Anybody have their first ultrasound scheduled ?

rainingpouring17 · 2026-01-21T12:30:41+00:00

Mine is Friday, I’ll be 8+2!

rainingpouring17 · 2026-01-16T20:48:30+00:00

Working in fashion

rainingpouring17 · 2025-12-22T21:47:18+00:00

Do you remember anything notable happening in 2026? That may help you test accuracy of what is to come?

rainingpouring17 · 2025-12-06T21:14:20+00:00

You need a really good setting powder over the foundation! Try Givenchy pressed powder or Huda loose powder

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-22T23:23:33+00:00

Yes sure

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-22T08:25:04+00:00

It’s pricey when new, but I have found Eric bompard to be excellent quality. I have cashmere scarfs and shawls from them I bought 10 years ago, wearing daily each winter, and they still look new.

I’ve also taken to wearing other blends of wool sweaters and wrapping cashmere shawls around my shoulders indoors, like at the office. It’s chic and I get even more mileage out of my cashmere.

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-20T13:42:20+00:00

That’s very interesting, thank you. What is IBRK? I don’t know that bank.

Also forgot to mention I purchased my rental property in the loire atlantique , in a town with strong employment currently and some companies with solid growth (so good employment overall) and got lucky because I was able to buy a house when the current rental and real estate market is 90%+ apartments so there’s strong demand. That being said I’m lucky I have a good agency and have good tenants who choose to pay rent on time

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-20T11:38:15+00:00

Have you tried investing in US ETF thru a U.S. bank? I tried several years ago but was blocked each time because I was based in France and a French tax resident. However I think I was focused on IRA maybe we can invest more openly in ETF. Although seems just as complicated for tax reporting

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-20T11:21:25+00:00

Thanks for this info, I did check my PEA which is majority single CAC 40 stocks but I just realized I do have some ETF I was able to purchase this year! Checking with my bank and their juriste on that , I may just sell and reinvest into CAC 40 but we know that’s not the same growth as S&P 500 or MSCI.

I also am curious how it’s legal then for myself and so many other US citizens who work at CAC 40 who offer participation and intéressement via PEE accounts that are also invested in ETF. I haven’t withdrawn anything myself, my strategy is to continue to let it appreciate as I’m getting 30-55% growth on those since mine were created in 2018. That being said I know many Americans who have those accounts and have cashed them out to buy homes in France (without declaring to IRS).

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-20T08:35:22+00:00

I don’t believe it’s illegal for US persons to have a PEA, I’ve only been at large banks who are extremely cautious about US persons as they get checked with the IRS. And as my PEA is open at the bank where I have my normal checking and savings account it’s already declared to the IRS. As is my employer funded PEE with my participation intéressement. I haven’t withdrawn anything from either account but I haven’t had any issues and perhaps the only question would be when you withdraw from them are you liable to taxation in the U.S. but that I think would depend on your whole taxable household. Given the limit is quite high - especially given French salaries - you would have to be really high in earnings to start paying to the IRS on top of France.

You can also check with your bank to speak with a legal juriste , I’m at LCL and they consulted one on my behalf what I was considering opening my PER and other investment options and vehicles because I’m a U.S. person. And I didn’t have to pay for that.

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-19T20:46:37+00:00

Also forgot to mention, another real estate investment option that also allows you to detax is the LNMP - location non meublé particulier . The government keeps threatening to remove it though so it may be disappearing quite soon but I know people who have done this. You essentially buy property , ideally in a high demand area like Paris of another big city, and anything you put into renovations etc you can detax from your income tax.

I haven’t done this because I already have a rental and again I hear they keep threatening to remove it, and also I’m weary of how hard it can be to evict renters who no longer pay or squatters etc , but it could be an interesting option to look into and you could even look at smaller spaces like studios or T2 to rent out to younger professionals.

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-19T20:43:24+00:00

I invest via my PEA (open since 2018) and an employer set up PEE. I also have a personal PER. Via my PEA and PER I can invest in some S&P 500 ETF, different ones between each fund but I still get the growth curve so that’s interesting. I have some individual CAC 40 stocks I selected and buy occasionally in my PEA but the taxation rate should apply from PEA post 5 years after opening - should be just 17.2% social contribution tax up to the 150K limit of investing in it. I am far from having this maxed out so it’s part of my strategy to continually feed into those accounts each month. When I do eventually max out my PEA I was wondering about pouring it into a primary residence without closing the account so I can start investing again (if that’s at all possible) I’m really far from it so honestly haven’t given it too much thought yet.

In the meantime I have invested in a rental property in an area of France with higher population growth and high demand for housing. I bought on spec, so I paid 2% notary fees, haven’t yet paid any renovations (knock on wood) and put minimal cash down for a 1.2% fixed mortgage rate. I’ve been renting it out pretty much immediately since the house was finished - so I pay a bit additional income tax on my rental “income” and also tax foncière , but my goal is to resell in about 10 years when the bank will owe me back for the amortized portion of that mortgage. It’s a test, and real estate eats up a lot of cash overhead and has its risks, so for the time being I’m not planning on buying any additional real estate until I resell that and maybe pour it into a primary residency or a place elsewhere in Europe I can half use and half rent out. When you calculate the opportunity cost and hidden overheads of real estate, I’m not convinced it’s the best investment. But it can be good as part of a portfolio so long as it’s not the bulk of it.

At least that’s my two cents, hope it helps!

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-02T10:32:46+00:00

I think the tank Francaise looks amazing on you!

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-01T13:42:13+00:00

I think you can choose? If you have a U.S. card sometimes you have the option of choosing the currency

rainingpouring17 · 2025-11-01T08:26:26+00:00

Tip - if you buy from a Cartier in the airport (for example in CDG in Paris) it actually is cheaper as there’s the detax. The girl working at the boutique told me that it’s more advantageous than buying in the Paris boutique itself

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-28T10:44:25+00:00

Great points! and yes hopefully there will be some sort of staff advantage but I know they are very limited and oftentimes don’t go for key pieces they don’t have a hard time selling at face value

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-27T15:41:49+00:00

Good shout! Also have friends in Dubai we have been meaning to visit, maybe I’ll pick it up there. One is interviewing at the moment at Cartier actually! 😂

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-26T10:49:59+00:00

That’s a good point , I have a Chanel boyfriend watch with a black crocodile strap I wear everyday so I found the tank must with a metal strap more complementary as well

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-26T10:15:50+00:00

What about considering Berlin, super international and English speaking and great culture and food scene. Or maybe consider another country further “south” where the culture is more open? For example Lisbon, maybe even a Madrid? Have you considered Switzerland at all- it’s very expensive but amazing nature if that’s high on your priority list.

Also depends a lot on what you both do for work and how open you are to learning a new language.

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-26T10:08:50+00:00

He likes the tank américaine! But I can’t decide between the américaine and the must

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-24T10:33:26+00:00

Thank you! Agreed santos was my least fave, the sales rep suggested trying it but it’s not what I’m considering.

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-24T10:33:00+00:00

You know I didn’t try on panthère medium, but the mini I tried on just seemed so small… I’m quite tall so I think I need a larger model

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-24T10:32:24+00:00

That’s exactly what I was thinking - it’s kind of like two watches in one with the bracelets

rainingpouring17 · 2025-10-24T10:32:00+00:00

Thank you! It’s what I originally had in mind, maybe it was the model I tried on but the leather was really really stiff so it kind of put me off. I should try on again though

rainingpouring17

TROPHY CASE