Advice: Eating on a Budget in Paris

I've sort of written a bit about this topic before... see I'm 25 years old, living in the center of Paris on a pretty restrictive budget, but I am also a huge gastronome and love eating as much as breathing.

For this I began to think about other students on a restrictive budget, those beginning their profesionnal careers or simply just those who would like to eat on the cheap.

Already in a previous post, I mentioned the website "La Fourchette": http://flipflopfrance.blogspot.fr/2012/03/advice-la-fourchette.html

Basically a reduction website in which you sign up, choose the restaurant and book in advance for often a percentage discount or a special dinner menu. There is no penalty for cancelling the reservation, no costs up-front and simply allows an easy way to go to nice restaurants at a reduced price.

Of course, there are other options... Every year, the Paris Region hosts a special event called, "Tous au Restaurant", or everyone in restaurants, which enables anyone living in the Paris area to go to restaurants of Michelin Star quality for the reduced price of "Buy one Get one Free": http://www.tousaurestaurant.com/fr/

However, this reduction and special event is only available for a limited time during the year, and unfortunately the 2012 season has passed... in preparation for 2013:

• Book in advance (otherwise there are no spots available)

Other than this, there is always the fun option of eating at the cooking schools in Paris... normally only available during the weekdays (Monday-Friday) afternoons and evenings, however, one can score a 3-course meal for a measly 16€, a steal... if the chef is actually a good one: http://www.lesitemalin.com/loisirs/cuisine/ou-manger/restaurants-ecoles-hotelieres.htm

Otherwise, opt for the "Menu déjeuner" when possible, always try for the "menu" and not "à la carte", which often proposes a discount for taking the main dish and dessert.

25 Years Old...

I never thought the day would come when I would look at myself in the mirror and realize that I was suddenly in the skin of a 25 year old. So many times I imagined what my life would be like when I was a little girl, I would live that kind of home, or own this kind of car. I would calculate the cost of living in my own apartment and draw out the perfect business that I undoubtedly would start up on my own.

One day specifically, swinging on the porch swing of my grandmother's house in Lousiana, I really went at it, planning pretty exclusively.

I am proud of the person I became, I've experienced quite a bit for the person I am today. I think the most proudest moment was just last mont when I completed my masters degree from a French university with honors. The teacher was so impressed with my theories and information she requested my presence to present to the local city government.

Now when people ask me what I'm doing in Paris I can smile, modestly and say "I got a masters degree and now I am working for an international accounting firm".

Yup. I got hired beginning of this month working as a public relations and general assistant to a well known accounting firm- although the entire office is French.

I can't honestly say I'm done experiencing, because I tend to get to a moment when I need to experience more and move. But for now I have a solid job in Paris and I consider myself very lucky.

Now I need to get back to my blogging. For awhile I was just depressed- working my heart out for an interns salary and being overwhelmed with Paris.

However, one needs to get out of Paris to realize how amazing she really is. Just this weekend I attended a 2 hour Krav Maga course (Israeli street fighting and self defense) and then spent the day at Disneyland Paris. Everything is within reach and there's a whole international experience just waiting for me.

Although I still do it with country playing on my MP3 player. There's something about twanging backwoods music and the Eiffel Tower.

I like to break the rules in that way.