Prices at Aldi Süd, Aldi Nord, Lidl and other German retailers are increasing on a weekly basis. FOCUS Online asked readers where they were looking for offers – with surprising results.
The classic savings measures when shopping are largely known. Read brochures, write shopping lists, buy more private labels and scour supermarkets for special offers. If you pay attention to these points, you can ideally save over 20 euros a week.
FOCUS Online has been reporting on the current inflationary phase for months. Germany’s price champions give daily tips on how you can save in everyday life (read more about this here). Again and again, readers contact the editors and reveal their secret savings tricks.
FOCUS Online now summarizes these tips and says what you really get.
Sonja B. from Aalen writes: “For meat, I would look at regional farmers in the area. The meat tastes better and is cheaper. I pay five euros for pork schnitzel. I freeze half of it, which saves half the money compared to the supermarket.”
Richard G. from Erfurt writes: “We have a farm where I can get milk for 80 cents. I need to bring my own glass bottle. It’s practical, cheap and tastes good.”
Does that bring anything? Yes. Basically, if you buy groceries from the farm, you can save money on eggs, meat and milk. Many farms offer direct sales. An egg is then available for around 20 cents. The pack of 6 costs 1.20 euros. For comparable organic eggs you pay three times as much at Aldi, Lidl or Rewe.
However, asparagus, apples and other fruit and vegetable products are not always cheaper than in the supermarket. Large companies in particular have high personnel costs, which then have to be paid by the customers. As a result, it is currently the case that regional asparagus straight from the farmer is more expensive than organic asparagus in the supermarket. Follow up and ask how much each food item costs.
Birte G. from Hanover writes: “There is a Turkish market in my neighborhood. I always buy fruit and veg there. Recently I bought detergent from the brand “Bingo” there. I didn’t know the brand. I paid nine euros for 120 loads of laundry. That is cheap. I’m satisfied, my laundry is getting clean.”
Klaus D. from Munich writes: “I bought sunflower oil from a Turkish supermarket. The ten liters for 15 euros. That’s enough for me for a whole year now and I save myself the usurious offers from the supermarket.”
Does that really do anything? Yes and no.
There are offers especially for fruit and vegetables, because these markets often also supply restaurateurs or have special contracts with wholesale markets. As a result, they consume larger quantities. Some stores also have washing, cleaning and cleaning products in their range. However, it is important to pay close attention to the basic price.
Possible alternatives to the Turkish supermarket: In addition to Turkish supermarkets, there are also retailers in Germany that specialize in Greek, Spanish, French, Italian, Asian, Eastern European and other foreign foods. These shops offer reduced organic, no-name and branded products from the respective countries. In Italian supermarkets, for example, there are often discount pasta for less than 60 cents.
If you want to find out about quality, taste and popularity, you can either ask other customers directly in the stores or speak to the employees.
Evelyn C. from Hamburg writes: “I use food sharing for myself and my family. There are groups and pages on Facebook where people offer food. I’ve often picked up something there and I’m thrilled.”
Does that really do anything? Yes and no.
Such food-sharing groups exist for individual large cities. If you live in a village or in a small town, you often get nothing. With food sharing, private individuals offer groceries, drugstore items, cosmetics or drinks cheaply or free of charge. In most cases, the sellers misjudged and bought too much. Before they throw away the goods, the groceries are simply passed on.
Where can I find such offers? You can find food sharing providers on social networks. Search for “food sharing”, “food saver”, “save food” or “food to give away”. The only disadvantage is that you often have to pick up the products yourself and often have to travel a long time to do so.
Are there alternatives? Food sharing is operated by initiatives, associations or private individuals. The main goal is to save food and promote its appreciation. “When we approach supermarkets or businesses such as a bakery, we first ask whether they are also listed for the Tafel,” explains Dorothee Stauche from Mainz, one of many Foodsharing ambassadors.
The principle applies that nothing is taken away from organizations for the needy. “We only pick up what the board doesn’t take with us.”
Günes Y. from Berlin writes: “I’ve been using Too Good To Go since March. I have two jobs and I just can’t make ends meet.”
Harald G. from Homberg writes: “I bought a bag from a neighboring bakery at Too Good To Go for four euros and my whole family was fed up with it. Even our favorite bread was included. I pay five euros for that alone.”
Does that really do anything? Yes. The Too Good To Go app fights food waste while helping users save some money. A Danish start-up’s application connects people to stores in major European cities that provide unsold groceries.
How does this work? Search directly for specific shops in the app or display the shops on a map. Stores marked in green still offer at least one box of leftovers. Businesses marked in red either have nothing left or are already closed. You can also use your smartphone to filter what you are hungry for.
How do I find the app? You can download the program here.
Alternatives are called UXA, ResQClub or “Too good for the bin”.
Sofia D. from near Munich writes: “I always buy my milk directly from the factory. I often only pay 30 cents for a liter, the butter is available for less than one euro. But I also like to drive 10 kilometers by car.”
Does that really do anything? Yes.
Consumers can save a lot of money by purchasing either directly from the factory. Where large milk, yoghurt, cheese, sausage or jam manufacturers produce, there is a factory outlet. Here the products are reduced by up to 40 percent.
So-called B-stock is also available there. In most cases, these are foods that are in damaged packaging.
Where can I find such offers? Look on Google Maps where major food manufacturers are located and give them a call. At reception they can give you the opening hours of the sales outlet in the factory.
George G. from near Mönchengladbach writes: “My local discounter, where I used to mainly shop, has now lost me as a customer. Instead, from now on I buy my groceries in the neighboring medium-sized warehouse outlet, which is even cheaper.”
Does that really do anything? Yes.
Warehouse sales are carried out by entrepreneurs who, in addition to junk goods and leftovers, also buy large quantities of food that supermarkets have refused. Reasons may be that the delivery arrived late and the markets did not have space in the warehouse for it.
Where can I find such offers? Look for shops in your place of residence that offer remaining stock, special items, clearance sales or sales from stock.
Supermarket prices are skyrocketing, but furniture, clothing, shoes and other consumer goods are also becoming more expensive. As a retail expert, I know the tricks of the trade and tell you how you can save money for you and your family every month when shopping. Would you like to talk to me about your savings tips and tricks? Did you notice anything while shopping? Then send an e-mail to Konstantinos.mitsis@burda-forward.de with your name and phone number
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