French households are adapting to increasing living costs by carefully managing their budgets and altering their spending habits, as reported by several recent studies. With inflation affecting essential goods, many families are becoming more strategic about their purchases, especially when it comes to food and other daily necessities. For instance, Catherine, a resident of Aubervilliers in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, has started buying in bulk and preparing meals that can last several days to cut down on expenses. She noted that the cost of six small bottles of a liquid product now matches the price of six liters from before, highlighting how prices have risen. Shopping habits have also shifted, with consumers now thinking more carefully about what they need before making a purchase. In response to the rising costs, some individuals are changing their diets to reduce expenses. One person, for example, has cut back on meat and fish and is now relying more on eggs and legumes to meet her protein needs. These adjustments reflect a broader trend, as a recent survey found that two-thirds of French people feel their purchasing power has declined in recent months. This means that despite the same income, people are able to buy less than before due to higher prices. Josiane Kerisak, a retiree living in Toulouse in the Haute-Garonne department, is managing her limited pension by making small, planned purchases and taking advantage of sales and discounts. She stressed the importance of tracking expenses and being cautious with unexpected costs, especially since energy prices have also risen sharply. Energy bills are a significant expense for many households, and the increase has added to the financial pressure on retirees like Josiane. Kerisak expressed concern about the possibility that her pension may not increase in the coming year, which would make it even harder to cope with rising costs. Her situation is not unique, as many retirees in France are facing similar challenges. The combination of stagnant pensions and increasing living expenses is creating a difficult financial landscape for older adults, who are particularly vulnerable to economic pressures.