Tips for saving money in care
Nothing happens without moss - unfortunately, this also applies to care. However, you can significantly reduce the financial burden with clever savings tips and government subsidies. In this article, we'll show you how to save money without sacrificing quality.
Whether coal, moss, gravel or mice - our money has many names, but one thing is clear: nothing works without money. This is particularly noticeable when care comes into play. Medication, care aids, home modifications or the carer themselves - it all costs time and, above all, money.
But don't worry: there are many legal, often state-subsidized ways to make smart savings on care. From free aids and tax relief to practical savings tips for everyday life - with a little knowledge, you can significantly reduce your financial burden.
In this article, we show you exactly how to make the right applications, get subsidies and avoid unnecessary costs. Because one thing is certain: good care doesn't have to be unaffordable.
Stay tuned and discover how you can make care humane, dignified and at the same time financially sustainable - without spending unnecessary amounts of money.
Where can and should savings be made in nursing care?
Of course we want to make the right monetary decisions when it comes to care. Saving money on services is bad advice, according to the popular saying: "He who buys cheap, buys twice." Investing in well-trained staff is an important and correct decision. After all, care is about our loved ones, who are part of our family.
Additional costs arise despite care allowance, benefits in kind and other entitlements. Another non-monetary burden is the lack of time, because the higher the level of care, the more time-intensive our own time commitment is for the person requiring care. In practice, this means that we can no longer work full-time and instead take on a part-time job, become temporarily unemployed or go on unemployment benefit.
That's why we need advice and information about the need for care. When a care situation arises in the family, this usually happens suddenly, without us being able to prepare for it well in advance.
We need help with content - and here the Care ABC is a good source of knowledge - and organizational support. We receive official support from care insurance companies, independent welfare organizations such as Caritas or Malteser International, as well as private service providers in the care sector. There are many communities on the internet and in social networks. We at noracares also provide active support when it comes to informing relatives and supporting care staff.
14 money-saving tips for everyday life
In many areas, we spend more every day than we actually need to - with these 14 money-saving tips, that's history.
Discounter instead of supermarket
Beware of the so-called special offers that flutter through the letterbox every week. We could buy goods that we would not normally have needed. Sticking "No advertising please" on the letterbox is helpful here. In fact, you can often get good quality from cheap supermarkets, as they simply buy larger quantities.
Family packs instead of single meals
For goods that we can store well, such as detergents, shower gel, canned food, pasta, it is worth buying in large quantities or in bulk. to buy in bulk packs.
Healthy doesn't have to be expensive
...and neither does sustainable and regional food. We focus on unprocessed vegetables and fruit that are cultivated in our latitudes. There are varieties that do not meet EU standards and are therefore sold more cheaply in supermarkets. The more unusual growth has no effect on taste and quality. A clear win-win buying opportunity!
Cooking for yourself
This is of course also healthier and, with a little practice, not much more time-consuming than defrosting a frozen pizza. If we calculate how much we pay for a home-cooked meal with ingredients that are as raw and grown as possible, we quickly realize that the more we cook, the less money we spend. It's worth creating a seasonal weekly plan. So that we take saving into account for the whole week!
Drink water from the tap
The tap water in Austria is of such high quality that you can drink it without hesitation. What's more, when we buy mineral water in the supermarket, we also buy PET waste - which we then have to dispose of again. And it's no longer a secret that plastic bottles are bad for the environment and our oceans.
The quality of our local drinking water is higher than the stale water from PET bottles, which is usually acidic with too much carbon dioxide.
Compare electricity providers
We now have alternatives to the major electricity suppliers in Austria. A comparison is worthwhile - Google shows many platforms that compare electricity costs. The federal states also show high price differences.
Share streaming services
With Netflix, Spotify & Co. there are family packages where the monthly subscription price is slightly higher, but several participants can join in.
Cash payment is better than card payment
Paying cash is so recommended because we immediately realize how much we are spending. We literally have it in our hands to decide how much we want to spend. In addition, we are not as susceptible to the bait-and-switch offers in the supermarket - which are often only possible with a certain card, but are often not even necessary for our household.
Check your cell phone contract
There are often cheap new offers that make switching to another provider worthwhile. So: Don't just let your contract run for years - because it seems convenient - but compare.
Men's Products
As a woman: let's reach for men's products! Some products, such as razors or shower gel, are often more expensive for women - even though they fulfill the same function. Here, it's worth reaching for the cheaper men's version.
Check transportation
The car eats up money - unlike a savings bank, it does not generate interest, but rather running costs. Public transport is cheaper, and the longer you commit to it - with an annual pass, for example - the cheaper it is. Cycling is also healthy, and walking is completely free!
Expenditure control in the budget
Keeping a budget book shows that you are smart at home. This allows us to determine over the months and years what expenses are actually incurred. An Excel spreadsheet is also a good way to document expenses clearly and keep track of them.
Bank check
There are so many banks that already charge almost no fees for a current account. We can also get advice from a bank broker who can help us save, especially if we already have a loan in place.
Reduce electricity costs
The typical power guzzlers in the household need to be switched off.
These are the 9 biggest power guzzlers in the home - and how you can reduce them:
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Place 1: The heating pump
The biggest electricity consumer in the home is the heating pump. Old, outdated models consume an unnecessarily large amount of electricity. Modern pumps are significantly more energy-efficient, consume fewer kilowatt hours and can often be adapted to consumption - even with a practical summer mode. -
Place 2: The electric cooker
The electric stove is the biggest power guzzler in the kitchen. Smart cooking saves electricity: use good cookware, suitable plate sizes and residual heat. For hot water, the kettle is a much more economical alternative than the stove. -
Place 3 and 4: Fridge and freezer
Refrigerators and freezers run around the clock and are therefore real power guzzlers. Modern appliances with a high energy efficiency class consume significantly less electricity. Regular defrosting and sensible filling also help to reduce costs. -
Place 5: Lighting in the home
Consider carefully which lamps you really need. LEDs are much more energy-efficient than conventional light bulbs and can significantly reduce your electricity bill. Conscious use of light saves money. -
Place 6: Tumble dryers
The tumble dryer consumes a lot of electricity. It's best to do without it altogether and air dry your laundry - it's free and gentle on your clothes. If the dryer is necessary, look for an energy-efficient model. -
Place 7: The dishwasher
Sometimes it's worth doing the dishes by hand from time to time. This saves electricity and water. If you use the dishwasher, it's best to use it fully loaded and in energy-saving mode. -
Place 8: The washing machine
Washing is necessary, but you can save electricity by always fully loading the machine and avoiding temperatures above 60 degrees. Modern detergents enable effective washing even at low temperatures. -
Place 9: TV in standby mode
Many devices, including the TV, also consume power in standby mode. A multiple plug with a switch helps to switch devices off completely and avoid unnecessary power consumption.
Funding & financial help you need to know
In addition to the everyday tips, you should definitely know the government support - here is an overview:
Care allowance - your basic financial security for care needs
Care allowance is granted in seven levels, regardless of income and age - depending on how much care you need. The amount depends on the monthly care requirement:
Relief amount (125 Euro/month)
People in need of care with at least care level 1 can receive up to 125 euros per month for respite services. The money can be used for household help, shopping assistance or care, for example.
Care aids (60 Euro/month)
You can be reimbursed up to 60 euros per month for care aids such as disposable gloves, disinfectants or bed protection pads. Providers such as Sanubi often handle the process directly with the care insurance fund.
Funding for 24-hour care
If you receive care allowance from level 3 and your monthly income is less than 2.500 euros, you can receive up to 1,600 euros per month as Funding for 24-hour care receive.
Caregiver's allowance & Dependants' bonus
The Caregiver Leave Allowance supports family members who provide care with up to 1.200 euros per month for a maximum of 6 months. In addition, there is a relative bonus of 130.80 euros per month from care allowance level 4 if the income is low.
More info: Caregiver Leave & Dependants' Bonus at a Glance
These services help to reduce financial burdens and better organize care at home.
Use tax advantages & legal claims
In addition to direct subsidies, there are also tax breaks and legal rights that you should definitely take advantage of:
- Care allowance: Caregiving relatives can claim between 924 and 1.800 euros a year - depending on the level of care. The prerequisite is that the care is not paid for (care allowance excluded).
- Important legal entitlements: These include applying for care allowance (levels 1-7), the monthly provision of care aids (up to 60 euros), the relief amount (125 euros), as well as the right to care leave or part-time care leave. You can also have a home emergency call system installed free of charge.
- Central point of contact: You can find all this information and application options clearly laid out on the official platform oesterreich.gv.at.
Use these subsidies and rights to make care humane and financially feasible. Because good care doesn't have to fail because of money!
The need for care often comes unexpectedly - and suddenly you or your family are faced with major organizational and financial challenges. But the good news is: you don't have to cope alone.
Whether care allowance, subsidies, tax relief or practical savings tips for everyday life - those who are in the know not only save money, but also nerves. Unfortunately, many of these aids remain unused simply because they are hardly known. That's why it's so important to take action early on, get advice and take advantage of all available support.
The Austrian digital platform Österreich GV, for example, offers a online-guide especially for relatives of care cases. It helps you to keep an eye on your expenses and ensures that the "bucks" stay in your wallet.
Our tip: Go through the savings tips step by step, take advantage of free offers and check regularly to see if there are any new benefits or subsidies for you - especially with rising care costs, this can really make a difference.
Are you looking for a caregiver to save you time? At noracares you've come to the right place! Get support, make the right requests - and make care human and doable again. For you. For your loved ones.
