France Made Simple (Catharine Sceats)

Following on from our hugely successful webinar on the 17th October, co-hosted by yours truly, we take another look at some of the most popular questions that were asked and some of those we didn’t get time to answer. Don’t miss the next FREE webinar, this Thursday the 7th November and you can register quickly and easily here : https://www.fabexpat.com/upcoming-webinars/

We take a look at the differences between France and the UK when it comes to female healthcare and what you need to know when visiting the gynaecologist. Find a specialist near you here https://www.starofservice.com/

Interior designer Benji Lewis tells us what he loves about the Les Landes region is the south west of France, reveals how he ended up here and gives his personal perspective on interior decor French style! A must listen for anyone who loves French houses! You can follow Benji on Instagram @benjilewisinteriors and check out his site www.benjilewis-design.com

Starting your own business in France is simple as long as you know how! We look at the start up procedure and possible pitfalls. You can register as an AE here www.autoentrepreneur.urssaf.fr/portail/accueil/creer-mon-auto-entreprise.html Find information on the qualifications required for certain professions here www.artisanat.fr. And find out lots of useful additional information here www.federation-auto-entrepreneur.fr and last but not least, don’t forget to get your public liability insurance - responsabilité civile professionnelle - policy in English from www.fabfrenchinsurance.com

The one where Fabien and I chat about having the flu and discuss the pros and cons of French healthcare!

Where I kindly share some of the things I got wrong. So you don’t have to…!

Where I witter on about how my first ‘French’ Christmas went down !

We take a look at all the best sites for online shopping in France. Whether you are after clothing, DIY materials, electrical items, books or vintage decor, there are sites where you can order online and either ‘click and collect’ or have stuff delivered to your door. Have a listen and please do feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments below!

French paperwork is notoriously time consuming so we look at all the main apps available which allow you to so stuff from your phone or tablet and free up more time for doing the things you like!

For new arrivals who are already struggling to get to grips with the language, the wide range of French acronyms that are in use on a daily bais, can prove daunting to say the least! We talk you through the most frequently used terms to simplify your day to day life in France. And you can find a complete list here https://www.thoughtco.com/common-french-acronyms-and-abbreviations-4086490

Using my newly gained personal experience of moving from one end of France to the other following my recent separation (and as a result of numerous cock ups on my part…), I’ve come up with a list of ten things that will make your move go more smoothly!

We catch up with Sheelagh Gorman who’s the co-owner of Agence Newton and pick her brains on buying property in France! Sheelagh explains what potential buyers can get out of attending French property shows in the UK and reveals what buyers can expect when they use her agency. And you can see all the properties Agence Newton currently has for sale and get in touch with them here: https://www.agencenewton.com/

I share some of my personal thoughts on Christmas in France!

This is a really short one just to give you a heads up about the webinar I am doing on the 17th of October (which is also my birthday!); you’ll be able to get your questions answered by a relocation expert, plus a French consul will be on hand to advise about visa applications, plus you get to meet me!

We take a quick look at the post Brexit changes that you need to factor in when buying items from the UK or posting gifts across the channel. Listen now and make sure you are up to speed before you start your Christmas shopping!

If you are living in France or planning to move there, then you are going to have specific questions and potential issues when it comes to pension provision and UK pension transfers and payments. We answer some of your questions in this first episode. And stay tuned for part two!

We look at all the ways you can shave costs and reduce your outgoings! From energy saving measures - https://www.economie.gouv.fr/particuliers/prime-renovation-energetique- to car-share - https://www.blablacar.com/ to energy and phone tariffs comparison sites - https://comparateur-offres.energie-info.fr/compte/profil and https://www.monpetitforfait.com/ - we go through all aspects of household expenditure and reveal how to spend less!

If you’re buying in France, you’re almost certainly going to need to get work done so we talk you through all you need to know when choosing and employing French artisans.

Something a bit different ! A look at how making time for yourself can help you enjoy your life in France.

France is a huge country and deciding where to buy a property can be a difficult decision to make! Cat explains all the factors you need to take into consideration before you find your dream home.

Well if you’re not, you’re lucky! Most of us are and are plagued by questions such as, how much am I going to get, when will I get it and how to I get it? Let alone, how do I get it to France and is it taxable? But never fear, in this episode our resident pensions guru Dave Lawson talks us through everything you need to know about the UK state pension. Listen in and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you have them; we promise to answer them!

We catch up with Sheelagh Gorman from Agence Newton who reveals exactly what to do and how to prepare for a property viewing trip. Sheelagh is a hugely knowledgeable agent who has been working in France for decades and is a fount of incredibly useful information. If you are even thinking about buying a property in France, this episode is a must!

https://www.agencenewton.com/lequipe

We take a look at the potential that the outbuildings in a typical French property offer and explain how you can go about renovating them.

We answer listeners questions about employment and self-employment and look at working for an overseas employer whilst living in la belle France! Find out all you need to know about working for an overseas employer here : www.foreign-companies.urssaf.eu/index.php/fr/ Complete your employment formalities here : www.tfe.urssaf.fr/portail/en/accueil.html

Join me and Fabien from Fab French Insurance as we chat about cakes, property and Frenchmen - some of my favourite things!

I share my thoughts (and opinions!) on what we all need to do when moving overseas to ensure that we live a happy and fulfilling life - wherever that may be!

Our resident financial expert Davis Lawson explains how the recent UK budget might affect those of us in France.

We discuss some of the ways you can generate an income in France and take an in depth look at running gîtes.

We talk to our favourite French insurance expert - Fabien Pelissier -about getting a visa which you will need if you want to move to France on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Fabien talks us through all the different types of visa, explains the application pitfalls people might encounter and how to avoid them!

Visiting Paris is on everyone’s bucket list and if you’re lucky enough to spend a day or so there, it’s important to get the most out of your time so we’ve brought you our handy ‘insider’ guide to making the most of a short trip to Paris.

We run though all the administrative procedures (and yes, there are quite a few…!) and discuss all the things you need to think about before signing on the dotted line. Check out vehicle prices here https://www.largus.fr/ see what help is available when buying here https://www.primealaconversion.gouv.fr/dboneco/accueil/ and register your new vehicle online here https://ants.gouv.fr/

We chat to healthcare specialist Marieanne from Fab French Insurance who has some very useful information to impart and explains how reimbursements actually work!

The one where you get to watch Fabien and I in glorious technicolour as we natter about French healthcare!

We look at everything you need to get done in the final month before your move and all the post Brexit rules and regulations that concern your move to a new life in France! Complete your customs declaration CERFA 10070 here https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R42719?lang=en and get all the customs info you need at http://www.douane.gouv.fr/dossier/trouble-free-travel-french-customs

A quick overview of how French car insurance works with Nannie from Fab French Insurance

If you’re thinking about moving to France and running a gite as either a full time occupation or to supplement your income, then the latest podcast episode is a must! I catch up with local gite owner Luke Barclay who reveals what hosting guests is really like and explains some of the pitfalls to avoid!

We catch up with pensions advisor David Lawson who runs through just some of the things you need to know if you are planning for a happy retirement! Mobile / WhatsApp : +33 (0) 6 33 52 17 05 Calandly Link – Book a Zoom meeting with me - https://calendly.com/dldf/45 YouTube Channel Intro - https://youtu.be/GBd4yX7Ho7U?si=TArpgGOyKpXinJQP Email – david.lawson@devere-france.fr

I'm a bit useless when it comes to money (or anything financial for that matter!), but living in France means that I do need to exchange pounds for euros, so I thought it would help me (and you?!) to chat to an expert. Steve Eakins from LUMON starts with the basics and explains WHY we should be using a currency broker and how his services are very different to the 'run of the mill' Forex company. It's a short one so give it a listen and you can get in touch with Steve here if you have further questions or would like a quote - steve.eakins@lumonpay.com

In this final episode we look at all the people and organisations you need to inform when you move within France. Notify the tax office, health providers, EDF etc here : https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R11193 and register to vote here : https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N47#1_3. Make sure your pets new address is registered here : https://www.i-cad.fr/ and don’t forget to get your post redirected too! https://www.laposte.fr/changement-adresse-demenagement-reexpedition

We take a look at what happens during the ‘back to school’ period known as La rentrée in France and explain everything you need to know!

Welcome to episode 1 of our mini series! It’s all about money and getting your finances sorted out so that you can relax and really enjoy your life in France. We chat to Survive France’s resident financial guru Dave Lawson from deVere France about how working with a financial planner can help ensure a stress free future.

There are always lots of things to consider when you’re trying to decide if living in France is going to be better for you personally, than being in the UK. In this episode I talk about some of the differences I noticed during my recent trip back to the UK. Hopefully this will help YOU with YOUR decision making process!

How do you make friends with the French? Well, pretty much the same way you make friends anywhere in the world but you will need to put yourself out there and try! We look at some of the ways you can make this easier!

We talk through the various choices buyers have from buying privately to using agents.

Survive France’s Catharine Higginson explains why she moved to France and why you should too!

All you need to know when it comes to installing a pool in France! We look at where to site it, the type to choose, essential safety considerations and of course, all the paperwork that you need to complete. Check out the legal requirements here : https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F31404

We chat to Julia McKeivoir (as seen on C4’s Chateau DIY) about buying and renovating a massive 1790’s chateau in the south west of France. A must listen for anyone who loves old French properties! You can catch up with Julia on FB here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560232607282 and read more about Paul and Julia here https://chateaudiy.com/chateau-larribau/

In this first episode of a three part mini series we look at everything you need to consider from a practical and emotional perspective when moving to France. As well as insider knowledge how from the host - a seasoned mover herself - we share tips, tricks and regrets from our listeners.

We tackle more of your pensions and investment queries. And if we haven’t addressed your particular concern, please feel free to ask the question here and we will get to it in a later episode!

This is something that comes up time and time again, so we run through some of the things you can do to meet people and make contacts in your new community . Even down to eating tripe…!

We take a look at all the things you can do (big and small!) to reduce your outgoings on your French property and enable you to maximise your spending power, and really enjoy your life in France!

We catch up with the people behind a really great community centre in Normandy and reveal how you can get involved. Check out their page on Instagram : lecuriegenets

I catch up with local agent Sheelagh Gorman to see what’s available, what typical buyers are looking for and what you could get for your money!

How to add extra outdoor living space to your French property for alfresco wining and dining! Given the increasingly volatile weather we are getting these days, adding a sheltered space makes enormous sense and will maximise the time you can spend outdoors. We talk you through all the things you need to think about before getting your project of the ground.

Visa and relocation guru Fabien from Fab French Insurance https://www.fabfrenchinsurance.com/ joins us to answer listeners questions on the tricky subject of getting a visa!

We take a quick look at all the things you can do to ensure you get through the winter months unscathed and stay nice and toasty warm to boot!

There are oodles of reasons why moving to France is a good idea (as you have probably gathered, I’m a bit of an enthusiast for all things French!), but here are my top ten. Enjoy!