You know Your Survival Guy is worried about Italy's low birth rates. But just as worrying is France, which is witnessing its lowest birthrates since just after WWII. Can you imagine? Fertility rates in France have fallen to 1.8. Hélène de Lauzun reports in The European Conservative: After Spain and Italy, it is now France’s turn to publish alarming figures on the state of its birth rate. According to the national statistics agency, INSEE, the year 2023 will be particularly “weak” for births. In the first quarter, France recorded 7% fewer births than in 2020, before the pandemic—the lowest … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy Counts on ExpertJet
Yet another reason Your Survival Guy counts on Andrew Flaxman and his team at ExpertJet to get me to where I need to be. In The Wall Street Journal, Alyssa Lukpat explains the rise in violence on flights, writing: There have been more unruly passengers in the skies since the coronavirus pandemic began, according to FAA data. The agency reported 5,973 unruly passenger episodes in 2021, a record. The number of episodes dropped to 2,455 last year. That amount is still above prepandemic levels. Flight attendants say that while “air rage” has long been an issue, they have seen a surge in … [Read more...]
World’s Richest Woman, LVMH, Hermès and More
If you’re planning on being in Paris anytime soon, like Your Survival Guy is, then pay attention to what’s going on with the protests. There are certainly some no-go zones we’ve highlighted in the past. But considering all the chaos, France’s stock market continues higher driven largely by the surging luxury and cosmetics sectors. Will it continue? More than a third of the market is in four companies in the luxury and cosmetics sector. From the WSJ: Shares in LVMH—the owner of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Tiffany & Co.—jumped to a record in Paris trading, further cementing its position as … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy in Paris: A Sunday Lunch to Love
OK, where is Your Survival Guy’s favorite lunch in Paris? Glad you asked. Answer: the next one. But, seriously, what makes a great lunch, great? One measure is when you’re back home, you want to replicate some of those flavors and memories that made it special. La Fontaine de Mars is where we eat Sunday lunch. We own their pink and red checkered cloth napkins as a reminder—when they’re draped over our kitchen island, everyone knows we’re in for a special time. Yes, it’s possible to be in Paris from the comfort of your home. I take that trip often. Walking to La Fontaine de Mars from Le … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy Prefers Bombardier’s Global Express 7500
If you’re going to Paris, you’ll need a heavy jet. Your Survival Guy prefers Bombardier’s Global Express 7500. With only a handful to choose from, you’ll be in rarified air, literally—because when you’re cruising at altitude tens of thousands of feet up, the advanced air pressurization system makes it feel like you’re only at 4,000. Great for extra-long trips (and even not-so-long ones). Remember, it’s the small things in life that matter most. You’ll want to hit the ground running, not bogged down with a head cold. Then there are the 15-windows (per side), soft leather club chairs, and … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy: GNMA, L’Ami Louis, and You
Happy Friday. I want you to go to the most controversial restaurant in all of Paris. But first, a bit of business. As you know, Your Survival Guy isn’t big on selling positions. My default position is to hold forever. With that said, it doesn’t mean I operate with my head in the sand, far from it. There are times when selling for tax purposes makes sense—to realize a loss and get back into something similar. That’s a move that could make sense for you if you hold Vanguard GNMA at a loss in a taxable account. If you hold it in an IRA, then stick it out. If you want to talk, let me … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy: Monsieur Get Your Money Cookin’
Is history a reliable guide? Let me tell you a story. On our research trip to Paris, we spent time on the left bank staying at Hotel & Spa D’Aubusson. At the morning buffet, it could have been easy to go for the morning pastries but using a bit (I said a bit) of self-control, I opted for the soft-boiled egg. Simple. Easy. The following week in Beaune, I did the same, but when I hit the shell, raw egg oozed all over my hands and onto the table. A fellow guest did the same, and later we learned you need to cook the eggs yourself. “The hot water is right there sir,” I was startled to … [Read more...]
Your Survival Guy: Arriving in Style at Le Bristol Hotel, Paris
OK, so you want to go to Paris? Your Survival Guy is back from another three-week research trip, the second this year, and I have plenty to report. For one, Paris is open for business, big time, as travelers from around the world, (sans China) are moving about the country. As for Paris itself, especially in the service/tourism industry, it’s at maximum capacity based on the sheer demand post-Covid and lack of labor supply. There’s still a hangover from lockdowns and the reluctance of workers—still living off government payouts—to get back to work. Sound familiar? Now, you didn’t come … [Read more...]
Greetings from Paris
Greetings from Your Survival Guy in Paris. Have lots to report to you next week. It’s a whole new world over here. Stay tuned. France Working Hard to Recover from COVID Lockdowns Good morning from Beaune. Your Survival Guy is on the last leg of a three-week research trip through Paris/Beaune. The word on the ground is that France is back in business, but it’s been a long pull through Covid. Now everyone’s trying to make up for the lost time. The service industry is still struggling to find workers and to balance the needs of workers who are burnt out. It is an Atlas Shrugged-like … [Read more...]
FRANCE STRIKES: Green Energy Faces the Cold Truth of Higher Prices
Your Survival Guy's on-the-ground discussions with locals in France have turned up a mixed bag of the opinions reflected in polls on the issues of energy and inflation. France's energy worker unions are on strike for higher wages just as the country is dealing with high inflation and potential shortages of energy. There is no easy solution when the problem of green energy faces the reality of higher prices. Reuters reports: A nationwide strike on Thursday disrupted the French energy sector, taking a large chunk of the nuclear production offline, as workers push for a pay hike amid rising … [Read more...]
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