Families Ready to Do Anything to Save Every Last Cent

France is facing record inflation: rising electricity and fuel prices, higher food costs, more expensive hygiene products… all bad news for household purchasing power.

While some social groups are hit harder than others, families with children are among the most affected. To cope, some have developed clever tricks and money-saving strategies to make everyday life more affordable.

That is the case for Ghislaine, a married mother of two living near Bordeaux. Since her husband started his own business, the family income has been cut in half. The music teacher has therefore become obsessed with finding the best bargains. Thanks to numerous Facebook groups, she has learned how to spend less. Co-ops, cashback apps, coupons: Ghislaine spends more than five hours a week reducing household expenses. And when it comes to dressing her two teenagers, buying new is out of the question — all her shopping is done on Vinted.

For the Langlay family, it was the health crisis that pushed Caroline and Paul to rethink the way they consume. “Less but better” has become the motto of this couple raising three children in the Côtes d’Armor region. Homemade detergent made from Marseille soap, solid shampoo bars, homemade fruit juice, reusable sanitary towels… Caroline, a stay-at-home mother, spends much of her time finding new ways to save money while producing as little waste as possible. In the garden, chickens provide fresh eggs and the vegetable patch supplies seasonal produce — always at a lower cost.

Nelson, 20, is followed by more than 200,000 subscribers on TikTok. He embodies the new generation of savvy savers. This student from the Paris region has become well known for sharing money-saving tips online. Nelson is the king of coupons, bargains and major discounts. Every day, he posts videos explaining how to cut grocery bills using promotions and cashback apps. A marketing and digital media student, he now helps thousands of people save money.

Finally, Audrey and Adrien have set themselves a challenge: drastically reduce their overall spending in order to give their children a magical weekend away. Between dreams and reality, will the couple succeed?