A Student’s Guide to Balling on a Budget: Our top money-saving tips

Whether this is your first time living alone or you just moved to the Netherlands, being financially smart will help you avoid being stressed about finances on top of your degree. There are several ways you can minimize unnecessary expenses that surprisingly add up. We have compiled a list of tips to help you out:

Tip #1 - Get an NS season subscription

NS offers reduced monthly rates for tickets with different perks. Choosing the right one will depend on how often you travel and if you need to use public transport on weekends.

Tip #2 - Get an iDeal account

If you are paying tuition fees or are renting via the university, iDeal will save you tons on transaction fees and exchange rates. iDEAL is a platform connected to your bank account for secure online payments. There is no waiting time, and it’s widely used throughout the whole country.

Tip #3 - Plan your meals ahead

Buying your own groceries can be overwhelming at first. You might find yourself wasting food or buying takeout, which will ends up quite costly. Planning your meals and buying only what you need helps you save money and make healthier choices. We also recommend giving meal prepping a go because you may have some long days (and nights) on campus, and having a meal with you will give you that extra energy to complete assignments.

Tip #4 - Download Woolsocks

Woolsocks is an app that allows you to get cashback on online purchases and helps you find discounts and codes. If you like to shop online, Woolsocks can be a great way to save a bit of money without having to scour the web for working discount codes.

More on their website: https://woolsocks.eu/en-NL

Tip #5 - Some extra supermarket tips

Apart from shopping at more affordable supermarkets than Albert Heijn, such as Jumbo, Dirk van den Broek, Aldi, or Lidl, you can get a loyalty card for some of them.

Loyalty cards will give you access to sales, better prices, and customized discounts based on your purchases.

We hope you find this helpful, and don’t forget that money shouldn’t be constantly weighing on you. If it’s distracting you to the point you’re struggling to meet deadlines, it’s best to reach out. If you’re unsure whom to approach, we recommend starting with the Student Wellbeing Point (https://vu.nl/en/student/student-wellbeing/student-wellbeing-point).

Best,

Johana