Many people would probably like to shop carefree again or at least once.

But the high inflation is robbing quite a few of their sleep and is now making itself felt in almost all areas of life.

While shopping in the supermarket is becoming more and more expensive, at least filling up the tank is currently tearing a slightly smaller hole in your wallet than it was just recently.

Kerstin Papon

Editor in Business.

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But an inflation rate of 10.4 percent in October, according to the Federal Statistical Office, puts many people in great distress.

The main price drivers are high energy costs.

However, the perception of many consumers is different: They find that the increased costs for groceries and consumer goods for everyday needs are the main reason for the growing financial burden.

This is what the vast majority (82 percent) of the 2000 respondents (aged 18 and over) said in a representative survey conducted by pollster Yougov on behalf of Lowell, a provider of receivables management.

Around half also cite higher rental costs, and a good third are also worried about healthcare costs.

The survey also reveals the growing concerns of many Germans about financial hardship and debt.

A good half of those surveyed fear that they will no longer be able to pay the necessary living expenses in the future.

One in three expects to get into debt.

You can perhaps influence some things yourself, larger purchases, for example, are being postponed.

This is what 70 percent of respondents say in a representative survey by the credit agency Schufa.

Investments in a home or wedding and vacation plans are also being put on hold to avoid further straining the financial situation, says Lowell.

But many changes also affect everyday life.

According to the survey conducted by Nordlight Research on behalf of Schufa in October, a good third of those surveyed expect that their income will not be sufficient

Also worrying: the reserves are shrinking.

According to Schufa, half of those surveyed have made savings in the past six months, compared to 38 percent in May.

"People in Germany are using up their reserves," says Ole Schröder, board member of Schufa Holding.

Especially people in lower income groups would get into trouble.

There were hardly any reserves there even before the crisis.

According to Schufa, dwindling reserves and rising prices are also affecting daily consumption.

Around three quarters of those surveyed stated that they spend less money when shopping or only buy the essentials in the supermarket – and the trend is rising.

Payment behavior has also changed.

Around a quarter of those surveyed stated that they had overdrawn the account or delayed paying bills, sometimes beyond the payment deadline.

This is a worrying development, says Schröder.

The number of people who had "payment problems" for the first time increased by 20 percent from August to October compared to the previous year.

Around three quarters of those surveyed are very or very afraid of the future, now also in the middle class.