How to Stretch Your Euro This Winter: Practical Tips for Families in France

Keep heating and grocery bills under control this winter. Practical tips for families in France to save on energy, food, transport and benefits.

As temperatures fall, bills rise — but small, targeted changes can make a real difference to household budgets. Below are simple, practical steps you can take now to reduce energy, food and transport costs — plus where to check for help and benefits.

1. Heating: Smart habits that save the most

Heating is usually the single biggest winter expense. Try these high-impact actions:

Lower the thermostat by 1°C: A small drop can cut your bill by about 5–7% without much comfort loss. Use layers and warm throws in living areas.
Programmable schedules: Set times for the boiler to run only when the house is occupied — mornings and evenings. If you have a connected thermostat, use weekly schedules to avoid wasted heating. See our full guide: Connected Heating Solutions.
Insulate and block draughts: Seal gaps around windows and doors, close shutters at night, and fit simple draught-excluders for doors — low cost, high return.
Service your system: A tuned boiler or a swept chimney runs more efficiently. Book now before demand spikes.

2. Food & Groceries: eat well for less

Food is the next biggest weekly cost. A few practical rules cut bills without sacrificing quality:

Plan a weekly menu and shop the list: Impulse buys add up. Plan meals around supermarket offers and local markets.
Buy seasonal: Seasonal vegetables are cheaper and tastier. See our autumn guide: Seasonal Vegetables in France.
Cook once, eat twice: Batch-cook soups, stews and casseroles — freeze portions for low-cost dinners on busy nights.
Compare brands & pack sizes: Store brands and bulk packs are often cheaper per kilo; do the math on unit prices.

3. Energy & Utilities: quick wins

Use LED bulbs: Replace old bulbs — LEDs use far less electricity and last longer.
Smart power strips: Stop phantom power drain from chargers and standby devices by switching them off at the strip.
Check your tariff: If you’re on an older contract, it may be worth comparing suppliers or switching to an off-peak plan if you can shift energy-heavy tasks (washing/dishwasher) to off-peak hours.

4. Transport & Commuting

Car-share and combine trips: Plan errands to reduce fuel use; car-pooling to work cuts costs and wear on your vehicle.
Public transport passes: Monthly or annual passes often save money for frequent users — check local offers.
Fuel price tracking: Keep an eye on local fuel prices with our weekly table to time your fill-ups: Fuel Prices.

5. Benefits & Support: what you should check now

Small increases in benefits and administrative changes can help — but many households miss them. Key items to check:

APL / housing benefits: APL was revalued recently — check your CAF account for updates and timing of payments. (Read our full APL breakdown here.)
Energy support schemes: Look for local or national energy vouchers (chèque énergie) and municipal aid programs — eligibility rules vary by department.
Social tariffs & discounts: Some suppliers offer social rates or payment plans for those on low incomes — contact your supplier early if you expect difficulty paying bills.

6. Small investments with big returns

A few modest one-off purchases can pay for themselves quickly:

Thermostatic radiator valves — install on radiators to control room-by-room heating.
LED bulbs and draught-proofing strips for doors/windows.
Smart plugs or a simple connected thermostat (if compatible with your system) to avoid wasted heating.