u/Automatic_Ask748

Hi everyone,

​I’m looking for a realistic reality check on my current monthly budget and some extra everyday tips to squeeze out a bit more savings, especially when unexpected expenses pop up.

​I live in an EU country with my partner, making €1,037 net per month. We split shared household expenses (housing utilities and groceries) 50/50, so the numbers below reflect my half. Naturally, my commute and all expenses related to my kids are paid 100% by me.

​My kids live with their mother, and we split their variable needs (clothes, school supplies, etc.) 50/50 alongside my fixed monthly child support. Things are tight, and while I keep a strict routine, these kids expenses can fluctuate (sometimes jumping by €40+ on my end or spiking during back-to-school season), which eats into my margin.

​Here is my current baseline monthly budget (my individual share):

​Child Support & Kids Variable Expenses: €408 (Fixed €208 child support €200 average for clothes, school, and extra kid need ).

​Visiting my kids: €52 (Taking the bus twice a month to see them — 100% my cost).

​Housing & Utilities: €48 (My 50% share of electricity, bottled gas, and water).

​Commute / Fuel: €200 (Daily 90 km round-trip for work — 100% my cost).

​Groceries: €130 (My 50% share of food; I meal-prep strictly for work).

​Date nights / Partner: €40 (Keeping 1-2 cheap dates a month to stay sane).

​Phone, Internet, Barber, Meds, Misc: €52

​Total Expenses: €930

Leftover / Savings: €107/month (though this drops significantly on heavy months for the kids).

​What I'm looking for:

​Everyday Frugality Tips: What are your best, no-nonsense tips for keeping grocery and household bills as low as possible without feeling miserable?

​Handling Variable Expenses: For those living on a razor-thin margin, how do you buffer months where kids needs or school supplies cost way more than expected?

​Appreciate any honest advice or clever tricks you use in your daily routine!

​Hi everyone,

​I'm having a specific issue with my 2013 Citroën C3 II (1.0 VTi 3-cylinder engine):

​After coasting down a long hill in 5th gear with my foot completely off the gas, a cloud of blue smoke comes out of the exhaust the moment I press the accelerator again at the bottom.

​The smoke only appears right when I resume accelerating. During normal driving, on flat roads, or under regular acceleration, there is no visible smoke.

​Has anyone experienced this issue on this engine or know what might be causing it?

​Thanks in advance!

Tenho um Citroën C3 II 1.0 VTi (Puretech) e estou com o seguinte sintoma:

​Quando faço uma descida longa com a 5ª mudança engatada, sem pisar o acelerador, e depois volto a acelerar no fim da descida, o carro deita uma nuvem de fumo azul pelo escape.

​O fumo aparece apenas nesse momento em que retomo a aceleração. Em condução normal, seja em plano ou a acelerar devagar, não deita fumo visível.

​Alguém já teve este problema num motor idêntico ou sabe o que poderá estar a causar isto?

​Obrigado!

Hi everyone,

​I drive a car with the 1.0 PureTech 68hp engine (around 170k km), and I had a concerning incident on the highway today. Looking for technical advice or shared experiences.

​The full sequence of events today:

​A "Low Oil Pressure" warning flashed for about 1 second while driving on the highway.

​I kept driving for about 10 km after that warning flashed.

​Later on, while climbing a long, steep uphill section, the car went into Safe Mode, the Service / Engine Fault light turned on, and the radiator fan kicked on at 100% max speed.

​Only while driving in Safe Mode, I heard an unusual metallic knocking/rattling noise from underneath when shifting gears at low RPMs.

​I drove another 5 km in Safe Mode to reach a safe stopping area. As soon as I pulled over and let it idle, the engine stalled and shut off on its own.

​I waited about 10 minutes until the radiator fan finally stopped running. After that, I was able to restart the car and drive it another 15 km all the way back home.

​Recent background:

​High oil consumption: The engine burns around 1.5L of oil per 1,000 km (600 miles).

​Engine whine: Ever since January (when the wet timing belt was replaced), there has been a continuous high-pitched whining/humming noise from the engine bay.

​My questions:

​Did the initial oil pressure warning combined with the heavy uphill load later cause the engine to overheat internally, triggering Safe Mode and that metallic noise?

​Is this issue caused purely by a low oil level, or is the oil pickup strainer clogged with rubber debris from the old belt/carbon build-up?

​Considering the metallic noise happened during Safe Mode, the engine stalled at idle, and I drove a total of 25 km after the first warning, have I severely damaged the rod bearings/crankshaft, or can cleaning the oil pan/pickup tube still save this motor?

​I cover around 1900 km (1200 miles) a month, so I need to know if this engine is salvageable or if it's completely done. Thanks for any help!

Edit: The check engine light has completely disappeared after adding oil, and the engine sound is pretty much back to normal now (the oil light wasn't even on).

​I'm keeping the car parked over the weekend. On Monday, I'll top off the coolant to the max line, check the dipstick once more, and take it for a short test drive to see how it handles before deciding on the next steps. Thanks for all the advice so far!

Hi everyone,

​I drive a car with the 1.0 PureTech 68hp engine (around 170k km), and I had a concerning incident on the highway today. Looking for technical advice or shared experiences.

​The full sequence of events today:

​A "Low Oil Pressure" warning flashed for about 1 second while driving on the highway.

​I kept driving for about 10 km after that warning flashed.

​Later on, while climbing a long, steep uphill section, the car went into Safe Mode, the Service / Engine Fault light turned on, and the radiator fan kicked on at 100% max speed.

​Only while driving in Safe Mode, I heard an unusual metallic knocking/rattling noise from underneath when shifting gears at low RPMs.

​I drove another 5 km in Safe Mode to reach a safe stopping area. As soon as I pulled over and let it idle, the engine stalled and shut off on its own.

​I waited about 10 minutes until the radiator fan finally stopped running. After that, I was able to restart the car and drive it another 15 km all the way back home.

​Recent background:

​High oil consumption: The engine burns around 1.5L of oil per 1,000 km (600 miles).

​Engine whine: Ever since January (when the wet timing belt was replaced), there has been a continuous high-pitched whining/humming noise from the engine bay.

​My questions:

​Did the initial oil pressure warning combined with the heavy uphill load later cause the engine to overheat internally, triggering Safe Mode and that metallic noise?

​Is this issue caused purely by a low oil level, or is the oil pickup strainer clogged with rubber debris from the old belt/carbon build-up?

​Considering the metallic noise happened during Safe Mode, the engine stalled at idle, and I drove a total of 25 km after the first warning, have I severely damaged the rod bearings/crankshaft, or can cleaning the oil pan/pickup tube still save this motor?

​I cover around 1900 km (1200 miles) a month, so I need to know if this engine is salvageable or if it's completely done. Thanks for any help!