Les Soldes: On Saving

My photo wall- the view from my bed

A girl who is working in Orléans (close to Tours) has started a blog- her discussion of the 'soldes' (sales) here in France is funny, especially as I have fallen prey to them a little in the last few weeks as well. Thanks, Zara, H&M (horrible companies).

You can find it here.

It also points to the drama of living on our pay check issue. Something that as I left Australia with all the money I had left from working the last three years during uni is not so much an issue for me.

At least, it wasn't at the start.

 And then I realised that I wanted more travel.

I had always factored in enough to get me the time in France, plus four months after that.

But now, with the big trip to Spain and Portugal in less than two weeks and with me adding Greece Prague and more of the UK to the wish list, I not only want to break even in France, I want to save.

Of course, I've never lived out of home before. I don't know how to be on a budget, I don't know how to limit myself. I like to buy expensive cheese- or, not even expensive cheese, parmesan- I like to shop in the sales and buy my self hot chocolates with a friend. I don't like to scrimp, especially when this is my home. I want it to feel like a home.

Not decorating is hard.

I loved being able to change my room before, have a million things on my walls, take a million things down from my walls, buy new sheets, buy new art, move the furniture. Here, I bought linen. I put a spare bed sheet on the couch to change its colour. I'm trying to keep it clean (ha!). I've put up a wall of photos. Anything more takes away money that could be more days of travelling. More things I could see. More experiences that will change my life.

Priorities suck.

But, knowing that makes it a little easier. Having a reason, something to strive for, it's all important. Having a goal. Knowing that only spending this much per week means I get to spend a fortnight in the Greek islands, that ain't so bad after all.