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A hot and soothing coffee – that’s what hardly any of us can do without. No other drink can match the popularity of the pick-me-up.

Classic coffee machine with filter

Filter coffee is one of the most popular ways to brew coffee. According to the 2016 Coffee Report, about 71.8% of all coffee drinkers own a filter coffee machine. Thus, it takes first place by a wide margin and leaves all competitors far behind. By the way, filter coffee plays a pioneering role in the automation of coffee preparation. Until the 1950s, coffee had to be brewed by hand in the traditional way. With the invention of the filter coffee machine and vacuum-packed ground coffee, all households have been able to brew coffee quickly and easily. Thus, all modern coffee machines and fully automatic coffee machines represent a further development of filter coffee machines.

pressure brewing systems

The so-called pressure brewing system is an offshoot of the filter coffee machine. An attempt was made to prepare espresso as filter coffee. The result is rather unusual: strong, strong coffee is produced. It can best be compared to mocha coffee.

Stamping pot: pure flavor

Making coffee doesn’t always have to be boring. The stamping pot, also known as the cafetere, was invented in France in the mid-19th century. It offers its users a fragrant and full-bodied taste. Anyone who loves strong coffee has come to the right place. The working principle of stamping pot mainly combines aroma extraction and brewing.

Cona Pot: chemical coffee

The Cona pot looks like a chemistry experiment and apparently has little to do with making coffee. The unusual brewing method came from Germany and was widely used, especially in the old days. Nowadays, the equipment is often used for decorative purposes, but, of course, it can also be used for making coffee. In a broad sense, this is the so-called glass piston coffee maker. It owes its name Cona-Kanne to its manufacturer.

Unforgettable Karlsbader Canne

Karlsbader Kanne has been celebrating its market success for over 100 years. Even today, the production of classics does not stop. The secret to their success story lies simply in their simplicity. The pitcher filter is made of porcelain and does not affect the taste in any way. The best filtered coffee with pure aroma is prepared in a short time.

The Karlsbader Kanne is made up of four different parts. It consists of a coffee pot, a lid, a two-piece coarse-mesh porcelain filter, and a brewing attachment.

Coffee maker without espresso?

Contrary to what the name suggests, espresso is not actually made in an espresso pot. The so-called “percolator” uses only the principle of steam, which is also used to make espresso. However, this does not create the necessary pressure to really make a strong espresso. So “only” normal strong coffee is brewed.

Hot and soothing coffee is something that hardly any of us can do without. No other drink can compare in popularity with a tonic drink.

Original: porcelain coffee filter

The porcelain coffee filter has been one of the must-have items in every home. A somewhat older generation probably still remembers the original Melitta porcelain filter that you saw every day at your grandparents. Here, brewing was still done by hand by hand. There was a kettle of water on the stove. Then it was necessary to pour boiling water over a porcelain filter, which, in turn, stood on a coffee pot. In this way, the aromas of the ground coffee inside the filter have been dissolved and an incomparable aromatic coffee has been created. This brewing method is still used today to test the quality of many coffees.

Ibrik: Traditional Coffee Brewing Tour

Ibrik represents, so to speak, the beginning of all types of coffee making. Those who wanted to make coffee always used a small, inconspicuous coffee pot. About a third of all coffee drinkers still use this method. Especially in the Arab countries, Ibrik has a lot of fans. This is where he comes from. At the same time as coffee beans, the method of preparation came to us in Europe around the 16th century. Whether in China, in the south of Russia, in Turkey, Greece or anywhere else – the centuries-old cooking method is known everywhere.

Napoletana: coffee in the process of being turned

The Napoletana is a reversible pitcher that works on a very simple principle. It’s easy to recognize from the outside.
The jug consists of two small pots. They are located directly above each other and fastened with screws. There are handles on the upper and lower ends of the reversible jug – here you can immediately see the possibility of rotation.

State-of-the-art coffee technology: fully automatic machine

The fully automatic machine is an innovative all-rounder among coffee machines. No other device can make coffee in such variety and perfection. Less coffee is brewed here than coffee is “created”.

Espresso machine – coffee in its class

Who does not know them: espresso machine. Hardly any other coffee machine is as famous as a wonderful machine that brews delicious espresso. But unlike a fully automatic machine, you still have to do it yourself. This not only leads to some work, but also helps individual taste. The degree of grind, water, and use largely determine the taste of the coffee in the end. Of course, you should invest in a decent device beforehand. A good espresso machine is the key to first-class results. What you make of it is, of course, entirely up to you.

Lifestyle coffee discs and pods

With the invention of discs and pads, the coffee industry hit the nerves of our time. Small, filled containers contain exactly the amount of coffee needed to make a delicious and aromatic coffee drink. The founders of this movement are Philips and roaster Douwe Egberts. About 10 years ago, a new way of making coffee was invented.

World of coffee: pleasure for everyone

Anyone who wants to make coffee must, of course, choose the right kind of coffee in advance. Depending on the method, it is always worth varying individual varieties and tastes. A lamb pot, for example, is best filled with dark roasted coffee beans. On the other hand, fully automatic machines can handle any type of bean well.

You can use bean water in many ways in vegan cuisine. We will explain to you which water you use best and how it can be used in a targeted manner.

Bean water is used in many ways, especially in vegan cuisine. In the meantime, the artificial term “aquafaba” (aqua = water; faba = bean) has established itself for the cooking water of beans or chickpeas.

Important: When using bean water, be sure to note that raw green beans are poisonous. You should generally only ever use the cooking water, not the soaking water. Cooking reduces the phytic acid content in the beans and they lose their toxic properties. In addition, they also release proteins, carbohydrates and plant substances into the water.

The cooking water from chickpeas and white beans is used more often than bean water because of its neutral taste. The darker the legume, the more intense the taste. In any case, the bean water is too good to throw away.

Use bean water when baking

Instead of throwing away the bean water, you can use it for baking, for example. The cooking water of white, black and red beans is particularly suitable for this. As a rule, aquafaba is used as a protein substitute and raising agent.

You can also use bean water as an alternative to emulsifiers. In this capacity, it helps to blend two immiscible substances.

For example, the following desserts can be made vegan using the bean water:

Meringue: With aquafaba and sugar, you automatically have all the ingredients at home to make vegan meringues yourself. They are a nice base for decorating cakes and tarts.
Macarons: As an alternative to egg white, you can also use bean water for macarons. To create a natural food coloring, it pays to use colored beans.
Mousse au chocolat: The bean water from red or black beans is particularly good for this dessert. Alternatively, you can use white beans to make a white chocolate mouse.

Use of bean water for savory dishes

You can also use bean water to bind or loosen various savory foods. It is particularly suitable for the following dishes, for example:

Mayonnaise: In order to make vegan mayonnaise, it is worth using the cooking water of white beans as a protein substitute. This is how you create a plant-based sauce classic for many hearty dishes, such as fries or potato salad.
Soup base or emulsifier for sauces: You can use the cooking water from green and white beans as a wonderful base for soups. You can boil steamed vegetables with this water. Alternatively, you can use bean water to make sauces creamier.
Pesto: You can use bean water to make low-fat, low-calorie pesto by replacing the oil you would otherwise need with aquafaba (do not whip).
Tip: If you don’t want to use the bean water straight away, you can freeze it. It is best to store the liquid in a screw-top jar.

A typical slow coffee is prepared – and that shouldn’t come as a surprise – slowly. With a hand filter, but also with the espresso maker or the French press, this is very easy and creates awareness for better coffee.

I have never understood why people prefer a coffee from the fully automatic machine to a freshly brewed one. When Nespresso suddenly moved into my friends’ homes, I almost lost my faith. Overpriced coffee in aluminum capsules that only work in an overpriced coffee machine and also cause a gigantic waste problem. Stiftung Warentest estimated the amount at 5,000 tons of capsule waste in 2015.

Instead of coffee at the push of a button, supporters of the slow coffee movement are already celebrating the preparation. Get up ten minutes earlier in the morning, breathe in the scent of whole coffee beans, grind the coffee and pour it into the espresso maker in good portions. This has a meditative character – and is also a wonderful morning ritual. It’s about giving yourself a lot of time and consciously perceiving this as well as the enjoyment of the coffee later.

The Slow Coffee movement also includes paying attention to fair production conditions and sustainable cultivation. You can often get good fair trade organic coffee directly from your trusted roasting house. You can also find recommended coffee in many supermarkets and health food stores. Just find out more in our best list for organic and fair trade coffee.

Classic slow coffee is brewed slowly. But other methods of preparation are also ideal for “slow coffee”. We introduce you to five ways to make really good coffee.

The espresso maker – an Italian original

The espresso maker is a classic that can be found in every Italian household. As the first espresso machine for the home, his invention triggered a small revolution in 1933: Until then, the popular hot drink in Italy could only be enjoyed in public coffee bars.

The espresso maker – also mocha pot – does not generate enough pressure for a real Italian espresso with a fine crema (and therefore shouldn’t really call itself espresso), the coffee still tastes good. A classic espresso maker generates around 1.5 bar. The Brikka – a further development of the classic espresso maker from the Bialetti brand – manages a total of 6.5 bar. For comparison: a portafilter machine works with a pressure of up to 15 bar.

The whole thing works very simply: Fill in water at the bottom, insert the sieve, fill completely with espresso powder and smooth out the powder. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat, when it hisses and bubbles, the espresso is ready.

Good to know: Biorama from Austria reported in March 2021 that a relatively large amount of aluminum can get into the coffee from standard espresso pots. Fortunately, the recommended limit values ​​are not exceeded by normal coffee consumption. However, you can easily work around the problem by using an espresso pot made of stainless steel (instead of aluminum).

French Press – for better coffee

Another environmentally friendly way of making coffee is the French press, also known as a stamp press pot or press stamp pot, push-through pot, Bodum pot or cafetière. The manual coffee maker was probably invented in France at the end of the 19th century. The Italian designer Attilio Calimani had it patented in 1929, and his compatriot Faliero Bondanini developed it further. It experienced a hype with us in the nineties – and with good reason.

The coffee from the French press tastes more intense, fuller and less “clean” than that from the filter machine. In this coffee preparation, a metal sieve takes over the role of the filter. Because the coffee powder is in contact with the water for longer, significantly more coffee oils and fats go into the finished coffee.

The preparation is also very easy here: fill the French Press with coarsely (preferably freshly) ground coffee powder, pour in hot water, leave to steep for four minutes, put on the lid and press down the sieve. Enjoy immediately, this is how the coffee tastes best.

Filter coffee – the simplest way to prepare coffee

The hand filter is undoubtedly a classic when it comes to coffee preparation. With grandparents you can usually still find it hidden somewhere in the closet, it had to make way for the modern filter coffee machine. Baristas swear by filter coffee – if you use the right technique.

To prepare coffee, use about 60 grams (9 tablespoons) of medium to finely ground coffee per liter of water. Before use, you can briefly rinse the paper filter with hot water from the kettle – this will eliminate any paper taste and also keep the filter at a good temperature.

After boiling, it is best to let the water cool down to 90 degrees for a few minutes to prevent fine coffee particles from burning and your coffee from becoming bitter in taste. First, pour just enough water on the powder to cover it and let it swell for 60 seconds. Then add water in 100 milliliter increments, advises the expert.

Karlsbader Kanne – coffee preparation with tradition

The Karlsbader Kanne is a real eye-catcher. It is also used to prepare filter coffee, is made entirely of porcelain and does not require a paper filter or other additives. There is also the Bayreuther Kanne, a new edition of the Karlsbader Kanne in a modern design. The Karlsbader or Bayreuther jug consists of four parts: the jug itself, a porcelain filter, a water distributor and the lid.

The preparation is very simple, the coffee is pleasantly mild. Heat the water to 95 degrees, coarsely grind the coffee (we recommend a grind of 9 or 10). Put the coffee in the filter – calculate about 10 grams or 1.5 tablespoons of coffee per cup – and spread it out. Put on the water distributor, pour in the water, let it swell for 30 seconds and then add more water.

Kamira – espresso maker for lovers

The Kamira can almost still be described as a novelty. The Italian inventor Nino Santoro used it to develop a very simple machine to bring the classic espresso from the portafilter machine into the home kitchen. The result is impressive: an espresso that, despite the relatively low pressure (about 3 bar), has a nice, slightly coarse-pored crema – and tastes good.

The application is quite simple. With the valve closed, you fill the storage tank with water, open the valve and let it run down into the water tank. Fill the portafilter with espresso powder, insert it and close the valve. Then the cooker comes on the stove and within a few seconds espresso flows from the portafilter directly into the cup. When the desired amount is reached, slowly open the valve to release the pressure, done.

The espresso maker is handmade in Italy, costs around 80 euros and, according to the manufacturer, is practically indestructible. Espresso fans will definitely have fun with it.

If, despite everything, you are not convinced by this type of coffee preparation, you will also find recommendations for coffee machines and alternatives to coffee capsules made of aluminum.

Strawberry season begins in early summer. Whether you buy it or harvest it yourself, it pays to know these five ways to preserve the sweet fruit.

Strawberry season in Europe runs from the beginning of May to the end of August. During this time you can buy the red summer fruits everywhere – or harvest them yourself. Because strawberries only stay fresh for about two to three days in the fridge, it’s worth preserving them. That way you’ll have something of them for longer. In this article, we have summarized seven methods you can use to preserve strawberries.

Important: When buying strawberries, make sure that they are organic if possible. You support ecologically sustainable agriculture that does not use chemical-synthetic pesticides. This protects the environment and is better for your health.

Water and vinegar bath: this is how strawberries stay fresh longer

If you don’t necessarily want to process the strawberries further, but just want to preserve their freshness, then the so-called vinegar-water bath is suitable. That’s how it’s done:

For this method, first select all the strawberries that don’t already have any soft spots. Wash them off gently under cold water. Place them in a large enough bowl.
Fill the bowl one-third full with apple cider vinegar and two-thirds full with cold water. All of the strawberries should be covered by the vinegar and water mixture.
Leave the strawberries in the bowl for about 2 minutes. Then rinse it again under cold water.
Place the strawberries carefully on a clean tea towel or kitchen paper. Pat them as dry as possible, then let them sit until they’re completely dry. This step is important because damp or wet strawberries spoil more quickly.
Place another dry tea towel in as flat a container as possible. Place the strawberries on top. Check from time to time whether the cloth is still dry. If not, swap it out.
You can use this trick to extend the shelf life of strawberries by up to 10 days. This is because the vinegar will kill any germs and mold on the strawberries.

Freeze strawberries

Freezing is another way to preserve fresh strawberries. With this classic method, the aromatic fruits can be kept in the freezer for up to twelve months. In our guide, we explain step by step how to freeze strawberries.

Good to know: Thawed strawberries have a rather mushy consistency. Therefore, this method is particularly suitable if you want to use the frozen berries in a smoothie or if you want to heat them up after they have been thawed.

Boil strawberries

You can store unopened strawberries for up to two years.

Candied strawberries

Candiing fruit is a bit more time consuming. It is especially worthwhile if you want to preserve a large quantity of strawberries. However, candying is a good way to turn the berries into a delicious candy. Check out another article for detailed instructions on how to candy strawberries. Candied strawberries can be stored in an airtight jar for up to 12 months.

Preserve strawberries: the dry method

By processing the strawberries into crunchy strawberry chips, you extend their shelf life to up to twelve months. However, this method of preserving strawberries is quite energy-intensive. Like candying, it is only worthwhile if you want to process larger quantities.

How the dry method works:

Wash the strawberries and remove the stalk. Cut the fruit into slices.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and sprinkle as evenly as possible with powdered sugar. Place the strawberry slices on top.
Dry the strawberries in the oven at 60 degrees top and bottom heat for four to five hours. Important: The oven door should not be completely closed. Using a wooden spoon, keep them slightly open.
Once all of the strawberry chips are nice and dry and crisp, you can take the tray out of the oven and let them cool.
Then carefully collect the strawberry chips from the tray and fill them into an airtight container.

You’ve probably heard of Nitrous Oxide before. It is commonly known as laughing gas because it has the unique ability to make humans laugh when it is breathed in. It is also great for controlling pain, which is why many doctors and dentists have used it on patients undergoing minor procedures over the years. What you might not know, however, is that Nitrous Oxide can also be used to great effect in the kitchen.

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Many high-end restaurants regularly order canisters of Nitrous Oxide to use in their cooking, and it is much more versatile than you might think.

If your mind is boggling wondering what exactly you can use it for in the kitchen, here are a few ideas of what is possible:

1. Fluffier Belgian Waffles

Nitrous Oxide in the Kitchen

Cannisters of food grade Nitrous Oxide, like those provided by Smartwhip, can be used to make your Belgian waffles even fluffier than before. Usually, you have to very carefully whip a bunch of egg whites just before cooking to get a fluffy waffle, and it’s really easy to get it wrong. However, if you add a little Nitrous Oxide into the mix, it will significantly lighten your batter for perfectly fluffy pancakes every time.

2. Make your own “spray” cheese

Remember when you were young, and you used to get that cheese in a can that you could spray onto crackers or make funny faces with on your plate? If you have a canister of food grade Nitrous Oxide, you can make your own grown-up version by simply melting the cheese of your choice and adding a touch of Nitrous oxide into the mix. It’ll definitely taste better than the store-bought stuff!

3. Amazing whipped frosting

If you have a sweet tooth, then you can also put Nitrous Oxide to good use in the kitchen, this time in the form of the lightest, fluffiest frosting you have ever tasted. Simply take some heavy cream and add Nitrous Oxide. Then, whisk in gelatine and powdered sugar before leaving to set. Once it’s done, it will be the lightest frosting you’ve ever produced, and your cakes and pastries will be more impressive than ever thanks to your new secret weapon.

4. Lighter Hollandaise

Hollandaise sauce is rich and delicious, but many people find it too heavy to eat regularly. If you are one of them, you will be pleased to know that you can produce a Hollandaise that is every bit as delicious, but a whole lot lighter, simply by using Nitrous Oxide to aerate your usual recipe. As well as producing a lighter sauce, it will also cut the calories by around 50 percent which means it will be better for your waistline too.

As you can see, food-grade Nitrous Oxide is a really useful addition to the kitchen, it can cut calories and make your favorite recipes better than ever before. Just make sure that you use always source and use food-grade Nitrous Oxide and that you buy from a trusted supplier.

 

There are many quick desserts available. But we have selected some of the simplest and most popular for you. What can you quickly cook from delicious food?

  1. For example, a layered dessert made from fruits, pieces of cookies, cream, mascarpone. Just lay out all the ingredients in layers in a glass and serve. Such desserts are based on the trifle, beloved by the British. When preparing a puff dessert, you can safely experiment with the ingredients.
  2. A light and tasty dessert is also a smoothie, which can be prepared from a variety of berries and fruits. Curd and berry mousses can also be made in 10 minutes.
  3. One of the popular quick desserts is chocolate-covered fruits, or fruits with cream. The original dessert is stuffed strawberries. It is enough to prepare strawberry cups and invite the children to fill them with mascarpone cheese and sprinkle with almond crumbs.
  4. Instead of slicing fruit, you can surprise loved ones with an original dessert. To do this, take a pear and cut it into round thin slices. Mix curd with sour cream. Now coat all the pear slices, rebuilding it in the required sequence. As a result, you will get a pear tower, with layers of cottage cheese and sour cream.
  5. You can go even further and make a real berry soup! Children and adults will also appreciate it. Sweet berry soup can be made from fresh berries or frozen.

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you enjoy shopping, and who can blame you? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably experienced what it’s like to be broke all the time. And you already work more than full-time. I know it’s not fair, but would shopping be as much fun if money wasn’t an issue? What, after all, can beat the feeling of finally having enough money to break your shopping fast? You know what I’m talking about when you get that cash in your hand and you know it’s time to go shopping! So, it’s time to break the shopping fast! I looked on the internet for other ways to make money. Some may sound strange, but they appear to work, at least for some.

9 Money-Earning Methods Worth Trying

Many people think that only a high-level education can get you a repaying job with a decent salary. That’s probably true for old-fashioned people. In fact, today’s world offers so many more chances to everyone who is seeking a way to earn money. The internet is our main source of ideas and, sometimes, even job vacancies to consider for those who want to send an application.

I’m not sure the following ideas will actually give you some extra money but let’s hope the list is a genius piece of inspiration to start earning extra cash:

1. Sell the things you don’t use anymore

Come on, don’t hide it, your home is full of things that you don’t use anymore yet are still in good condition. Do you still want them at home? Join a flea market, create an account to sell on e-commerce platforms, or start a private sale at home. You may sell gently used clothes that maybe you don’t use because you gained/lost weight, kitchen appliances, a bicycle, or books… anything could become a source of extra money. Just look around and find out the things you may want to get rid of.

2. Old devices for cash

Several new platforms are specialized in buying old devices like phones, iPods, and computers. Check sites like Swappa or Gazelle. Also, you may consider Amazon’s trade-in program: it consists in trading your old devices for Amazon gift cards. Another very good platform is eBay where you can set a price for your old devices and earn money directly from the buyers.

3. Dog sitting

If you love dogs and walking a lot, you may look for a job that conjugates both things: dog walking. Also, in this case, you can use online platforms like Wag and Rover where you can find hundreds of demands for dog walking.

4. Powerball & Gambling 

Maybe it’s your time to be the next big Powerball winner. Or perhaps you have a secret talent as a pro eSports player? How do you know if you haven’t tried? There are many inspirational stories not only in the US of big winners but also in France where the Euro Millions lottery is a big thing. Lucky players and gamblers who never made a bet in their life suddenly walk away with a big jackpot. I’m not sure if these stories are true but the story of this Egyptian player who won 60K$ is a precious source of inspiration. The article is published at a site called 7Alal Casino and tells the story of how Ali Barakat scored $60,000 finishing second in the international esports tournament organized by Overwatch in Saudi Arabia. Ali took only a short time to make his hobby become a pro-level activity. If he could, maybe you can? 

5. Sell unused gift cards

Did you get so many gift cards for shopping in stores that you don’t like? There’s no problem! You can sell those gift cards and make cash from the sales. Again, check specialized platforms like CardCash, GiftCash, or ClipKard. You may get up to 92% of the card’s value… pretty good, don’t you think?

6. Freelancing

Freelance work is one of the most classic and trusted ways to make money not only occasionally but also ongoing. Whether you want to work as a freelance writer, translator, or webmaster or just looking for an easy job to take for getting some extra money, you’d better look for highly reputed platforms like UpWork, for example. However, make sure to apply for jobs that meet your education/skills.

7. Sell handcrafted items

Many people handicraft items as a hobby, if this is your case, you may want to transform your hobby into a financial source of cash. Let your creativity inspire you and have a good time crafting your best items like crochet clothes or accessories like bags or hats or small wood sculptures, decorative pots for flowers, and any kind of art piece.

8. Renting spare bedrooms

If you live in a large house and you currently have spare bedrooms, you may want to list them on vacation rental sites. Just make sure that the bedroom is tidy and clean, then take photos of it, and write a detailed description with a price.

9. Become a private teacher

If you are skilled or educated in a certain school subject or you are a musician and you want to teach music, you may consider becoming a private teacher. You may offer online lessons as well as in-person lessons depending on the distance between you and your student. Before you set a price, check around the average prices of other teachers like you, just to make sure you are competitive.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick your best option and get started making money today!

 

Ways to earn pocket money as a housewife. Here are all the ways you can earn a few euros on the side and privately at home.

In addition, you will find many ways to earn money on the Internet.

1) Sell fruit and vegetables on the street

Just sell your own harvest on the street. Set up a table and make a big sale sign. Depending on the season, you can sell tomatoes, apples, cherries, carrots, pears or strawberries. Especially people from the city love to bring fresh fruit or vegetables to the country. Passing buyers can also conveniently throw the money into your mailbox.

2) Sell jams and preserves

You can also sell preserves such as jam or fruit compote at the flea market, on the street or at school. There is currently an increased demand for home-made products among consumers.

3) Muck out the basement and do a flea market

Muck out the basement or attic at least once a year. Because there is money in there. Clothes and dresses for women and children are particularly suitable. They always sell very well.

4) Sell junk in classifieds

The bulky things or special things can all be sold well as classified ads. An old antique cupboard from the basement can be worth several hundred euros to enthusiasts.

5) For other plasters

If you already clean the stairwell regularly, you could also ask your neighbors. So you can earn 10 to 20 EUR per month.

6) Baby sitting

Simply offer your services as a babysitter with a few notes in the supermarket or on the street lamps. So you can earn some money on the side and maybe have a lot of fun with the little babies.

7) Childminder with other children

If you already have children to spend time with, you can also offer your services to other mothers. If you can imagine earning real money with it, you can also become a real childminder.

8) Take care of animals

If you enjoy spending time with animals, you can help many people, especially during the holiday season, by dog ​​sitting, cat sitting or animal care. A few more animals at the same time and you can collect real money for the household budget while the neighborhood is on vacation.

Children often enrich the lives of their parents. But children should also be provided financially. Because they need food, clothing, and the training also costs money. So that saving for children can be done sensibly and effectively, we have an overview of various options from savings books to other investments for children.

Creating a financial basis for children

Once the baby daughter, son, grandchild, or godchild is born, mom and dad are known to be showered with gifts for the birth. And families also like to use occasions such as Easter, St. Nicholas, Christmas, baptisms, or birthdays to give presents to their children. As a result, some children are hopelessly overwhelmed with gifts. But it can make much more sense to start saving for children early on. Because then they will later have a good financial basis, which they will certainly be happier about. But what investment options are there and how useful are they?

Various investments to save for children

Saving options for the offspring are usually explicitly stated. If not, those willing to invest should ask the financial institutions what options are available for minors. Most of the savings options for children are designed in such a way that the savings only become available when they come of age. Follow these rules when saving for children:

  • Training insurance and accident insurance are not recommended. It is only worthwhile to insure the death of the parents with term life insurance
  • Housing cooperatives offer attractive interest rates for savings accounts and savings plans. In addition, they often offer the advantage of greater chances of finding an apartment at fair prices when living space is scarce.
  • Direct banks usually offer more attractive fixed-term deposit rates than branch banks in your area. The disadvantage, however, is the lack of contact on-site.
  • Index funds have good returns, but they also harbor risks. But if you spread the risk widely, it’s a good way to build wealth.

1) The call money account is a popular option

“Anyone who has money left over should open a money market account because it earns more interest than a savings account. But not every offer is worthwhile.” This rather controversial reference in the Hamburger Abendblatt shows two very different perspectives. On the one hand, the call money account is identified as an attractive option, on the other hand, a careless conclusion is warned against. It is therefore important to take a look at the details of the call money account:

  • Looking at the level of interest is just one important selection criterion when choosing a call money account. In this context, however, the frequency of interest payments is also an important detail. If this can be done quarterly or even monthly, this ultimately increases the return. However, tiered interest rates are only interesting up to the maximum rate. There is hardly any attractive return for the investor anymore.
  • High overnight interest rates should make consumers suspicious. Because behind this there is often a minimum investment amount to which the interest is also limited.
  • It is also worth taking a look at the duration of the attractive interest rates. If these level out over time, there is no long-term return. Then it may even be more attractive with permanently lower interest rates than with high-interest rates that are only available in the short term.
  • The daily money comparison at kontorat.de offers a good overview of the offers on the market. Interested savers can read in this article when it is worth investing in a call money account for their own household money.

2) Saving for children with the classic savings book

The savings book is the oldest investment in Germany. This is usually the first option for saving for children. Because the savings book works like a savings account and is considered safe. Even the smallest amounts of money can be deposited here. However, a savings account also has disadvantages. There is hardly any interest and offers little flexibility. Because in many cases only 2000 euros can be withdrawn per month and often you have to go to the bank with the savings book on site.

3) Savings account as an investment for children

With a bank savings plan, you can deposit a certain amount of money into a savings account on a regular basis. For this, inquire about special offers for minors at various financial institutions. You should also note the conditions here so that this option helps you save effectively. Therefore, inquire about the terms of the interest calculation. It is also important to know to what extent the deposit can be suspended. Overall, the money saved is considered safe here, although the yield is rather low. Also, note tips on handling money for children.

4) Individual ETF savings plans to save for children

ETF savings plans are not only a good retirement option for women but are also suitable for effective saving for children. An ETF (Exchange Traded Funds) is an exchange-traded index fund. Such an ETF usually contains several stocks in which you then invest your money. An ETF relies on broad diversification without an active fund manager. This makes ETFs cheaper. This can be used to build wealth if you decide to invest for a long time and increase diversification.