What Old French Restaurants Can Teach Us About Longevity

We recently fell down a YouTube rabbit hole on France – you know the type. You click one innocent video on croissants and suddenly you’re learning the difference between a café, a brasserie, a bouillon and a bistrot. YouTube doesn’t even pretend anymore. It just looks you in the eye and says, “Here, watch another baguette documentary. You know you want to.”

France, being an older country with a history longer than my grocery list on a Sunday, has restaurants that have lived through everything. Some survived World War II. Some served Napoleon. Some look like they have not changed a chair since the 1800s – proudly so.

It reminded me of something I once heard: fame comes in a moment, but greatness comes with longevity.

And longevity – whether in a restaurant or in life – comes from the quiet art of balancing continuity and change. Knowing what must stay the same, and what must be allowed to evolve.

It made me wonder a little about us.

In our own lives, what are the things we absolutely want to keep the same – the rituals, the values, the flavours we’d never want to lose?
And what are the things that might actually be asking for a refresh as we move toward (or travel through) retirement?

It shows up everywhere, doesn’t it?

Do we cling to the personal finance habits that kept us safe in our 30s… even if our lives now ask for something more flexible?
Do we still rely on investment strategies that once worked but no longer fit the season we are in?
Are we holding on to routines out of comfort, or might a small shift open up a new kind of joy?
Are we staying the same because it’s familiar, or is something in us quietly inviting change?

Maybe this is the real wisdom tucked between pastries and Parisian chandeliers:
We don’t need to reinvent everything… but we also don’t need to preserve everything.
The art is in choosing which parts of ourselves to keep beautifully consistent, and which parts to let gently evolve.

Like an old French restaurant updating its kitchen while keeping its onion soup exactly the same.

Your Turn:
What is one thing in your life you’d like to keep exactly as it is?
What is one thing that might be ready to change, even just a little?
If your life were a long-standing restaurant, what would be your signature dish – and what on the menu might be due for a refresh?

👉 Hit reply and share your thoughts – I’d love to hear what’s resonating with you.

☕ If today’s musing served up a smile or a thought to chew on, you can shout me a coffee on Ko-fi. It keeps this cosy corner of wisdom well-fuelled.

Picking Your Ride – The Investment Vehicle Selection Framework

Alright, L-Plate Retirees! We've explored a whole garage full of investment vehicles – from sturdy sedans (stocks) to reliable pickups (bonds), and even some flashy sports cars (derivatives) and electric bikes (digital assets). But how do you pick the right ride for your journey? That's where our Investment Vehicle Selection Framework comes in. Building on the Foundations of Investing, your Personal Financial Assessment, and the crucial Risk and Return Fundamentals, this framework acts as your personal GPS for navigating the investment landscape.

First, you need to be crystal clear on your Investment Objective Alignment. Are you saving for a short trip (like a new car, requiring capital preservation), a steady income stream for your retirement cruises (income generation), or a long, adventurous road trip with potential for big gains (capital growth)? Your goal, which you defined in your Personal Financial Assessment, dictates the type of vehicle you need. You wouldn't take a bicycle on a cross-country move, would you? This choice directly impacts the return expectations.

Next, consider your Time Horizon Compatibility. How long until you need your money? Short-term goals (0-2 years) demand vehicles that prioritize stability and liquidity, like a reliable city car. Long-term goals (8+ years) allow you to take on more growth-oriented, potentially bumpier rides, like a classic car that appreciates over time. Matching your vehicle's speed to your journey's length is crucial, and directly relates to the concept of compounding and managing short-term volatility.

Then, there's Risk Tolerance Alignment. How comfortable are you with bumps in the road? If you're a cautious driver, you'll want lower volatility vehicles. If you're an aggressive adventurer, you might be okay with higher growth potential, even if it means a few more twists and turns. Knowing your comfort level with risk, a topic we covered in Risk and Return Fundamentals, is like knowing how fast you like to drive. It's about finding the right balance between potential reward and emotional comfort.

Finally, don't forget the Cost Structure Evaluation. Every vehicle comes with running costs – fees, trading costs, and taxes. Just like you wouldn't buy a car that costs more to maintain than it's worth, you need to evaluate the all-in costs of your investment vehicles. Lower costs mean more money stays in your pocket, fueling your journey further. We'll dive deeper into these costs in upcoming lessons, but recognizing their impact is a fundamental part of smart investing and maximizing your net returns.

By systematically assessing these criteria, you'll be well on your way to selecting investment vehicles that are perfectly suited for your unique financial adventure. No more aimless wandering – just smart, purposeful investing!

L-Plate Takeaways:

• Align with Your Objective. Match your investment vehicle to your goal – whether it's preserving capital, generating income, or growing your wealth, as identified in your Personal Financial Assessment.

• Consider Your Time Horizon. Short-term goals need stable, liquid vehicles; long-term goals can handle more growth-oriented options, keeping in mind the power of compounding.

• Know Your Risk Tolerance. Choose vehicles that match your comfort level with market ups and downs, a key takeaway from Risk and Return Fundamentals.

• Evaluate All Costs. Fees, trading costs, and taxes can eat into your returns. Always look for cost-efficient options to maximize your net returns.

• Your Personal GPS. Use this framework as your guide to make informed decisions and build a portfolio that truly works for you, grounded in the Foundations of Investing.