When Americans ask me about moving to France, I can almost predict the money assumptions they’re bringing with them—because I brought the same ones when I moved from the US to Dijon back in 2008. In this video, I walk you through five very American money beliefs that just don’t land the same way here: what “enough” looks like for retirement, how scary healthcare really is (and isn’t), why a car isn’t automatically a requirement, why you don’t need a US-style salary to have a good life, and how higher education costs change the whole conversation. I share the real-life France context that people miss when they’re planning from afar: yes, there are costs, paperwork, and rules you need to understand, and no, France isn’t “free everything.” I also flag an important detail for early retirees—the PUMA situation/tax—because this is exactly the kind of thing that can surprise you if you don’t plan ahead. If you’re considering retiring abroad or relocating to France, this video is meant to recalibrate your expectations so you can budget like someone who actually lives here, not like someone guessing from the US.