Germans spend an average of 11.8% of their disposable income on food – for a family of four, that can quickly amount to €700 or more per month. According to the Federal Statistical Office, food prices have been continuously rising in recent years, putting further pressure on household budgets. But with the right strategies and tools, you can save real money on grocery shopping without compromising on quality and enjoyment.

## Current Food Prices in Germany: An Assessment

Food prices in Germany have somewhat stabilized after the sharp price increases of recent years, but remain at a high level. Consumers particularly feel the price increases in dairy products (+3.1% in the last year), fresh fruits and vegetables (+2.8%), and meat and fish (+2.4%).

The average weekly shopping for a family currently costs between €110 and €140 – with an upward trend. With smart shopping strategies and modern digital tools, you can reduce this amount by 15-25% – equivalent to annual savings of up to €1,800! Here you'll learn how to implement this concretely.

## Digital Helpers: The Best Savings Apps for Your Shopping

These proven apps help you save money specifically on grocery shopping:

### 1. Too Good To Go

This successful European app fights food waste and helps you save up to 70% on shopping. The principle: Local bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants, and cafés offer leftover food at greatly reduced prices that would otherwise be thrown away.

**Special feature:** The "surprise bags" typically cost between €3 and €6 but contain goods worth €9 to €18. Bags from bakeries and supermarkets are particularly worthwhile.

**Savings:** Users save an average of 66% compared to regular purchase prices. With regular use (2x per week), the savings add up to about €50-80 monthly.

**Source:** [Too Good To Go Germany](https://toogoodtogo.de/de)

### 2. Lidl Plus, PAYBACK & Co.

The digital customer loyalty programs of major supermarket chains and discounters have long replaced traditional discount stamps and paper coupons. Apps like Lidl Plus, PAYBACK (for Rewe, dm, etc.), the Netto app, or Kaufland Card offer personalized discounts and coupons directly to your smartphone.

**Special feature:** By combining several programs and strategically using digital coupons, the savings can be substantial. Particularly the Lidl Plus app with its coupons and receipt discount (when reaching certain purchase amounts) as well as the PAYBACK coupons in combination with points have proven to be especially worthwhile.

**Savings:** Depending on usage intensity, between 5% and 15% of total expenditure. A family of four can easily save €30-60 per month this way.

**Sources:** [Lidl Plus](https://www.lidl.de/c/lidl-plus/s10007388), [PAYBACK](https://www.payback.de/)

### 3. Bring!

This popular shopping list app goes far beyond simply noting down purchases. With integrated flyers, automatic categories, and the ability to share lists with family members, Bring! helps you shop more structurally and thus more economically.

**Special feature:** The app shows current offers from participating markets directly in your shopping list. Additionally, the clear categorization helps reduce impulse purchases.

**Savings:** Studies show that structured shopping with a list reduces impulse purchases by up to 23%. With a monthly food budget of €600, this corresponds to savings of around €140 per month.

**Source:** [Bring! Labs AG](https://www.getbring.com/)

## Discounter vs. Supermarket: What's Worth It in 2025?

The landscape of food retailers has changed. Here's a current comparison based on price analyses from consumer portals:

### Discounters: New Strengths and Weaknesses

Discounters like Aldi, Lidl, and Netto have significantly expanded their range, especially in organic products and regional specialties. According to current surveys by Stiftung Warentest, the average price difference to traditional supermarkets is still about 11-15%.

**Concrete price examples (average values):**
- 500g organic pasta: €1.19 (discounter) vs. €1.69 (supermarket)
- 250g German brand butter: €2.19 (discounter) vs. €2.45 (supermarket)
- 1kg apples (German season): €2.29 (discounter) vs. €2.79 (supermarket)

**Smart saving:** Basic foodstuffs, cleaning products, and hygiene products are still significantly cheaper at discounters. For meat, fish, and exotic fruits, the price difference is smaller – here it's worth comparing.

**Source:** Current price comparisons from consumer organizations and own market research

### Supermarkets: The New Discount Strategies

Traditional supermarkets like Rewe, Edeka, and Kaufland have caught up with their own savings strategies:

1. **Evening discounts:** Many supermarkets reduce perishable goods in the evening. According to a study by the Consumer Centre, discounts can range from 30% to 50%.
2. **Customer card programs:** The digital loyalty programs offer personalized discounts of 5-20% on selected products.
3. **Price guarantees:** Some chains now offer price guarantees on basic products that can compete with discounter prices.

**Smart saving:** Use supermarkets specifically for their evening discounts and personalized offers. A family can easily save €30-50 per month through strategic shopping at reduced evening prices.

**Source:** Consumer portals and price tracking analyses

## The Current Seasonal Calendar: Economical and Sustainable Shopping

Seasonal products are not only more environmentally friendly but also significantly cheaper. According to the BMEL (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture), the price differences between seasonal and imported products can be 30-60%.

### Spring (March-May):
- **Vegetables:** Asparagus, spinach, radishes, rhubarb (30-50% cheaper than out of season)
- **Fruit:** First local strawberries from the end of May (price difference to imported strawberries: approx. €2 per 500g)

### Summer (June-August):
- **Vegetables:** Tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers (up to 60% cheaper than in winter)
- **Fruit:** Berries, cherries, peaches, apricots (price difference to imported goods: €3-4 per kilo)

**Smart saving:** Plan your weekly shopping based on seasonal offers. The free app "Seasonality" shows you which fruits and vegetables are currently in season. A family of four can save €15-20 per week on fruits and vegetables this way.

**Sources:** [BMEL Seasonal Calendar](https://www.bmel.de), [WWF Seasonal Calendar](https://www.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/Publikationen-PDF/Kampagne/Saisonkalender-Essen-im-Rhythmus-der-Natur.pdf)

## Zero-Waste Kitchen: Avoid Food Waste and Save Money

According to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, every German throws away an average of 75 kg of food per year – equivalent to a value of about €300 per person per year. These strategies help you stop this hidden waste of money:

### Intelligent Storage

1. **The FIFO method (First In, First Out):** Put newly purchased products at the back of the shelf and use older supplies first.
2. **Digital inventory management:** Apps like "Grocy" or "NoWaste" help you keep track of supplies and best-before dates.

### Creative Leftovers Utilization

Save real money with these techniques:

- **Vegetable scraps** freeze for broth (saves €2-3 per homemade broth)
- **Stale bread** process into croutons or bread dumplings
- **Overripe fruit** use for smoothies or compote

**Smart saving:** A family that consistently pays attention to food waste can save €50-70 monthly according to studies by consumer centers.

**Sources:** [BMEL Too Good for the Bin](https://www.zugutfuerdietonne.de), [Consumer Centre](https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de)

## Case Study: How the Müller Family Reduced Their Food Costs by 28%

The Müller family of four from Frankfurt managed to reduce their monthly food expenses from €850 to €610 – without compromising on quality. Here are their most important strategies:

### Systematic Meal Prepping

Instead of shopping spontaneously, the Müller family plans their meals for the week in advance. They use the Bring! app for coordinated shopping lists and thus avoid expensive spontaneous purchases.

**Savings:** About 18% of their food costs through fewer spontaneous purchases and more targeted shopping

### Smart Combination: Discounter and Supermarket

The Müllers consistently buy staple foods and household items at the discounter, while they specifically purchase fresh products like fruits, vegetables, and baked goods at the supermarket with evening discounts.

**Savings:** Average of 15% per purchase through this combination strategy

### Too Good To Go as a Regular Component

Twice a week, a family member picks up surprise bags from local bakeries and an organic supermarket – for an average of €4.50 per bag with a goods value of about €15.

**Savings:** Approx. €85 per month through regular Too Good To Go purchases

## Conclusion: Your Personal Savings Plan for 2025

With the strategies presented, you can significantly reduce your food costs without making compromises in quality and enjoyment. Here are the most important steps summarized:

1. **Digitize your shopping:** Use apps like Too Good To Go, Lidl Plus, and Bring! for systematic savings
2. **Think seasonally:** Align your meal plan with seasonal offers
3. **Smart combination:** Use discounters for staple foods and supermarket evening discounts for fresh products
4. **Aim for zero waste:** Reduce food waste through better planning and creative use of leftovers

If you consistently implement all tips, you can reduce your annual food expenses by €1,200-1,800 – without having to give up anything.


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