Talking about money is still taboo in France. Still, it’s a fascinating topic… and feminist, in some respects! In Settlement of accounts, people of all kinds check their budget, tell us about their financial organization as a couple or alone, and their relationship with money. Today it is Agathe * who has agreed to dig into her accounts for us.
- Age : 36 years old
- Occupation : responsible missions
- Net salary before withholding tax : 2 350 €
- Net salary after withholding tax : €2,100
- People (or animals) under one roof : her husband, a dog, a cat
- Place of life : a house in the Drôme (26)
Agatha’s income
Agathe is project manager at EDF, with permanent contracts. She lives with her husband in a 130 m² house in a small country town in the Drôme. She and her husband are owners for 10 yearsafter taking out a 19-year home loan. She is disabled and use a wheelchair.
Net of withholding tax, Agathe receives a net monthly salary of €2,100. Added to this a thirteenth month bonusfor an amount of 2,200 euros, which is paid to him in three installments: June, November and December.
Her husband, for his part, earn €2,650 per month before withholding tax.
“He is better paid than me for an equivalent position in the same company! »
Agathe’s relationship with money and her financial organization
Agathe respects herself “underpaid for a woman working in a predominantly male industry”. However, in view of his salary and his expenses, he thinks he lives “very correctly” because he can both support himself and save every month.
“Never Discovered”Agathe believes her parents have passed on to her “respect for work and learn to manage a budget”.
“My parents are middle class. Both were working to raise two children. We didn’t miss anything, we always went on holiday to France and they paid for our studies. »
Due to her disability, Agathe finds herself reluctantly limiting her leisure and holiday budget “Very few things in this world are accessible! ».
“So I’m saving up, but I’m wondering why, because we don’t necessarily want kids. So if it’s to leave everything as it is after my death, that’s fine! »
She admits it herself: she’s not very spendthrift.
“I always think ten times before buying something, even a 10-euro book. I am very frugal. My husband is not a compulsive buyer but he asks far fewer questions than me. »
In terms of financial organization, Agathe and her husband everyone has a personal account where their salaries are paid. They also have a joint account where they each transfer a monthly sum to cover the withdrawals from this account: the mortgage, the insurance, the horse pension, the taxes…
Other expenses are distributed within the pair : Agathe takes care of the food shopping, while her spouse “finance many expenses such as restaurant visits, household tools, internet subscription…” All other purchases to equip the house (work, appliances, etc.) are paid at 50% each.
Agatha’s expenses
Like many of us, Agathe’s main expense each month is housing. With her husband, repay the home loan of up to 814 euros each month. The young woman reflects 63 € his energy and water bills.
” I pay EDF only 10€ per month. It is a benefit in kind linked to my employer, taxable up to 1,900 euros per year.
We pay about €50 a month for water consumption and treatment and €250 for wood a year for my auxiliary heating. »
Among her other monthly fixed costs, Agathe lists 90 € for insurance (€35 house, €30 car, €25 motorbike), €62 for 2 telephone lines and an internet box, €73 property tax e €52 City tax.
To get around by motorbike it costs approx €25 petrol.
“I don’t spend anything on my electric car, which I recharge at home. »
His three pets (a dog, a cat, a horse) cost him roughly €160 per month.
“I have a 22-year-old horse who is retired near my home. It costs me €105 a month.
It is no longer ridden because it is 27 years old, and also because my accident 12 years ago does not allow me to ride it anymore. »
“Replacing my wheelchair is a real budget”
As for her food budget, Agathe estimates it roughly €280 per month.
“I often shop at Leclerc Drive, because there are fewer temptations. I buy fruit and vegetables from my local greengrocer, as the produce is of excellent quality and at a reasonable price. »
The so-called “female” expenses weigh little on its budget: approx €10 per month buy creams, make-up, perfumes.
“I have been subscribed to the beauty boxes, I have a good supply of products in advance! I also invested two years ago in menstrual panties, as well as a good epilator. »
It has no budget for contraception.
Every 4 years, Agathe has to change her wheelchair, which costs around 4,000 euros.
” This is a real budget, but my health insurance is pretty strong so I only have a few hundred euros to add from my pocket. Recently, I invested in a detachable engine which cost me €6,500 euros, including support of 2,000. »
Agathe’s hobbies
Agathe’s leisure budget includes a membership of €10 to a music streaming platform, €10 video games and more €60 go to restaurant or fast food.
“We like going to a restaurant, buying good wine for an aperitif, at most 10 euros a bottle. Every month we get a restaurant for at least €50. Sometimes we also go to the cinema. Our other hobbies are free, like walking our dog or going to museums. We are quite homely thanks and because of my handicap. »
If Agathe and her husband spend little time on holiday – “We always go to France, to our families” -, Miss she admits that she appreciates fine jewelry and treat yourself to special occasions, such as birthdays.
” Last year, I bought a watch for €2,700. I draw on my savings for these great pleasures! Even though I still don’t buy a watch a year, I would like to reduce this item, because I only have 10 fingers and 2 ears, so there’s no need to have 120 pairs of earrings! »
Agathe’s savings and future plans
Agathe estimates her monthly savings at €700which it places in a Group Savings Plan (PEG) and in life insurance.
“And when I want to buy myself a nice thing, I don’t hesitate. I don’t waste, but I’m not stingy either. »
In the long run, Agathe and her husband would like to expand their home.
“I too would like to invest in a rental property, but my husband is not motivated by fear of breaking down. »
Soon it will also have to change wheelchair.
“And I keep saving, because the times ahead are hard for my generation. »
Thanks to Agathe* for going over budget for us!
*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.
