Saving tips

French tax return tip: why selecting this box can reduce your bill

Many people are unaware of the significance of ‘box 2OP’ which affects taxation of investment income such as bank interest

Money saver: Find second-hand glasses in France

Second-hand glasses are a rapidly developing market in France, allowing you to find designer frames at low prices

Seven ways to save on French bank charges

From overdraft to ATM fees, and even online banking, we look at how you can reduce bank charges in France

Saving tips for over-55s in France

Save on tickets at French cinemas

Going to the cinema need not cost a fortune as there are many different ways of saving money on a ticket.

French App in Focus: Le Club Bio

App that offers free gifts for buying organic

Reader wins a €1,200 French social charges refund

A reader is to receive a €1,200 refund of French social charges after he was prompted by an August 2019 Connexion article to apply to his tax office

French website helps you save cash (and the planet)

Money saving tip! Helping people keep appliances longer – saving money and helping the environment – is the aim of a new state website.

New French government site helps for old objects

Don’t throw out your old possessions!

Recycling in France by using Ressourceries and reusing

“Rubbish” is being given a second chance of life, thanks to a network of 157 Ressourceries spread throughout the country.

€600 grant to buy e-bikes in France

A grant up to €600 is on offer in one department to help fund electric bike purchases.

Last chance to claim eco-friendly cash for French home

Many better-off households are likely to lose their eligibility for the long-standing system of tax credits for eco-friendly home improvements and renovations next year – so if affected you may want to undertake work while 2019 lasts.

65% reduction in French taxe d’habitation this year

Local tax taxe d’habitation is payable for most homes by November 15 if you do not pay online, by smartphone or by regular instalments, but for 80% of households – all but the highest earners – there is a 65% reduction.

Can I get grant for new fosse at French home?

We need to replace our fosse septique . Is it possible to get a grant for all or part of the work? M.J.

We built our off-grid French straw house for €30,000

A three-day course on how to build a straw house on a foundation of old tyres helped a British couple with no construction experience create their own home in France.

Buy your electronic goods cheaper

... and create jobs in France

The truth about electric cars

Three Connexion readers who have bought electric vehicles describe their experiences to Brian McCulloch

Second-hand is the new black

The Connexion examines the reasons for the rising popularity of second-hand clothing in France – where personal jumble sale parties are the next big thing... and can sell-out in minutes

France sees come back for refundable glass bottles

An old trend is coming back – returning glass drink bottles to receive a deposit or discount.

What criteria for reduced French 'taxe foncière'?

WHAT are the criteria to benefit from a reduction or exemption from the taxe foncière ? G.S.

Insurance by the minute

A new type of insurance is aimed at people who do not use their car often or who drive only short distances – and it charges by the minute.

School meal price cut by €2 per child

Eating at the canteen is to cost a lot less for thousands of primary school children.

Take ‘Advantage’ as SNCF cuts card costs

Rail operator SNCF is revamping its range of travel cards – and reducing prices across the board – this month to attract new customers.

Financial foolishness worthy of poisson d’avril

To mark April Fools’ Day ( le poisson d’avril ), Connexion asked if I would write about the foolish mistakes people make when it comes to their finances in France. At the time, I could not think of what to write, but agreed anyway.

Can I get bonus for electric bike?

Is there still a bonus for buying an electric bike this year? G.S.

Cut cost of moving house in France

Moving house is expensive – and just one million people out of the three million who move each year use a professional removals company.

Ouigo to offer extras

Low-cost Ouigo trains are to offer new options, including more comfortable seats for €2 extra.

Extra help for green renovations at French home

Financial help to carry out energy-saving renovation work has been improved.

Save on French phone line fees

Opting for dégroupage total with your ADSL or fibre optic internet can save you €18 a month in landline fees.

Options for saving and investing money in France

Save your money like you do your food – larder, fridge and freezer

New French website offers ‘Blablacar for flights’

A new French website is offering the flight equivalent of carpooling site blablacar.com - coavionnage.

France's €500 culture aid for teens

Encouraging the discovery and diversifications of cultural activities is the aim of the Pass Culture smartphone app that will be launched for 18-year-olds in the first quarter of 2019.

Cut the costs of your cut

Costs for haircuts and styling can mount but there are several options to keep the price down.

Give specs second sight

Even after they have been replaced by new models with new lenses, old pairs of spectacles can still have a life – and may even earn some money, either for yourself or charity.

Secondary net gains...

In Bob Elliott’s recent Talking Points column (August 2018) regarding the cessation of the Orange Maison Secondaire lines, he seemed to say this would be more expensive.

There’s little interest in 0% saving

Last month I wrote about investing in property and discussed the need to keep some liquidity. Liquidity is all very well, but it is not currently very interesting – indeed, no member of society has been more neglected than savers.

Check museum free days in France

Holiday money-saving tips

Building a house for €3,000 in France

(all materials included)!

Cheap pallets can make an ideal DIY shed

Continuing our series on becoming self-sufficient one step at a time, we look at one of the best-known features of most gardens... the shed

Save money by using a DIY garage

Car maintenance costs continue to rise year on year and with the new stricter Contrôle Technique starting on May 20 (131 points will be checked as opposed to 123 now) they are likely to rise again but there are ways to keep them in check

Annual offer gives cheaper rail travel

Once-a-year cheap ticket with 25% off the full fare