A couple of years ago, Europeans conducted a study and found out that the most thrifty nation in Europe is the Germans, who, with true German pedantry, monthly save at least 10-15% of their income for the future. In a word, save and invest.

Where do the Germans invest money? It could be:

savings account in an investment fund;
contributions to a pension fund;
health insurance contributions;
purchase of highly liquid shares that are steadily growing in price;
buying a property

Like many countries, Germany lives in debt: almost all Germans have loans. They prefer to pay for things and cars in cash, having previously accumulated the entire amount or at least a large part of it. The Germans, for the most part, are trying to ensure their own old age, and for this, first of all, they acquire real estate on credit. To build a house or buy an apartment and pay for them before retirement is the dream and the main task of any German.

Free money is not found in Germany, and finding a well-paid job is not easy: competition in the labor market is very high.

This means that it remains only to save, and in such a way as not to reduce the quality of one's own life too much, which the Germans cherish and are proud of.

So, how and on what do ordinary people save money in Germany?

1. Savings start small. This is taught in Germany from a young age. Almost every German student has piggy bank: with its help, children are taught to save and save. They see with a clear example how small amounts not spent on trifles turn in a few months into a decent “capital” that can be “invested” in an expensive toy or an unplanned trip to an amusement park. With age, the habit does not go away: adult Germans also collect small change, which always gets in the pockets, in the piggy bank, and then exchanged in a special machine and spent, as a rule, on vacation and travel.

2. Germans carefully plan their budget. First of all, the money goes to pay for renting an apartment or repaying a loan for housing (this can be up to 50% of income) and utilities, then insurance goes, and what is left is lived on. A large share of the income goes to the maintenance of the car.

Not only family budgets in Germany are clearly calculated. Students and singles also know exactly how much of the monthly budget is calculated for what. Spending is recorded, checks are collected, and then carefully analyzed to identify unnecessary and unnecessary expenses. The expense ledger is more of a rule than a rarity here.

3. Clothing and status items

According to the Germans, there are many important things that should not be sacrificed for the sake of prestige, fashion, and even one's own desires. This applies to expensive furniture, appliances, clothing, fur coats and jewelry. These things are not essentials for the Germans.

Ordinary "average" Germans prefer economy class in everything from food and clothing to furniture and appliances. It would never occur to a burgher to buy a car for more than he earns in 5-6 months. If they buy famous brands, then only on sales,

Therefore, many track sales, as they can. The sales here are powerful, and most Germans buy clothes during them. And also in outlet centers, where tourists from other countries even come on purpose. The Germans are not shy about going to second-hand shops.

There is no cult of clothing here, everyone knows what items of clothing and shoes they need at the moment. Making impulsive purchases that exceed their capabilities is not in the blood of the Germans.

Yes, the Germans are not particularly eager to update their wardrobe. A German can wear the same thing for years. And at the same time, he will absolutely not be embarrassed by the fact that she may look old-fashioned or worn. When, finally, things get bored, they, as a rule, are given to various charitable organizations.

They take good care of their clothes so that they last longer and are more about comfort and functionality than fashion.

Even wealthy Germans sometimes dress shockingly simply. Few things are bought, but they are of high quality and universal. Dressed up people are rarely seen here, only if they are near a theater or a concert hall. Girls in high heels during the day are usually tourists or foreigners not yet accustomed to Germany.

4. Products

The average German stocks up in economy class supermarkets for the whole week and does not go there again until everyone has eaten. Products in Germany are treated with great respect. Throwing away food and the associated guilt can ruin a German's day. Sometimes even an expired expiration date ("but the chicken still doesn't smell!") can't stop a German.

Before going to the supermarket, the Germans preliminarily make a list of necessary purchases (usually a week in advance) - one trip (by car, bicycle or with a cart on wheels), one circle around the store with purchases from the list - and everything you need is in the basket.

5. Water

The economy of the Germans on water has become legendary: indeed, the Germans will never leave the tap open while brushing their teeth.

Yes, water never flows in German apartments just like that - not when they brush their teeth, not when they cook, not when they wash the dishes. Not just to save money. It is also important for the Germans that in this way they "save resources." That is why, in most German apartments and houses, as a rule, there is a shower cabin along with a bathroom - when people take a shower, they use much less water than when they take a bath. And for watering lawns, rainwater is collected in special tanks.

Washing dishes also deserves a separate discussion. First of all, almost every German family has a dishwasher. And it's not just for convenience. If you load your dishwasher to its full capacity instead of spinning it around for a couple of dishes, the water savings far outweigh your energy costs.

If, for some reason, there is no dishwasher, the dishes are washed according to very strict rules, to violate which in the presence of a German means to disappoint him very much.

So, the sink is clogged with a cork, water is collected and mixed with a special detergent. In this water, they wash the dishes, and after that, as a rule, they do not rinse them, but simply put them on a drying shelf. And just try to get angry! With typical German patience, you will be shown the label on the detergent, which states that the liquid is completely harmless to health, even for children. They believe in it.

6. Electricity

A significant expense item. An average German family of three pays 1,200 euros for electricity per year. Therefore, they try to reduce costs consciously, while not causing themselves discomfort - leaving the room, turn off the light, use the washing machine and dishwasher fully loaded. They also use energy-saving light bulbs, pots with a thick bottom, which retain heat longer and heat up faster. Microwaves are used to heat food, and they are willing to pay more for household appliances if they are energy-efficient (labeled "A++" and "A+").

To, the Germans use the so-called. "special rates". Electricity is cheaper at night, so washing machines and dishwashers run at night

The electric clothes dryer, which consumes a lot of electricity, is turned on only on rainy days. If the sun is shining, things should be hung on the balcony or in the garden, it doesn't cost a cent.

If there is an opportunity to do without light, they will do, they will gladly light candles, fully enjoying the cozy atmosphere and the thought of saving money.

7. Heating

In winter, German houses are heated only when it is already quite cold. That is, at 10 degrees outside, they will put on woolen socks, but will not turn on the heating.

At the same time, the temperature is carefully regulated: the living room is heated to an average of 20 degrees Celsius, the bedroom - up to +16 ... +18, and in the pantry and toilet they are often content with 14 degrees Celsius.

8. Pfand

Pfand is a deposit included in the price of many beverage bottles. Returning them to the store is not considered something shameful, absolutely everyone does this, regardless of income. Drinks are bought in boxes, in which empty bottles are then returned. On average, pfand is up to 25 cents. For the return of pfand, there are also special machines in almost all supermarkets, in front of the cash desks.

9.Flea markets

Flea markets are a favorite entertainment of many residents. There are many of them in Germany. Such markets are held in the cities every weekend, and in the villages several times a year.

Here you can buy not only junk, but also completely new things that, for example, the owner did not like. Germans are very fond of flea markets for three reasons. Firstly, you can see a lot of interesting things on them, secondly, you can buy good things for a penny, and thirdly, such markets prolong the life of things, which is very important for the environment. But a good environment is a guarantee of health. This is the logic of these economical Germans.

10. Bicycles

Germans and bicycles are great friends. More and more people in Germany have recently switched to bicycles. After all, this type of transport is not only more environmentally friendly, but also cheaper! The bike has many advantages and no disadvantages. A vivid example of multi-savings is on gasoline, on the cost of a car, on a travel pass and on a fitness center. And what a benefit for the environment!

11. Do it yourself - save money

Germans believe that time spent on savings is equivalent to time spent at work. That is why they try to do as many things as possible on their own, whether it is cleaning, washing windows, manicures, repairs or decorative cutting of shrubs.

12.Travels

The Germans love to travel. And to afford it, they also have to save. Tours in German agencies are booked long before the holidays. It's much cheaper. Here "in advance" is considered not for 2 months, as we have, but almost for a year.

13.Bonuses

The Germans use, for example, the Payback card, which is popular in Germany, or simply a discount on the next purchase directly on the check, various points, points, stickers, sets of popular cosmetics, gifts upon purchase. Who is into what.

14. The art of economy is not given to everyone, even in Germany. That's why, financial advisor- one of the most popular professions in this country. Consultants carefully analyze the family's expenses over the past six months or a year and recommend how they can be reduced. They also suggest where it is better to invest the released money.

And where do the Germans put all the saved money?

They invest them in old age so that they can enjoy a quality and comfortable life in retirement.

Germans value freedom of movement with a private car, massages, swimming pools and therapeutic exercises, meeting friends of youth, winter in the Canary Islands, good medical care and the feeling that life is good.

Today we will talk about how Europeans save, as this information can be useful for novice investors who wish to accumulate initial investment capital. Everyone knows that EU residents treat their own money far from the same as our compatriots. All those who studied and worked in European countries were convinced of this. It would seem that in the EU the standard of living is higher than in our country, and residents of European countries may not save, but in reality this is not the case.

Most EU citizens are very careful with their own money in everyday life. Next, we will try to understand in detail how Europeans save.

How do Europeans save? Basic Methods

It should be noted that the inhabitants of the EU have come up with a huge number of ways to save. An example is utility bills. To reduce this item of expenditure, Europeans prefer to purchase powders, as well as detergents that do not require hot water. Thus, they can wash dishes in cold water, thereby reducing the cost of hot water.

In order to reduce the cost of paying for water supply, most EU residents prefer not to wash dishes under running water, but in a special basin or sink.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that a significant part of Europeans prefers to use a variety of membership cards, which make it possible to receive serious discounts in shops and cafes. At the same time, it is important to note the fact that many Europeans do not dine in a cafe, but bring home-made food to work.

Another method to save your own money, which is used by most Europeans, are various promotions in supermarkets. Thanks to these promotions, EU residents have the opportunity to get almost free food. Next, we will dwell in more detail on the traditions of saving, which are common in different states of the European Union.

Savings in Germany

Even against the background of other European countries, Germans are considered very frugal. Almost all residents of this state monthly save about ten percent of their earnings for the future. Thus, they create a kind of safety cushion that will help them out in difficult times.

Before going to the store, Germans always make a list of planned purchases. At the same time, German residents almost never purchase goods and products that they did not originally put on this list. Thus, they protect themselves from impulse purchases, and, consequently, from unnecessary expenses.

Most Germans are accustomed to saving not only on food, but also on clothing. Most Germans are not ready to overpay for branded clothing items. Instead of buying branded clothes in a boutique, most Germans prefer to wait for a sale and buy the item they like at a lower price.

Residents of Germany save much more on utilities than other Europeans. For example, they prefer to use dishwashers/washing machines only after sunset, as the cost of electricity is much lower during this period. To irrigate the lawn in front of the house, the Germans use rainwater, which is collected using special tanks.

Residents of this country are very fond of saving on heating. They turn on autonomous heating systems installed in their homes only after the onset of severe cold weather. At the same time, they maintain a temperature of no more than +18 degrees in residential premises.

Savings in France

According to available statistics, the inhabitants of this state are very fond of various sales. Some French people even take days off from work to buy things with discounts of up to 80%.

Quite an interesting French tradition is the search for fellow travelers. At the same time, the French are looking for fellow travelers not only for long journeys, but also for trips to the store, etc. This approach makes it possible to significantly save on gasoline, as fellow travelers share its cost equally. Like the Germans, the people of France are also accustomed to saving on utilities. Many residents of this country, in order to save money, take a bath no more than once a week, and the rest of the time they prefer to use the shower.

Saving in Sweden

Everyone knows that Sweden has the highest tax rate. For this reason, the inhabitants of this state are accustomed to saving on almost everything. Most Swedes buy clothes only on sale and use them for a long time. In addition, they try to sell old clothes on specialized Internet resources.

In addition, after reaching the age of thirty, most residents of this state begin to create their own personal pension fund. They use a certain part of their monthly earnings to replenish this fund.

We decided to look into the pockets of people around the world to find out how they spend their money. The most thrifty were the Japanese. Because of the fear of natural disasters, as well as for the love of savings, they save up to 25% of their salary every month, while the Europeans - a maximum of 15%. They save money with special overnight utility rates and super-lucrative seasonal sales where they completely renew their wardrobe.

The French even take time off from work for this. However, saving on trifles, Europeans often allow themselves dinners in good restaurants, and because of easy loans, many live in debt, writes Segodnya.

Residents of this country pay the highest taxes in Europe - up to 58% of their income. So here you will inevitably be thrifty. “On average, people spend 40% of their monthly income on living, electricity, which is very expensive here, and water “eat up” 20%, insurance - 25%, and expenses for telephone, Internet and television - another 15%, ”says a resident Sweden Marina Trattner. However, here for many things you do not need to pay. For example, for education.

“Another example is medicines: the maximum amount that Swedes pay for them per year is 2,200 crowns (250 euros). Then, until the end of the year, a “free card” is issued, and prescription drugs are already issued free of charge on it. They also help with housing: part of the loan for it is paid by the state every month,” says Marina.

TEST OF STRENGTH. Despite all this, the Swedes are still trying to save money. “For example, they try to buy everything on sale,” says Marina. “Before that, they check on a special website which of the things received the best test results.” Also, according to Marina, the inhabitants of Sweden are quite careful about clothes and other things. “And when children outgrow their clothes, they are taught to make announcements on the announcement site and sell them. Adult Swedes do the same,” says Marina.

SAVE THE CROWN. The Swedes also try to save and invest money. “For example, for children. Some parents who receive an allowance for a child under 16 years old (100 euros) put it either entirely into the child's account, or some part of it. Also, on birthdays, children can be given certificates of investment funds. They are inexpensive, but grow in price over time, - says Marina. “Somewhere from the age of 35-40, the Swedes begin to put aside part of their income for a pension, which they will receive in parallel with the official one.”

JAPAN: 25% STASH

Special notebooks for housewives

The Japanese are avid hoarders. In their opinion, there must be a stash (in case, for example, of natural disasters, which are not uncommon here). At the same time, no matter how much a Japanese has in his account, he will always look very modest,” says Ekaterina Imai, who lives in Japan. On average, the Japanese save up to 20-25% of their income every month. “In addition to bank deposits, they also like to invest in insurance funds. That is why insurance takes up a large share of their family budget after payments on housing loans,” says Ekaterina. By the way, what is interesting: if in European families, as a rule, both spouses plan the family budget, then in Japan everything is different. “The business of a man is to earn money. The woman's business is to distribute this money. For example, they set the amount of pocket money for their husbands,” says Ekaterina. And in order to plan everything correctly, they buy special notebooks in which there are sections for current expenses and incomes (checks can be glued there).

TURKEY: SAVINGS IN GOLDEN BRACELETS

Bracelets. They spare no money

The Turks cannot be attributed to a thrifty nation. “Oriental temperament and the desire to show everyone their wealth make themselves felt,” says Yana Temiz. - For example, the Turks tend to update their wardrobe every year, make repairs in their apartments every 5 years and buy a new car every 3 years. And since there is no habit of saving money for all this, they take loans and then pay them back for years.”

FAMILY ARITHMETICS. By the way, payments on loans or rental housing account for the lion's share of the expenses of Turkish families. “And together with a communal apartment, all this can“ eat up ”even half of the income. It is also expensive to have a car: Turkey has some of the highest petrol prices in Europe,” Yana says. - Those Turks who still manage to set aside lira invest them in gold. They buy gold coins, which are called "gold of the republic." There are also special gold bracelets that can be bought and sold at any jewelry store. To buy such a bracelet, Turkish housewives arrange "golden days".

“Every month, on the appointed day, ten women gather in turn at one of them to talk, and each of them must bring to the meeting an amount equal to the cost of one gram of gold. All money is handed over to the mistress of the house, and she can dispose of them at her discretion. But, as a rule, she buys another gold bracelet, - says Yana. - And so, in turn, each woman acquires another piece of jewelry. It turns out something like an installment plan: everyone immediately receives a bracelet, and then for several months they go to visit and give money in installments.

BRITAIN: BOND DRAW

Charity shops. Unnecessary things are brought here

The British like to plan their budget years in advance. “For example, now a TV show is very popular in the country, which is dedicated to this,” says Konstantin, a resident of London. - Most people try to save somewhere around 10% of their salary. Part of the money is kept on deposits, part is invested in premium bonds, i.e., in "winning bonds" - government securities, the interest on which goes to the prize fund, and every month a draw is held among the holders of these bonds.

But there are also problems. “Real estate prices are high even in small towns, so both rent and credit take the bulk of income along with utilities. And due to the fact that almost everything here can be borrowed, people also pay interest every month for other necessities or luxuries, - says Irina. “And some people are so bad at budgeting that debt-buying companies are now making a lot of money doing it.”

GERMANY: COLLECTION OF CHECKS

The inhabitants of this country are the most thrifty among other Europeans. These are the data of one of the studies, which was conducted last year specifically in honor of World Savings Day. On average, they save 180 euros per month, which is about 10% of their income (average salary - 2000). “First of all, they save for their children and put it into a pension fund,” says Elena, a resident of Germany. At the same time, the Germans keep their savings not only in a bank account, but also, for example, in securities.

FINANCIAL PLANS. Of course, in order to have a stash, the Germans carefully plan their budget. “First of all, the money is spent on renting an apartment or repaying a loan for housing (this can “eat up” up to 50% of income) and utilities, then insurance goes, and what is left is lived on,” says Elena. “For example, in my family, the expenses are as follows: we pay about 700 euros a month for a house, utilities - 230 euros, insurance - about 100 euros, and we spend 600 euros on food.” A large share of the income goes to the maintenance of the car. “For a car loan, we pay 250 euros a month, while gasoline and repairs cost us 200 euros,” the woman calculates.

But the least, according to a resident of Germany, the Germans spend on clothes. “They are not ready to pay crazy money for a brand,” says Elena. “That’s why a lot of people keep track of sales, because they can buy everything at a 70% discount.” Yes, the Germans are not particularly eager to update their wardrobe. “A German can wear the same thing for years. And at the same time, he will absolutely not be embarrassed that she may look old-fashioned or worn out, ”says Maria Feldman, a resident of Berlin. When, finally, things get bored, they, as a rule, are given to various charitable organizations.

NIGHT WASH AND RAIN WATER. The Germans save not only on clothes. “For example, to save electricity, they use the so-called. "special rates". Electricity is cheaper at night, so they run the washer at night. And the room is heated only when it is already quite cold. Those. when it's 10 degrees outside, they'll wear woolen socks but won't turn on the heat. The same is true with water: they try to use rainwater as much as possible, for example, for irrigation,” says Elena. However, in the life of the Germans there is a thing on which they will never save. This is a vacation: the Germans are very fond of traveling.

THOUSAND FROM THE STATE. By the way, in Germany there is an opportunity to “recapture” part of the money spent from the state. “So, part of the money spent on work clothes, travel to work and payment for kindergarten is returned (after all, you send your child to kindergarten in order to be able to work), - says Elena. - As a result, it can “drop” and 1000”. Therefore, the Germans scrupulously "collect" checks.

FRANCE: TAKE DAY OFF FOR SALES

Auto for everyone. There are special parking lots where you can find fellow travelers

Like the Germans, the French also value every euro they earn. “Preparing for large purchases, they carefully study booklets, conduct market analysis and even collect estimates from various sellers or suppliers. Because of this attitude, the French are often seen as greedy. But it is not so. It’s just that every penny they spend must be justified,” says Catherine Olivier, who lives in the French city of Lyon.

SAVINGS ON TAXES. The French love sales too. They are called “soldas” here, and discounts during them can reach 80%. “The French prepare for the soldes in advance: they go to shops “for reconnaissance” and can even hide a thing they like among others. And when they start, they even take time off from work,” says Natalia, who lives in France. The French save not only on clothes. “For example, in order to reduce the cost of gasoline, and at the same time take care of the environment, they use the so-called. covoiturage ("sharing a car"): they take someone in their car to go in the same direction, and all expenses are divided in half. There are even special sites where you can find fellow travelers,” says Catherine Olivier. By the way, the French save money in one way or another. On average, it turns out somewhere around 10-15% of income.

CULT OF FOOD. But what the inhabitants of France prefer not to save on is food. “They love good food and drink. Therefore, they prefer to buy bread, wine or fish not in supermarkets, but in specialized stores. And they generally pay special attention to the process of eating. They can have lunch with friends for an hour in some restaurant, chatting, and then go to another place to drink coffee, ”says Catherine Olivier. Therefore, it is not surprising that the French spend even a little more on food than on housing. So, according to the French State Statistics Committee, residents of this country spend 25% of their annual income on food, 20% on housing, 18% on transport, 9% on clothing, and almost 5% each on healthcare and entertainment. .

USA: TAKE A LOT OF LOANS

“From childhood, little Americans are taught to rely only on themselves in everything, including finances. Therefore, growing up, US residents try to save up money for everything they can, and it is more profitable to invest it, ”says Marina Polyakova, who has lived in America for over 20 years, about Americans. As a rule, most Americans save money for their retirement, she said. “No one hopes for the state. Therefore, in addition to contributions to the social security fund, they also save money in non-state pension funds, Marina continues the story. “They also take care of the education of their children. As soon as a child appears in the family, many open an account where they save money for education.

Also, many Americans tend to buy real estate, considering it a good investment. But in order to get a loan for this, in the USA it is important to have a good credit history. Therefore, many people try to take as many loans as possible for small amounts and pay them off quickly. But not everyone succeeds.” “The majority of the population is in debt, like in silks, and still continue to take loans for unnecessary expensive things,” says Tatyana Anderson, a resident of the United States.

AMERICAN BUDGET. If we talk about the monthly expenses of the American family, then they are great. “The biggest expense item is housing. It takes $600-1000. In 2nd place - medical insurance at $ 300-1000, car insurance at $ 100, then comes food, which takes up to $ 400-500, and then - public services at $ 150-250. At the same time, the average salary of Americans is $1,500-3,000,” says Tatyana. - But the Americans spend a little on clothes. There is no status disease here, unlike in Ukraine: $5 for a T-shirt and $15 for jeans is a red price.”

The New Year holidays rushed by, taking away in their whirlwinds the last savings, half-eaten by inflation. Ahead is a year of tightened belts and tight budgets. What to save on in order to survive the crisis with minimal losses? The experience of European residents can prompt Kazakhstanis to answer this extremely topical question.

Warm welcome

... In the early winter morning I woke up from a dog's cold. I touched the battery - ice. Here is Europe, a communal paradise! The thermal camera exploded, or what? Now they will dig it up for two days, and we will chatter with our teeth, as in our native Pavlodar. Displeasedly mumbling to myself and wrapping myself in two blankets, I began to call the most urgent of all urgent services - friends. Having delved into the essence of my confused complaints, interspersed with untranslatable Russian expressions, on the other side of the wire they laughed merrily:

Welcome to Belgrade! Here the heating is turned off at night, as in all of Europe, if you don't know. You live there in Kazakhstan in greenhouse conditions, because your energy is cheap. And here the people will not be able to cope with utility bills if the batteries are "frying" around the clock. That's how we live. And you'll get used to it.

And I'm used to it. Now, a few years after my first culture-temperature shock, I can no longer sleep with the radiator on. But I'm still a long way from my hardened friends.

Not everyone can afford the luxury of central heating in the Old World. In winter, houses are heated here in all possible ways: some with gas, others with electricity, and still others with classic wood-burning stoves. But no matter how you guess, it still turns out to be expensive, so Europeans have strictly metered heating.

All the best is for children, so the room where the baby lives is usually the warmest in the house. Adults habitually dress in thick woolen cardigans and are content with the Spartan 16 degrees. Moreover, not all rooms are usually heated in the house, but only the "relevant" ones at the moment. In the kitchen, most often there are no batteries at all: it is assumed that the hostess should be hot from the stove and exercise with a rolling pin.

A few colds earned in icy European living rooms taught me an obligatory rule: when going to a feast, to the world and to good people, take a fur vest and ugg boots with you. Did you think these things stay in trend for several seasons because designers don't have new ideas?

Cleanliness is the key to insomnia

With another method of European economy, I met again late at night. I was awakened by the rattling of the washing machine behind the wall. At first I attributed this sudden fit of cleanliness to my neighbor's senile insomnia. However, nightly laundry sessions were repeated regularly, and the machines hummed from above, then from below, then from the side.

Emergency friendly response service shed light on this mysterious phenomenon. It turned out that at night, in almost all European countries, the lowest electricity tariff operates - four times cheaper than the daytime one. Therefore, economical citizens (and most of them here) prefer to turn on their washing machines and dishwashers in the dark. Moreover, the equipment is loaded to the eyeballs: no one will spend electricity and water just to wash a couple of shirts or wash a couple of dishes.

At night, people en masse also turn on boilers to heat water for morning hygiene procedures. I must say that the presence of these devices in almost every European apartment at first seemed to me an invaluable boon. Heat your own water whenever you want, and forget forever about draconian equalizing tariffs, summer blackouts, heating main breaks, and "turn in the money to replace pipes in the basement."

But now the boiler is my worst enemy. When I return home on a rainy evening, chilled to the core, dreaming of a warm bath, I have to wait at least an hour for the water to heat up. If at night I forget to turn on the boiler (which happens regularly), in the morning the whole family involuntarily engages in winter swimming. If one of the household members took a warm shower, the rest have to hang around the bathroom for an hour until the green light of the boiler changes to red.

But the most regrettable thing is that for several years of my life in Europe, I have never had a chance to enjoy what I love most - a long lie in foamy water with a book, phone and a cup of chocolate. It's not even that the baths here are entirely "sitting" (where they exist at all; in most houses there are only showers). The problem is that the hot water supply in the economical boiler is only enough for half the bath. Bathing a child is just right. But to pamper yourself for at least half an hour - there can be no question.

Amazing near

The words "Europe", "child", "bath" and "economy" in the same sentence evoke one very vivid performance in the minds of Kazakhstanis. Bauyrzhan Baibek, the former first deputy chairman of the Nur Otan party, and now the mayor of Almaty, once shared his impressions abroad with the people:

“I studied in Germany, and there are such cases: public utilities come to some house, they think someone died there, because in general there is a minuscule amount of utilities. And there my grandmother lives and saves everything. First they wash the dishes, then They wash the floors with the same water, first they bathe the children, then they wash themselves. That's how they save," Baibek said.

Frankly, it gave me great pleasure to quote these words to my friends living in Germany. Because I foresaw the reaction in advance.

I don’t even know what I liked more: about “they wash the dishes, and then the floors” or about “they bathe the children, then they wash themselves,” laughs our former compatriot Victoria Schlatt, who moved to Germany 15 years ago. - Here, most people use dishwashers and vacuum cleaners, and I have never seen someone wash dishes in a basin, and then pour water into a bucket and smear this slop on the floor with a rag. If it occurs to a European to wash the dishes by hand, he plugs the sink with a cork, pours water and a special cleaning agent into it, and already there he will wield a sponge. Usually they do not even rinse the cups - but this is more out of laziness than economy: cold water is not so expensive as to be trifles. As for the bath that adults take after children, I have never heard of such a thing. Unless some tired mother, having bathed the child, was unable to wait for a new portion of hot water and decided to quickly rinse herself in the bath that had not yet cooled down. But this is definitely not a mass phenomenon, even for such thrifty people as the Germans. Yes, they turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth and turn off the shower while soaping up. This is because warm water runs out quickly. Who wants to stand in the foam, like engineer Shchukin, and wait until the boiler heats up again?

family electric blanket

And yet, in fairness, it’s worth saying: there is a country in the world where adults take a bath after children.

Oh yes, I'm often asked this question: "Is it true that in Japan hot water is so expensive that the whole family bathes in the same bath?" smiles Yoshinori Hayasaki, a design student from Yokohama. - And every time I shock people with an affirmative answer, and then I explain: this is not economy, but the old ritual ofuro. Ideally, the whole family should gather in a small pool, having previously thoroughly washed in the shower. But not everyone has pools, so the ritual "migrated" to the bath, where all family members take turns enjoying hot water. They do not wash there, but warm themselves. You can not dive into the bath dirty.

At the same time, the Japanese believe that there is nothing wrong with combining ancient traditions with economy. They use the bath water for laundry - it goes directly to the machine. And the local inventors connected the sink to the toilet bowl: the water with which they wash their hands flows into the tank and is used for flushing.

We try to be frugal in everything,” says Yoshinori. - This is especially true for utilities. Japanese apartments are usually very small because we don't have much land. There is a big plus in a modest living space: you do not need to spend too much money on heating. Many of us have no idea about central heating. To keep warm, air conditioners are turned on, but only when it is very cold. And we also have such a great thing as kotatsu: it is a kind of low table covered with a thick blanket. It has a built in electric heater. You make yourself comfortable under this blanket, put a laptop, a book, or a cup of tea on the table and enjoy life. Under the kotatsu, the whole family can fit, and the cat in addition: we usually spend winter evenings like this.

About the benefits of yesterday's oatmeal

Kazakhstanis are hardly ready to replace round-the-clock heating with an electric blanket, and "rivers" of hot water - with one bathroom for the whole family. But still, someone, perhaps, will adopt some useful habits of economical Japanese and Europeans.

The most strict rule followed by many inhabitants of civilized countries is to set aside part of their income for a rainy day. Even in a crisis. And teach the kids the same.

The Germans probably absorb thrift with their mother's milk, says Viktoria Schlatt. Almost every child here has a piggy bank. What amazes me the most is that children do not spend pocket money on sweets, but patiently collect them for a large purchase. By the way, many adults also have a habit of pouring change into a jug at the end of the day. This does not affect the wallet in any way, but in a year it runs up to a thousand euros.

The Germans and Japanese often have a special ledger for counting family expenses. Receipts from stores are saved, pasted into a notebook and analyzed.

When you look at these accounts at the end of the month, you understand how many unnecessary purchases were made, ”says Victoria. - All this then you take into account, making plans and lists of the necessary for the next month. It is very disciplined, especially for impulsive people like me.

As we have already found out, you can save a lot on utilities - and at the same time it is not at all necessary to go to extremes. It is enough just not to forget to turn off the light, and also to make a rule every evening to pull out all the plugs from the sockets. The Swedes have found out that an impressive amount of kilowatts can be saved in this way. They also got into the habit of spending their evenings by candlelight from time to time: it’s both romantic and profitable, and the demographic situation is improving.

Another way to minimize costs is not to neglect discounts. The champions in this sense are, of course, the Americans who manage to go to the supermarket with so many coupons that the store still owes them. There are also quite a few "discount drinkers" in Europe; among them there are those who can easily create an up-to-date look from the things found in the "everything for 2 euros" basket. Many, moreover, are regular visitors to various flea markets: some eagerly search for antiques, others are looking at utilitarian things from the category “useful in the household”.

But most of all, Europeans save on "show-offs," Victoria Schlatt concludes. - No one here would think of shelling out a few thousand euros for a Chinese mink coat, or hanging themselves with gold from head to toe, or spending money on silicone implants - this is considered exceptionally stupid.

Throwing money down the drain is a manifestation of vulgarity, and Europeans are ready to endure everything except bad taste. Therefore, even monarchs do not allow themselves extravagance. The other day, British Prince William sent his son to the most ordinary kindergarten with a fee of 5 pounds per hour. Thrifty subjects of the English queen welcomed such a wise decision in every possible way. Do they not remember the words of Queen Elizabeth, which have become the motto of modern Europe: "Wealth is not a reason to throw away yesterday's oatmeal."