How to live within your means without ruining your morale? Learn to save money without ruining your life? Here are some ideas to try on a daily basis to save money without depriving yourself of the essentials.
1. Choose a mobile or online bank
Mobile uses of banking services are developing and the 100% mobile customer journey is only a matter of time. Today, it is easier than ever to compare bank offers, transfer or split accounts. Currently, 22% of French people who say they are customers of an online bank and 42% of customers of an online bank report it as their main bank. In addition, we are spoiled for choice between online banks (Boursorama, BforBank, Fortuneo, Hello Bank, ING Direct, Monabanq, etc.) and mobile banks (Orange Bank, N26, Revolut, Morning, Compte Nickel, C- Zam…). Most online banks offer welcome bonuses of 80 to 150 euros to their new customers and Orange Bank even offers all individuals the opportunity to open a bank account without any income condition and with completely free means of payment. .
2. Healthy eating for less
Many solutions exist today to buy its fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, and its cheaper local products. Thanks to the MesCarottes.com site , you can search for products from small local producers sold near you and contact them. Some producers even prefer the exchange to a simple remuneration! On the Vracnroll.com site , you will find all the organic grocery products online, which are much cheaper because they are sold in bulk. On La Ruche qui dit oui or Potager City, you will find seasonal products, sold in baskets, at unbeatable prices because they are direct from the producers.
3. Buy cheaper energy
The “Cheaper energy together” campaign ended last December. It was a success since more than 220,000 consumers registered and this gathering made it possible to bring out very attractive gas and electricity offers with a gain in purchasing power and legal certainty (a sure contract/accompaniment of UFC-Que Choisir in the event of any complaints): minus 9% guaranteed over two years for an electricity or gas contract and minus 17 to minus 20% for the double contract. Today, opting for offers from alternative suppliers can yield savings of 15% per year on average (Direct Energie, ENI, Antargaz, Total Spring, etc.).
4. Control your mobile plan
The first solution is to change operator to choose the best mobile phone + internet offer. But it is also possible to take full advantage of the potential of your smartphone while limiting the bill. To do this, you must limit or remove the background tasks of your applications, take advantage of the Wi-Fi network as soon as possible, use a data compressor, watch your videos in low definition. And also remember that even if you can use your French mobile in Europe at no additional cost, it is not unlimited!
5. Switch to cheaper fuel
The government has just published a decree which regulates kits allowing cars to run on E85 superethanol. A fuel that costs twice as much. Its price at the pump is enough to make motorists dream. At €0.67 per liter compared to €1.29 for diesel and €1.40 for SP95-E10, E85 superethanol allows substantial savings. The price of the box varies according to the number of cylinders of the engine. For a Renault Clio type vehicle, it is necessary to count around 700 € for example. An investment that quickly pays for itself if you drive a lot.
6. Use anti-waste apps
OptiMiam, for example, is the gourmet and anti-waste application that allows you to eat cheaply while taking action against food waste. Every day, via geotagging, traders offer you delicious meals that must be saved! The same type of service is offered by the To o Good To Go app.
Another possibility: track down discounts on up-to-date products in stores. This is what Zéro-Gâchis offers with its application which lists more than 100 supermarkets in France, Belgium and Spain. Finally, if you have leftovers in good condition in the fridge when you go away for the weekend, you can donate them thanks to the Share your fridge application.
7. Move and travel smart
Since the train tickets at 10 € on ouigo.com , we have not invented better than carpooling to get around while reducing costs as much as possible, since we share them (petrol, tolls, etc.). There are now many carpooling platforms in France, including blablacar, myecocar, covoiturage-libre,roulezmalin… And with shared taxis (Senior Mobility initiative launched by Citizen Mobility), seniors can take advantage of a preferential rate, provided you travel together.
