Talking Money and Saving in French
Moan about the end of the month, swap saving tips and settle the bill with a friend, using the money idioms French people love.
French people are discreet about money: asking someone's salary is seen as rude, even among friends. Most people keep savings in a Livret A, a tax-free savings account every bank offers, buy and sell second-hand on Leboncoin, and wait for the soldes, the official sales periods held twice a year. When paying with friends, splitting the bill or saying « c'est moi qui invite » (it's on me) are both common.
- 1
Je suis fauché.
I'm broke.
- 2
Ça coûte les yeux de la tête.
It costs an arm and a leg.
- 3
C'est de l'arnaque !
It's a rip-off!
- 4
Les fins de mois sont difficiles.
The end of the month is always tight.
- 5
Je fais attention à mes dépenses.
I'm keeping an eye on my spending.
- 6
Je mets un peu de côté chaque mois.
I put a bit aside every month.
- 7
J'ai mis mes économies sur un livret A.
I put my savings in a Livret A.
- 8
Il est vraiment radin.
He's really stingy.
- 9
Elle jette l'argent par les fenêtres.
She spends money like water.
- 10
L'argent ne tombe pas du ciel.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
- 11
C'est une bonne affaire !
It's a bargain!
- 12
J'attends les soldes.
I wait for the sales.
- 13
Je l'ai acheté d'occasion sur Leboncoin.
I bought it second-hand on Leboncoin.
- 14
On fait moitié-moitié ?
Shall we go halves?
- 15
C'est moi qui invite.
This one's on me.
- 16
Ça vaut pas le coup.
It's not worth it.
- 17
Je suis dans le rouge.
I'm in the red.
- 18
Le bon marché coûte toujours trop cher.
Buy cheap, buy twice.
- 19
Il va falloir se serrer la ceinture.
We'll have to tighten our belts.
- 20
En France, on parle pas de son salaire.
In France, people don't talk about their salary.