Can Being Frugal Like the French, Make You Happier?
リアクション
2026年09月11日
What if living more frugally could actually make you happier? 🇫🇷
After more than 20 years of living in France, I've noticed that the French have some wonderfully practical ways of spending less — without feeling as though they're depriving themselves.
In this video, I'm sharing 5 frugal French habits that I've adopted myself, and that can save money while making everyday life simpler, healthier and, quite honestly, more enjoyable.
From buying beautiful second-hand clothes at vide-greniers, markets and friperies, to finding bargains at Aldi, Lidl, Action and Noz, these are some of the everyday habits that make French frugality so interesting.
I'll also show you why I love walking instead of driving, buying seasonal food at the French market, and cooking from scratch — including one of my favourite easy French recipes, a delicious cake salé made with smoked salmon, courgette, dill, crème fraîche and cheese.
And finally, I'll show you how my husband Richard's very French DIY attitude saved us thousands of euros when a water pipe burst in our garden!
For me, French frugality isn't really about doing without. It's about knowing what is worth spending money on — and finding pleasure in doing things for yourself, buying second-hand, eating well and enjoying the simple things.
Maybe the secret isn't simply being frugal... maybe it's being FRUGAL & HAPPY.
If you enjoy French lifestyle, French culture, living in France, French habits, simple living, frugal living and the French art de vivre, I hope you'll enjoy this one.
💬 What's your favourite way to save money without feeling deprived? Let me know in the comments!
Planning a move to France? Book a 1-on-1 clarity session with me here: https://tidycal.com/livingwellinfrance
▶️ Popular videos you may enjoy
• Surprising French Habits That Lead to a Happy Life
https://youtu.be/gWmpe0Qd78I
• Living in Antibes — The Best Town for Expats on the French Riviera?
https://youtu.be/SyuyQSu83BM
• I Left Everything and Moved to France Alone — What Nobody Told Me
https://youtu.be/1nkg6Yb7Dh4
• The Art of French Frugality — How They Live Well on Less
https://youtu.be/MYXEh3euG4A
• The Most French City in France?
https://youtu.be/rGXAmwvgey8
• Retiring to France as an American — What You Need to Know
https://youtu.be/TB56OFBpmoU
• Leaving the US for France — Facing Fear and Chasing Dreams
https://youtu.be/dANxbqkocNM
• Struggling to Make Friends in France? Here’s What Works
https://youtu.be/YlQTN4IQfeE
• The Truth About the French Way of Life — What We Can Learn
https://youtu.be/AQksPTRpG3w
✨ Support the channel & bring a touch of France into your home
Shop my museum-quality matte art prints, inspired by life in France.
Every purchase helps support this channel 💛
👉 https://living-well-in-france-shop.fourthwall.com
🎨 View my original paintings
Explore my full portfolio and original works:
👉 https://www.jdyachtpaintings.com
📸 Daily life in France on Instagram
Behind-the-scenes moments, art, and French living:
👉 @livingwellinfrance
Improve your spoken French
For real progress, I recommend one-on-one lessons with iTalki — flexible, affordable, and excellent teachers.
👉 https://go.italki.com/livingwell2507
Lingopie (French learning through TV & film)👉 https://lingopie.com/?ref=zgfjy2j&utm_source=Living+Well+In+France&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Living+Well+In+France&utm_term=zgfjy2j
______________________________________________________________________________________
Need to Transfer Money?
Open a Wise account and get your first transfer up to $600 fee-free (new customers only):
👉 https://wi.se/livingwellinfrance
🇫🇷 Need A Good Insurance Company in France? Check out Fab French Insurance:
🌐 Website: https://www.fabfrenchinsurance.com/r/livingwell
📧 Email: [email protected]
_________________________________________________________________________________
📚 Books I recommend (France, creativity & learning French)
These are books I’ve personally read and loved.
Links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting the channel!
• The Bonjour Effect — French conversation decoded
https://amzn.to/3HyJ6Yb
• The Culture Map — Understanding cultural differences
https://amzn.to/45ktWPl
• Big Magic — Creative living beyond fear
https://amzn.to/45jW2u6
• 1000 Years of Annoying the French
https://amzn.to/3HynGue
• The French Revolution: A History
https://amzn.to/47Tik7B
• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the French
https://amzn.to/3VXeOll
• French All-in-One For Dummies
https://amzn.to/4n770cI
• French Short Stories for Beginners
https://amzn.to/4nEA8rD
• Learn French Fast for Adult Beginners (8-in-1 Workbook)
https://amzn.to/3I8fZvf
#LivingWellInFrance #LifeInFrance #FrenchCulture #ExpatLife #MovingToFrance #FranceLifestyle #AmericanInFrance #LifeAbroad #SlowLiving #CreativeLife #authenticfrench #LearnFrench
After more than 20 years of living in France, I've noticed that the French have some wonderfully practical ways of spending less — without feeling as though they're depriving themselves.
In this video, I'm sharing 5 frugal French habits that I've adopted myself, and that can save money while making everyday life simpler, healthier and, quite honestly, more enjoyable.
From buying beautiful second-hand clothes at vide-greniers, markets and friperies, to finding bargains at Aldi, Lidl, Action and Noz, these are some of the everyday habits that make French frugality so interesting.
I'll also show you why I love walking instead of driving, buying seasonal food at the French market, and cooking from scratch — including one of my favourite easy French recipes, a delicious cake salé made with smoked salmon, courgette, dill, crème fraîche and cheese.
And finally, I'll show you how my husband Richard's very French DIY attitude saved us thousands of euros when a water pipe burst in our garden!
For me, French frugality isn't really about doing without. It's about knowing what is worth spending money on — and finding pleasure in doing things for yourself, buying second-hand, eating well and enjoying the simple things.
Maybe the secret isn't simply being frugal... maybe it's being FRUGAL & HAPPY.
If you enjoy French lifestyle, French culture, living in France, French habits, simple living, frugal living and the French art de vivre, I hope you'll enjoy this one.
💬 What's your favourite way to save money without feeling deprived? Let me know in the comments!
Planning a move to France? Book a 1-on-1 clarity session with me here: https://tidycal.com/livingwellinfrance
▶️ Popular videos you may enjoy
• Surprising French Habits That Lead to a Happy Life
https://youtu.be/gWmpe0Qd78I
• Living in Antibes — The Best Town for Expats on the French Riviera?
https://youtu.be/SyuyQSu83BM
• I Left Everything and Moved to France Alone — What Nobody Told Me
https://youtu.be/1nkg6Yb7Dh4
• The Art of French Frugality — How They Live Well on Less
https://youtu.be/MYXEh3euG4A
• The Most French City in France?
https://youtu.be/rGXAmwvgey8
• Retiring to France as an American — What You Need to Know
https://youtu.be/TB56OFBpmoU
• Leaving the US for France — Facing Fear and Chasing Dreams
https://youtu.be/dANxbqkocNM
• Struggling to Make Friends in France? Here’s What Works
https://youtu.be/YlQTN4IQfeE
• The Truth About the French Way of Life — What We Can Learn
https://youtu.be/AQksPTRpG3w
✨ Support the channel & bring a touch of France into your home
Shop my museum-quality matte art prints, inspired by life in France.
Every purchase helps support this channel 💛
👉 https://living-well-in-france-shop.fourthwall.com
🎨 View my original paintings
Explore my full portfolio and original works:
👉 https://www.jdyachtpaintings.com
📸 Daily life in France on Instagram
Behind-the-scenes moments, art, and French living:
👉 @livingwellinfrance
Improve your spoken French
For real progress, I recommend one-on-one lessons with iTalki — flexible, affordable, and excellent teachers.
👉 https://go.italki.com/livingwell2507
Lingopie (French learning through TV & film)👉 https://lingopie.com/?ref=zgfjy2j&utm_source=Living+Well+In+France&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Living+Well+In+France&utm_term=zgfjy2j
______________________________________________________________________________________
Need to Transfer Money?
Open a Wise account and get your first transfer up to $600 fee-free (new customers only):
👉 https://wi.se/livingwellinfrance
🇫🇷 Need A Good Insurance Company in France? Check out Fab French Insurance:
🌐 Website: https://www.fabfrenchinsurance.com/r/livingwell
📧 Email: [email protected]
_________________________________________________________________________________
📚 Books I recommend (France, creativity & learning French)
These are books I’ve personally read and loved.
Links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting the channel!
• The Bonjour Effect — French conversation decoded
https://amzn.to/3HyJ6Yb
• The Culture Map — Understanding cultural differences
https://amzn.to/45ktWPl
• Big Magic — Creative living beyond fear
https://amzn.to/45jW2u6
• 1000 Years of Annoying the French
https://amzn.to/3HynGue
• The French Revolution: A History
https://amzn.to/47Tik7B
• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the French
https://amzn.to/3VXeOll
• French All-in-One For Dummies
https://amzn.to/4n770cI
• French Short Stories for Beginners
https://amzn.to/4nEA8rD
• Learn French Fast for Adult Beginners (8-in-1 Workbook)
https://amzn.to/3I8fZvf
#LivingWellInFrance #LifeInFrance #FrenchCulture #ExpatLife #MovingToFrance #FranceLifestyle #AmericanInFrance #LifeAbroad #SlowLiving #CreativeLife #authenticfrench #LearnFrench
