The Art of French Frugality - How They Live Well on Less

The French have really mastered the art of frugality. Here's how they live so well, without breaking the bank. French Frugality Tips & Simple Coq Au Vin recipe.

Discover how you can enjoy a rich, fulfilling life in France without spending a fortune! In this video, I share practical tips on how French families live happily on modest incomes, often under €4,000 per month for a 2 parent family, while still enjoying great food, beautiful homes, holidays, and cultural experiences.

Learn the secrets of French frugality, including:

DIY home improvements and creative hacks to save money

Secondhand shopping and treasure hunting for unique finds

Growing your own vegetables, herbs, and more—even in small spaces

Smart grocery shopping and cooking from scratch to reduce waste

Taking advantage of France’s free cultural events, libraries, and public spaces

Affordable local travel, cycling, and enjoying the French countryside

How French social life emphasizes experiences, not materialism

The benefits of France’s healthcare and education system

Plus, stay tuned until the end for my quick and simple Coq au vin recipe, a traditional French dish made with chicken and red wine—perfect for a fuss-free, flavorful meal at home.

Whether you’re dreaming of living in France or just want to adopt some French lifestyle tips, this video shows how to live well on less and savor life’s simple pleasures.

If you're looking to improve your French, I highly recommend one-on-one lessons with iTalki. Here's my affiliate link: https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=a...

If you need to move money to France, open a Wise account and get your first transfer up to $600 free using my affiliate link: https://wi.se/livingwellinfrance (New customers only).

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:20 French DIY tips and hacks
02:29 No keeping up with the neighbours
02:31 Growing your own food
02:53 Buying things second hand
03:37 Enjoying the free culture around you
03:54 Food shopping like the French and meal planning
05:10 Cycling whenever possible
05:39 Holidaying in France
06:11 How French houses consume less energy
06:30 The French social life
06:40 Why the French don't need to earn a big salary
07:59 Coq Au Vin - easy recipe

Arial shots were filmed using the DJI Mini 3 Drone with DJI RC Screen. If you would like to purchase one via my affiliate link, then I will receive a small commmission at no exta fee for you:https://amzn.to/4gbujPR

Reading List:
These are some books I have read and really enjoyed, about life in France, the French and creativity. They are affiliate links which means if you purchase via this link, I will get a small commission at no extra fee for you. Thank you for helping support this channel!

The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed
https://amzn.to/3HyJ6Yb

The Culture Map
https://amzn.to/45ktWPl

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
https://amzn.to/45jW2u6

1000 Years of Annoying the French
https://amzn.to/3HynGue

Chez Nous: An easy guide for preparing to move or retire to France and the things to consider when planning to move abroad.
https://amzn.to/47xTiKY

A New Life in France: A Guide to Relocating from the US
https://amzn.to/4oDSzxZ

If you would like to view my available art, it's here: www.jdyachtpaintings.com

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Follow me on Instagram: ‪@livingwellinfrance‬

Coq au Vin Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs (or a mix of thighs and drumsticks)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
Two tbsp tomato puree.
4 slices of bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, sliced
200g (7 oz) mushrooms, sliced
500 ml (2 cups) red wine (Burgundy or Pinot Noir preferred)
250 ml (1 cup) chicken stock
1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)

#frenchfrugality #savingmoney #livewellforless

You can view my available, original artwork here: www.jdyachtpaintings.com