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EXPLAINED: 10 ways to save money on your groceries in Austria

With inflation high, consumers in Austria are really feeling the pinch, particularly in the supermarket. Here are some simple tips on how you can save money on your grocery shopping.

Money is handed over a fruit and vegetable counter at a weekly market in the Schöneberg district of Berlin.

1. Buy seasonal products

Fruit and vegetables are less expensive when they are in season in Austria, as they don’t have to be kept in cold storage which – thanks to high energy prices – incurs high costs which are passed onto the customer. So going for produce that is naturally abundant at the time of year can really pay off. 

At the moment, vegetables such as kale, squashes, leaks and cabbages are currently in season, but you can refer to an online Saisonkalendar (season calendar), such as this German one, to keep an eye on which fruits and veggies are in season at different times of the year.

Lots of vegetables.

Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash

2. Go easy on butter 

The price of butter in Austria has increased by over 40 percent in the last year – in some cases, a 250-gram packet of butter now costs €3. 

READ ALSO: Cost of living: Inflation hits cheapest groceries in Austria’s supermarkets

As a substitute for butter in cooking, go for vegetable oils such as olive oil, linseed or soybean oil or certain types of margarine and, for spreadable treats, consider alternatives such as quark or cheese spreads. 

3. Have a meal plan and a shopping list

One golden rule for saving money in the supermarket – wherever you live – is to plan your meals and write down the ingredients in a list. Having a shopping list often helps avoid expensive spontaneous purchases and helps you to really only buy the things you will definitely use.

4. Buy less meat

The prices of meat products, such as sausages and fish have also risen by 15.6 percent since last October. Possible replacements for some of their meat products with plant-based foods, pulses or legumes instead, such as lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas, and soybeans.

READ ALSO: Why everything in Austria is closed on Sundays – and what to do instead

5. Visit markets

Another advice is to visit local fruit and vegetable markets, as fresh produce can often go for a lot cheaper than in the supermarkets.

6. Compare prices by weight 

Another essential tip for buying groceries on the cheap is to compare prices by weight, not simply by the retail price on display. In addition to the retail price, you will usually see how much 100 grams of each product costs and you should use this number as a basis for comparison.

For example, if you want to buy Parmesan cheese and there are two different varieties marked at €4 and €6, the €4 package may seem cheaper. But if you then look at the price by weight, you may find that the €6 Parmesan comes to €1 per 100 grams, while the €4 package comes to €2 per 100 grams.

(Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

7. Use apps to find deals 

The price for the same product can sometimes vary greatly between supermarkets in Austria, so it can pay to shop around.

But, if you don’t have time to go from store to store hunting down the cheapest products, many supermarket brands have their own apps which you can use to check for price comparisons and any discounts or offers.

Another great app for those looking to make serious savings on their foodstuffs is Too Good to Go – an app which connects people to local restaurants, bakeries and food shops which are looking to get rid of surplus food. 

8. Get an advantage card

With an advantage card such as JÖ or store brands, you can collect points every time you shop in a variety of stores, and then ultimately transform these points into monetary discounts. 

These cards are free to get and just require registration. Using them regularly, along with extra point-collecting coupons, can amount to quite a savings. 

9. Check out the bottom shelf

The bottom shelves in Austrian supermarkets are often where you will find the most economically-priced products, including the supermarkets’ own-brand products. You can often get almost the identical product as the branded variety for half the price. 

10. Shopping just before closing time

If you shop just before closing time, you can often find great deals in Austrian supermarkets – especially at the vegetable, fruit, meat and yoghurt counters. Just don’t take too long: they won’t stay open longer for you.

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MONEY

EXPLAINED: How to get a refund for your Amazon subscription in Austria

If you are an Amazon Prime subscriber - or were before autumn 2022 - you are entitled to compensation due to what Austria's Chamber of Labour calls 'illegal price increase'. Here are the steps you need to take before September.

EXPLAINED: How to get a refund for your Amazon subscription in Austria

Austria’s Chamber of Labour, called the Arbeiterkammer (AK) has announced a settlement with Amazon that will entitle certain subscribers of the online retailing giant to a partial refund on their subscription.

What happened?

In September 2022, Amazon increased the prices for its Prime subscription. The AK found that the price increase clause, among other provisions it did not specify, was unlawful and filed a lawsuit.

Similarly to a previous case with Netflix price increases, the AK and Amazon agreed on compensation to consumers after “lengthy settlement negotiations”, the chamber said.

Anyone who took out a Prime subscription before fall 2022 and was affected by the price increase will get their money back or a voucher from Amazon.

READ ALSO: 8 things you should know before starting an office job in Austria

How much will I get? 

The claim amount depends on the membership’s type and duration. You will receive the entire price increase back without any deductions in the form of a credit note (Amazon voucher) or a refund to your bank account.

The highest amount will be for anyone who had an annual membership in July 2022 and is still a subscriber now. In this case, the person would be entitled to around € 36.50 for 21 months of the contract. 

How do I get it?

You must request a refund from Amazon Customer Service by September 11th at the latest. To do so, log in to your Amazon customer account and fill out the refund form “Prime Austria: Request for Refund.” 

Customers can then choose between a refund or an Amazon voucher for the same amount. According to the AK, the voucher is valid for ten years and can be redeemed for almost all Amazon services. 

You will receive confirmation of your registration from Amazon within three weeks of registering on the Amazon homepage; once your claim has been approved, the money will be credited to your bank account within another three weeks.

If you have opted for a refund in the form of a credit note (Amazon voucher), you will receive it within a few days of registering in your customer account.

READ ALSO: Can you pay your Austrian taxes using a foreign bank account?

Who is entitled to it?

As mentioned, you are entitled to repayment if you were affected by the September 15th, 2022 price increase. You must have been a client before that date and continued paying the higher amount. 

You also need to register by the deadline of September 11th. The settlement is only valid for clients in Austria. Even if you have already terminated your Prime membership, you will be refunded the price increase paid for the relevant period. 

Will I pay a lower membership fee from now on? 

No. When you fill out the refund form, you will be asked whether you wish to continue your Prime membership. If you want to remain a Prime customer, you agree to pay the higher price from now on. Alternatively, you can withdraw from the contract at the same time as claiming the refund.

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