Reviews

I initially contacted Martin at Smart Money Asia after reading an interview he participated in with Retire Japan. I was struck by Martin’s reasonable, welcoming tone and the depth of the information he provided. It was clear from the outset that Martin isn’t trying to sell investments or pull potential clients into expensive savings plans they can’t get out of. I followed up by contacting Martin through the Smart Money Asia website for a one-hour coaching session to discuss my retirement plans, my current level of preparedness and future options. He proved very helpful and knowledgeable on all counts. He understands the plight of expats in Japan who intend on living or retiring in the country for the long term. Where he didn’t know or couldn’t advise on certain issues, he was very open and honest in addressing the situation and in recommending potential resources. All in all, I found Martin’s coaching session quite helpful, reasonably priced and easy to organize. He communicated in a timely and courteous manner. I would recommend his services wholeheartedly. – Iain W.

Martin was very helpful answering all of my questions and providing explanations that were easy to understand. He is very knowledgeable about the myriad of products that exist so it was very comforting to know that the information he shared could be trusted. His coaching program and long-term management options are very flexible and fees are reasonable. Martin also answered some follow-up questions I had by email after the coaching session had finished and this was very appreciated. – Paul R, Yokohama.

I was referred to Smart Money Asia by a friend and really glad to have used Martin’s coaching services. He was really helpful from the start and we could work at my pace. I wanted to start investing in Japan and with no experience, Martin was a great guide. He recommended a NISA which is a tax-free investment fund. He took the time to walk me through the Japanese website and help me pick where to invest the money. I think for anyone who doesn’t have a good grasp on investing in Japan and Japanese, I would highly recommend working with Martin. With his coaching services, it’s different from someone selling you different financial products, which is refreshing. I will be using Martin again when I need his help. He is quick to get back on emails and very informative as well as trustworthy.  – Alex, Tokyo

I really appreciated Martin’s coaching: he helped me understand some financial principles that are especially relevant to expats, and the information is so much clearer and more actionable than the endless opinions, theories, and data-sets you find in books, online forums, and the like. I feel I have saved a lot of time and energy wondering about what a reasonable approach would be for somebody in my situation, and was able to reassess my financial goals and reallocate my savings & investments. I’ll go back to Martin to keep things on track. – Ben, Tokyo

A friend referred Martin to me as I was looking for advice regarding investing and managing personal finance – areas where I felt I lacked education and knowledge. I am very happy he recommended Smart Money Asia to me, and I am very satisfied by Martin’s services and advice. He is always fast in answering my questions and communicates in a clear and effective way. I found the coaching sessions informative, reasonably priced and helpful – and his website is a very good source of extra information. – Giulia, Tokyo

I found Martin through some insightful articles on his site about the Yen and base currencies. These articles piqued my interest and I reached out to him. Martin took time to evaluate my financial situation, providing me with specific numbers and actionable steps to improve them. He was able to make informed suggestions that were tailored to my unique circumstances. Following our meeting, I received a summary of our discussion, including detailed information on the products he recommended for diversification. All the products are accessible via a regular Japanese broker. No sales pitches. If you are seeking a financial coach who is focused on your interests, I cannot recommend him highly enough. – Fernando, Osaka

I discovered Smart Money Asia researching retirement in Japan and was impressed with the detail and accessibility of Martin’s analysis. Initially, I contacted Martin to consult him about an investment proposed by an independent financial advisor. After further considering my retirement, I booked several coaching sessions to better understand what is required to open and maintain a NISA tax-exempt investment account, and how to select and allocate assets to it. Martin is accommodating, explains concepts clearly without oversimplifying openly. It is refreshing to be able to obtain financial advice without sales pitches.
– Antony G., Shizuoka

I connected with Martin after hearing his interview on Retire Japan and reading his articles on the Japanese yen and broader economy. His sessions gave me a clearer understanding of Japan’s current macroeconomic landscape, taxation, and the NISA system. Martin explains complex concepts with clarity, and he answered my many questions thoroughly. As my business pursuits in Japan evolve, I look forward to working with him further. – Brian, Kyoto

Martin has been incredibly helpful in understanding our financial situation, answering all of our questions and providing insight. Working with him has given us a sense of reassurance, especially since he himself is based in Japan. He is patient, organised and overall a pleasure to work with. We feel confident that we’ll continue to work with him long-term and would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for financial guidance in Japan. – Laura, Tokyo

I came across Martin and Smart Money Asia via a recommendation on Reddit. I then researched his website and interview with Retire Japan before contacting him for an introduction call. Martin has provided in-depth research to address my issues as an expat in Asia with a UK background, and clear guidance without any hard-sell, or selling of anything at all – other than access to the experience he has and research he has done on my behalf. While his focus is on Japan, he has been very capable of assisting me as an expat based in SE Asia – Vietnam, with the guidance he was able to give on sound investing principles, and preparation for retirement, and kids’ education planning. I can wholeheartedly recommend Martin’s services, and will continue to use him in the future on reviewing & updating my financial situation, and as a reference for any finance-related questions I may have. – Andrew, Vietnam

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