“After my divorce, I lay awake with money worries”

The wallet of…

Are you happy with your salary?

“Yes, but more importantly, I am very happy with my job. I think I have the best job in the world. But what I earn is of course also important. This job and salary saved me when I went through a divorce a few years ago. My colleagues have been very supportive, my supervisor was there for me and thanks to my income I managed on my own. I am incredibly proud of that.”

Did you have money worries during the period of your divorce?

“Yes. I had to look for a rental house just for myself. I wanted to stay in the city where my adult children live, but the houses here are quite pricey. After twenty years of marriage I suddenly had to pay for it on my own. In those first weeks, I lay awake at night worrying about everything, and yes, money worries too. Was I going to make it all? I also wanted to furnish my new home in a nice way, but I had little money for that. Fortunately, with the help of dear friends, my children and the cycle, it turned out okay.”

You now have a considerable amount in your savings account, how did that come about?

“I got an inheritance. The loss of this loved one was very sad, but the legacy has given me a lot of relief after a dark period. I lived frugally for a long time, because I wanted to build up a buffer. And the thought of having to do it on my own financially terrified me. I never dared throw money over the bar. I still don’t, but now that I’ve got that legacy, I’m a little more comfortable with it. It is a reassuring feeling that I have money on hand.”

Do you have a savings goal?

“In the future, I would like to work three days instead of four. That gives me just a little more freedom to do fun things and enjoy life. I don’t dare to take that step just yet. I prefer to save a little longer.”

You are now renting a home, wouldn’t you want to buy it?

“I don’t like that with the madness in the housing market today. If the market changes I’d consider it in the future, but it’s not a priority right now. I’m also secretly quite crazy about the place that I now have. One thing I know for sure: I will never live together again. Of course that saves costs, but I don’t have to think about it anymore.”

Do you have any tips for saving money?

“I’ve gotten pretty good at it since my divorce. I have discovered the cycle: almost all my furniture is second-hand. I also went shopping at a cheaper supermarket. I cook large portions and freeze small portions that I can eat all week. My friends and I often pass on clothes to each other. Something that one person is tired of, can still be great fun for another. So I often wear something new.”

Which expenses make you happy?

“Those are experiences anyway. Trips with my children or girlfriends, cozy dinners with colleagues, holidays. I’d much rather spend my money on that than on equipment. I also increasingly allow myself to take a massage, for example. That costs a lot of money, but it really makes me very happy. Oh, and I’m also happy to pay for my parakeets. They provide a lot of fun in the house.”

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