The 10 Hidden Expenses That Drain Your Budget Without You Knowing It

The Subscriptions You've Forgotten

According to a UFC-Que Choisir study, French people spend an average of 215 euros per month on subscriptions. Video streaming, music, press, apps, gym... How many of these services do you really use?

How to Identify Them

Analyze your bank statements from the last 3 months. Every recurring direct debit must be justified. If you haven't used a service for more than 2 months, cancel it.

Invisible Bank Fees

• Account maintenance fees: some banks charge up to 5 euros per month.
• Intervention fees: each unauthorized transaction can cost 8 euros.
• Overseas withdrawal fees: up to 3% of the amount plus a fixed charge.

Everyday Purchases That Add Up

• Takeaway coffee: 3.50 euros x 5 days x 48 weeks = 840 euros per year.
• Bottled water: 200 euros per year for a family, compared to 2 euros for tap water.
• Shopping without a list: grocery shopping with a list reduces the bill by 20% on average.

How to Regain Control

1. Conduct a complete audit of your expenses over 3 months
2. Use an automatic tracking tool that categorizes each transaction
3. Set a maximum budget per category
4. Review your active subscriptions every month
5. Set up alerts when you approach your limits