Asparagus season in Germany typically starts in April, with early harvests possible due to techniques like soil heating. Consumption averages 1.6 kg per person annually, and the vegetable is praised for its low calories and rich nutrients. Despite environmental concerns over the use of foils in cultivation, they help reduce herbicide use and conserve water. Green asparagus is considered more sustainable and healthier than white. It can be prepared in various ways and kept fresh in the fridge or frozen. In 2023, Germany's main asparagus-producing regions were Niedersachsen, Brandenburg, and Nordrhein-Westfalen, with significant imports from Greece, Spain, Italy, and Mexico. Prices for asparagus can vary by region and are expected to decrease as the season progresses.

The article discusses asparagus cultivation in Germany, noting that it can begin as early as March in Brandenburg and is often aided by the use of foil and sometimes heating to protect against cold temperatures. The asparagus season typically ends on June 24, and overharvesting can negatively impact the following year's yield. Germans consume about 1.6 kilograms of asparagus per person per year, and the vegetable is praised for its low calories and high vitamin and mineral content. The article debates the sustainability of asparagus cultivation, especially the use of foil, and suggests green asparagus as a more sustainable option. It also provides tips on how to prepare and store asparagus and notes that in 2023, most German asparagus was harvested in Niedersachsen, Brandenburg, and Nordrhein-Westfalen, with a total of 111,900 tons harvested nationally. Import figures and the estimated cost of asparagus in 2024 are also mentioned.

Individuals facing financial constraints in old age can monetize their property while continuing to reside in it, though there are important considerations to take into account.

Germans spend an average of 2600 euros annually on insurance, with a high need for security influencing their choices. Essential insurances include private liability and motor vehicle liability. Experts from 'Finanztip' and the consumer center of North Rhine-Westphalia recommend a coverage sum of 50 million euros for private liability insurance and stress the importance of building and contents insurance, especially for homeowners. The necessity of contents insurance varies with personal circumstances. Occupational disability insurance is considered crucial for income protection, though it can be expensive and not available to everyone. Life insurance is advised for families dependent on one income or with unpaid mortgages, but savings and insurance should be kept separate. Unnecessary insurances, such as the 'All@Home' device insurance, are criticized, and experts suggest building a reserve fund instead. Regularly reviewing insurance contracts is recommended to ensure they match current needs and to take advantage of better rates.

In Germany, people spend an average of 2600 euros annually on insurance. Essential insurances include private liability and motor vehicle liability insurance. Experts from Finanztip and the Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen recommend a coverage sum of 50 million euros for private liability insurance and consider building and household contents insurance important for homeowners. Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (occupational disability insurance) is seen as crucial for income protection, while Risikolebensversicherung (term life insurance) is advisable for families dependent on one income or with outstanding mortgage payments. However, some insurances like the Easy All@Home-Geräteversicherung are deemed unnecessary. Regularly reviewing insurance contracts is recommended to ensure they match personal circumstances and to potentially benefit from newer, cheaper rates.

Germans spend an average of 2600 euros annually on insurance, with a high need for security influencing their choices. Essential insurances include private liability and motor vehicle liability. Experts from 'Finanztip' and the consumer center of North Rhine-Westphalia recommend a coverage sum of 50 million euros for private liability insurance and stress the importance of building and contents insurance for homeowners. They also highlight the significance of occupational disability insurance for income protection, while advising against unnecessary insurances like the 'All@Home' device insurance. Regularly reviewing insurance contracts is advised to ensure they remain relevant to personal circumstances.

In Germany, people spend an average of 2600 euros annually on insurance. Essential insurances include private liability and motor vehicle liability. Experts from Finanztip and the Verbraucherzentrale NRW recommend specific coverage amounts for these and suggest regular reviews of insurance contracts. They also advise against certain insurances like the 'All@Home' device insurance, deemed unnecessary by the Bund der Versicherten. Instead, saving for emergencies is often a better strategy. The importance of insurance varies with personal circumstances, and professional advice is recommended, especially for income protection through disability insurance.

Helmut Langfeld and his wife, who built their house 45 years ago, are considering their options for when they can no longer live there. They are interested in the concept of a real estate pension, which allows them to sell their home while retaining a lifelong right of residence, receiving monthly payments for a period. Hermann-Josef Tenhagen from 'Finanztip' sees this as a viable model but advises caution and notarial regulation. Alternatives like usufruct or partial sales are discussed, with Tenhagen expressing skepticism about the latter. The growing demand for real estate pensions is noted by Christoph Sedlmeier from the Federal Association of Real Estate Retirement. Tenhagen recommends comparing reverse mortgage offers as an alternative to partial sales or real estate pensions.

Loyalty is rarely rewarded in the world of contracts, with providers offering discounts and improved deals to new customers while existing customers often remain trapped in old contracts. It's advisable to regularly look for alternatives to existing contracts with insurance companies, mobile phone providers, or energy suppliers and simply cancel them. Contracts entered into after March 1, 2022, can be canceled monthly instead of the previous three-month notice period, usually via email or even SMS. Since July 2022, companies must also offer the option to cancel contracts online via their website. However, a year after the law's introduction, the consumer organization Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband found that more than half of the providers still do not have a cancellation button on their site or it is hidden. The law provides for a special right of termination if the button is not provided. Contracts entered after March 1, 2022, can only be extended indefinitely, and providers must inform customers at least two months before the end of the contract term. There are circumstances that allow for early termination of the contract, such as when a contracting party makes contribution adjustments or changes the general terms and conditions.

Loyalty in contracts is rarely rewarded, prompting the advice to regularly seek alternatives for existing agreements with insurers, mobile providers, or energy suppliers. Since March 1, 2022, contracts can be canceled monthly instead of the previous three-month notice period, often via email or SMS. Since July 2022, companies must offer online cancellation through their website with a clearly labeled button. However, a year after the law's introduction, over half of the providers still do not have a cancellation button on their site or it is hidden. The law provides a special right of termination if the button is not provided. Contracts signed after March 1, 2022, can only be extended indefinitely, and customers must be informed two months before the end of the contract about the extension and cancellation deadline. There are circumstances that allow for early termination, such as changes in terms or conditions, or special events like accidents or serious illnesses.

Interest in sustainable investments has grown in Germany, with 50% of people now interested compared to 33% a decade ago. Germans invested approximately 317 billion euros in sustainable funds in 2022, a 29% increase from the previous year. The financial industry has adapted, with ESG (ecological, social, and ethical investment) becoming a standard in investment advice. However, distinguishing truly sustainable funds can be challenging. Exclusion of certain industries and practices is a common approach, and personal definitions of sustainability vary. ETFs are often recommended for private investment but may lag in sustainability compared to actively managed funds. The Initiative Faire Fonds and the Forum Nachhaltige Geldanlagen provide resources to help investors. Sustainable investments do not guarantee high returns, and ethical banks offer an alternative for those seeking to align their investments with sustainability standards.

Interest in sustainable investing has grown in Germany, with 50% of people showing interest according to a survey by Verbraucherzentrale Bremen. Investments in sustainable funds reached €317 billion in 2022, a 29% increase from the previous year. Financial advisor Kris Hauf emphasizes the importance of personal definitions of sustainability in investment choices. ETFs are criticized for lagging in sustainability by Stiftung Warentest, and Finanztest found that many self-proclaimed sustainable funds fail to meet criteria due to investments in controversial industries. The FNG provides a list of certified sustainable investment funds, and while sustainable investments are shown to be more crisis-resistant, they still carry risks and may not always yield high returns. Sustainable banks are an alternative, with some meeting all exclusion criteria for investments.

The article discusses the importance of teaching children how to manage money responsibly in an increasingly digital world. It highlights the average pocket money given to children in Germany and the value of tangible cash over virtual money. Financial advisor Adrienn von Tóth emphasizes the need for real experiences over virtual ones and suggests parental guidance in online purchases. The article also reviews various apps and tools available in different countries, such as Gimi in Sweden and Twint in Switzerland, that help children manage money. It mentions the KNAX pocket money app by Deutscher Sparkassenverlag in Germany and provides recommendations for prepaid credit cards suitable for children. Additionally, it offers tips on how to prevent unwanted purchases through mobile devices.

The article discusses the challenges faced by parents with cancer in communicating their illness to their young children. It highlights the experiences of Daniela Küpper-Witt and Philipp Stepp, who both have cancer and young children. Oncologist Pascale Régincos from Klinikum Stuttgart advises on the importance of open communication within the family. The article also mentions a children's book by Sarah Roxana Herlofsen, created in cooperation with Deutsche Krebshilfe, which addresses children's direct and practical questions about cancer. The Küpper family received support from the Kinder- und Jugendhospizdienst des katholischen Hospizes St. Martin during Daniela's terminal phase, emphasizing the value of professional help and the importance of creating lasting memories for children with their ailing parent.

Most children's book heroes, such as Conni, Franz, Emil, or Laura, are light-skinned and live in traditional family models, which does not reflect the diversity of reality. Amani, a six-year-old girl who enjoys swimming and will soon start school, noticed early on that her father has dark skin and her mother has light skin. Amani's mother recalls her daughter expressing a desire to look like her and feeling unattractive. Despite searching, they have never found a book where a black child is the main character, highlighting a lack of diversity in children's literature.