Transportation & Travel

1. Buying 49 Euro ticket without a subscription

So you don't get stuck 🚄

If you get the 49 Euro ticket from the Deutsche Bahn directly, you need to have a subscription linked to your Bank account and you can only cancel that subscription if you cancel it before 10th of every month. But here is a better way to buy the new 49€ ticket without getting into a subscription and having the flexibility to cancel it any day of the month. I bought mine from this Platform/Website and I got two benefits. One is to use my credit card to pay for the ticket(collecting points) and second is that I can cancel the ticket even at the last day of the month.

Bonus tip, here is the link where you can find all the train stations outside Germany you can travel up to with your 49€ Deutschland ticket.

2. Using Trains in Germany

Public transport as we know it 🚄

Before you book a long ICE or RE normal journey on DB app, just open www.bahn.de without logging in your account and search for same trip. Usually you find it cheaper on web browser. If still not then ask your friend to search for same trip using their own device, you'll find it cheaper. DB app tracks you from the moment you search for a trip. The more you keep checking for same trip, higher the chance of fare being increased. For booking long journey tickets within or outside Germany, use Omio(website/app) via iGraal app to get a cashback (literal cashback) for every ticket you purchase. More about iGraal in Hack number 6. Do, however, use Bahn.Guru to find the cheapest tickets. This website shows you prices on different days of your particular journey, similar to what google flights does but this is for trains.

3. The Connecting trains paradox

How does a train avoid detection? It covers its tracks 🛤

You going to travel by train? Never pick the connection that has less than 10-15 minutes transfer time. You might never make the connection. Set the transfer time in DB Navigator accordingly and it will include this into the search result.

4. Tracking the trains

In case you like some extra information 🚊

A really good source of information is Bahn Expert where you can check for every single train on every single railway-station in Germany. Just select the station you want see all the train traffic happening in real time. This website also shows the positioning of the particular Train Wagon on the platform along with the type of seating information. Also you can find an entire Station/Bahnhof map in the App.

5. The "Bahncard Arbitrage": Travel Hack Supreme

Maximize savings on Deutsche Bahn with strategic Bahncard use:

• Bahncard 100 Sharing: Split a Bahncard 100 (unlimited travel) among friends or family. While not officially allowed, it's rarely checked if users look similar.

• Probe Bahncard Trick: Buy a 3-month trial Bahncard before a big trip. Cancel it right after for maximum savings.

• Combination Play: Use a Bahncard 25 for discounted tickets, then apply saver fares ("Sparpreis") for double discounts.

• Cross-Border Bonus: Start your journey just across the border (e.g., Basel instead of Freiburg) for significantly cheaper international tickets.

Pro Tip: Calculate your break-even point. Sometimes, a higher-tier Bahncard saves more in the long run!

Finance & Savings

1. Use iGraal app

This one is surely my Top Favorite 🤑

When I first came here, I quickly realized that we do not really have any cool cashback credit cards or debit cards. Maybe we do, but they are not so impressive or value for money. Until I discovered this app called iGraal. Oh Boy! they have all the brands you can think of. You get actual cashback out of every purchase you make through their app. No points, rewards, miles bullshit. Actual money, which you can keep on collecting and transfer it to your bank account whenever you want. I like to keep it in the app and at the end of the year I simply take the money out and invest that money into buying my favorite company's shares. Many employees working in Germany have access to corporate benefits. One can use their corporate benefits promo codes for the particular brand and make the purchase via iGraal app and save even more.

Click on this link to get 5€ starting bonus.

2. Cash/Mula/Kohle is still pretty much the King here

Big city residents, I am not talking to you 😀

Never have less than 50 EUR in cash on you when you go out, trust me they come in handy. I am still having some non-german friends who won't adjust to this simple reality. Sometimes it is ok, but then I end up taking cash out more often than if my friends also would keep some cash on them.

3. Bank accounts in Germany

If money talks, why do we need bank tellers? 💶

There are a lot of online Neo banks available now in Europe which can be used for creating a bank account online, without having to go to any branch. Banks like BUNQ, Revolut, DKB, ING offer creating a bank account online. My personal experience is with BUNQ and I love it, it is for sure a bit pricey but for me It is worth the money as I get multiple sub-accounts for my different expenses, full control over my money as I approve all the direct debits myself so I know when and what is going out of my account to whom. BUNQ is a bank from Netherlands and they also offer now German IBANs to their customers. They also have English customer support.

4. The "Kirchensteuer" Loophole: Optimize Your Taxes

Many don't realize they can legally opt out of the church tax, potentially saving hundreds of euros annually.

• How it works: Officially declare your exit from the church ("Kirchenaustritt") at your local Standesamt or Amtsgericht.

• Savings: Up to 8-9% of your income tax, depending on your state.

• Considerations:

  • There's usually a one-time fee (€30-€75) for the process.

  • Some religious services may no longer be available to you.

  • You can always rejoin later if you change your mind.

Pro Tip: Time your exit strategically. If you do it in December, you'll be exempt for the entire next year!

Housing & Utilities

1. The "Nebenkostenpauschale" Hack: Slash Your Utility Bills

Negotiate a flat rate for utilities ("Nebenkostenpauschale") instead of variable costs.

Benefits:

• Predictable monthly expenses

• Potential savings if you're energy-efficient

• No surprise high bills in winter

How to do it:

• Propose it to your landlord when signing a new lease

• For existing tenants, suggest it as a way to simplify billing

Strategy: Research average utility costs in your area to negotiate a fair rate

Bonus: Combine this with energy-saving habits for maximum financial benefit!

2. The German Furniture Hack

In Germany, apartments often come completely bare - even without light fixtures! Here's how to furnish your new place efficiently and affordably:

Sunday Flea Market Finds

• Every Sunday, cities across Germany burst with flea markets. These are treasure troves for unique, affordable furniture and decor. Arrive early for the best selection,

Online Bargain Hunting

• Kleinanzeigen: Germany's go-to classified ads site

• Facebook Groups: Join local "Sell Your Stuff" groups for great deals from departing expats

Second-Hand Stores

• Visit "Sozialkaufhaus" or "WahrenWert" for quality pre-owned furniture at steep discounts.

Furniture Rental

• For temporary stays, consider renting furniture. It can be up to 35% cheaper than furnished apartments.

Timing is Everything

• Shop at the end of the month or semester when many people are moving and selling their furniture quickly.

Shopping & Consumer Tips

1. Check24

Bookmark this website on your browser and get the phone app 🤩

Check24 is my go to website/app whenever I have to do price comparisons, especially for rental cars, hotels, insurances, home wifi etc. They got it all. As per my experience until now, I realised that Hotel booking and rental cars is better priced along with better conditions than Booking.com/rentalcars.com kind of websites. I have been using Booking.com for all my life, but this has changed in the last year. Also their(Check24) customer service is really good.

2. Don't get into Phone Contracts

Just don't!

Most companies now offer flexible contracts, which you can cancel any time (pre paid). So a phone contract for 24 months is not needed, unless you are getting a smartphone along with better conditions for your phone contract. My personal experience using www.sim.de who are actually using O2 network and re-distributing to people with better monthly packages.

3. Cancel contracts the moment you sign them

Yes you read it right, let me explain 💪

It should be noted though, that 12 or 24 months extension of a consumer contract is now banned by law and can only be extended by 1 month after one or two years. You should, however, still immediately cancel after signing. Since it's easy to simply forget about the contract and also because if you cancel, for example the mobile company will obviously try to keep you as customer and you might be able to use your cancellation to negotiate a better contract or they might even approach you themselves with a better contract/deal that you probably won't get under usual circumstances.

4. Aboalarm.de

This one is a cool website 🥸

In Germany you have 14 days until your purchase to cancel the transaction/contract (Widerrufsrecht). Usually, you have to send the cancellation in written with your signature. This website is super easy to use, just put the company name and the it gives you a cancellation template where you just have to put your contract number or customer number and they send the letter on your behalf. Yes they charge you few euros for this, but its hassle free. Since cancellation comes from a company, suppliers do not usually engage in a back and forth conversation with you directly and just cancel your contract.

5. Grocery shopping time

I think the girl at my local grocery store likes me. She's always checking me out 🤔

When grocery shopping, make sure you put fruits and vegetables last on the conveyer belt at the checkout. Obviously, because they crush more easily and you should therefore put them on top of the other items when packing the bag. Secondly, because the cashier takes a little longer to scan fruits and vegetables as they usually have to weigh them. This gives you a little more time to pack up as the assembly line is nowadays very short and get some money out.

Rewe delivery App

6. The Sunday Survival Hack: Mastering German Shopping Rhythms

In Germany, Sundays are sacred - and that includes keeping shops closed. To thrive in this unique cultural landscape, embrace the "Saturday Stock-up" strategy:Saturday Supermarket Sweep.

Make Saturday your dedicated shopping day. Hit your local supermarket and load up on essentials to last through Sunday and beyond. This isn't just about survival; it's an opportunity to plan meals and save money by avoiding impulse buys.

Communication & Mail

1. Deutsche Post Digitalization

Know what is coming your way in advance 🤳

Open an email account with GMX and opt for email notification for all posts that you receive (its free). The option is called "Briefankündigung" or you can just opt for Briefankündigung on gmx.de or web.de as their free service without having to create an email account. After opting for it, you get a scanned copy of the front of the post envelope early morning in your email. So you know what's coming your way in few hours in your Briefkasten (Post box). This way you can also claim (just incase) if the letter never gets delivered to you in physical. Since you have scanned copy you can always go back to the sender regarding non-delivery. By the way, DHL also has such similar service.

2. Mail/Posts redirection

Some people have complained about my post office jokes. They say I have bad delivery. 📭

Do not forget to redirect your mails to your new address when you move. You do not want to miss any of your important letters coming your way. Well I know, usually those could be just invoices and you would prefer to avoid them.

You can do that here

Healthcare

3. Booking a Doctor's appointment

Why did the banana go to the doctors? Because he wasn't peeling well! 🩺

Finding a Doctor can also be task here, especially if you are new. But not to worry, there is a website called "jameda.de" where you can search for doctors according to your location and book and appointment not only by phone but also online. Also, if you are a Ukrainian refugee currently residing in Germany, this website has a feature which helps you find doctors who can treat you for free. If you know any Ukrainian refugee, help them out by directing them to this website in case of any medical needs.

To the website

Bureaucracy & Administration

1. The "Bürgeramt Blitz": Skip the Bureaucracy Queue

Navigate German bureaucracy like a pro with these tricks:

• Early Bird Online: Many Bürgeramts release new appointment slots at midnight. Set an alarm and book instantly.

• The "Hop-In" Hack: Show up early (30 minutes before opening) and ask for any cancellations or no-shows.

• Multi-City Strategy: For urgent matters, check neighboring cities. Sometimes it's faster to travel than to wait.

• The "Emergency" Card: Learn the magic phrase "Ich habe einen Notfall" (I have an emergency) – use responsibly for truly urgent situations.

Bonus: Create a shared calendar with friends to alert each other to available slots!

Culture & Social Life

1. Wanna build network or make friends?

My socially anxious friend just got a PhD in palindrome studies. I call him Dr. Awkward 😳

Go to a club, Schützenverein, football club, gymnastics club or a cooking club. There are clubs for everything, unless you are a social vegan and you are avoiding meets? Try "Internations"

2. Local library

Already students can skip this one 🙌

Subscribe to your local library network, they have so many things on offer and usually they cost peanuts per year. If not at least get a Library card just for accessing the libraries. Working from home gets boring over time. Its better to change the scenery time to time and work in the Library the day you do not have any calls. Trust me, you will love it and feel very productive, and who knows you can come out of library making a friend.

3. The "Kulturpass" Maximizer: €200 of Free Culture

For 18-year-olds in Germany, the Kulturpass offers €200 for cultural experiences. Here's how to make the most of it:

• Plan ahead: Book tickets for future events, even beyond your 18th year

• Combine experiences: Use it for museum passes that grant access to multiple venues

• Share the wealth: Book group experiences and have friends reimburse you

• Think beyond the obvious: Look for unique local experiences, not just big-name attractions

Viral Potential: Create a "Kulturpass Challenge" encouraging users to document their most creative uses of the pass!

To be continued…..