Food Bills

[Battypuss]

I operate a like it or lump it system. We have a very eclectic menu; those who opt out forage for themselves. Always loads of fresh fruit and yoghurt, they won't die from lack of one meal.

[Val_2]

Me too Battypuss. My son has lost a lot of weight this year from cutting everything out that he used to stuff away like the usual crisps,cakes,bread etc and now lives on salad,fruit and pasta.He gets no spots and has no stomach problems like constipation so I let him continue. So much so, he even helps himself to the lettuces in the garden when he is hungry, topped with a little grated cheese and walnut oil. I'm certainly not going to discourage him. We,as a family must get through at least five lettuces per week as we all love it.  Also any food left over, gets used next day one way or another. Our fruit basket has to be refilled every three or four days too as it just disappears as soon as it arrives in the house.

[Downunder]

[quote]We don't buy any ready made meals or fizzy drinks or flavoured water etc. Our shopping bills in the UK were below all our friends but they were always amazed when they came over for a meal how well w...[/quote]

Having just read every posting on the subject of cost of living in France including the above I wonder if I'm living in a fool's paradise thinking my husband and I could live in France on our Australian pension!  We're ex-pats and are avid francophiles and it's long been our dream to return to Europe and buy a small property somewhere in France.  We're in our 60's and would be in receipt of an Australian pension which equates roughly to about ll,400 euros per annum.  We're not afraid to cut our cloth accordingly and I'm more than capable of producing appetising meals without being extravagant.  However, being realistic is more to the point and it's no good kidding ourselves if we're going to be put under stress to manage on such a small income.  For instance we don't have the heating bills you'd have there which after reading your posts sound horrendous.  We already have to pay for seeing specialists here for our health even though we have medicare which pays a proportion, doctors the same.  I guess though the top up insurance would cost a great deal more but am not sure. 

I guess what I'm asking is if there is anyone in a similar position to that which we would be in and do they manage to have a reasonable standard of living.  Our desire to return to Europe is very real and our hearts and souls are there even though our family is here.  Our children. god bless em, are totally self sufficient and live their own lives so leaving them as we've done many times before is not a problem.

Please feel free to email me privately if you wish.  

 

 

 

 

 

[letrangere]

Downunder, having lived in both countries I fear you will find prices a real shock in France in comparison to those at home.  We found food to be excellent value in Aus and lived like M. Chirac most of the time we were there.  And I doubt you'll even find wine particularly cheap.   Incidentally, would be very interesting to hear about wine prices in Aus.  Also, as you so rightly say, you currently don't have to worry about high heating bills.  (Though I remember it being pretty chilly some nights in S Victoria in winter!)  Have you researched your health care situation for that too may be costly?  Whereabouts are you?  Margaret

[Downunder]

[quote]Downunder, having lived in both countries I fear you will find prices a real shock in France in comparison to those at home. We found food to be excellent value in Aus and lived like M. Chirac most o...[/quote]

Hi Margaret  Thanks for your response.  We live on the Mornington Peninsula Victoria and do enjoy a mild climate although the summers can be a bit much but in Victoria it never lasts for long.  As you may have heard we can have four seasons in one day!

Price of wine varies here greatly e.g. yesterday we found exactly the same bottle we've been buying for $ll.00 (5.70 euros) priced at $17.00!!  You have to know where to buy.  One of the problems with Aussie wine is that they sell it too young and it can play havoc with your digestive system.  The government put on a hefty tax for the vintage wine so naturally the growers are anxious to sell it on quickly. Sometimes you can be lucky and source a good one quite cheaply

I think maybe I should have answered your post privately as I'm sure no-one else would be interested in all of this

I'm sure France will be more expensive as we found it to be in the U.K. 2 years ago but Australia has become more expensive too with council taxes rising considerably this year especially and fruit and veg because of the drought.  However I guess it's horses for courses.  It comes down to what you want to do with your life and whether you're willing to face a challenge.  We've had plenty of those out here over the past 40 years!!!  If we could buy a smallish house with garden, fruit trees would be a bonus, we'd have a bit left over to invest so maybe our total income wouldn't be so meagre.  I did write to someone in France about the top-up and was quoted 1200 euros for both of us but I've since learned we could get it cheaper depending on the cover we'd want.    My husband is an excellent artist so perhaps could generate some income by selling paintings too which he did in England.  Where there's a will so they say but at our age we can't afford to be stupid Eileen

 

 

[Patf]

Downunder - We are living on pensions in France but our income is a bit higher than yours. If you bought a house in a small town you could perhaps manage as you would be able to do without a car. A lot of our income goes on DIY. As far as food is concerned if you cook from scratch you should be ok. Our monthly outgoings on utilities etc are about 250 euros. Hope this helps.  Pat.