What else can we afford?
Food chemist (43): Electricity now costs me a good 70 percent more
08/06/2023 10:42 am
Energy and food in particular have become significantly more expensive. Inflation averaged 6.9 percent last year. Bei ntv.de regularly tell people from all income groups what this means for their everyday life – what they earn, what they spend how much money on and what is left over at the end of the month. Today:
A single food chemist
Surname: I want to remain anonymous*
Age: 43
Residence: Bergisch Gladbach
Education: Food chemistry studies, doctorate
Recent Activity: food chemist
Working hours per week: 38.5
Monthly gross salary: 5500 euros
Holiday and Christmas bonus: a total of half a month’s salary
Marital status: divorced, one child
Household net income per month: 4596 euros – my salary, maintenance for my teenage son and child support
Monthly installments and additional costs for my condominium with three rooms and 81 square meters: 1135 euros including heating, fees (household allowance) and garage rent
Monthly costs for heating: 62 euros for gas and water charges
How much these have increased during the energy crisis: I can’t say yet because the billing isn’t available yet, I estimate 30 percent more.
Monthly electricity costs: 98 euros
How much these have increased during the energy crisis: From a discount of 57 euros to a discount of 98 euros. Our consumption has not increased however, our water is also heated by a flow heater, i.e. electricity.
Additional fixed costs per month:
- 242 euros for a car, a motorcycle, a scooter and a caravan: insurance, taxes, ADAC, workshop, inspections
- Petrol about 250 euros
- 317 euros for private pension insurance as well as life, supplementary health, household and liability insurance
- Savings rate child 15 euros
- Lotto and action-man-lot 28 euros
- Gym 25 euros
- Membership fees for sports club and professional association 20 euros
- Mobile phone for me and my child + landline + Internet: 59.50 euros
- Streaming and digital book flat rate 22.50
- Broadcasting fee 18.36 euros
- Medication and contact lenses: 20 euros
Additional expenses for my child:
- About 50 euros for school materials, hiking days etc.
- School support association the equivalent of 17 euros
The bottom line is disposable household income for groceries, hygiene, leisure time, clothing, holidays, etc.: almost 2300 euros – everything else falls into this category: spare parts for our bicycles, clothing, cinema, football tickets, outdoor pool, climbing forest, birthday and Christmas gifts
How much more I spend on groceries today than I did a year ago: about 100 euros more, mainly for fish and poultry. In total, including delivery services, I spend around 500 euros.
Special expenses: Extra repayment for my home loan annually 3650 euros; I will have paid off my apartment by 2028/2029.
How much I spend on vacation: I travel once or twice a year for a total of around 4,000 euros plus two or three short trips, for example to visit my parents or friends. So far this year I’ve spent 1800 plus 2300 euros plus short trips.
The details of these most important incomes and expenses are based on self-disclosures and do not claim to be complete.
Exciting, isn’t it? If you would like to take part, please register via email participate[at]ntv.de
Where do I save due to high inflation: Purchase of a balcony solar system to reduce my electricity costs
How much is left at the end of the month: about 500 euros on average
How much of it I save: Almost everything that is left. I use it to pay for expensive spontaneous purchases, such as my motorcycle two years ago, or expensive replacement purchases, such as a new (used) car after a total loss as a result of an accident.
Wishes to politicians: Sending less money directly to the parents is not enough for the children, for example the children’s bonus of 100 euros last year. I think it would be better, for example, to promote free snacks during school breaks in schools where parents have low incomes, school working groups and sports clubs, etc. When applying for grants and funding, bureaucracy should be reduced, the hurdles are very high due to evidence, etc. And the funding opportunities should be better known.
*The name is known to the editors