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Their portrait
Mom at home for six years, Solenn has chosen to earn less in order to benefit more from her children. Thomas, her husband, provides “most” of the household income, thanks to his work as an administrative agent in a transport company.
The couple and their three children, aged 6, 5 and 18 months, lack nothing. They live in a nice residence, own two cars, go on vacation to the seaside and allow themselves one outing per month. Solenn and Thomas are even on the verge of becoming a homeowner. A bank agreed to lend them money for the construction of a pavilion.
Even if the ends of the month are difficult and the “extras” limited, this family proves to us thatit is possible to live well with one salary for five… Provided they are well organized!
Income: € 2785 per month
In the couple, only Thomas works. He works as an administrative agent, on a permanent contract, in a transport company.
Parental leave allowance: € 180,62 (basic Paje allowance) + € 379,79 (Free choice of activity supplement) per month
Solenn was fired from mass distribution six years ago, then she got pregnant. Today, she would not quit her job as a full-time mother “for the world”. When the children are old, the young woman plans to create her small business of sewing and jewelry design.
Family allowances: € 286,94 per month Personalized housing assistance (APL): € 295,51 per month
Fixed expenses: € 1415 per month
Rent: € 355,23 per month (after APL deduction)
Solenn, Thomas and their three children live in the Toulouse region. Thanks to the “1% employer”, they rent a house of approximately 90 m², located in a pretty and recent residence. Soon they will own a new pavilion (currently under construction) and will reimburse € 824 in credit per month.
Housing tax: € 192 per year
Housing insurance: 152 € per year
Consumer credit: € 72 per month
The couple had to borrow money a few years ago to cope with financial trouble.
Insurance of future housing: 193 euros per month
The couple already pay monthly insurance to cover their pavilion under construction.
Gas / Electricity: 103 € per month
At Solenn and Thomas, we light up with low-consumption bulbs and we never leave a room without turning off the light. The heating is turned on as late as possible.
Water: around € 400 per year
“We have installed pressure reducers on the taps to save water. Showers are given to the children during the week and a bath on Sunday. We hardly water the garden and we do not install a swimming pool in summer: a basin of water is enough for them to have fun! », Says Solenn.
Internet / fixed subscription: € 34 per month
Mobile phone subscription: € 39 + € 34 per month
Cars: 200 € (fuel) + 77 € (insurance) per month
The couple own two vehicles: a small town car bought second-hand and a sedan “donated” by Thomas’s parents.
Health costs: 105 € (mutual) + 10 to 30 € (drugs not reimbursed) per month
Childcare costs: 41 € per month
The youngest is kept in a crèche 16 hours a week. “I take this opportunity to do all my cleaning, ironing and also take time for myself …”, explains Solenn. The couple never employ a babysitter, even occasionally. He only allows himself a one-to-one evening when the grandparents offer to babysit.
Canteen: 80 € per month
The two “grown-ups” have lunch in the canteen every noon. On the other hand, they no longer go to the leisure center during the holidays: it was too expensive for their parents (13 € per day and per child).
Income tax: 0 €
Other expenses: around € 590 per month
Food budget: between 360 and 440 € per month
The couple prefer hard discount stores to do their shopping, and go to the supermarket only to find specific brand products. Solenn avoids industrial dishes: “I like cooking a lot and pay attention to the nutritional balance of my children. I prepare everything myself with 1st price products, of course, but fresh products! “
Clothing budget: 0 €
The family doesn’t really have a budget for dressing. “For children, we buy when needed, and only on sale or with the money donated by Grandpa and Grandma. We also recover a lot and I sometimes sew little things for them. ”
Budget outings: around 50 € per month
The family goes to fast food once a month “to please the children”. The couple also allows themselves, from time to time, a romantic evening at the cinema.
Budget “little pleasures” (gifts for children, DVDs, books, etc.): € 50 per month
Creative leisure budget: between 50 and 100 € per month
Solenn creates bags and jewelry that she sells to her friends. It also happens to make some markets. “I don’t lose money, but I don’t win a lot either! I do this for fun ”.
Holiday budget: 200 € per year
“We join our family every year at the seaside. We are lucky enough to be accommodated and fed, so we only pay the gasoline costs. This allows us to leave for a month each summer. But this year, no vacation! We are going to do some work in our new house and settle down there quietly. “
Their tips for spending less
Breast-feed
“I breastfed my second until she was 16 months old and still breastfeed the youngest (18 months). Truth be told, I don’t even know the price of a box of! », Admits Solenn.
Stop smoking
The young parents both quit smoking last year, saving them nearly € 200 per month!
Become a fan of “home-made”
Solenn likes to sew clothes for her children and cook: “I have stopped making my ‘homemade’ yogurts, but I still make the bread myself, which comes to us at 1,05 € for five days.”
Leave the car in the parking lot
The young mother limits car trips with the children: “Right now, the weather is nice, I walk them to school. It saves money, and a quarter of an hour’s walk to start the day is good for your health! “
Based on an original idea by.
If you also want to open your wallet like Solenn and Thomas, send an email to the editorial staff briefly describing your situation (number of children, income, etc.): redaction-infobebes@lagardere-active.com.