Wars, inflation, crises, discontent: for many in Germany, the world seems to be falling apart. Many are fleeing to the “good old days,” when life seemed clearer and prices seemed much cheaper.

A man has found an old receipt from 2002 that gives a glimpse of the time 22 years ago. Some people really get excited about this.

Discovered receipt from 2002: “Krass ey”

“My mom discovered a receipt from 2002. I compared today's prices and was a little surprised. I would like the prices back,” the Facebook user writes about his photo of the Lidl receipt:

The reaction in the comments column: “Crazy,” he says at one point. “Krass ey,” he remembers elsewhere. “But the store converted the prices from German marks 1:1 to euros,” he supposed. Another comment analyzes: “Heavy, 2 kilos of potatoes today cost 2.99!”

In fact, the prices paid then in discount stores are hardly comparable to those of today: two kilos of potatoes for 0.79 euros, long-life milk for 0.55 euros, eggs for 0.65 euros: thus there is little on the market. 2002. Between strawberries, yogurt, bread and some other items, a total of only 9.33 euros had to be paid.

Was everything really cheaper then?

“Everything was cheaper before!”: from a scientific point of view, this is not entirely true. According to a purchasing power analysis by the German Economic Institute (IW) in Cologne, prices have increased almost fivefold since 1950, but at the same time net profits have multiplied by 25.

In this context, many everyday products have become significantly cheaper over the last 60 years, such as coffee.

Coffee has become significantly cheaper in the last 60 years

However, wage increases cannot keep pace with price increases across the board, such as rents or fuel. And lately, especially food has become more expensive due to high inflation in Germany. That is why it is not surprising that there is a great desire for the “good prices as always”.

By Martin Gätke (mg)