Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

I haven't googled for five minutes, but so far all statistics show me that construction costs also increased in the 90s (see attached graphic).

So unlike , as I said, I don't believe that it will get cheaper again for the average home builder. Even if material prices should fall again, this will not compensate for the increased energy prices, labor costs, and interest rates. And looking back shows that construction costs have never significantly decreased.

If you find other statistics on the topic, I would be happy to look at them.

Sounds plausible. For what reason should construction costs decrease? Prices simply remain at the level and stagnate rather than decrease. We still have to watch the interest rates; currently, everything points to a recession.

Tell the single mother hairdresser with three kids at home to buy regional and organic.

And she's probably blonde too. :D

Sounds plausible. For what reason should construction costs decrease? Prices simply remain at the same level and stagnate rather than decrease. We still need to watch interest rates, currently everything points to a recession.

That’s exactly what my crystal ball also shows. Although you don’t even need one for that. Only when the salespeople of the home building companies have to become active again and not the customers storm their doors, could there be some movement in prices. Could be.

I spoke today with friends who live in this village in a beautiful old building from Anno Knack. At the moment, their heating costs are 580€ / month...

In summer??

Our house is from 1930. Let's see what we will need. But we have a wood stove in the living room and a witch in the kitchen. And the wood doesn't come from a dealer, we join friends and get it from the forest (but of course the price per meter has also increased).

We collect 20€ from each child in kindergarten for the buffet. So that we don't have to raise it, very careful attention is now paid to what is ordered. The parents are already very burdened and we also notice now that some children no longer get breakfast at home because they are supposed to eat in the daycare. It always hits the weakest the hardest. And if you think you should buy regionally to save money... well, the prices at our farm shops and also at the market are clearly more expensive than at the discount stores. Growing your own in a 3-room apartment is also nothing.

Only when the salespeople of the house building companies have to become active again and not the customers storm the place

I believe that point has long been reached. The problem is, as long as there are shortages everywhere, discounts are rather unlikely. And considering the fact that various companies pay premiums for not building, the room for that is probably not very large at all

Only someone who has never really dealt with poverty can claim that ... born with a golden spoon in their mouth? Tell that to the single mother hairdresser with three kids at home. By now, she’s probably just glad if she can even keep the fridge full.

The group you mentioned certainly exists – but I will never understand such generalizations ...

And I cannot comprehend your poorly thought-out example, which is basically just a platitude. And I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I was not born with a golden spoon in my mouth. I moved out of my parents’ place right after finishing my training and have been responsible for my own living expenses ever since, enduring plenty of tough months with barely any income, e.g., after job loss and sanctions from the job center.

The single mother hairdresser with three kids at home—let’s assume all three are under six years old—has the following household income:

Net salary from €1660 gross minimum wage = €1,318
+ tax-free tips = ?
+ 3 x maintenance advance payments at €177 each = €531
+ 2 x child benefit at €219 each = €438
+ 1 x child benefit at €225 = €225
+ housing allowance subsidy for €1000 rent = €920
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Money available per month: €3,432

There may also be additional subsidies depending on the place of residence, such as the Bavarian daycare allowance, the Bavarian child benefit, daycare subsidies, etc. That would have to be checked on a case-by-case basis.

If I now deduct the rent again, €2,432 net per month remain available. Please don’t be mad at me, but with that money I can cook something to eat for my children every day and make sure everyone is fed. Of course, she has other expenses besides food, but this money is available to her monthly.

I’ll give you three very concrete examples where buying regionally directly from the producer in my town is cheaper than in the supermarket:

Potatoes, oil, and eggs.

You have to engage with the products and not just blindly run into Lidl, but also look around to the left and right, then you realize such things. It annoys me that people always slip into this whining song and everything around them is evil. Playing the victim role is more comfortable, but nevertheless, one should work on their own mindset and, to address your example, fight for themselves and their children.