Berlin.
Inflation and worries about their own money bother a majority. A new survey shows where savings are made – and where not.
Even if the pace of rising prices has slowed somewhat recently, inflation is still haunting the minds of most people in Germany and is causing great concern in some cases. According to their own statements, more than half of the people (57 percent) are still shocked by the price level that has risen in many places. Around two out of three respondents (69 percent) also assume that the Prices will continue to increase in the future. That is the result of a survey published on Wednesday (03 May) by the price comparison portal idealo.
The platform has around 2,000 adult consumers for the so-called “savings report”. Saving behavior questioned. Overall, the study paints a mixed picture: on the one hand, a large proportion of those surveyed are in a worse financial position today than they were a year ago. On the other hand, some people show a certain “inflation defiance”: the intention to consciously treat themselves to something from time to time despite a tight wallet.
Savings report: After inflation, the majority looks more closely at money
The price comparison portal specifically asked about the personal finances of the participants. Accordingly, four out of ten respondents are financially worse off today than they were a year ago. Apart from that, the majority (57 percent) expressed the feeling that they could no longer afford their own old life.
According to their own statements, about the same number of respondents (60 percent) are concerned that they will no longer be able to manage on their own money in the future. All in all, three quarters agreed with the statement, mostly on their own spending money to have to pay attention.
Fixed budget and special offers: How consumers save
As the idealo survey shows, the vast majority of consumers surveyed (74 percent) keep an eye on their cash reserves by setting a fixed budget that can be used for spending. Also popular with two-thirds (66 percent) of people is increasing on special offers or discounted goods.
More than every second person (58 percent) swears by before making a purchase price comparisons several dealers or providers – almost a third of them (30 percent) with the help of online price comparison sites. Almost half try to save by putting more no-name items and own brands (49 percent) in the shopping cart instead of well-known brands – especially when it comes to groceries.
Fear of inflation: the Germans save on these things
In addition to the “how”, idealo also determined which goods and services people in Germany tighten their belts on: According to this, the majority (55 percent) limit themselves primarily when buying clothing items and accessories. However, almost as many respondents make cutbacks for their own wallets when it comes to electronic products (51 percent) and hobby and leisure spending (48 percent).
In their free time, more than half (56 percent) treat themselves to a visit to a restaurant, café or other gastronomic pleasure less often. Only a good third (36 percent), on the other hand, cut back on sports offers. The population seems divided when it comes to holidays: half of those surveyed (49 percent) have a larger holiday this year despite higher prices Travel planned, the other half (51 percent) want to do without it.
Braving inflation: where consumers treat themselves
So consistently save everywhere? Not necessarily: Some of the answers also indicate that Germans are tired of saving to a certain extent. Here and there an “inflation defiance” is evident:
Almost half (45 percent) treat themselves to things from time to time that they actually find too expensive – because the desire to limit themselves is diminishing. Six out of ten respondents still enjoy shopping in shops and on the Internet. A kind of helplessness also flashes in the numbers: Almost half (48 percent) say they sometimes think that the savings efforts are a waste of effort – because there is never enough to ensure adequate security save.
Information about the study
The data was collected by the market research company Kantar on behalf of idealo. 2010 people took part in the nationwide online survey in April 2023. The results are representative of online shoppers in Germany between the ages of 18 and 64.
More articles from this category can be found here: Life
