Living as an international student in a foreign country is an expensive affair. Especially, when you are in Germany, you have to manage your monthly budget within a very tight €861. While on paper this might look like a reasonable amount, managing your rent, utilities and other expenses might sometimes get slightly overwhelming.
But with a few little tricks, you can make the most of living life on a small budget while not compromising on all the experiences you ought to have in your new home. Team Coracle gives you 5 simple ways to save money while making sure you don’t miss out on the fun!
Harness The Power Of The Student ID card
Being a student in Europe comes with a number of very cool benefits. Besides the low cost of travel within your city or Bundesland, your student ID can be useful for several other things.
Take museums, for example. While they are a great place to learn about the history and culture of a country, they are often too expensive for students on a budget to access. But with your student ID or ISIC card, you can easily get great discounts on your museum tickets.
You can also get cheaper tickets at theatres, cinemas and other public events with your student ID. As an international student in Europe, the ISIC card is also quite valuable. With this card, you can get the much-desired student discounts all over Europe. In certain places in Germany as well as in Europe, you can even get cheaper tickets if you are below 26 years of age!
Also, watch out for days in your city when museums are free. In Berlin, for instance, you can visit all museums and exhibits at absolutely no cost. Remember to book your place online beforehand as many places might have limited slots on these high-volume days.
Your student ID can also aid you in getting cheaper mobile phones or internet connections as well as slightly lowered rents in student accommodations that are not run by the universities. You can also avail lower prices in bookstores, stationery shops and salons with your student identification.
Shop At The Right Time & The Right Place
Groceries are one of the biggest expenses for anyone. After you adjust to the shock of higher prices compared to your home country, we are sure you are looking to eat healthy without burning a hole in your pocket.
The best way to start is to shop at budget supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi and Netto. The prices for the essentials are often lower in these shops. If you want to be a little more frugal, try buying products that belong to the in-store brand. For example, at Rewe, the cheapest products are under the brand name “Ja!” and can save you many valuable cents during your weekly grocery run.
Looking for some good deals? Keep your grocery shopping for the very end of the weekend. If you go to the supermarkets from Saturday afternoon till closing time, you will find perishable food products such as vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat products at a discount. Watch this if you want some ‘expert’ tips from students like you who figured out some cool hacks to shop in their budget in Germany.
Apps To The Rescue
We live in a very digital world and therefore, it’s no surprise that there are apps that have figured out how to give you the most value for your money. Budgeting apps can help you keep track of your savings along with making sure that you save a few bucks at the end of the month.
If you want to do a bit for the community and the environment while you save your money, TooGoodToGo and Vinted might be great apps to have on your phone. The former allows you to buy leftover food and groceries from stores and restaurants in your area at a fraction of the original cost. So, while you save a fortune on eating out, you are also making sure food doesn’t go to waste with this app.
Vinted is a great marketplace for used goods — be it clothes, books, appliances or furniture. Not only can you sell your old things at a low price, you can also get some steal deals on things you might want to buy. From vintage clothes to secondhand, budget home decor, Vinted is the app to use!
eBay Kleinanzeigen complements the latter. You can find everything on this — from affordable apartments to part-time jobs and even old furniture, clothes as well as electronics at a good value!
Use Your Bank Only For Saving Your Money
One of the most important things you need to do once you arrive is open your German bank account. This decision is important because it will determine the fate of your money for the duration of your stay in Germany as a student. So, finding a current account that saves your money without charging you a premium on it is extremely necessary.
But there is no cause to worry when you have Team Coracle by your side. With our Prime package, you also get to choose a €0 current account among other benefits. We currently have N26, one of the foremost online banks in the country and Commerzbank, a reputed traditional German bank for you to choose from.
Eat To Your Heart’s Content With The Mittagsmenu
Have a few hours off in the afternoon during the week and want to treat yourself to some delicious food? Most restaurants in German cities have a very attractive Mittagsmenü or Lunch Menu. This menu generally consists of certain popular items from the main menu, often with a combo offer and generally costs much lower than the original prices.
So, if you were putting off a fancy meal at a restaurant you like because of how expensive it is, check if they have a Mittagsmenü and take yourself out for an end of year indulgence.
Being a student in a foreign country surely has its struggles. But with the right kind of budgeting and affordable hacks, you can make your time here fun and fulfilling. If you try our tips, let us know how they helped you. And don’t forget, Coracle helps you stay on budget even before you move to Germany with our super affordable blocked account packages!
