Ever since I had a regular income, I've been quite comfortable with money: as long as my account balance kept getting higher rather than lower, everything was fine.
With larger expenses, there was always a question mark: was that just unreasonable – or was it easy?
At the office, walking to the snack bar for the third time in one day, I tried to calculate how much the small bowls of fruit salad would cost me in a month's time.
And when the clerk at the falafel place already knew my order by heart (falafel halloumi, all the sauces), I got the feeling that maybe I was spending too much money here.
That's why my resolution for 2023 was to finally get an overview of how much I actually spend - and on what.
Appropriately, the text by my colleague Helene Flachsenberg was published at the same time, in which she explains how easy it is to keep a household book: namely in three steps and with a few tricks.
Now, every night, an alarm reminds me of my new routine of logging all my expenses.
That doesn't necessarily make me more economical, it actually makes me more relaxed.
After all, I now have answers to my questions – and I don't have to do as much mental arithmetic.
Have fun reading wishes
Tanya Falenczyk
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Income, fixed costs, flexible expenses: the budget book is ready (icon image)
Photo: FreshSplash/Getty Images
You finally know what you really spend your money on:
You want to keep an eye on your expenses in the new year, but a budget book is too much work for you?
It doesn't have to be that: you just have to follow three steps - and know a few tricks.
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Business administration is a popular subject in Germany.
too popular?
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Photo: Maskot/Getty Images
Are there too many business graduates?:
The number of students in business administration is increasing.
And rises.
And rises.
But is the subject still relevant?
A business administration professor explains which graduates companies need.
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Learning groups are more than academic socializing (icon image)
Photo: Phil Boorman/Image Source/Getty Images
How to set up the perfect
study group: It's easier together, and that also applies to your studies.
Our columnist reveals what is important when choosing a learning partner - and why friends are not the best choice.
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Ina Müller: »Then you shoot directly from the hip«
[M] Lea Rossa / DER SPIEGEL;
Photo: FELIPE TRUEBA / EPA-EFE / REX
“I didn’t want to be dependent on a husband later”:
Presenter Ina Müller gave up a secure job for her stage career – and doesn’t regret it.
Here she tells what she copied from »Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?«.
And why she is rarely asked for advice.