Banknotes under the Christmas tree? Here are the ghosts. Some consider gifts of money as impersonal and unimaginative, others as particularly useful and practical. An Emnid survey commissioned by Postbank shows that 57 percent of Germans like to give away money on festive occasions, 42 percent reject it. Regionally, there are clear differences: In the north of the republic, money donations are more open than in the south. While 69 percent of respondents from Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Bremen and Lower Saxony like to make their loved ones happy with money, only 49 percent of respondents from Bavaria and 51 percent from Baden-Wuerttemberg give away money. Interesting – because Southern Germany, as far as indicators such as income, unemployment and indebtedness are concerned, is considered the richer region of Germany.
Popular cash
According to the Postbank survey, only 31 percent of Germans find money at Christmas unreasonable, and for 66 percent, it is acceptable. Above all, the young respondents are happy about cash – only just under 21 percent of them think an envelope under the Christmas tree is out of place, 78 percent like to hold their hands. Iris Laduch-Reichelt of Postbank explains: “Just as much as we like to pay with coins and banknotes in this country, we give away money – usually in cash, of course.” The popularity of money gifts is also a reason for keeping a lot of cash in some households will. According to Postbank survey from last year, 17 percent of respondents have sums of 300 to 1,000 euros at home, seven percent even more than 1,000 euros – of which just under two percent proud 10,000 euros and more. “The persistently low interest rates currently create little incentive to deposit the gifts on the bank account. And most savers are still shying away from buying securities, “says Iris Laduch-Reichelt.
What will change for consumers in 2019?
More mother’s pension and minimum wage, plus in Hartz IV and child benefit, supplement for pensioners and separation children: the bottom line brings the year 2019 for almost all more money. And the Minister of Finance wants to spare all taxpayers, because the so-called cold progression is weakened. In addition, the basic allowance and child allowances are increased. The reduction of the unemployment insurance contribution to 2.5 per cent promises more net benefits. In addition, employers and employees will again share the additional contribution in health insurance from January onwards. However, the long-term care contribution increases by 0.5 percentage points. The i-TAN lists for online banking are about to expire in 2019. And the new packaging law brings pledge for more drinks.
Employees who want to save their own money on the way of salary conversion for the later occupational pension, benefit from new employer’s contribution obligation on conclusion of contracts from 1 January. Anyone applying for a reduced earning capacity pension from the turn of the year will be able to score points with higher mark-up periods for more pension: In the future, the calculation will fictitiously assume that 65 years and 8 calendar months have been worked.
People in need of care and their relatives can rely on a range of prescriptions in 2019 to improve care and care. For taxi trips to the doctor in many cases there will be an automatic authorization by the health insurance in future. For spa stays of caregivers, the patient can be cared for there. And the new bridge part time makes it easier to reduce working hours for a limited period of time and then return to the original number of hours. 2019 is flashed for environmentally friendly mobility: donated the employer a free or discounted ticket for buses and trains, the cost savings no longer have to be taxed. If employees use a new electric or hybrid company car privately, the tax authorities are satisfied with the taxation of half the monetary benefit. Also in the private use of the service bicycle or e-bike wants the tax office no longer participate.
Clear text is in the future when insurance policies announced: For this purpose in household effects, liability or disability policies is clearly signaled by check mark or a red “X”, where the most important information about the contract are. Presumably in mid-May, the EU missed phone calls from landline or mobile phone to other EU countries a cover: A minute may then cost a maximum of 19 cents. For a text message a maximum of 6 cents per text message may be charged. With the issue of more counterfeit 100- and 200-euro notes, the European Central Bank wants to complicate the end of May 2019 crooks the craft.
Even for mini-jobbers, the new minimum wage of 9.19 per hour applies. However, because the earning limit for low-paid jobs is still 450 euros, you have to calculate with a sharp pencil how many hours of work there are left (48 hours x 9.19 euros = 441.12 euros). In addition, the period for short-term employment is reduced to 50 working days or two months (previously: 70 working days or three months) per calendar year. Above all, this must be kept in mind by holiday jobbers and seasonal workers.
MoneyTalk6 