Ukrainian woman Liudmyla Rusina, who has lived in Germany for more than four years, told how she plans purchases and spends 150–200 euros per person per month on groceries. One of her previous shopping trips also drew attention: back then she bought groceries for 20 euros. Liudmyla Rusina shared her saving methods on TikTok.
How to save on groceries in Germany
The first method is to regularly check weekly promotions in supermarket apps. According to Rusina, this takes about ten minutes a week. She also uses the Prospektangebote app: it collects offers from various well-known German stores, so they can be viewed in one place.
Every two weeks, the Ukrainian woman goes shopping at Kaufland, most often on Wednesdays. This is the last day before the promotions are updated, when prices for some goods may be reduced further. At the same time, discounts differ not only between different chains, but also between stores in the same city.
When German stores have additional discounts
Another opportunity to save is to buy groceries on Saturdays or on the eve of holidays. On Sundays and public holidays, stores in Germany are usually closed, so before weekends and holidays supermarkets may lower prices on certain goods. According to Rusina, in some cases discounts reach 80%. However, such offers depend on the specific store and assortment.
“I know that it is difficult for one person to stay within this amount. But a family of two or three people can eat a balanced diet within 150–200 euros per person,” the Ukrainian woman said.
Thus, expenses depend on the size of the family, the city, and whether it is possible to regularly plan purchases taking promotions into account. Rusina herself noted that it is harder for one person to stay within such a budget. And for a family of several people, planning a menu and choosing discounted goods can help keep expenses within the stated limits.