Aria and her partner, 4,296 euros per month: “My salary is low, but it satisfies me”

Talking about money in France is still a taboo. However, it is a fascinating and in some respects… feminist topic! In our Account Settlement section, people of all kinds come to consult their budget, to talk to us about their financial organization (as a couple or alone) and their relationship with money. Today it was Aria * who agreed to open her accounts for us.

• First name :Air
• Age : 36 years old
• Occupation : Teaching assistant
• Net profit after withholding tax : €4,296 (for the couple)
• Place of life : 83 (Var)

Aria’s status and income

Aria is 36 years old and is teaching assistant in a school : this is a contractual type contract lasting one year, with the possibility of renewal.

I am a teaching assistant in a school, not far from home, which limits transportation costs.

Covenant with her husband, they have a 10 year old and a catand I live in a terraced house, in the Var countryside.

We have owned this house for two years. Previously we lived in an apartment we owned for 13 years. The latter is now for rent.

For her work as an educational assistant, Aria receives a monthly net salary of €750. The spouse, for his part, has a net salary of €2,500.

They can also count on €880 rental income from their old apartment, currently rented, located in the Maritime Alps (06), purchased about fifteen years ago. Finally, the couple receives 2,000 euros in annual bonuses, leveled €166 per month.

In total, they have a net income of 4,296 € per month.

Aria details her financial organization in her report:

Our finances are common, we spend on each other without counting, without saying who paid more or less.

When asked if she considers herself “well paid”Aria replies:

My partner has a higher salary than me, which is very reasonable. For my part, my salary is much lower, but I am satisfied with it, because I also get paid during the school holidays.

I chose to prioritize my family life over my professional life. I think we’re average.

At the moment Aria doesn’t pay income taxes, but she does €145 per month for the two property taxes of the two properties he owns.

Aria’s relationship with money and her financial organization

Aria talks about the financial education she received from her parents:

My father spent lavishly, never saved and was regularly overdrawn. My mother is the opposite, she spends the minimum and looks at the prices at every expense. I think I found my financial balance on my own.

Aria saves as much as possible and is never overdrawn:

We have a simple life, with small pleasures. Holidays are essential during the year. We know we could spend more on a daily basis, but we chose to save as much as possible to pay off our mortgage early. We are never in the red.

Aria’s expenses

Aria’s first monthly expense is housing: she pays every month Repayment of €905 of your real estate loan for his home in the Var.

The current bills arrive (electricity, water, condominium expenses). €230 per month, while she pays €80 for your home insurance, automobile insurance and non-occupant owner insurance. He also spends €24 for two telephone subscriptions, and is not subscribed to any box or streaming platform.

Aria also spends every month €12.50 bank chargesincluding your credit cards.

To get around, the couple uses the car: this is their responsibility. €400 per monthincluding fuel and tolls.

From an automotive perspective, the Aria packs a punch €100 per month earmarked for car repairs, which she says are quite frequent.

Finally, the last current item of family spending concerns their catwhich costs them €45 per month, for the purchase of his food, his litter and veterinary expenses.

“I prioritize practicality”

Each month, Aria estimates your spending approximately €650 for foodan amount you would like to reduce:

I would like to reduce the food item, 650 euros, it seems enormous to me to spend such a sum per month!

As regards the type of favorite brands, he details their organization:

I go to supermarkets, like Carrefour, and the fruit and vegetable market. I prioritize practicality.

For his daughter who eats cafeteria During her school weeks, Aria also spends €60 monthly.

She attributes 10 euros of your budget for so-called “female” expenses., and invested in period panties. Side contraceptionthe budget is €10 also to the month, which is not necessarily attributed to him:

We have a budget for contraception that we both pay for.

Aria’s leisure spending

Aria admits: Hobbies are very important to her. She likes being able to organize holidays and weekends several times a year:

I organize at least two week-long stays in France a year, and one or two weekends a year. Every month we go to the restaurant once or twice and once or twice to the cinema. Free time is very important to me, I hate being cooped up. I like discovering new places and going to amusement parks.

In terms of free time, Aria spends herself for her daughter €32.50 per month for Wednesday activities.

If you add up all the family’s recreational activities, Aria estimates the expense €400 per month, leveled over the year, for this item only.

For the clothes of the family, Aria has an envelope of €50 per month, equal to €20 per adult, and €10 for the daughter:

I receive a lot of donations from my friends for my daughter, as well as from grandmothers who spoil her a lot with clothes. And sometimes for me too!

Aria’s savings and future plans

Thanks to her controlled budget, Aria was able to do this save €800 every monthsometimes more:

The goal is to pay off our mortgage early.

She was capable too open an account for your daughterto which he adds €50 per month, from birth:

We don’t know what life holds for us! Our daughter will already have plenty of savings in case of need, or for notary fees in the event of her first real estate purchase.

As for her future plans, Aria tells us:

I would like to finish renovating my house, then buy a studio or T2 in the south-east, by the sea, or at least less than 500 m from the beach.

Thanks to Aria for opening her accounts for us!

* The name has been changed.

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