On a typical Saturday morning in our corner of rural France, and I’m already out the door before most of our neighbours. Not because I’m rushing to a meeting, or trying to get in my 10 000 steps, but because I need to beat the rush… to the boulangerie! By mid-morning, the shelves will be...Continue reading
When I grew up, we were told a story about retirement: work hard for 40 years, save as much as you can, then retire around 65 and finally start living. But what if that model doesn’t fit anymore? What if we’ve outgrown the idea of life as a straight line from work to rest? More...Continue reading
When new tariffs are announced, global tensions rise… we often see certain markets tumble. And, investors panic. It doesn’t matter where you live, or what you do – or even how much you’ve invested. If you’re an investor and you read headlines that rattle the markets, we mustn’t let them rattle your financial plan! And…...Continue reading
I’ve had many conversations with clients and friends. A typical conversation, when it comes to their money, could look like, “I’m earning in dollars, my pension’s in pounds, my kids will probably go to university in Spain, and somehow I’m still paying taxes in South Africa. I feel like my finances are held together with...Continue reading
“Enough” isn’t a number; it’s a mindset. In financial planning, there’s one word that keeps showing up. Not “retirement” or “yield” or “diversification.” No, the one that comes up most often, quietly, curiously, is “enough.” It usually comes in the form of a question: Will my family be okay? Am I spending too much? What...Continue reading
It started, as many good things do, by accident. One Tuesday morning, I posted a photo of our hens. Not for anything financial. Just a simple update from our little corner of France, a few clucking ladies scratching in the dirt, some eggs, some sunlight, some chaos. I didn’t expect much. But people loved it....Continue reading
When most people reach out for help with their finances, it’s rarely just about money. Yes, there’s usually a pension to sort out, an investment strategy to review, or a cross-border tax issue that’s keeping them up at night. Maybe it’s an old 401(k) they’re not sure what to do with, or a UK pension...Continue reading
The markets were all over the place a short while ago, and so were some people’s emotions. I saw the headlines. I saw the graphs. I saw the posts from clients wondering if they should move to cash or double down. But instead of watching the news or refreshing my investment dashboard every five minutes,...Continue reading
Following on from our previous blog, where I spoke about different seasons… let’s chat about spring cleaning and our finances. Moving countries might feel like starting fresh, but very often we see that there’s a trail of old financial paperwork quietly gathering dust in the background. A pension here, a forgotten investment there, maybe a...Continue reading
Living abroad is a journey made up of many chapters, each with its own rhythms, challenges, and opportunities. Just like the seasons, your financial priorities shift as your expat story unfolds. From the excitement of arrival to the decisions around retirement or repatriation; every stage has a unique financial flavour. (and I love exploring foreign...Continue reading
Volatility is part of the process. Picture this: It’s a Tuesday morning in the south of France. The sun is starting to spill over the tiled rooftops, the chickens are clucking in the garden, and I’ve just sat down with a fresh croissant and a strong café crème. The world feels still, calm, and grounded....Continue reading
These days, investing has never been more accessible. A few taps on your phone and you can buy shares, track markets, and start building a portfolio on your own. But just because you can do something yourself, doesn’t always mean you should, especially when your financial life crosses borders. I work with British, South African...Continue reading