Sigird
Today we’re talking money, Mexico, and Germany. I’m joined by Alejandro Wagner, financial advisor, entrepreneur, and founder of Amarte. Alejandro, thanks for being here.

Alejandro
Thank you for having me.

Amarte: Between Mexico, Germany and Art

Sigird
You’re wearing a t-shirt that says Amarte. What is Amarte?

Alejandro
Amarte started as Alemania–México–Arte: a cultural project to bring Mexican art to Germany. Around fifteen years ago I inherited my mother’s boutique and art gallery in Ajijic, near Lake Chapala in Mexico. My artist friends said: “Why don’t you show our work in Germany?”

I’m a financial advisor, not an art dealer, but we tried. In 2015 we brought the artist Daniel Balmer to the Entrepreneurship Summit in Berlin with his kinetic sculptures. For me, entrepreneurship and art are closely linked: both are acts of creation.

Growing Up Between Mexico and Germany

Sigird
What’s your own migration story?

Alejandro
I was born in Tlatelolco, in the heart of Mexico City, and grew up in Ajijic, where our gallery Mi México is. At eighteen I came to Germany “for one year” – and somehow forgot to go back.

The gallery kept me connected to Mexico. I flew back regularly to manage the shop and staff. After fifteen years I had to close it this year in February – on Valentine’s Day – because of roof damage. But that business, plus my remote work as a financial advisor, means I now live between England, Mexico and Berlin.

Bringing Mexican Products to Germany

Sigird
How is it to bring Mexican products into the German and European market?

Alejandro
As an expat, you always ask: how do I connect my two worlds so it feels like one life, not a double life? Entrepreneurship is one answer. What from Mexico could be useful in Germany, and vice versa?

One example are the San Miguel shoes I sell in Mexico. They’re designed for the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende: elegant enough for cocktail parties but comfortable like sneakers. Women there often carry two pairs of shoes – one for walking, one for the event. These shoes solve that problem.

I brought them to Germany as a case study in a business-idea competition with my mentor, entrepreneurship professor Günter Faltin. The idea: beat Zalando by selling shoes that actually fit, so customers don’t send them back.

Financial Advisor for Expats in Germany

Sigird
Let’s talk about your main job. What do you do as a financial advisor here?

Alejandro
I’ve been a financial advisor since 2001. I work as an independent broker specialising in real estate, bank products and insurance. A big part of my work is helping expats integrate into the German financial system:

-choosing the right bank accounts

-setting up insurance

-planning long-term savings and retirement

-matching people’s life plans with financial choices

I sometimes call it life design: finances should support the life you actually want. If you tell me “I want to retire in Sri Lanka”, I’ll ask: “What about health insurance there when you’re 70 and no insurer wants to take you?” That’s where planning starts.

Networking Fridays: Building Community and Contacts

Sigird
You also run networking events on Fridays. What’s the idea?

Alejandro
When you migrate, you don’t just leave your home country; you leave your professional network. In Germany your success depends a lot on who you know.

That’s why I started a recurring event series, first called Wissen – Kontakte – Chancen and now First Fridays: a space where people from different industries, countries and disciplines meet, share knowledge and find opportunities.

My goal is to integrate people financially and socially at the same time: help them understand money in Germany and connect them with others who can open doors.

First Financial Steps in Germany: What To Do (and Avoid)

Sigird
Let’s get practical. What should newcomers to Germany do first with their finances?

Alejandro
First, a confession: many expats come with a US or Latin-American mindset about credit cards. Germany is different.

Your example with a revolving credit card from Barclays and painful interest – that’s a classic trap. Here’s how I’d structure things instead:

Separate accounts

– One main account for income and fixed costs (rent, health insurance, utilities).

-A second account or debit card for daily living (food, going out, “sex, drugs and rock’n’roll”).

-Optionally a third card just for travel or special purposes.

Use credit cards as tools, not debt
I have a travel credit card. Every month I pre-load 250 euros and then forget about it. When I book a flight to Mexico, the money is already there. No minus, no stress.

Budget consciously
Decide how much goes to rent, groceries, fun, travel, savings, insurance. If everything sits in one account, it feels like chaos and money just disappears.

Get the basic insurances

-Liability insurance (Haftpflicht): often needed to rent an apartment.

-Good health and travel insurance.

-Later: disability / income protection and retirement plans.

Sigird
So I shouldn’t feel guilty about my daily coffee, as long as I budget it?

Alejandro
Exactly. The key is awareness, not self-punishment. If your morning coffee at the same café gives you community and comfort, and you’re supporting a local business, great. Just know what it costs.

If you realise you spend 180–200 euros a month on cafés, decide consciously: “Yes, this is worth it for me” – and assign it a line in your budget. Then it’s not financial chaos, it’s a choice.

Money Taboo and Talking About Finances in Germany

Sigird
People often say that in Germany you shouldn’t ask what someone earns. Why is money such a taboo?

Alejandro
It’s true: many Germans grow up with money as a taboo topic. Parents don’t talk about it, schools don’t teach it. People carry their own childhood stories about scarcity or shame.

That’s why so many adults don’t know what they actually spend. They know their salary, but not where the money goes. Some don’t even know their exact income.

I like what the Mexican government is doing with the Ventanilla de Educación Financiera: monthly online sessions where financial experts explain basics and answer questions. I regularly contribute there in Spanish, including for people in Germany.

Can You Still Save in This Economy?

Sigird
With rising costs, is saving in Germany still realistic?

Alejandro
Yes. It starts with tracking. Many people “live like zombies”: money comes in, money goes out, no overview.

Once you know your numbers, you can absolutely save, even on an average salary. A rough example on 3,000 euros net:

-1,000 for rent

-around 1,000 for all living costs

-and 1,000 for saving – short, mid and long term

You won’t hit these numbers exactly, but the principle stands: never leave all three time horizons (short/medium/long) at zero. Otherwise your future also ends at zero.

Where To Start With ETFs and Investing

Sigird
Many young people hear about ETFs but feel overwhelmed. Where should they start?

Alejandro
Very short version:

Build an emergency fund first: 2–3 months of expenses in a simple, accessible account.

Then start with broadly diversified ETFs: global funds that invest in many big companies and tech firms. You’re not betting on one stock, you’re riding the world economy.

Invest regularly, for the long haul. For example, 500 euros a month over 30 years, at around 6% average return, can grow to more than half a million euros thanks to compound interest.

The important thing is to start early. If you wait just one year, you might only invest 6,000 euros less, but lose 30,000 euros in potential gains.

For young, healthy people I also recommend insuring biometric risks early: your ability to work and future pension contributions. If you can’t work for health reasons, you still want money flowing into your long-term investments.

Properties and Long-Term Plans

Sigird
And long term, what role can property play?

Alejandro
Once your basics and investments are running, you can look at buying a small apartment – 40 square metres, for example. If structured well, the tenant pays off the loan, you get tax advantages, and after it’s paid off you can refinance to buy something in Mexico or elsewhere.

It’s about building assets step by step: emergency fund → ETFs → protection → property.

How to Reach Alejandro

Sigird
For anyone listening who thinks “I need this man in my life,” how can they find you?

Alejandro
If you Google “Alejandro Wagner MLP”, you’ll find me. Wagner like the composer, Alejandro like the Lady Gaga song – people never forget it.

You can contact me via my website to book a free appointment, or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook. And of course, you’re invited to First Fridays, my networking event every first Friday of the month.

Sigird
Alejandro, thank you so much for all the concrete tips and for sharing your Mexico–Germany journey.

Alejandro
Thank you. I enjoyed the conversation.