You had to use your savings account to get through the expensive summer holidays. How do you start living more frugally?
A friend of mine used to be a financial planner. After her retirement she started working as a debt counselor for people with high debts. She always takes a cash book with her on her first visit. Start by writing down what you spend. Look at all subscriptions. Do you really need Netflix, Spotify and NLZiet?
It often takes effort to part with such a service. Once canceled, the loss is not too bad. Convert this type of fixed costs into costs per year. A saving of 120 to 240 euros sounds better than 10 or 20 euros per month.
If you keep a cash book, you can see small expenses such as coffee or water en route. Seen a nice sweater for 40 euros? Apply the 1 euro rule: every time you wear the item of clothing, it costs you 1 euro. If there is a good chance that you will not wear it forty times, then refrain from purchasing it.
Check your insurance regularly via a comparison website. If your insurance has been running for a while, you have a maximum notice period of one month. And cancel the possibility of overdraft at the bank. You can transfer money quickly from a savings to a bank account these days.
Which package do you have with the internet provider? In recent years, the providers have added more and more capacity. The basic or starter package is often good enough. And do you pay monthly for the fixed telephone connection that you hardly use? If you call the provider, they can see if it is cheaper for you to pay per minute.
Use a subscription with little data for your smartphone and use the available WiFi as much as possible. Do not take out a subscription with many calling minutes, you can also call via WhatsApp. Family subscriptions can be beneficial.
Traveling by car? You can quickly find an affordable gas station with the ANWB Route or Directlease Tank Service app. Rabobank customers can register cheaply for parking via their bank app. The Flitsmeister app is also affordable.
Are you going out by train and don’t have a season ticket? Then consider NS Flex. This is a flexible subscription that gives you a 40 percent discount outside rush hours for 5.10 euros per month. And for 2 euros only on weekends. You can often get those costs out with a return ticket. Especially if you travel with a partner, because he or she will receive a 40 percent joint travel discount. Just activate this discount in advance via the app or the ticket machine. Do you travel little? Then switch back to the free basic subscription.
Do you want to go on holiday again this fall? Book a train ticket one and a half to two months in advance, then you will almost always get a low rate. It is usually not possible to book further in advance.
Don’t be ashamed of frugality. Regularly exchange saving tips with others, then you will automatically become an expert.
Reinout van der Heijden is editor-in-chief of the Geldgids. Have a question yourself? Money [email protected]
Fact: 39 euros.
A single train journey from Rotterdam to London with the Eurostar can be booked well in advance for 39 euros.