Croissant and Cocktails: The Sex Tales of a Frenchman in London

What about money? There is always another way

"Aaaah! Money! From love to hate with you, always! I mean, money is always a problem for those who don't have enough. That's for sure, and I'm one of them. But should I?

The relationship I have with money nowadays is usually based on things, little extras, and stuff I don't really need. Also, needs change from one person to another. If you asked my mother what she can't afford, it would be a new bathroom, while for me, it might just be the new Dior boots. She does not need a new bathroom though, and neither do I with these boots, but the point is they're both little extras.

I can spend days, sometimes, thinking about those things I don't need, forgetting that I'm already quite lucky to have a job and a roof! We all have our own ideas on how money should be spent to comfort the life we imagine and how those things will represent us. It's partly about the status we perceive for ourselves.

When I was eighteen, I was barely making €1K a month in Paris with a part-time job, a jobless boyfriend, and rent to pay. It was clearly not enough, but I always went to parties even if I could only afford one drink for the whole night, which was the cost of a week of food! It was my choice, no complaints there. I spent that way, knowing someday I'd make more...

Spoiler alert! Making more money allows you to have more stuff and enjoy life differently, that's true, but the older you get, the more you spend!

In this consumerist world, I've been running after some expensive stuff, which could be anything from food to clothes, from restaurants to clubs because that's the point of consumerism: buying stuff you don't need and sometimes even stuff that you don't love!

There is nothing wrong with buying something that you really care about because life is not only about our basic human needs. It would be morose and sad otherwise, but being picky could be the new trend about money!

I realized not so long ago, thanks to Instagram, that now if you have to buy a gift for a friend or a family member, there is this race about "Who's going to buy the most expensive gift?" As if the amount spent would reflect the love and the relationship itself. I, honestly, found it quite normal for a long time, up until now when I started to get tired of participating in this competition. For years, I've been buying branded sunglasses, bags, books, perfume, jewels... for my friends' birthdays, thinking the brand would be the most important part of the gift. Even if it was always à la mode, I should have realized earlier that the true challenge is to find something that is truly personal and personalized for them. Though they were happy with it, I'm pretty sure they could have been happier if I had looked beyond the brands.

Although there is still a lot of pressure on how to spend money, for me and many of my friends, the first big issue and pressure is about savings. When you travel, go out, and see your friends after paying your rent, you are lucky (or maybe better organized) if you can save!

I admire those people going to the best holiday spots, the best restaurants, best concerts, shows, or parties. Some people carefully choose where, when and how they will spend their money, without wasting time in smaller events. (You see, being picky). I admire them because I'm unable to do it as I'm out as much as I can. Before COVID, I was out Tuesdays to Saturdays every week and would not always take Sundays and Mondays off from social life. That was my choice, that was my life.

I have always said, 'I do whatever I want as soon as I have a job, making sure my bills are paid, and I don't owe money to anyone. This is my business!'

I never missed a day at work, even when I would get home at 6 am, completely wasted. My job is the reason I can do that, so basically, I can't lose it! Work hard, play harder, as they say. Well, the difference is work is quite chill for me!

That's why it doesn't matter how much money you earn, and that's why there is always another way. Having a lifestyle does not require a lot of money. It requires honesty and management of your earnings. I still struggle, but as I get older, I can now save a little bit every month.

Spending without counting must be nice, but the worldwide truth for anyone about getting or doing something is that the journey is the funniest part! Not what you will get nor what you will do!"