With few means, a mother had to manage to complete her end of the month. By looking for a way of getting out of it without spending, she bet on a simple and accessible solution, which she advises today to all those who want to save money without sacrificing the essentials.
When the budget becomes tight, many are looking for concrete tips to reduce their expenses and regain control. Faïza, 46, raises her three children alone. She has found a solution where few people still think of looking. An old, simple, forgotten, but formidably effective method. She got there by necessity to fill her fridge without going into debt. To her surprise, she understood that she could even use it to go on vacation with her children. This unexpected choice has changed his life – and could inspire other households to do the same.
To meet Faïza, direction the surroundings of Strasbourg, where she lives in social housing. Before, his situation was more stable. Married, with a good salary, she led a comfortable life. Then the divorce arrived, the invoices to be assumed alone, the revenues which found. “He only has 300 euros per month left to live”, summarizes the journalist Ophélie Meunier in the prohibited zone program “Accommodation, shopping, vacation: they are the kings of the resourceful “which is dedicated to him. To limit the costs, Faïza set out to find good deals. Rather than counting on the aid, she turned to barter.
The principle is simple: we exchange an object or a service for another, without money. Thanks to this system, “Faïza was able to obtain plants against clothes, or a sofa in exchange for an old coffee table”, comments the journalist. But she didn’t stop there. To reduce her budget again, she also gives a little of her time. One hour of cleaning per week with an individual, and in exchange, she uses herself freely in her vegetable garden. Fruits, fresh vegetables, all without opening your wallet. Precious help: she considers to save “A hundred euros per month” Just with that. And this is only the beginning.
With barter, this family can also afford pleasures that have not been allowed for years, like going to the restaurant. The program also makes a focus on the establishment Les Petites Cantines de Strasbourg, in which Faïza and his daughter, like the other customers, prepare their meal together, which they then taste for free or by pouring the sum of their choice.
Same principle for holidays, the mother found the solution: vacation barter. In exchange for household hours and some maintenance work, the tribe will be housed free of charge in a cottage, will have access to the swimming pool and will be able to spend its money in other activities. If, like Faïza, you are looking to swap rather than buy to save money, several sites can help you get started: mytroc.fr, France-troc.com, Fontroquer.fr, or Troc-échange.com allow you to easily exchange objects or services, often near you.
