Week 39: Bureaucratic Hurdles, Folk Festivals and Savings

In this episode of Plus Forty Nine, we sort through some major
shifts in Germany’s migration landscape, including a slight
decrease in the refugee population and increasing government action
against social welfare misuse. We also explore Germany’s rich
tradition of Volksfeste, revealing how local folk festivals keep
community and culture thriving beyond the world-famous Oktoberfest.
Our guest this week is Alejandro Wagner, a finance adviser
originally from Mexico. Alejandro shares practical advice on
navigating German banking, budgeting, and investing—offering tips
on where to start with ETFs and how to manage your finances with
confidence. Plus, in Ask a German, we unpack why Germans tend to
keep work and social life separate, especially when it comes to
after-work hangouts with colleagues.