them of our plans was, but WHY?

Why indeed. There were lots of reasons. I stopped working for a Silicon Valley marketing company a year before we left and had no interest in finding a similar job in Reno or anywhere else. Our children were all British but had never lived in Britain. Our parents, who were in Britain, were in poor health and we wanted to be near them. And we were homesick. Even so, it was a very difficult decision. We loved our home and life in Reno and we had no real idea of what we might do in Britain. The last year in Reno was the most fabulous ever, which made it even harder to leave. I spent more time with my children, rode my horses, volunteered as a 4-H leader, did a spot of consulting, and planned our move.

In retrospect, the decision to spend six weeks travelling across America was wise. Eight of us, including the two huge dogs, living in an albeit good-sized trailer, was excellent preparation for moving into my mother’s house in Wales. The house, quite large for Britain, was a shock to the system for the kids. That and having only one bathroom between all of us. Steve and I chuckled on more than one occasion at a disgruntled teenager sulkily waiting their turn in the hallway.

But it was lovely to be in Britain. It was all so new and exciting, yet familiar. It was easy to settle in apart from the nightmare first month. We had no belongings, no credit history, no past UK address and no internet. Every single service I called told me “just go online...” Funny looking back, but not so amusing at the time.

Then I got homesick for Reno. I still am. I miss my home and life, for sure, but it is more than that. I miss the wide-open spaces and guaranteed sunny weather. I miss the encouragement and enthusiasm of my American friends (thank heavens for Facebook). I miss that lending your car to a friend is normal. Why ARE British people so special about their cars? And I miss the easiness of living. High speed internet. Showers that work. Mixer taps. That my clothes dried quickly inside the house in winter. That my home was easy to clean, warm in winter and cool in summer. That I didn’t wallow in mud when I fed my animals. It’s not that you can’t be comfortable in Britain; but complaining about any discomfort is likely to elicit an eye roll from a proper Brit. There’s no place for softies here. I joke half-seriously that Brits don’t consider they’re really living unless there’s a bit of hardship involved. “Mustn’t grumble”, “can’t complain”, is a way of life.

We’ve settled here happily, even if part of me is still in Reno. I feel more of a connection for The Biggest Little City than anywhere else I have lived. Perhaps it’s true that if you travel and live in different countries you are never completely content anywhere ever again. This makes me sad but also secretly pleased that, truly, I have another country I consider home. Did we really leave forever? We have no plans to move back any time soon, but never say never. I cannot imagine NOT going back to the US at some point.

Oh yes, we found a way to support our life here, too. During our last year in the United States, we had a germ of an idea to start up a glamping (so-called glamorous camping) business in Britain. So, we did it. Within six months of moving back we found a property in Shropshire and set up Barnutopia. Steve’s practical skills and my marketing skills have proved to be a winning combination. Our gorgeous rural location with stunning views in every direction helps a bit, too. You can see us and our glamping site on ITV’s Give It A Year (find it here) with Baroness Karren Brady. Please feel free to drop in and say hi sometime. We’d love to see a friendly face from across the pond.

About Barnutopia Barnutopia is a glamping, wedding and event venue in the Shropshire countryside. The site offers a glamorous camping experience for guests who love the outdoors but prefer the comforts of home. Since opening in 2015, it has earned over one hundred and seventy 5-star reviews from satisfied guests. For more information visit www.barnutopia.com.