Their portrait

Christelle, 33, and her husband Jérôme, 34, live in the Paris region. She is a human resources assistant, he is a technician. Between them, they receive € 4551 per month, allowances included. Income that allows them to comfortably raise their two children, Manon, 3 and a half years old, and Valentin, 15 months old.

While they don’t need to tighten their belts, the couple are still watching their budget carefully.. Every morning, the young mother checks her accounts online and notes her expenses in a “personal finance management” software. “I estimate what we will have left at the end of the month. There are of course unforeseen events, but we are always doing well financially, ”she explains.

Christelle and Jérôme were kind enough to open their wallets to us.

Income: € 4551 per month

Jérôme’s salary: € 2035 net per month

Christelle’s salary: € 1816 net per month

Neither affects a thirteenth month.

Family allowances: € 126 + € 181

Prime Pajemploi: € 393

Personalized housing assistance: € 0

Fixed expenses: € 2587 per month

Mortgage loan repayment: € 763 + € 71 death insurance per month

Christelle and Jérôme live in the Paris region. They became owners, five years ago, of an 85 m² house with a 250 m² garden.

Housing tax: 104 € per month

Property tax: 119 € per month

Income taxes: 0 €

The couple has not been taxed for several years because they benefit from various tax credits (home renovation, employment of a nanny, etc.).

Home insurance: 33 € per month

Legal insurance: € 5,50 per month

Life accident guarantee: € 24 per month

Provident: € 32 per year

Telephone / Internet subscription: € 26,90 per month

Mobile phone subscriptions: € 17,90 + € 26 per month

Gas: 111 € of gas per month

Electricity: 101 € per month

Water: 54 € per month

Transport: 90 € insurance + 120 € gasoline per month

Christelle drives a city car, Jérôme, a family sedan. Both have a 15 to 20 minute commute to work.

Childcare costs: 830 € per month for the nursery assistant who looks after Valentin all day and picks up Manon when she leaves school + € 87,50 per month for the daycare, in the morning, and the leisure center, on Wednesday.

Other expenses: € 960 per month

Shopping budget: 600 € per month

Christelle and Jérôme go to the supermarket once every two weeks. They mostly fill their shopping carts with vegetables and meat, which they cook themselves. The purchase of prepared meals remains exceptional! Christelle favors brands for certain products (pastes, growth milk, shampoo, etc.), but also buys a lot of private label products, sometimes at a discount.

Leisure budget (library, cinema, swimming pool, theater …): 0 €

“With two small children it is very difficult to get out! We are not fortunate enough to have our parents next door who could be babysitters from time to time. In any case, the weeks are so exhausting that we prefer to rest on the weekends, ”explains Christelle.

“Extras” budget (DVDs, books, small gifts for children, etc.): between 30 and 40 € per quarter

The young mother is a subscriber to France Loisirs. She buys books for her children every three months or so.

Clothing budget: between 150 and 200 € per month

“This budget is dedicated primarily to children. I never take the brand from them, given the way they treat their clothes… ”

Pharmacy budget: € 50 per month not reimbursed

Hairdresser / beautician budget: 120 € per month

Christelle’s little pleasure? Go to the beautician once or twice a month for a manicure or hair removal.

Holiday budget: 0 €

The couple did not budget for this expense item because, for various reasons (pregnancy, moving, etc.), the summer holidays have been going by the wayside for several years. The little family has only left once, in Tunisia, since the birth of Manon, 3 ½ years old. This summer, she will be renting, by the sea.

Savings: 333,50 € per month

Christelle and Jérôme place, each month, € 100 each on a Livret A, € 68,50 each on a Plan

retirement savings plan, € 45 for an action savings plan and € 20 for life insurance.

Their tips for spending less

Christelle has one obsession: reducing bills. For example, recently, the young woman changed the couple’s mobile plans. “We will save € 13 per month! », She rejoices.

The family also invested in a softener and water-saving system for the sink faucet and the toilet, which has already lowered the bill at the end of the month.

Do you want to talk about it between parents? To give your opinion, to bring your testimony? We meet on https://forum.parents.fr. 

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