Rising heating costs, inflation and more expensive groceries. Prices are skyrocketing everywhere these days. But how are people in Germany dealing with the inflationary wave? Where is it saved and what impact does it have on your life? FOCUS Online was traveling in Munich and asked.
Regardless of whether it is groceries, electricity costs or fuel prices: the current wave of inflation is making it increasingly difficult for many people to make ends meet. Politicians have decided on the first packages of measures intended to relieve the financial burden on citizens. Nevertheless, citizens feel the significant price increase – especially on the account. FOCUS Online asked some citizens in Munich what impact this has on their lives.
Marianne, a 92-year-old pensioner from Munich, also has to cut corners when shopping because of the rising prices. She can no longer afford expensive branded products and fruit. “Now I only buy potatoes and cheap vegetables.” She doesn’t have the necessary money for a colourful, balanced shopping basket. She doesn’t expect much from politics. “One can only wish, but not demand it.” She accepts the current situation. You can’t change anything about that, you explained to FOCUS Online. Still, she feels let down. Poverty in old age was a big problem even before the inflation wave.
Nicoletta also feels the rising prices in many areas of life. The 40-year-old came to Germany a few years ago. Since then she has been working as a cleaner. Nicoletta goes shopping very sparingly, not in large quantities. Just enough so that you don’t have to throw anything away in the end. Their food is simply too expensive for that. The 40-year-old does not own a car and has never learned to ride a bicycle. That is why she is dependent on public transport – there, too, she is noticing the rising prices.
But her current living situation in Munich is much more stressful. The ancillary costs are constantly rising, as are the rents. “If it gets even more expensive, I’ll have to move away,” says Nicoletta with concern. She reveals to FOCUS Online that she is only staying in town for the sake of her brother. He is their only point of reference. She doesn’t want to leave him alone, but the increased costs put the 40-year-old in trouble.
Angie experiences the frustration of her customers every day. The 57-year-old works as a saleswoman in a supermarket and observes the increase in food prices – and the lack of understanding on the part of buyers. “You can see the pensioner standing in front of the shelf, very disturbed,” she reports and continues: “It can’t be that the prices of basic foods are rising, they’re not luxury goods, are they?”
She shares her wishes with FOCUS Online: tax breaks and benefits. She argues with the prevailing inflation and the constant wages. Angie sees the mistake in politics – and also wonders what the war has to do with Germany at all.
The 25-year-old Dilo from Munich has not yet noticed the current price increases. He earns well. Nevertheless, he also notices a difference in his monthly expenses: Instead of 1500 euros, he now spends 2100 euros a month. The 25-year-old has a fear if prices continue to spiral upwards: “If the prices get even higher, people won’t be able to go out anymore”. He explains that inflation can restrict people in their normal lives – they have to do without many things.
When it comes to price increases, 20-year-old Lara is a little hopeless. “You notice it in the supermarket when shopping, when filling up and also in the restaurant,” she summarizes. In everyday life, however, she feels it most when she refuels. “The fuel prices are still insane. Driving is extremely expensive. In fact, you can no longer afford to drive – especially not as a young person.”
The rising prices have also arrived in the life of pensioner W. He prefers not to give his name. Above all, the increasing additional costs are a financial burden, the pensioner explains to FOCUS Online. W. receives an average monthly pension. This is how he finances himself and his partner. “When it was cold in our apartment, we hesitated to turn on our heating. We preferred to put on thicker clothes,” the pensioner admits. The couple preferred to avoid a high utility bill.
The married couple Matthias and Brigitte E. from Munich feel the rising prices, especially in restaurants and at gas stations. “If you have to refuel, then you have to refuel. You are then exposed to the prices,” says Matthias. Grocery shopping is different. The couple now compare the offers in order to buy as cheaply as possible. “From time to time we treat ourselves to a visit to the restaurant,” explains Brigitte and promptly adds: “But the high prices are really noticeable. If the two of us used to pay 60 euros, today it’s 80 euros.” Both agree: “It can’t go on like this. Something must be done more actively to counteract this.”
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