How they save money in Europe and America. Money secrets: what residents of different countries save on. Savings in Europe

Life in Europe today often seems fabulous to us, the inhabitants of the post-Soviet space, but now that many of us have visited Western countries, a fair amount of bewilderment is added to the general admiration for the high well-being and level of behavioral culture about some of the oddities that seem to the French, Germans or Austrians quite ordinary. Life there is different from ours. Having realized this, we can come to the conclusion that we, Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, are not completely Europeans. But it's not always frustrating.

Features of national psychology

What Russians and citizens of other former Soviet republics have in common with Europeans is the desire to live better. It’s just that we don’t always go the same way towards this goal. We understand that we need to save, but such is the nature of our psychology that our desire to earn more comes first, and saving comes later. Even the poorest person can sometimes, succumbing to a spiritual impulse, say “eh!” and spend your last (or penultimate) money on something you really want. The average European is probably also susceptible to similar temptations, but over centuries of history he has learned to restrain them. He has developed a certain taboo that makes the concepts “expensive” and “impossible” identical. These internal prohibitions are especially evident in some visible and tangible examples.

Coupons and vouchers

They are also available in Russian supermarkets - promotions, coupons, discounts and bonuses. What is surprising in the West is not their presence, but rather their quantity and almost universal use. A few eurocents won by extracting a preferential or prize receipt from a purse, providing a discount on the next purchase, seems like a mere trifle, but the Germans, Belgians or French do not neglect them, in fact proving that a penny saves the ruble. When buying a cassette of new razor blades, a European will not forget to take the used ones with him, which, of course, is very commendable, as it reduces the amount of waste, but the main goal is still not ecology, but savings. Having learned that the acquisition of something entails a reduction in the price of another product, a Westerner thinks, but our compatriot most often takes what he needs, or at least what he wants. We regret the time spent collecting coupons, sorting them and fussing around the cash register more than the money.

Tourism and rest

Needless to say, Europeans travel abroad more often than Russians, not to mention Ukrainians. Perhaps it is the rarity of vacations spent at foreign resorts that provokes surges of merchant generosity and desire for luxury. I want to “show off”, and this temptation is almost impossible to overcome, except when the moment comes “there is no money at all.” The Germans are another matter. Everything is calculated for them, and unexpected attacks of extravagance cannot be expected. The family stays in a mid-level hotel, where the service is good, but they don’t even think about some kind of “multi-star”, the main thing is that everything is included, including three meals a day. If a traveler is alone, then he most often chooses a hostel, which provides more living conditions than living conditions. He goes to see Paris, and not to bask in a luxurious room, and we must give credit to the Europeans, they achieve their goal with minimal costs.

Hygiene

In fact, the Americans tried to instill the cult of daily hair washing in Europeans after World War II, and they were not very successful. The habit of taking a shower in the mornings and evenings is alien to the Germans and, in general, to the inhabitants of the Old World. They weren’t exactly dirty, but it’s hard to call them clean either. Water, especially hot water, is expensive, and this is the main deterrent. Therefore, one should not be surprised by the appearance of Parisian women, who are considered the standard among our women; they may be good in their own way, but they often walk around with unwashed hair for several days, which brings back memories of the history of the penetration of bath culture into Europe from the East.

Cold

European apartments are cool in winter. We, who are accustomed to walking around at home in something light, suffer from this local peculiarity, complain and receive advice to dress warmer. Actually, Russians are no strangers to frost, but this is on the street, not in an apartment. The French endure this discomfort stoically, and they are not alone. Sitting at home in winter in socks, warm leggings and sweaters is a common thing for Europeans. And if there is a fireplace, then there are no problems at all; you can warm your feet next to it. Romance, in general. And in bathrooms there may be mold, and black mold, it is formed from moisture condensation, it can be removed, but it is not cheap, and representatives of the middle class meekly put up with it.

Food

Our compatriots who have come to Europe for a long time are often indignant at the meager diet. “They buy carrots and run around with them all day!” - this is what you hear from those who have tasted French, Swiss and other Western bounties. No, Europe is not starving, that would be too much, but it is saving all the time. Actually, there are many ways, and some of them have a completely rational or even patriotic basis. Buying non-local wine or beer, eating foreign cheese or imported sausage is not very smart, if you have your own, which is also good and tasty. The same applies to the seasonality of agricultural products. Winter tomatoes are available on the market, but are not very popular. National cuisines, such as Italian, Austrian or German, traditionally take into account possibilities rather than wishes, so meat and potatoes or potatoes with meat take pride of place in them (Maupassant also noticed this).

Prestige and law-abidingness

Savings in Europe are more important than prestige. Representatives of the middle class do not judge each other based on the make of their car. The concept of "cool" is completely missing, and this would be a very good role model. A very good and highly paid specialist, a doctor, lawyer or professor, does not suffer at all from the fact that they have old cars, if they are in good working order, economical and fulfill their main function of delivering the owner and his family to the right place. The same applies to clothing, which is given so much importance in our country. Parking spaces are strictly enforced, and not because of any special innate national trait, they just come with a hard hit in the wallet area. The same goes for garbage. In Paris, you can’t throw pieces of paper inside metro stations, but once you get out, you can, and they use it shamelessly, which is especially annoying in the summer, when the janitors go on vacation.

About yours and your loved one

But the most important thing in European life that surprises our people is not even economy, which is often mistaken for greed, but the fact that its necessity is treated quite tolerantly. Residents of France, Italy, Germany, Austria or Switzerland quite like the way of life to which they are accustomed, and what they are most often indignant about is not the fact that they do not have enough money for something, but the change in the usual state of affairs. Traffic jams on narrow European roads (not autobahns, but inside the city) are considered commonplace, and no one would even think of driving around them on the sidewalk or on a lane dedicated to public transport, as is often done here, with loud horns and indecent shouts. addressed to unwary passers-by. No one is surprised at the modest treat on the table when they come “for a cup of coffee,” whereas in our country this invigorating drink is usually served with everything that a hospitable host can offer. The breakfast-lunch-dinner schedule in European cafes is strictly observed, and this is also routinely part of daily life and is confirmed, in addition to logic, by the demands of trade unions. No, there is nothing to criticize the Old World for. Europeans love their world. And we still have a lot to learn. Never mind, God willing, we’ll learn...

Each nation has its own specific ways of saving and saving money. The percentage of income to be deferred and the methods of saving are different. So, for example, Asians are the most economical, they save about 25% of their money, in Europe they save less - about 15%, and in America only 10%.

The most economical countries in Asia are:

• Indonesia,
• Singapore,
• Thailand,
• Philippines,
• Vietnam,
• China,
• Taiwan,
• Malaysia,
• Japan,
• South Korea.

In Europe, the most frugal are:

• Germany,
• Sweden,
• France.

America recently joined the frugal countries.

All these nations save on a variety of things, such as utilities, clothing, cars and much more.

In our article we will tell you exactly how these countries save their money.

How to save money in Asia

For example, the Japanese are one of the most economical inhabitants of our planet. They save a quarter of their budget. Moreover, only women count the funds, since men in this country are the breadwinners, and women distribute the budget.

First of all, they save on utilities, such as water. In their families, it is customary for the whole family to take one bath, that is, they take turns bathing one after another. Sometimes the remaining water is also used for washing clothes. The Japanese invest the money they save in securities or bank accounts.

The Japanese have even created innovative cost-saving programs. For example, we developed a product that fills water with oxygen. This discovery allows you to save water and energy.

The Vietnamese are very thrifty. Vietnam is one of the most economical countries in the region. About 77% of Vietnamese regularly replenish their nest egg. Their distinctive feature is that they do not like to take risks. Vietnamese prefer cash, and keep their savings in gold bars or in bank accounts, for which they receive interest.

60% of Vietnamese people try not to even have fun outside the home.

Koreans are also quite economical. To save on heating costs, they simply put up tents in their rooms and warm themselves there. And Korean women have gone even further; they buy bright shirts for their husbands, which allows them to be washed less often and, accordingly, saves powder.

Savings in Europe

The peoples of Europe are no less thrifty.

So, one of the most economical countries in Europe is Sweden. It became this way due to exorbitant taxes and very high prices for utilities. The Swedes pay one of the largest taxes in the world - about 60%, pay about 20% for services, and in return receive free education.

These people have to save on almost everything. Residents of Sweden wash things in one common washing machine, which is in every home, in order to save on water. They also treat things very carefully. They not only try to buy them at sales, but even after the item is no longer needed, they manage to sell it.

Moreover, it is the custom of Swedes to make quite practical gifts in the form of securities and put money aside for children. This account has been open since the child’s early childhood, and therefore, upon reaching adulthood, the child receives a tidy sum.

The Swedes also have another account, a pension account. They open it after forty years and put aside part of the funds there so that in old age they can receive several pensions at once. In our country we have to learn to save a little.

The Germans are no less economical. In Germany, it is customary to save about 10–15% of your earnings for a rainy day. This could be a contribution to an investment fund, a pension fund, highly liquid shares that are steadily growing in price.

Germans usually have a lot of loans, and therefore they save on everything. They buy things on sales, and not brands. These items are then donated to charities. The Germans also save on utilities. They only do laundry at night because the rates are lower. Lawns are watered exclusively from a watering can, with rainwater collected in barrels in the yard.

In order not to spend money on heating, they try to dress as warmly as possible. They are also quite unpretentious when it comes to food and spend little on it.

The French are also quite economical. Like many Europeans, they save on clothes and dress exclusively on sales. To buy things at a discount of about 80%, they can even take time off from work. Moreover, the French do not like to spend money on gifts and often simply re-gift theirs or even sell them.

The French were also one of the first to come up with the idea of ​​giving rides to fellow travelers for money. For this purpose, they even create special websites on which they offer their services.

Savings in America and other countries

The American experience is also interesting. In this country, every person has a bunch of loans, which are very difficult to pay off. That's why Americans save on cars; one car lasts them for 10 years. Americans are also unpretentious in clothes and don't spend a lot of money on it.

They often rent out their rooms to students and regularly use coupons for discounts. With the birth of a child, a special bank account is opened, which subsequently pays for his education.

And most importantly, Americans always rely only on themselves in everything, and therefore invest money not only in government funds.

Residents of Egypt also save interestingly. They build houses without a roof, since the state does not recognize them as completed and does not collect taxes from them. In Australia they save on ironing. In this country, the shirt is hung on a hanger and sent to the shower. While a person is bathing, a shirt hanging nearby is steamed. Australians also use reusable bags rather than plastic ones.

I know a family where even a two-year-old child is taught to turn the faucet handle to the extreme right (cold water) when approaching the sink, so that the water heater in the kitchen does not turn on.
I know a family whose average temperature in the apartment in winter is 13-14 degrees, and the owner warms up in the sauna next to the pool once a week.
I know a family where the housewife comes into the kitchen only in winter boots. I think there are many such families, including me.

But these are still rather extremes. Personally, I wear a T-shirt at home (although I can take it off). I blew out the radiators, replaced the aluminum windows with plastic ones, and repaired the technological hole in the kitchen. And winter this year in Santiago is quite mild. Sashka bathes in the bathroom without turning off the water (it’s impossible to get used to it), the rest of the family uses the shower. We usually turn on the heating for an hour in the evening when we put Sasha to bed, and for an hour in the morning when we have to get up. If it's below +10 outside, leave the heating on overnight. My gas bill for the two months of January-February is around 200 euros.

On average, the “temperature in the hospital” is approximately the following. This is what a typical Galician woman says.

"Oh, it’s easy to scare the Russian reader, because in Russia there is merciless central heating, everyone is used to wandering around the apartment in T-shirts in winter, and the windows are wide open. And this pleasure is relatively inexpensive. They don't understand.)

When I moved here, the first years were very difficult financially, I had to save on everything, there wasn’t enough money. So I got used to it.) Well, awareness has awakened to caring not only for your pocket, but also for the environment. I completely got rid of the bad habit of leaving unnecessary lights on in the rooms, I don’t leave the water tap open unnecessarily. Light bulbs - energy saving, class A+ equipment

I live alone now, so in the summer I almost always wash my plates and pans with cold water, but in the winter, more often than not, with hot water.

Heating. The highlight of the program. I now have gas heating (they changed the whole house last year). The meter is in the apartment. When it's cold, I turn it on. I know that if you don’t turn it off at all, then in a day it will add up to about five euros, that is, 150 euros per month. I’m not ready for this, and I don’t need it - it’s too hot in the apartment. I don’t sleep in a sweater, but I walk around in it at home (when I talk to Russia, everyone is surprised at how cold it is here) and why am I, poor thing, not wearing a T-shirt). Without heating, the temperature in an apartment is 16-17 degrees, with heating 19-20.

I turn on the heating for at least six hours, otherwise it’s not profitable, the meter turns more at the beginning, then not so fast.
I never leave it on at night (once I left it for an experiment for a day; it was very hot to sleep).
I want to install new windows, but so far I can’t. By the way, the junta announced another financial assistance to the population in this noble cause.

That is, of course, I save, but without fanaticism. How else? Will not stay for the trip)
I haven’t turned on the heating at all for several days; just to be curious, I looked at the temperature in the apartment - 17 degrees.

My friends - Russians - spent 600-700 euros every two months on heating their house in winter in Santiago. "

It was a Galician story, but this is what Rimma writes homeashnyaya from your sunny Alicante:

"When we first arrived in Spain, the first winter we were very cold, we burned oil heaters around the clock, paid huge bills for electricity and tried to keep warm. But we soon realized that our houses were not designed to be heated, there were cracks all around - in the doors, in the windows - all the heat instantly evaporated, and as soon as all the cracks were sealed, condensation and humidity immediately accumulated on the windows, everything fogged up and smelled damp.

Then we began to take a closer look at the Spaniards, to see how they spent the winter. It turned out that there was no need to heat, the main thing was to dress warmly and open all the windows. Surprisingly, as soon as we started doing this, we warmed up! Now for the last three years we have not turned on the heaters at all (we sold all 5 of our heaters at a flea market), before the start of winter we buy everyone very warm blankets, warm pajamas and warm slippers. We spend more time outside, on the terrace, on the balcony, where the sun is, drinking tea and something stronger - in short, now we are not afraid of the Spanish winter...."

y_xylu adds from Zaragoza:

"We are used to wearing two sweaters, warm pants, and most importantly, thick socks and very warm slippers with thick soles in the house in winter. I had 5 different pairs of slippers for all seasons, 3-4 of them were warm to varying degrees. (To be honest, it’s not much warmer in a Moscow apartment). Of course, windows without cracks are the most important thing. It’s very dry in Zaragoza, and if you open all the windows there in winter, the wind will blow you away to some OZ country. Because all of Spain is different, five climate zones, after all. But even with such cold, the house did not drop below 14 (and then only after many days of absence in winter), and usually in the mornings it was 16-17, they warmed up for an hour in the morning, then sometimes during the day (we mostly worked at home), an hour or two in the evening, also mainly to put the baby to bed. They didn’t heat it at night - not so much out of economy as out of senselessness. It was getting stuffy, but not warm. In general, many people buy all sorts of electric sheets and electric blankets there, but we liked the simplest thing - a heating pad for bed."

In general, I will summarize. If you need hot radiators and open windows in winter, it is best to live in Russia. And save on something else :)

The traditional video is off topic:

Taken from http://www.rg.ru/2015/02/09/zhizn-deshevle-site.html#
According to experts, Russians’ incomes may decline in 2015, so saving should start today. Residents of other countries that have already experienced difficult periods in the economy have learned to overcome the situation with minimal losses. The Germans, Austrians and Dutch have learned to save money better than anyone else in the world.
"Rossiyskaya Gazeta" tried to collect not only the most effective, but also the most unconventional methods of personal and family frugality.

Don't make a cult out of food
One in four out of ten Dutch and Austrians always buy the cheapest food. Any Korean will proudly declare that his family always saves on food. In the UK, the popularity of online stores selling expired food products is growing: their goods are three to four times cheaper than fresh analogues. The British call this diet the “anti-crisis diet.”
Egyptians save on food in their own way: for breakfast they eat bean porridge with vegetable tameya cutlets (ingredients: beans, herbs, spices). They say that after such a breakfast you don’t want to eat until the evening.
Old is better than new
The first thing Germans do is refuse to buy household appliances and continue to drive used and downright old cars. Last year, the average age of cars in Germany reached a record high of 8.7 years - that is, the Germans began saving on new cars with the first signs of the 2009 crisis. The average age of German cars then did not exceed 7.7 years.
The picture is similar in the USA: the average American car is now about 11 years old.
The popularity of “give it for free” sites is growing in the United States, where you can find free furniture and household appliances, clothes and shoes, and even the devil in a mortar.
Women's logic
Korean women buy colored shirts for their husbands to wash them less often and save powder.
Australian women hang freshly washed shirts on hangers in the bathroom next to the shower. While they wash themselves, the steam “irons” the shirt, saving energy on the iron.
American women rarely get their hair cut and visit beauty salons. With the advent of the crisis, they even began to dye their hair at home, when they calculated that it would save $560 a month.
French women love sales, plan their visits in advance, and even take time off from work. You can buy clothes on sale at a decent discount, which reaches 70-80 percent.
Spanish women profess the principle: “An old boot is better than two new ones, don’t skimp on repairs, but save on extra shoes.”
Brazilians urge their family not to go to the toilet in the morning, but to immediately run to the shower and relieve themselves there while washing. They believe that by not flushing the toilet once a day, using a two-in-one shower can result in significant savings.
To spite the electricity meter
In Poland, just enough water is poured into the kettle so that it is enough for only one tea party. During the 2009 crisis, the use of electric kettles was prohibited in all police commandant's offices, and every second light bulb was ordered to be unscrewed.
The British turn off the doorbell when no one is home. Australians unplug unused household appliances from sockets to eliminate power consumption in standby mode.
Finns advise washing windows more often, because, according to research, dirty windows require turning on the lights earlier. According to the Finns, you should not often look into a half-empty refrigerator: constantly opening the door significantly increases electricity consumption.

In Estonia, they prefer to turn on electric radiators only at night, when energy is cheaper. And during the day, you can stuff 18 bricks into the oven of a gas stove, heat them up for 15-20 minutes, and then open the oven - and the heat will last for many hours. A couple of turns on the fan will spread it throughout the apartment.
Together - a friendly family
In Ireland, to cope with difficult times, some families are giving up all purchases and payments for one week a month. By any means, but do not waste money at all. Since this is only possible in theory, in practice expenses are reduced to 50-40 percent of the usual weekly norm, and the next week they inevitably increase by 25-30 percent. But the total savings amount to about a third of weekly costs - also a good result!
In Belgium, it is customary for spouses to “share” common expenses monthly or distribute them: the husband pays for some, the wife for others. All this is discussed at family councils, where additional savings reserves are identified along the way.
And one of the comments to the article:
26.02.2015 - 21:25
Dmitry Budkov
Yeah))) This is our dream of the 90s, America, Europe - the best life! Back then we didn’t know or understand everything, but redneckism always flourished among them. And they don’t see life, they save everything, econo, eco, eco))) Now I’m very glad that I was born and live in Russia! I have a couple of friends who live in Europe. France - initially there is no heating in the houses (not in the south), not even radiators, the whole family bathes in one bathtub and a sink! My wife’s mother came to them, was cold, and went and bought a small electric. heater turned on. Daughter: thank you mom, you cut our budget by 500 euros in 2 days))) And so for everyone! They stupidly envy us that we live so freely, they are so choked by the toad that Russian hillbillies do not deny themselves anything. So they come up with all sorts of bullshit about us and spread rot on us. And the Europeans, as I was told, also came from drunks. Vedas, they came up with perfumes to get rid of the stench! Hehe like that!