French budget still constrained by inflation, limiting meat consumption to once a month at most

Sarah and Kader, a couple from Seine-Saint-Denis, are leaving the hypermarket of the Rosny 2 shopping center on the first floor. As they make their way towards the exit, Sarah expresses her frustration at the high price of olive oil, exclaiming “14 euros per liter, it’s a disaster, we can’t afford it.” Despite their combined monthly income of 4,000 euros net, thanks to Kader’s teaching job and Sarah’s position in an insurance company, they still feel the strain of rising prices.

The couple reflects on how they no longer worry about making ends meet at the end of each month, but they still find themselves having to make sacrifices. Their grocery shopping now consists of essentials like olive oil, meat, vegetables, and household cleaning products being a luxury rather than a necessity. On this particular day, their half-filled cart for the week cost them 120 euros, leaving Sarah to lament “It’s too expensive” as they exit through the automatic doors of the store.

Despite having a comfortable income, Sarah and Kader are feeling the pinch of rising prices and are forced to cut back on their spending. The cost of everyday essentials like olive oil has become a luxury for them, leading them to make choices about what they can and cannot afford to purchase during their weekly grocery trips. As they leave the hypermarket, the couple can’t help but feel the burden of the increasing cost of living on their household budget.