What great advice. My circumstances have changed in the last year and I am being more frugal. I realize we have so much in our home life in Kerry that over spending was sometimes a diversion. Great tips for Paris as I plan to visit it again in late summer 🌞
Thanks so much for reading, Lucy! I love your observation about how spending can sometimes be a diversion to all the abundance we already have around us. I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip to Paris!
Loved this! It’s one of the things I really appreciate about Paris (especially compared to New York, but honestly true for most of the U.S.). You can live cheaply here—aside from rent, of course, and groceries, which have definitely gone up. But in the U.S., it can feel like you’re swiping your credit card on every corner.
The only trade-off is museums. Most require paid entry here, whereas in New York, so many are free (even if donations are encouraged). Still, there’s something so nice about the affordable pleasures of daily life in Paris.
Thanks so much for reading, Pamela! I think a lot of Americans assume that Paris is just an insanely expensive city, but compared to many places in the U.S. it's not. Sure, it's easy to spend a lot of money here, but I find it much easier to be on a budget in Paris compared to when I was living in NYC.
I agree about the museums; I don't go to them often, but when I do I suppose I'm happy to pay a fee, knowing that it'll help pay museum staff and maintain the building.
As someone who lived in Paris in the late 90s on a very small budget, I appreciate this post because it shows that you can have a fabulous time there without spending too much. I remember that while those years for me were some of the hardest (hello all that red tape without the internet to help you navigate it!), it was also one of the happiest and simplest times in my life because I had to be so frugal. Living frugally in Paris requires intention, and it makes one's time all the more special!
Thanks so much for reading, Mardi! I’m glad to know that someone can find happiness in living simply and frugally. Also, you are a champion for navigating all the bureaucratic nonsense without the Internet—you deserve an award!
Since being in France one major tip I recommend is buying food via ‘Too Good to Go’. Excellent daily produce and baked goods here in Lyon! Usually under 6€ for a big bag 👌
Thanks so reading, Emma! And thanks for the tip about “Too Good to Go.” I haven’t heard of them before, but I’ll definitely see if they are active in Paris.
I loved this! In case anyone happens to live near an Auchan, I find that they're a bit cheaper than Monoprix, and have decent rewards with the store rewards card. Monoprix has a way bigger selection, but for essentials Auchan is generally a better deal.
Thanks so much for reading, Audrey! And thanks about the tip re. Auchan. I don't have one close to me, but will definitely keep it in mind if ever I'm traveling in France and need to buy groceries.
This was such a great post! I love frugal Paris living. It really does make me appreciate the city and overall my days feel fuller and more intentional. Many days I'll just ride my bike and bring a coffee or tea from home to meet with friends in a garden instead of grabbing say a €6 cappuccino and €5 cake at a café.
As an American, I overall find Paris, and France in general, more expensive than the US. It doesn't stop me from spending as much time as I can there. One way I can save is travelling with BlaBlaCar ride share. That saves a lot. And Lidl and Aldi helps save on groceries.
Thanks so much for reading, Bobby! And thanks for sharing your experience—it’s funny, because I actually find Paris much cheaper than the U.S., but then again I lived in New York City. Yes, I agree that Lidl and Aldi are wonderful for saving money on groceries, and I’ve heard good things about BlaBlaCar, too.
There have been some protests against mass tourism in southern European countries like Portugal, Spain, and Italy, but overall I think Europeans (and French) are happy to have tourists who visit with a respectful, mindful approach. Paris (and France) absolutely needs tourism for the economy.
What great advice. My circumstances have changed in the last year and I am being more frugal. I realize we have so much in our home life in Kerry that over spending was sometimes a diversion. Great tips for Paris as I plan to visit it again in late summer 🌞
Thanks so much for reading, Lucy! I love your observation about how spending can sometimes be a diversion to all the abundance we already have around us. I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip to Paris!
Loved this! It’s one of the things I really appreciate about Paris (especially compared to New York, but honestly true for most of the U.S.). You can live cheaply here—aside from rent, of course, and groceries, which have definitely gone up. But in the U.S., it can feel like you’re swiping your credit card on every corner.
The only trade-off is museums. Most require paid entry here, whereas in New York, so many are free (even if donations are encouraged). Still, there’s something so nice about the affordable pleasures of daily life in Paris.
Thanks so much for reading, Pamela! I think a lot of Americans assume that Paris is just an insanely expensive city, but compared to many places in the U.S. it's not. Sure, it's easy to spend a lot of money here, but I find it much easier to be on a budget in Paris compared to when I was living in NYC.
I agree about the museums; I don't go to them often, but when I do I suppose I'm happy to pay a fee, knowing that it'll help pay museum staff and maintain the building.
As someone who lived in Paris in the late 90s on a very small budget, I appreciate this post because it shows that you can have a fabulous time there without spending too much. I remember that while those years for me were some of the hardest (hello all that red tape without the internet to help you navigate it!), it was also one of the happiest and simplest times in my life because I had to be so frugal. Living frugally in Paris requires intention, and it makes one's time all the more special!
Thanks so much for reading, Mardi! I’m glad to know that someone can find happiness in living simply and frugally. Also, you are a champion for navigating all the bureaucratic nonsense without the Internet—you deserve an award!
Good tips! I didn’t know about Selency, adding it to my list!
Thanks so much! I LOVE Selency. Such good pieces and I feel much better buying vintage/used than throwing more money at Ikea.
These are good ideas for anywhere.
Absolutely! I’ve did many of these things back when I was living in New York.
Since being in France one major tip I recommend is buying food via ‘Too Good to Go’. Excellent daily produce and baked goods here in Lyon! Usually under 6€ for a big bag 👌
Thanks so reading, Emma! And thanks for the tip about “Too Good to Go.” I haven’t heard of them before, but I’ll definitely see if they are active in Paris.
I loved this! In case anyone happens to live near an Auchan, I find that they're a bit cheaper than Monoprix, and have decent rewards with the store rewards card. Monoprix has a way bigger selection, but for essentials Auchan is generally a better deal.
Thanks so much for reading, Audrey! And thanks about the tip re. Auchan. I don't have one close to me, but will definitely keep it in mind if ever I'm traveling in France and need to buy groceries.
This was such a great post! I love frugal Paris living. It really does make me appreciate the city and overall my days feel fuller and more intentional. Many days I'll just ride my bike and bring a coffee or tea from home to meet with friends in a garden instead of grabbing say a €6 cappuccino and €5 cake at a café.
Thanks so much for reading, Shana! I also love living frugally here—like you say, it makes life somehow feel fuller and more intentional :)
As an American, I overall find Paris, and France in general, more expensive than the US. It doesn't stop me from spending as much time as I can there. One way I can save is travelling with BlaBlaCar ride share. That saves a lot. And Lidl and Aldi helps save on groceries.
Thanks so much for reading, Bobby! And thanks for sharing your experience—it’s funny, because I actually find Paris much cheaper than the U.S., but then again I lived in New York City. Yes, I agree that Lidl and Aldi are wonderful for saving money on groceries, and I’ve heard good things about BlaBlaCar, too.
Yes, NYC is an exception.
Is it true that tourists are not welcome in Paris and many other European cities this summer?
I was in Strasbourg and Nancy for the month of April as an American and experienced zero issues.
There have been some protests against mass tourism in southern European countries like Portugal, Spain, and Italy, but overall I think Europeans (and French) are happy to have tourists who visit with a respectful, mindful approach. Paris (and France) absolutely needs tourism for the economy.