Modesty is the credo of the hour, because the wallet is currently emptying faster than it has in decades - thanks to inflation. For many, that means tightening their belts and foregoing unnecessary luxury. But some things that are necessary are currently expensive. Stiftung Warentest knows where you can still save a lot in everyday life despite the increased prices without sacrificing quality.
In June, the inflation rate in Germany was 7.6 percent. Broken down significantly, this means that life has become 7.6 percent more expensive compared to the previous year. In May it was even 7.9 percent, the highest it has been in almost 50 years. If you want to keep your money together, you have to take a closer look at the expenses. But how? These three principles help:
The Warentest sample calculations show how much difference it can make when shopping according to these principles. Care was taken to ensure that the savings do not also result in savings in quality. The cheap goods performed at least as well as the more expensive ones in the tests.
Example 1: coffee
For many connoisseurs, cheap coffee is simply not in the grinder. If the right bean isn't being brewed, it's better not to have any at all. But brand and price alone are not a guarantee of quality. The cheap Caffè-Crema beans from Netto are in no way inferior to those from Dallmayr, but they are significantly cheaper. With a coffee consumption of one liter a day, switching to cheaper coffee would result in savings of around 140 euros a year.
Example 2: TV
For many, the telly is the center of the home, the furniture in the living room is aligned towards it, and in front of it is the family meeting point in the evening. In short: For many people, having a television in the house is a must. When purchasing, not only the purchase price should play a role, but also the expected operating costs. Because they sometimes hit hard in the office. Warentest calculates that the differences can be more than 400 euros. Samsung and LG models were compared.
Example 3: checking account
Everyone has a checking account. But while some have to pay a lot of money for it, others pay nothing. With the current accounts available nationwide, choosing the right bank can bring savings of almost 180 euros. Then, for example, if you switch to Santander instead of staying with Comdirect.
You can find more practical tips and examples at test.de.
