When shopping
Quality doesn't always have to be expensive. Here's how to find the best bargains.
Anti-cyclical shopping This means, for example, in January: barbecues are often on sale for just under half the price, followed by parasols and garden furniture in February. The seasonal fashion sales now also start during the respective season. It's worth striking.
Join shopping clubs If you want to buy brand-name fashion at a low price and save money at the same time, you should become a member of one or more online shopping clubs. Here you can save an average of 50 to 60 percent. You can find an overview at www.myshoppingclubs.de.
Look around on swap markets Swapping is the new buying. On portals such as kleiderkreisel.de, you can swap shirts, shoes and bags, often even new ones, with other users or buy them cheaply.
Compare electronics prices Laptops, tablets and large household appliances are often heavily discounted on the notebooksbilliger.de website.
The courage to bargain Haggling is not only officially permitted at flea markets, but also in normal stores. So don't be ashamed - a ten percent discount is usually possible. It's an easy way to save money. Tip: If the seller clearly states that they are not allowed to lower the price, ask what else they can possibly give you (for free) in addition to the product.
Givesecond-hand stores a chance Anyone who thinks of old clothes with the smell of moth powder has not been to a second-hand store for a long time. Today, these stores are real treasure troves - in addition to almost new items, it is not uncommon to find designer pieces at bargain prices.
Renting instead of buying Your dream handbag is far too expensive - and you only want to wear it for a specific occasion anyway? Online portals such as fashion4aday.com rent expensive designer bags to registered members. You can borrow an evening dress from www.mietkleidung24.de.
In the household
A few small changes can take the fright out of your electricity and water bills.
Electricity provider It only takes a few minutes and it's really easy: we can find all the providers and tariffs on portals such as www.verivox.de. But be careful: the cheapest is not necessarily the best! Make sure that the price guarantee is as long as possible (about one year) and that the connection period is short (maximum one month). Savings advantage per year: several hundred euros.
Effective heatingWhen we're away, do we turn the heating off so that it's fully on when we get back? Wrong! A constant temperature of 16 degrees (around level two) prevents rooms from cooling down and energy-intensive heating up. This saves up to 15 percent!
Convert to LED lamps Yes, they are more expensive to buy - but they last up to 20 years and use 80 percent less energy!
Cook efficiently Get yourself a pressure cooker! This not only saves half the time, but also up to 30 percent energy.
Shower and wash your hands properly Special energy-saving shower heads cost just 20 euros - and use only half as much water. And: washing your hands regularly is important - but is just as hygienic with cold water as with warm water. And it also saves money.
No more standby TVs, radios and games consoles - power strips are often connected to many power guzzlers. That's why we should always buy them with a switch - if we turn them off, all appliances are disconnected from the mains instead of running on standby. Savings: 50 to 100 euros per year! By the way: cell phone charging cables also draw power from the socket when no cell phone is connected.
On the move
It's easy to save even when you're out and about - just give it a try.
Take cloth bags with you Plastic bags not only cost money in supermarkets, but now also in boutiques and department stores. Fill up at the right time A recent analysis by the ADAC shows: Fuel is usually cheapest between 9 and 10 pm.
Keep an eye ontire pressure If you rely on your car, you should regularly check the air pressure - if it is too low, fuel consumption increases by up to ten percent! Use voucher booklets Do you like to go out for a meal with your loved one or best friend? No problem - in many regions there are voucher booklets (25-30 euros) that include offers such as "two meals for the price of one". This is often worthwhile for just two evenings.
Use a thermo mug Drinking a coffee on the go is a nice ritual for many of us. But we should bring our own thermo mug! Not only is it good for the environment, but more and more cafés are offering discounts on coffee as a reward. A great thing.
A new hairstyle for free Hairdressing salons are always looking for models to cut and dye their hair. The new look is free for you. Look out for signs or ask directly.
Insurance & bank accounts
Old, overpriced contracts often run for far too long. Put an end to them.
Current account Most of us have had acurrent account with the same bank for many years - including rising account fees. Superfluous spending! Direct banks such as DKB, Consorsbank and Comdirekt offer free account management and withdrawals at many ATMs. This will save you around 100 euros per year!
Liability Do you and your partner each have your own liability insurance? Then you pay twice - families and cohabiting couples only need one joint policy! Comparison portals such as Check24.de also find the best rates for families and singles. Savings: up to 80 percent per year!
Statutory health insurance When was the last time you thought about switching? This is always possible after 18 months - if your health insurance company introduces an additional contribution, you even have a special right of termination. On the website www.gesetzlichekrankenkassen.de you will find the most favorable insurance, constantly updated. Depending on your earnings and tax rate, you can save several hundred euros a year. Car insurance Whether you should choose partially or fully comprehensive insurance always depends on the age of your car: New cars up to five years old are best insured with fully comprehensive cover, while partial cover is sufficient for older cars. You can find the cheapest rate on internet portals such as www.financescout24.de - and may be able to save several hundred euros a year.