Talking about money is still taboo in France. Still, it’s a fascinating topic… and feminist, in some respects! In Settle accounts, people of all kinds examine their budget, tell us about their financial organization as a couple or alone and their relationship with money. Today, Elise * agreed to analyze her accounts for us.
- age: 25 years old
- job: project manager in the public service
- net monthly salary: €2,637
- place of life: a house of 100 m2 in the village of Miquelon, in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
- lives alone
Elise’s income
After finishing her studies in mainland France in August 2022, Elise moved in October 2022 to Miquelon-Langlade, in the archipelago of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon located in Eastern Canada, after being employed there as a subordinate in public service.
“I have since signed a one year contract potentially renewable for 5 years, the duration of the action program I am working on. My position was created to respond to an action program launched by the Municipality, in relation to the protection and awareness of the inhabitants on the risk of flooding. »
Elise is currently winning €2,637 net per month. Having been a student until last year, she does not pay tuition and therefore she is not yet affected by withholding tax.
Elise’s relationship with money and her financial organization
“I am aware that I am lucky to have been hired so quickly, with little professional experience and in a position of responsibility. For a first job, I consider myself well paid, but given the cost of living on the island, it balances out. However, I would still be in the “rich” category because I can go on vacation without asking too many questions about the cost. I can also eat and dress myself without wondering if I will be discovered at the end of the month or not. »
Elise has always kept an eye on her expenses, but these have increased since she has been living alone, mainly because the cost of living in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is high.
“I make sure I have enough to pay the bills. Then I see what I can save and what I can use for my hobbies. Since moving abroad, I’ve created a chart of accounts to see where my expenses are and what I can save next.
Overall I have a tendency to save what I don’t spend, whether it’s for contingencies, a bigger purchase later, or travel. And more recently, I’ve been saving up on a PEL for a future more or less long-term real estate purchase. In general, I save a little on these four poles, with variations depending on the month. »
Elise’s expenses
The first fixed expense that weighs on Elise’s budget is rent. She dispenses every month 800 euros for a house of 100 m2 in the village of Miquelon.
“The house is too big for me alone, but I had no choice of accommodation. The real estate offer is very limited and it is difficult to find accommodation on the island. »
Oil heating is Elise’s other big monthly expense: pay €400 to have a room temperature of 15°C in the house.
“The house dates from the 70s and is a mega energy sieve, so the heating costs me a lot to barely get warm. »
Other fixed costs include an electricity bill of around €60 per monthan Internet subscription a €55a subscription for your phone a €12 AND €6 Bank charges. On the insurance side, he doesn’t pay the insurance because he’s entitled to his father’s, but he continues to pay €25 a month for your car while staying in mainland France. He plans to cancel this insurance in April.
“It is difficult to have fresh products because the transport times are long”
Every month, Elise calculates to pay between 350 and 400 € of groceries. There are no large retail chains in Miquelon. So do the shopping in the two small shops in the country.
“Every week, depending on the supply by ship, the products change. It is rather complicated to have fresh products because the transport times are quite long and if the weather does not allow it, the delivery can be delayed by several days. We also have products from Canada. For the latter I try to be careful because many contain GMOs. »
As for the so-called “feminine” expenses, Elise invested 3 years ago in washable sanitary pads, then in menstrual panties.
“It cost me between 250 and 300 euros, or 100 euros a year or 8.30 euros a month. I am aware that the initial investment is very substantial and that I am privileged because I can afford such a cost. »
As a lesbian, Elise spends no money on contraception and shares the cost of STI protection with her partners.
Elise’s hobbies
In addition to his Netflix subscription to €10 per month, Elise spends approx €100 a month for his hobbies. If she has failed to renew her membership in the team sport that fascinates her due to lack of a club on the island, she now pays for a €20 a year to a theater association.
“My hobbies are more when I go on vacation, eat out or visit museums. But during the winter season everything is closed and temptations are few. »
Elise buys very few clothes and thinks spend around €100 a year get dressed, mainly in thrift stores or responsible/sustainable sites.
“Obviously there are internet orders, but many sites do not ship to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, where transport costs are very high. Customs fees must also be taken into consideration. »
Elise’s savings and plans for the future
If Elise arrived first a save around €1,000 a month, had to revise this amount downwards due to the cost of the rent. His goal today is to almost 600 euros allocated.
“I put some of it in a PEL, some in emergency savings and some in life insurance. But in recent months, between heating and financing my future vacation, my savings have been smaller. »
In the short term, Elise therefore hopes to go on vacation. In the more distant future, you would like to reorient yourself towards a profession that more closely matches your commitment and aspirations.
“I would like a profession more focused on agriculture to find a connection with the earth and act directly through biodynamics or permaculture, creating an eco-place… To launch a social change in our lifestyles. It is a thought that fits more broadly into an ecofeminist and queer ideal of life. »
Thanks to Elise* for answering our questions!
*Name has been changed.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
