Before visiting the French Riviera and Monaco, I imagined a scene straight out of a luxury ad — head-to-toe designer outfits, yachts as status symbols, and conversations centered around wealth, power, and prestige.
Instead, I found something more subtle — and clever. Yes, there was luxury. The storefronts were Dior, Chanel, Hermès. But the people? Averted. Unfussy. Comfortable. They weren’t trying to prove anything — they were just being.
Unlike in the states where money loudly yells through logos and lifestyle inflation, this trip made me rethink how wealth looks — and how I may want to live mine.
This is what the trip taught me — about money, living, and how to be free
1. Luxury Isn’t Loud — It’s Lived
The wealthiest individuals I encountered weren’t wearing their finest. They were dressed down: linen shirts, neutral tones, old-but-golden loafers.
They had space in their day — time to sip, take a stroll, chat.
True wealth isn’t performance. It’s the freedom to move slowly.
Action:
Focus on quality basics, not name-brand chasing
Invest in fewer, better things — both in your wardrobe and your calendar
2. Budget for Serendipity
From a random dinner along the beach to an invitation onto a boat from new friends — the best experiences weren’t in my calendar.
Money Insight:
Spontaneity comes at a cost. Keep it like groceries.
Allocate a “fun fund” in your budget (5–10%).
Give it a more fun name like “magic money” so that it serves a function.
3. Rich Experiences > Expensive Stuff
A €15 cocktail was outside my temptation zone. A €1.50 bus journey to the top of Eze? Every cent was worth it. The best views were often the cheapest — and the most treasured.
Money Insight: Luxury is not what you spend, but how you feel.
Invest in experiences over belongings.
Write down or voice note your most “rich moments” that cost little or nothing.
4. Your Network Can Open Doors Money Can’t
I did not pay to ride on a yacht. I wound up there due to a connection — someone I met at NYU Stern who was friends with someone who asked me to come.
Relationships > receipts.
Money Insight: Opportunities usually arise from people, not deals.
Action: Create substantive connections, follow-up, and be clear about what you need.
5. “Costly” Is Relative — Tie to Your Values
I skipped a €15 gelato but paid €18 for a solo train ride to a coastal town I’d never heard of. It wasn’t about price — it was about value.
Money Insight: Spend based on alignment, not aesthetics.
Identify your top 3 values (ex: adventure, growth, freedom) and let them guide your spending.
Check your credit card statement against your values once a month.
What I Learned About Europeans (and Myself)
The biggest culture shock? People weren’t rushing. They weren’t gazing at screens. They closed up shop at lunchtime. They rested — and no one apologized.
In Monaco and France, existence isn’t centered on work — it realigns itself around work. Conversations were lengthy, meals weren’t rushed, and “doing nothing” wasn’t seen as laziness.
Lifestyle Insight: They’ve optimized for balance — not burnout.
Build margin in your day. Practice pausing.
Take a “Riviera hour” each day — 60 disconnected minutes with no productivity expected.
This challenged me to reflect on my own hustle habits. Productivity can always happen alongside peace. And financial independence is not about overwork — it’s about living on your terms.
Final Takeaway:
You don’t need Monaco money to live richly. You need clarity, intention, and space to say yes to the life you’re building.
Because the best return on investment isn’t always financial — it’s found in the freedom to choose, the courage to pause, and the stories that weren’t even on the itinerary.
French Riviera Money Toolkit
Budgeting Tools:
YNAB: Create room for your “fun fund”
Copilot: Track spending with clean UX
Notion Finance Tracker: Create your own dashboard
High-Yield Savings:
Ally Bank
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
SoFi (for fee-free automation)
Networking & Opportunity:
Use a Networking Tracker Template to record connections
Follow up monthly — don’t wait for a reason
Say yes to invitations that challenge you
Fashion That Pays Off:
Calculate Cost Per Wear (CPW) in a spreadsheet
Invest in well-crafted basics (linen, leather, layers)
Resell or rent items to stretch value
Travel Smart:
Google Flights Explore Tool
Save receipts and think about value
Opt for experiences over possessions
Final Thoughts
Wealth isn’t always visible. It’s not about having more — it’s about knowing what’s enough and what’s truly worth it.
You can be in Monaco without being “Monaco rich.”
You can feel luxurious without going broke.
And you can build a rich life — one that’s full of options, moments, and memories — starting right now.
Because the best financial ROI?
It’s often the story you didn’t plan, but budgeted room for.