Why I'm Investing in the U.S. Stock Market as a Foreigner

Table of Contents

• How I Got Started with U.S. Stocks
• Why I Shifted to Index Investing
• The Strength of the U.S. Market Over Time
• What I Like About Index Funds
• Challenges for Foreign Investors
• How I Make It Work While Working Full-Time
• Final Thoughts for Fellow Foreign Investors

How I Got Started with U.S. Stocks

A few years ago, I didn’t know much about investing. Living in Korea, I started by buying well-known U.S. stocks like Apple and NVIDIA. I thought I was investing, but really, I was just reacting. I sold my shares as soon as they moved up a little, afraid they might drop. Looking back, I missed out on bigger gains—especially in 2023 when markets surged. I wasn’t checking the markets regularly because of work, and I realized this approach wasn’t sustainable.

Why I Shifted to Index Investing

I began asking myself: how can I invest without needing to track prices all the time? That question led me to index investing. I learned about ETFs like VOO and SPY that follow the S&P 500. These funds let you own a piece of the whole market, not just one company. For me, that made investing feel simpler and more stable.

The Strength of the U.S. Market Over Time

The U.S. market has a long history of growth. The S&P 500 has gone through ups and downs, but the long-term trend is positive. That’s what gave me confidence. Even though I live abroad, I wanted to be part of that growth.

Historical performance of the S&P 500 index

This kind of long-term performance makes the U.S. market attractive to foreign investors like me.

What I Like About Index Funds

Index funds don't require constant attention. I don’t need to follow the news every day or guess which company will grow. I just keep investing regularly. For example, I now invest a small amount monthly in ETFs like VOO or QQQ. This method is called “dollar-cost averaging.”

Challenges for Foreign Investors

Investing from abroad comes with some challenges:

• Currency exchange rates can affect returns
• Some broker platforms aren’t available everywhere
• Tax rules can be confusing

But even with these issues, it’s possible. There are tools and resources available to help international investors. I read English blogs, use translated articles, and watch videos to stay informed.

How I Make It Work While Working Full-Time

Since I have a full-time job, I don’t have much time to check investments daily. So I keep it simple:

• Invest automatically each month
• Stick to a few low-cost ETFs
• Don’t worry about short-term market drops

This way, investing doesn’t get in the way of my work or personal life.

Final Thoughts for Fellow Foreign Investors

If you’re also investing in the U.S. stock market as a foreigner, you’re not alone. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need a plan that fits your life.

Keep things simple. Think long term. And keep learning. That’s the mindset I’m building through this blog.

Let’s grow step by step—together.