The Art of French Frugality - How They Live Well on Less

The French have really mastered the art of frugality. Here's how they live so well, without breaking the bank. Motivated to move to France but suffering from information overload? Book a 1-on-1 clarity sesson with me, and ask me anything about life in France. I've lived here for 23 years, worked for a French bank, set up my own businesses, married a Frenchman, become fluent in French and fully integrated...I can help you! Book here: https://tidycal.com/livingwellinfranc... Discover how you can enjoy a rich, fulfilling life in France without spending a fortune! In this video, I share practical tips on how French families live happily on modest incomes, often under €4,000 per month for a 2 parent family, while still enjoying great food, beautiful homes, holidays, and cultural experiences. Learn the secrets of French frugality, including: DIY home improvements and creative hacks to save money Secondhand shopping and treasure hunting for unique finds Growing your own vegetables, herbs, and more—even in small spaces Smart grocery shopping and cooking from scratch to reduce waste Taking advantage of France’s free cultural events, libraries, and public spaces Affordable local travel, cycling, and enjoying the French countryside How French social life emphasizes experiences, not materialism The benefits of France’s healthcare and education system Plus, stay tuned until the end for my quick and simple Coq au vin recipe, a traditional French dish made with chicken and red wine—perfect for a fuss-free, flavorful meal at home. Whether you’re dreaming of living in France or just want to adopt some French lifestyle tips, this video shows how to live well on less and savor life’s simple pleasures. If you're looking to improve your French, I highly recommend one-on-one lessons with iTalki. Here's my affiliate link: https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=a... If you need to move money to France, open a Wise account and get your first transfer up to $600 free using my affiliate link: https://wi.se/livingwellinfrance (New customers only). Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:20 French DIY tips and hacks 02:29 No keeping up with the neighbours 02:31 Growing your own food 02:53 Buying things second hand 03:37 Enjoying the free culture around you 03:54 Food shopping like the French and meal planning 05:10 Cycling whenever possible 05:39 Holidaying in France 06:11 How French houses consume less energy 06:30 The French social life 06:40 Why the French don't need to earn a big salary 07:59 Coq Au Vin - easy recipe Arial shots were filmed using the DJI Mini 3 Drone with DJI RC Screen. If you would like to purchase one via my affiliate link, then I will receive a small commmission at no exta fee for you:https://amzn.to/4gbujPR Reading List: These are some books I have read and really enjoyed, about life in France, the French and creativity. They are affiliate links which means if you purchase via this link, I will get a small commission at no extra fee for you. Thank you for helping support this channel! The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed https://amzn.to/3HyJ6Yb The Culture Map https://amzn.to/45ktWPl Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear https://amzn.to/45jW2u6 1000 Years of Annoying the French https://amzn.to/3HynGue Chez Nous: An easy guide for preparing to move or retire to France and the things to consider when planning to move abroad. https://amzn.to/47xTiKY A New Life in France: A Guide to Relocating from the US https://amzn.to/4oDSzxZ If you would like to view my available art, it's here: www.jdyachtpaintings.com Other popular videos you might enjoy: How French Are You? I came for Love, I Stayed for FRANCE How to Live the French Lifestyle, No matter where you are: • How to Live the French Lifestyle—No Matter... Shopping a French Market & Baking a Summer Vegetable Tarte: • Shopping a French Market & Baking a Summer... I came for Love, I Stayed for FRANCE: • I came for Love, I Stayed for FRANCE Life In The French Countryside. The Joy of Slow Living: • Life In The French Countryside. The Joy of... The Truth About the FRENCH way of Life | What We can Learn from France: • The Truth About the FRENCH way of Life | W... Surprising French Habits That Lead to a Happy Life • Surprising French Habits That Lead to a Ha... Follow me on Instagram: ‪@livingwellinfrance‬ Coq au Vin Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs (or a mix of thighs and drumsticks) Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tbsp olive oil Two tbsp tomato puree. 4 slices of bacon, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 carrots, sliced 200g (7 oz) mushrooms, sliced 500 ml (2 cups) red wine (Burgundy or Pinot Noir preferred) 250 ml (1 cup) chicken stock 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh) #frenchfrugality #savingmoney #livewellforless You can view my available, original artwork here: www.jdyachtpaintings.com