Our monthly budgets consist of rent, electricity bills, phone, internet, and multimedia subscriptions. Discover our tips to optimize your budget and save hundreds, or even thousands, of euros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The average of our monthly expenses is higher than 1 000 \u20ac<\/strong>. Over thirty years, the share of fixed costs has risen from 12% to around 30%<\/strong> of the budget, reflecting a real loss of purchasing power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study by CSA Research – LesFurets, published on November 23, 2020, also indicates that it\u2019s young professionals aged 25 to 34 who have the highest expenses relative to their monthly budget<\/strong>, because settling into working life is expensive, and their incomes are lower. For them, reducing or optimizing these costs is essential to maintain a good quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the expense categories we\u2019ve listed, the most impactful is rent, but it\u2019s paradoxically the most incompressible. It\u2019s indeed difficult to find a lower rent than your current apartment, and moving is very tedious. Transportation costs are also hard to reduce, even if a few tips can help limit them. So, we\u2019ll focus first on digital expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To save on these expenses, you can start by looking for good deals, for example on Veepee<\/strong> (formerly Vente Priv\u00e9e), which offers several times a year deals on Free<\/em> with almost a free year for new subscribers. If you already have a subscription, know that it\u2019s now easy to switch plans without fees and with number portability. By checking out a site like Forfait pas cher<\/a> for mobile plans, you can find better deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential savings: \u20ac10 to \u20ac30 per month, or about \u20ac240 per year.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Audio and video streaming has become essential, and sometimes you need to combine Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Netflix\u2026 to keep up with the movies and series your friends recommend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The alternative? Switch to family or multi-screen subscriptions, like Amazon subscription sharing<\/a><\/strong> with family and friends. By getting automatically reimbursed with a site like Sharesub, you only pay for one spot out of 4 or 6. The cost of subscriptions disappears, and you can even get more services for the same price!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential savings: \u20ac18 to \u20ac40 per month, or up to \u20ac480 per year.<\/strong> And even more if you\u2019re a heavy consumer, with no downsides!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your gym still charging you every month even though, like me, you know you\u2019ll never set foot there again? But to cancel this subscription, you have to go through the dreaded step: sending a registered letter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideel<\/strong> lets you manage your subscriptions in just a few clicks and, for the price of a registered letter, handles all your cancellation procedures. For example, you want to cancel your KeepCool subscription<\/a> ? All you need to do is create an account on Ideel, enter your KeepCool subscription details, and click the “cancel” button. Ideel takes care of the rest and keeps you updated on the different steps of your subscription cancellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if the problem goes beyond a simple cancellation (direct debit continues despite your request, refund refused, deposit not returned)? A service like Plimo<\/a> sends a formal demand letter by registered mail on your behalf, with proof of delivery and tracking of legal deadlines, starting at \u20ac15 and with no commission on what you recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For cars and fuel, there are few solutions if they\u2019re essential. Insurance comparators like Les Furets might help you save a little annually, but the savings will be modest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daily carpooling can save you money, just like subscription sharing. Apps like BlaBlaCar Daily<\/strong> and Karos<\/strong> , dedicated to daily commutes, are very practical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good news: these trips are often subsidized by regions, making the trip free for the passenger <\/strong>and profitable for the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential savings: \u20ac50 to \u20ac150 per month. Potentially \u20ac1,000\/year<\/strong>, with a little effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t live too far from work, cycling is a low-cost alternative<\/strong>, which replaces the car or public transport at a lower cost. Considering it also counts as a workout, which is great for your summer body \ud83d\udcaa, it\u2019s a win-win. The biggest hurdle is psychological, because even in winter or rain, it\u2019s totally doable with the right gear: a good bike, a bag with rain gear, including a raincoat and rain pants. With the increase in bike lanes, and in good weather, it\u2019s an absolute dream. It can also save you a lot of time every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential savings: \u20ac40 to \u20ac250 per month. With a little effort but also a lot of fun if your commute allows it.<\/strong> !<\/p>\n\n\n\n Budget optimization isn\u2019t just about reducing your expenses\u2014it\u2019s also about maximizing your income. Every year, billions of euros in public aid go unclaimed simply due to lack of information. This is what\u2019s known as “non-take-up” of rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before making sacrifices to your comfort, take 2 minutes to check your eligibility. There arefree solutions<\/strong>that centralize hundreds of national and local schemes (housing benefits, scholarships, energy vouchers, mobility aid). Running a simulation to get yourfinancial aid<\/a><\/strong>is an essential reflex in 2026: it can unlock an immediate additional income to sustainably balance your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the last expense category, the most incompressible. If you don\u2019t have housing yet and are preparing to move in, co-living can save you 5% to 20% depending on the city. But this requires meeting a lot of conditions and making compromises in your lifestyle. However, if it suits you, it\u2019s also an opportunity to share Wi-Fi, Netflix subscriptions\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n If not, you can try comparing energy offers for electricity and gas. The savings will be around 10%, but beware of attractive first-year offers that may increase in subsequent years. Everyday gestures, like turning down the heating when you leave, or installing a timer, are the best ways to slightly reduce the bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcb0 Where should I start to cut my expenses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reducing your digital subscription costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcde Wi-Fi and phone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcfa<\/a> Netflix, Spotify, newspapers, and games\u2026<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u26a1 Cancel your unused subscriptions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Reducing your transportation costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\ude97 Car and fuel <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Change your mode of transportation? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Claim your lesser-known financial aid<\/strong> \ud83d\udc5b<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And what about my housing? \ud83c\udfe0<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A micro-loan for end-of-month emergencies \ud83d\udcb0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n