Money Matters

Money does matter. More so in Germany, as nothing comes for free here. One has to either have more than enough or learn to manage with just enough. The latter has been one of the toughest challenges of my stay here.

Although education in Germany is relatively inexpensive, the cost of living is quite substantial, making the package deal quite an expensive affair, for me at least. The exchange rate turned the estimated expenses in Euros into a larger number of Rupees and my little savings appeared all the more inconsequential. After several failed attempts to secure a scholarship, I resorted to the inevitable educational loan. I felt robbed when the bank documents I signed burdened me with a 6 digit debt, while the Euro cheque I received showed a 4 digit figure. Thanks to the financial backing from my grandfather, a dependable financial arrangement was made. But it was clear that money would be a limited resource to be spent judiciously during the 18 months.

Just like the one who earns in Dollars and Euros is a rich man in India, I, with the exchanged Rupees in my pocket was a poor man in Germany. The first Bretzel (a kind of bread) I ate cost 1 Euro, but my mind was thinking - 60 Rupees! That would bring me a Special North-Indian Thali back home. First few weeks were spent in this constant mental multiplications and comparisons during shopping, from Milk to Cone Ice-cream to T-Shirts. With accommodation, insurance and travel costs remaining fixed monthly expenses, I tried my best to minimize the variable components. Within a couple of months, I had a database of the most economical brands and the best offers!

It was soon clear to me, that the only way to deal with the ‘Euro – Rupee Paradigm’ was, to find a source of Euros! My unsuccessful attempts to find a scholarship had given me a consolation prize of a mentor in a german automotive MNC in Stuttgart. However he turned out to be much more than a mere consolation to me, as he helped me find a part-time job and later, my master thesis. With this new inflow, my slowly diminishing bank balance stabilized, since the monthly expenses were more or less taken care of. However, the earlier months had taught me the value of money and ways of using it effectively.

My only weakness in financial planning has been my passion to travel. A heavier pocket allowed room for stretching of the trip budgets. A friend of mine shared the same passion and constraints and we formed the ‘Trip Planning Team’. We surfed the web for travel options, special offers, travel blogs, visitor experiences – practically everything that would help us put together a cost effective and worthwhile trip. We have so far been able to pull off visits to places in Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Austria and of course, parts of Germany.

I gradually learned to think in Euros. Daily spending, although not lavish, became more generous. I tried the more expensive groceries at times. The odd lunch in the canteen or a restaurant relieved me from the cooking routine. I picked up the Ice-cream cone more often. I bought the 2nd or 3rd cheapest T-shirt if I liked it. I began to think of ‘value’ as much as ‘cost’.

My ultimate goal is, to fly out of Germany with as much in hand as when I landed. Although the cash award of DAAD Prize takes me close, I will probably not totally break even. But I am quite satisfied all the same. How about another trip to celebrate the savings?!