Germany is not known to be particularly tech-forward. (Insert joke about German offices still using fax machines.)
Still, life in Germany can be significantly improved with a smartphone and the use of a few helpful apps.
Here's a short list of some of the apps that can help you to save money on basic purchases and costs.
Kleinanzeigen
Kleinanzeigen literally translates to ‘classifieds’, and the Kleinanzeigen website and app (Apple / Android) are commonly referred to as ‘Germany’s eBay’. It's one of the best online second-hand marketplaces in the country.
Especially if you live in or near a big city, Kleinanzeigen can be very useful for finding a good deal on a used bike or a lightly-worn winter coat or just about anything else you can imagine.
But the platform can really become a money saver when moving house: Before you move-out, identify things you have that are still useful that you don’t need or use anymore and put them online with a simple picture and description–with any luck someone might just pay you for them.
On the other side, the app can be a lifesaver when moving into or furnishing a new apartment. Basic items like kitchen furniture and appliances are plentiful, and very often sellers are happy to get rid of them for just a few euros or even sometimes for free.
Keep in mind that not all people posting things on Kleinanzeigen speak English. Which is to say that when replying to ads written in German, you'll probably have better luck if you make the effort to translate your messages.
Too good to go
Too good to go’s purported mission is “to make it easy to protect the environment and save money on your favourite food at the same time”.
Put most simply, it allows you to find really good deals on groceries and restaurant foods that would otherwise be wasted at the end of the day.
For example, perhaps your local cafe always has a bunch of leftover baked goods at the end of the afternoon shift. Through the app you can purchase a mixed bag of baked goods for a low price, and now you’ve got croissants and muffins for the rest of the week.
The only catch is that you have to be able to pick up the food at the store within a specific time window.
Of course some deals on the app are better than others. Sometimes you’ll be blessed with a backpack full of food for just a couple euros and other times you may wonder if the deal you scored was actually worth the walk over. Pay attention to the reviews left by other users and you’ll quickly find the best deals to find in your neighbourhood.
Download the app here: (Apple / Android)
FlixBus & BlaBlaCar
If you’re travelling within Germany at the last minute, you’ll find that Deutsche Bahn train tickets can be quite expensive.
That’s when the FlixBus and BlaBlaCar apps can save you significant money on your travel expenses.
For example, at time of writing a train ticket from Berlin to Munich with Deutsche Bahn for this evening would cost around €100, where tickets on a FlixBus are going for about €25.
In many cases this decision comes down to how much you value your time–the bus journey will take about eight hours whereas it would be about four on an ICE train. But it's always good to have options.
Download the app here: (Apple / Android)
READ ALSO: 'Two hundred more cities': Flixtrain expands in Germany with regional connections
Beside taking a FlixBus, you may be able to further cut down your costs by finding a rideshare on BlaBlaCar. People driving between major cities in Germany or Europe can post their empty seats on BlaBlaCar, and passengers in turn can sign up to go along for all or a portion of the ride. Drivers usually set a price for the ride, which allows them to offset their fuel costs for the journey.
BlaBlaCar rides are often as cheap, or even cheaper than, bus or train tickets. In some cases they can be faster as well. But of course riding in a stranger’s car can be an interesting experience, and not always in a pleasant way.
Download the app here: (Apple / Android)
Fuel Savings Apps
If you drive, you can use fuel cost comparison apps like ADAC Drive, Clever Tanken, or the PACE drive app to save a bit whenever you fill up the gas tank.
Most of these apps allow you to compare prices at gas stations around you, or even set a route to the cheapest option along your journey.
Some of them also offer tips for the best times and places to refuel in your daily life, such as buying gas in the evening instead of during morning hours when possible.
READ ALSO: Three apps to help drivers in Germany find the cheapest fuel
Check 24
Check 24 is Germany’s biggest cost comparison platform, and its app allows you to compare prices on all kinds of transactions including bookings and purchases as well as contracts, such as your gas or electricity tariffs at home.
When planning trips, Check 24 essentially works like Booking.com, allowing you to compare prices at hotels and even book through the app. If you’re looking for the best possible deal on accommodation, it may be worth checking rates on both Check 24 as well as other booking apps you normally use.
But beyond travel, you can also use Check 24 whenever you need to make a significant purchase and you’re not sure what the best deal may be. For example, if you need to buy new winter tyres for your car this year, or if you are thinking about switching the gas provider at your house.
Comments (1)