Keeping a Watchful Eye on Your Money
The IP Program will give you a paper with the amount of money it will cost for the year. This is only an estimate and it is only for the student. Your cost will also be based on the price of the euro. Each day you can check the exchange rate on www.oanda.com/convert/classic.
The euro can change drastically during the year so be prepared. While I was living in Aix, it fluxuated between $1.09 and $1.35. At its highest point, we were really taking a hit to the pocketbook. For example, if I went to the teller to take out 300 euros, I was really taking out almost $400 American.
It is best to think about what you spend on each child (school supplies, clothes, furniture, food and extra curricular activities) while you are here living in The States. You will have those same expenses in France, but the cost will be some what higher due to the strong euro and because goods and services tend to be higher over there.
