Talking about money in France is still a taboo. However, it is a fascinating topic… and feminist, in some respects! In Settling the Accounts, people of all kinds examine their balance sheets, tell us about their financial organization as a couple or alone and their relationship with money. Today it was Lili * who agreed to analyze her accounts for us.
- First name : Lili*
- Age : 22 years old
- Occupation : Editor at a desktop publishing service
- Net salary before withholding tax : €1,417
- Net salary after withholding tax : €1,417
- People (or animals) living under the same roof : 3 roommates and a cat
- Place of life : shared apartment in the center of Lyon
Lili’s situation and income
Lili is 22 years old and works in a small publishing house in Lyon as a DTP (computer aided manufacturing) employee.
“This means using software like InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator to create files to print as a book. »
Engaged to “but not under the same roof”she lives placement from July 2022 aun duplex apartment of 76m2 in the city center of Lyon with 4 roommates.
“The apartment has 4 good sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen living room and a small space at the top of the stairs which we use as a mini library. With the rental of the apartment comes two wardrobes on the landing and a soundproof studio for practicing music in the cellar. This place is offered amicably and therefore these m² are not present in the rental contract. »
A cat also lives in the apartment, but it is not the owner and therefore has no costs in this regard.
For his permanent full-time job in a publishing house, Lili touches a monthly net salary of €1,417. He doesn’t pay income tax, but he receives €144 CAF allowance.
“I feel like I get paid enough for the life I have, meaning if I stay within a reasonable minimum, I don’t have to worry too much about money. »
Lili realizes, however, that with this operation, she “they may have problems saving and ‘investing’ for their future”.
With his salary is 64 euros higher than the minimum wagehowever, the young woman considers herself “average”.
“Money is generally not a barrier to exit what I want to do, to the train tickets I pay to visit family and friends. »
Lili’s relationship with money and her financial organization
Lili grew up with her parents having had financial problems when he was younger.
“I have a rather bad memory of it, I remember their stress, the tension it could generate, the loans from my grandparents…”
This experience led her to move towards short studies “to be able to quickly become financially independent”.
“I wanted to not have to answer to anyone and that I can’t make myself feel guilty because of financial dependence. »
Why her they received no advice on managing their financesLili never learned how to save her money and make it grow. “I don’t like money,” he admits. I don’t like having them and I’m afraid of running out. »
While “never discovered”feels like he doesn’t know how to handle it well.
“I find it stays something truly taboo in our society. In my opinion it is as taboo as sex and sexual education and, for the same reason, I educated myself and with friends by sharing experiences and discussions. »
As for financial organization, Lili has a personal bank account, which allows her to pay her share of rent and groceries. For common expenses, such as trips or furniture, the four roommates use the Splitwise app. This allows him to do so “see, balance and distribute expenses. We pay our debts to each other by bank transfer”.
Lili’s expenses
Lili’s first expense item is her share of the rent. For the room you occupy in an apartment located in the heart of Lyon, pays 540 euros per month.
Current bills (water, electricity, utilities) are included in the rent. As for the house insurance, it is paid equally by each of the 4 housemates viz €15 for Lili. It also pays every month €5 bank charges.
For her subscription to Spotify and a monthly donation to Wikipedia, Lili pays every month €16. His parents pay for his telephone subscription.
Getting around Lyon and beyond is up to him €34 per month. This expense includes the purchase of subway carnets, as well as that of the SNCF Youth Advantage Card, reserved for under 27s.
After rent, food is the biggest burden on your budget. For her part of the purchases, the young lady pays approximately €237 per monthspent mainly at the Biocoop next to his home.
“His closeness is the main factor that motivated my choice. I also like to choose local, or at least French, and seasonal products. The temptation for products other than those that meet these criteria is reduced by Biocoop’s selection. »
Lili would still like to reduce her food expenses, especially during the week at lunchtime.
“Today I eat all my lunch during the week in the bakery near work and I wish I had the courage to cook, to prepare some Tupperware for the lunch break. This would likely cut daily meal costs in half. »
The so-called “female” expenses are estimated at approximately €5 per month of Giglio. This mainly includes purchasing sanitary pads, as well as the vintage panties she owns.
“I currently don’t use contraceptives, so my relationships are protected thanks to condoms for which my partner takes full financial responsibility. I no longer shave my hair and never wear makeup regularly, so I don’t spend anything in those areas. »
Lili’s leisure expenses
For fun and breathing space, Lili takes theater lessons once a week. You have paid an annual flat rate of 500 euros which, leveled over the year, amounts to €41. He is also part of a student choir, which requires his participation €12 for the year.
A great reader, Lili regularly buys new books (around 30 euros a month) and goes to the theatre €15 monthly.
“I also do sewing and spend around 10 euros a month on materials. »
Even his latest crack was made in a haberdashery as a gift from a friend.
“I spent a hundred euros putting together an assortment of fabrics for him. »
Lili’s savings and future plans
Every month, once all expenses have been paid, Lili manages to put aside between 200 and 300 euros a month.
“When I receive the payment at the end of the month, I generally transfer at least 500 euros to my Livret A account, but I often end up drawing on it as the month goes by. »
Even though she manages to save with her small salary, Lili is not reassured about her future.
“I have difficulty predicting the future and am afraid to plan for it. For example, I don’t rule out the idea of resuming my studies one day and I would ask myself the question of the cost of this project. The same goes for the housing issue, it is possible that I will have to move soon and I would have to pay the costs up front. »
She concludes: “I have the impression that my financial organization works today and that with the slightest change everything could collapse. »
Thanks to Lili* for opening her accounts for us!
* The 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.
