When Hitler took over, Germany had an unemployment rate of about 30% , and as a knock on effect, the Goverment was broke and struggling to pay for social welfare.

Hitler's rearmament and infrastructure construction policty meant that within a few years, Germany had a labour shortage and was having to import foreign workers ( and during the war, slave labour ) - and out of work Germans ran the risk of being forced into work gangs. Being 'workshy' became a serious offence.

The Nazis also had a policy to 'Aryanise' Jewish owned businesses - Jewish business workers were encouraged to sell their businesses at a very low price to Aryan Germans - by 1939 , about 100,000 Jewish owned businesses had been handed over to Aryan Germans - meaning that if you were a German of suitable ethnic heritage and low enough morals , you could get yourself a profitable business for pennies. Also , increasing restrictions in the types of work a Jewish person could do led to companies having to hire replacement staff.

The result was that - after years of struggling to get by in a bankrupt state, life for the aveage German was , if not better , at least more financially secure.

However, a steady income didn't mean that life was perfect. Most charities were taken over by the Nazis , who were very enthusiastic when collecting donations , and restriction of imports due to Germany's desire to become self sufficient combined with a 'military first' attitude towards production led to some consumer goods becoming harder to find. Trade unions were banned for being too communist , so it became hard for workers to negotiate for higher pay , however , the Nazi run replacement to trade unions - the German Labour Front - did help provide workplace security , better working conditions, cheap holidays and other leisure activities.

Main Sources : 'Life in the Third Reich' by Richard Bessel , and Richard Evans 'Third Reich Trilogy'