5 Ways / Tips To Save Money Like the Dutch - The SMART Dutch Approach to Saving Money - Jovie's Home

Hi, welcome to Jovie's Home!
Today let's talk all about money... Dutch money saving tips to be exact! When I moved to The Netherlands, I had an entirely different approach to money. I just wanted to spend, spend, spend. Then I learned that there's a better way, all thanks to Dutch people and Dutch culture.
Want to get your hands on a flessenlikker? Use my links, please!
EU: amzn.to/2Jlbc88
USA: amzn.to/2xC4Dre
NL: partner.bol.com/click/click?p...
Please share your money saving tips in the comments below!
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My favorite products:
(EU Links)
Food waste bin - amzn.to/2XARMBq
Food waste bin liners (compostable) - amzn.to/2C2O3Ug
NomNom Kids Reusable Pouches: amzn.to/2SFJCEg
E-Cloth Kitchen Pack - amzn.to/2C0rAa3
Method All Purpose Spray - amzn.to/2VEVaJT
(UK Links)
Food waste bin - amzn.to/2C5jtcy
Food waste bin liners (compostable) - amzn.to/2XHtJRc
NomNom Kids Reusable Pouches: amzn.to/2SFJCEg
E-Cloth Kitchen Pack - amzn.to/2C774ok
Method All Purpose Spray - amzn.to/2C7TIbE
(USA Links)
Food waste bin: amzn.to/2UlHPpz
Food waste bin liners (compostable): amzn.to/2UljD6H
E-Cloth Kitchen Pack - amzn.to/2GZrOlZ
Method All Purpose Spray - amzn.to/2EMR8JH
Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links that may earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love.
Thank you, as always, to Daan for his excellent editing help.
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My name is Jovie and I am a Mama to two beautiful children. I make videos about my life as a mother and everything that goes along with it (cooking, cleaning, organizing, tidying, grocery hauls, the laughs, the tears, the ups and downs and everything in between).
My goal is to create a supportive community for others where we can celebrate our differences as parents and learn from each other.
Thank you for stopping by!
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#HowToSaveMoney #MoneyMatters #SavingMoneyTips

[@roanhielkema5714]

Just last week my 16 year old son comes to me and says "dad, I don't need an allowance anymore, I have a job" I can hardly express just how proud I am of him. That's the essence of allowances actually, teaching kids not only to be frugal but also teach them to be self-sufficient in a small but nonetheless meaningful way.

[@jwenting]

I couldn't get a job as a teenager because we lived too far from anywhere for it to be practical. But I did have to work for my allowance. Mowing the lawn, weeding the garden, feeding the chickens, cleaning out the rain gutters, things like that. Taught me money doesn't grow on trees, and being lazy doesn't make for an easy living.

[@kopitiful]

I did this when I was fourteen. Instead my older brother took it until he moved out. No need to tell who the rich Kid and far more financial literate is today, 20 years after.

[@MusicJunky3]

Ask yourself every time you want to buy a luxury "Is it a want or is it a need " ? Then wait a week .. at the end of the week (or earlier) the want is usually gone.

[@neuronoddi]

One other way to save money: bring your own lunch to work. Much cheaper and often (if you pay attention) more healthy.

[@bodhi9464]

I’ve started doing this for convenience (as I’ve changed work location) and I’m surprised how much I’ve saved ! The added bonus is my waistline has reduced - my diet was never bad - but making my own lunches must be healthier !

[@northfinance7680]

Life situations will seem to be painful and draining most times, but throwing in the towel so easily is never the mindset of any successful champion.

[@carolineeliana2769]

Our love language has always been success, success, success......... Success at every point in time no matter the challenge.

[@austrome1171]

@@carolineeliana2769 But it is different in my own case, because frustration has been the other of the day for me, I kept trying my best every morning to make good money for myself. Seem really impossible for me at all point, sometimes i keep asking myself if some are destined to be rich and others to be poor?. I just feel like taking my life.☹️😰

[@wanx6398]

@@austrome1171 It hurts so bad because i feel the same also. I do everything possible to make money and at the end of the day, i still have nothing to show for it.

[@LindaCasey]

Omg, I must be a reincarnated Dutchman! I've done all of these things my whole life. The very best tip you can have is to live within your MEANS. Don't spend one cent more than what you bring in. I'm so glad you got out of that American mentality of credit card spending. 🌹

[@piccalillipit9211]

I have been seriously wealthy in my past and my advice to people is always "if you want to be happy, learn to live on less than you earn. Dont try to earn enough to cover your expenses cos spending is infinite - it never happens"

[@dutchman7623]

A flessenlikker (Bottle scraper) was invented in the days that all dairy products like vla (pudding) and joghurt were delivered in glass bottles with a relatively small opening. (Milk bottles) You really had to shake the bottle to get it out. 15 to 20 % stayed in the bottle at the end, so only a small rubber scraper on a metal stick could get that out. With carton containers you can easily fold them and squeeze it out.

[@hendrikusisidora3679]

True, but the flessenlikker reflects the mindset to consume a product till the very last drop. I throw away my shoes only when they are no longer wearable due to wear.

[@ottokos5487]

Still use them. With the near empty yoghurt cartons, you always leave rest material. Not with a flessenlikker.

[@nonexistingvoid]

@Gerard Rietdijk I usually fold it, instead of rolling it up. Both ways work really well.

[@ariebhjd]

Ik snij het karton door tussen 5 en 10 cm van de bodem nadat ik eerst de inhoud naar beneden heb geschud (gezwaaid) en heb zo nog een bakje dat ik uit kan lepelen. 😊

[@tatasheriff3960]

Lunchbox 🍱🌯🌮🍲 lunchbox!! 😁 I and many other Dutch people take our food from home to school or to work. By not eating outside for breakfast or lunch every day you really save a lot of money.

[@JoviesHome]

Good point! I've heard many employers also offer "free lunch" for employees, which is another way to save even more :)

[@liannefee9638]

And don't buy coffee to go. While you are on the go you can't enjoy it as much when you sit down. So drink it at home or at work and go ones in a while to a coffee place with friends and relax and take the time to enjoy it.

[@MamaMerelFamily]

Lovely video! We absolutely educate our kids about money. The 9 year old gets 1 euro a week and the 12 year old moved up to 10 euro a month on her bank account from the day she started havo (middelbare school). After school mc Donald’s or earrings when shopping with friends are not paid for by me. Spent 8 euro’s in one meal? Dry month after that😊. It’s so fun between the ages of 6 and 10, they have to calculate how many weeks saving that little piece of crap they “need”, and decide if they think it’s worth it. How many weeks to wait, or the risk that it’s not what they had hoped but no money left to buy something else. And then getting an extra euro from opa en oma and realize that they can buy their precious little toy today instead of next week. I love those lessons. ❤️.

[@grootsyt]

don't call it a little piece of crap in front of your kids though, let them have their things

[@Yochemm]

Don't buy to many handbags. I know a youtube vlogger (I don't call names), which have a wall full, but you can still carry one at the time. ;-)

[@petertraudes106]

So true

[@tatasheriff3960]

Haha

[@hoeksart8123]

Touché haha, but we can appreciate a passion for collecting! I think we (the Dutch) are also known for collecting and showcase our collection...

[@JoviesHome]

That's a very interesting point, Jochem 😂Come back to my channel tomorrow for the Q & A video and you can learn all about my handbags 😂💛

[@petertraudes106]

Gramatical correction: Don't buy to many handbags. i know a KZbin vlogger (whose name i will not mention) who has a wall full (of them) but you can only carry one at the time.

[@moonflowersenna]

My mom taught me two great ways to save money and i have used it since i was 14. Maybe you can pass these on to your kids!: 1. (Especially) as a female, there are certain products you ALWAYS use and need. For example menstruation pads, make-up wipes, shampoo, skin care products etc. So whenever i see that a product that I use is on sale (1+1 gratis) i buy a whole load of it and i put it in my 'storage box'. This way i can use the products for a year or so, without having to keep buying them when they are used up, for the full price. 2. Another trick my mom taught me, is the 10% rule. It basically means that if a product is 10% of my month salary, i can't buy it unless i need it. I'm a student and i work a couple hours a week. My month salary is usually around 400 euros. This means i cant buy anything for more than 40 euros unless i really need it.

[@yorkshirehousewife784]

Instead of buying a single use sanitary wear, it may pay you to buy a menstrual cup or make your own cloth pads. The silicone cup lasts 10 years and can save you a fortune, they never leak and are a lot better for the environment also.

[@black21angel]

@@yorkshirehousewife784 I've done this too. Also, for removing my make-up I use special kind of a glove just with water to clean my face, after that I just wash it with soap bar and that's it. The best tip to save money, in my opinion, is to buy something you can actually reuse or that will last you for a longer period of time. Besides that, I use razor that has changeable blades, so I don't have to buy a new one every time. Instead of that, I'm only buying new blades. It's better for our budget and for the environment.

[@mandybisseling5997]

The way I save money is to go groceryshopping once a week. Mostly on friday. And if, for example, the peanutbutter is finished on wednesday, you will have to put something else on your sandwich and wait for the next friday.

[@nonexistingvoid]

Also, save money by returning empty bottles, bringing your own bags, and parking your car a bit further away if you can walk that distance with your shopping cart. And don't forget to return the shopping cart to get you 50 cent deposit back. This is why my mom and grandma always wanted us to go with them: to walk all the way back to the store to return the cart. Kept us busy, we felt important, and we realised that those 50 cents were valuable.

[@piccalillipit9211]

I dont have a refrigerator - or any food in the house - I have to be hungry enough to physically GO OUT and buy food to eat. I have not had any food waste in 3 years and it keeps me slim...

[@Alex-ns9wk]

@@piccalillipit9211 lol that’s hardcore! Ahah

[@LanavanLeeuwen]

My five and seven year olds wanted a lego train. So they pooled their savings, sold a whooooole lot of their toys on marktplaats and koningsdag. It took them five months and they had 270 euro to buy a huuuuge trainset

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

I remember saving that way for my first game console. And that took forever until I had enough money. Although we weren't allowed to sell toys. Probably because my parents rather bought us quality toys than just a lot of toys and felt it a waste of money to sell it for less than what they paid for it. But I did always asked family and friends to give me money instead of presents for birthdays to help me save money for something I really wanted.

[@LanavanLeeuwen]

@@gert-janvanderlee5307 they had another train set so that could go. And as the youngest just grew out of a lot of small kids stuff, they had quite a lot to get rid off

[@JoviesHome]

Wow! Well done to your kids! Thanks for watching!

[@grewdpastor]

When I bought my first camera ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agfa_Clack ) I did it with money I saved up during almost a year: mind you it did cost me the hefty sum of 25 guilders ( I was 11 years old then - 1960 ). After that purchase I started to save for a flashlight ... :)

[@dagmarkeizer2549]

Also after scraping jars, you can clean it out, remove the label. You get nice storage jars. I love the whole earth peanut butter but also love the jars for storing other stuff

[@Zwaantjes]

3. De flessenlikker comes from the war. When there was almost nothing so you needed to get every last bit of jam. I have learned from my parents that if you don't have the money you can't buy it.

[@lienbijs1205]

My mother was a child during rhe war, I have indeed never seen that my mother threw away food. Even the potato peels where weekly going to be picked up by a farmer. When there was old bread she used it for the minced meat balls or made toast from it. My father used to cut packages in half to take the last bit out of, for example,a plastic ketchup bottle. My mother stored remaining boiled potatoes in freezer, When there was enough we got baked potato with salad and an egg for dinner, that day was no meat day because of the egg. There was no economic reason behind, it was just only with food they were like that, we had very good meals at home but throwing away food was a sin.

[@piccalillipit9211]

Using the last bit of everything is common in countries that directly experienced WW2.

[@dirkvandegraaf8365]

Great video. To save more money : in winter, wearing warmer clothes inside your house and then lower the heating by 1 or 2 degrees Celsius.

[@WiWillemijn]

5:54 I don't think its willpower, it just doesn't even cross my mind to borrow money for buying stuff :')

[@grootsyt]

yeah, sometimes I mention to friends I'm saving up for something and they'll offer to borrow me some money, but I never accept.

[@Sterretje1996]

About waiting till there is a sale, that can be much broader. My dad always told me to only buy clothes if I see a sale sign on the window of the shop. So on top of my head, I spend less than 150 euro's a year on new clothes (in addition to that, you can also go to kringloopwinkel or second hand shops to save a lot of money on clothes and furniture etc.). Edit: Oh and another really useful tip that I learnt from an early age: 1) in the supermarket they use prices like 2,99 because it seems like 2 euro's, but actually is 3, so I always keep that in mind and add up what I'll be spending before I get to the cashiere. 2) in shops, they usually put cheaper products out of eyesight, so don't be too quick to just grab what's in front of your eyes.

[@rikakemme]

Funfact about that disclaimer: it's a direct response to the financial crisis of 2008. It wasn't around before but became mandatory almost immediately after.

[@JoviesHome]

I wish other countries' politicians would care as much about their citizens to enact such laws too. Thanks for watching!

[@jwenting]

@@JoviesHome when I was a student in the Netherlands in the mid-1990s some banks would actively target students with advertising for student loans, using slogans about how fun it is to have a loan. That wasn't well received at all and I think backfired quickly against those banks as they didn't last long at all.

[@ssebakijjemuhammed2607]

Really miss jovie, you need to be a beautisan because the way you design your self is superb.and the way you arrange your kitchen when you teaching us how to cook different kinds of food is just awesome

[@mariaanzaldua7339]

I am Dutch and still live by those rules,serves a person well to have civilly e with money! I am 74

[@orangemoon_8428]

It really sounds like we all are cheapskates who constantly scrape out every last bit out of everything with our flessenlikker and never spend a dime😂😂. I do think we are more consciously spending our money, and that maybe counts more for the older generation☺️, in stat off buying all we see in the stores. Maybe we want to, inside we hear that voice asking if we really need it🙈. It is so nice to hear you talk about our ways, it makes me concious of our ways we/I do things. So thank you for sharing🤗

[@djokealtena2538]

The other countries are just not ready yet for the golden rod that is de flessenlikker

[@grootsyt]

@@djokealtena2538 lmao ik heb er nog nooit een gezien in mijn leven

[@SomeoneInOregon]

These are great. I agree with the value of teaching children delayed gratification, and it can be done in many ways besides money too (with non financial rewards - for example I'll give kids choices like would you rather go to the playground today for 15 minutes, or stay home and go tomorrow for an hour).

[@martiekr]

Hi Jovie, your point 5, perfectly explained, yes, thats the way to do it. Children learn the value of money, you can spend it only once. (i have three beautifull doughters, age in the 20's now). What we also did: if the children did some tasks we aggreed on together we paid a small amount of money. So they can get more money just by "working" for it. So even "working" gives them a real "feeling" what the value of money is, like: I had to wash my fathers car 6 time to buy that shirt, direct result: the value of a shirt is 6 car washes, they knew how much effort thay had to punt into that "job" to earn the money to buy the shirt. And yes, the teenagers working in partime jobs. My three girls all had partime jobs in the Horeca and Shops. What they learn/experiance there (like people interaction) is incredible, they bennefit from that their entiry life. Nice to see when they are over, i hardly can carry two plates at a time to put on the table, my girls just walk in carying 5 plates at once, love it.

[@martianpudding9522]

One thing that I really like is when you go to Albert Heijn (maybe other shops too but I go to AH) they put 35% discounts on anything that is about to expire. For meats I think it's on the day but for stuff like eggs it's like another week. So if you do groceries frequently (I go once every one or two days) you can get a lot discounts if you look for those stickers and you get to help the environment at the same time.

[@MarygloJanssen]

I'm Filipina and my Husband is Dutch :) He's very good in saving Money than I am.

[@inekehh95]

I wait for discount on deo, shampoo, toothpaste, Nutella en Some soda. Sometimes i have to wait 2/3 weeks but it saves a lot!

[@nonexistingvoid]

We always have some extra. The moment there's nothing left in the pantry/freezer, it'll be added to the shopping list. That way, it can't completely run out, since there's still that opened packaging in the cupboard/fridge. Last week, my mom made a shocking discovery: she could see the basement wall! (Storage basement used as pantry) So clearly, it was time to go grocery shopping, because too many things had run out in the basement.

[@bodhi9464]

I know this sounds really tight; but as I have short hair and constantly training - gym / pool etc. whenever I’m at a hotel , I take the soap and shampoo they give and use it for my gym and toiletries bag - it’s all good , does the job and saves extra $$ .🏄🏽‍♂️💦🇦🇺

[@douwevdw]

Exactly! And these things are always on sale somewhere, especially the usual Kruidvat/Etos/Action stuff

[@alexanderespinoza6753]

This is so true, i love that here in the Netherlands there is not that social pressure to have the last iPhone, the last fashion trendy clothes, you can just be yourself and safe your money for the real important things in life, nobody really cares if you have too much of everything

[@stefa22]

This video has made me realise that I’m so Dutch. Even though I have spent some of my childhood and all of my teenage years living in England (but Dutch-born), the Dutchness hasn’t left me one bit. I’m proud to Dutch, it has been an absolute lifesaver for me especially living in England. 😭😱🙌🏽

[@johnthedutchman564]

Dont know if you will see this but when buying at AH you can collect "spaarzegels" for ever 1 euro you spent you can pay an extra 10 cents to get a spaarzegel. when you have 500 (50 euros worth) tou get 53 euros back. That might bot seem much but when you pay the 10 cents for them tou wont notice it that much but in the end you have saved 50 euros and you get a little extra. Also love your videos. I love to see my country from a different perspective.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

Some of the companies commercials you mentioned were probably from the companies who were actually responsible for some of the most problematic insurance policies the Netherlands has ever seen. People were sold insurances and loans and were promised huge profits but when some people who actually had one started calculating, or went to a financial advisor outside of the company that sold them the policy in the first place it turned out that after some people had already brought 30.000 to the financial institutions responsible for the policies, it turned out some of them would be over 50.000 in red numbers at the end of their policies running time, instead of reaping huge numbers as a return investment. These insurance policies were also called a "woekerpolis" (a usury policy, if translated quite literaly) because of the huge profits promised versus the actual result people would end up getting stuck with, causing some people to get into trouble big time. The 5th thing was something that my parents used as well, though I think when I was 12 or 14 they had looked up on a website (the NiBud website I think it was, which has information about budgets and what is considered average for people of certain ages) and gave me more pocket money and I think when I was a little older they also gave me clothing money, though I never really used that because the clothes I had were replaced because they were either to small or just totally worn out. Though I don't really want to call it a tip to save money, I still consider it a very valuable thing: when I was young and having my birthday I could browse through the toy catalog of some of the Dutch toy stores (some of them do not exist any longer) and fold over a triangle of the page I had seen something that I would like to have for my birthday, while from the start having got some restrictions to (mainly) only look for toys up to 25 guilders. Anything above that pricetag would require me to ask my parents for some form of consent and they would discuss the price with aunts, uncles, grandma's and grandpa's to maybe team up in paying parts of a more expensive gift. This was clearly translated to me with the message: "You can have a lot of small, inexpensive gifts versus one very expensive toy payed by several people and maybe one or two small gifts as an extra, but not both."

[@jacqvanm4882]

If the tooth paste seems finished, cut the tube about 5 cm from the top and you will find you still there is still a lot of toothpaste left. You can use the cut off part to close the tube so it does not dry out.

[@ArnoSnyman007]

I saw your videos before I moved to the Netherlands, but now I completely understand after being here a few months. Very insightful. My wife and I moved from South Africa and your videos helped us a ton. Thank you.

[@venkateshanandravikumar6528]

I like the buying only in discount sale tip although only if the shops are truly discounting the price. In my country there is always a sale with false discounts

[@shannonmaire]

Very inspiring. I often wonder where all my money goes but I'm not frugal like Dutch people. Also your earrings are so fun!

[@jokebetweenthetrees]

I have not seen a flessenlikker in ages. But I like to use every bit of tooth paste, handcream, hair conditioner and stuff like that. I cut the tubes in half when nothing comes out any more and tadaa! Lots of stuff still inside. I learned this when I was a student and had very little money.

[@Species6079]

My biggest way to save money is: "Don't spend money on clothes, unless you really have to!" I wear my clothes until they are totally worn out. When I and my mother were younger (I'm a 50 years old man), if I ripped my pants my mother would repair it with a sewing machine. Now sometimes I ask one of my sisters-in-law to repair them. 😁 My mother did learn me how to sew on a button on a shirt, though. 😉

[@winniedephoebeer]

when my children where small and we went chopping they got 1 euro for them selfs to shop. and they where only allowed to buy on the way back so they new they bought it in the cheapest shop. thats why other country always say "dutch man always kijken kijken niet kopen" 🤣🤣

[@lapland123]

Riding a bike not a car, very Dutch.

[@petertraudes106]

Buy a second hand bike, ride your bike, park your bike and don't forget to lock it.

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

@@petertraudes106 back in the day at Groningen it was buy a bike from a junkie for 10 gulden (less than 5 euro) don't care about the lock (they would steal it anyways) and in a few days (while you know it was already taken) you could buy the same bike for another 10 gulden :P

[@petertraudes106]

@@xXTheoLinuxXx back in the days in oudemanhuispoort in Amsterdam the following scene: psss wanna buy a bike? 10 guilders. Can I try it? Sure its a nice bike. .......... DOEIIIIII...... hey, hey he stole my bike!!!!

[@carmela216]

I’m so thankful for your channel! I’m moving to the Netherlands soon and all the information you’ve been sharing are so helpful! I’ve lived in the US and currently in Canada. Anyways just wanted to say I love your content!

[@marias.3604]

And a great video again, Jovie! To my mind, it's also important to teach kids that there're really vital intangible things, which you cannot buy. Like health, love, friends and so on

[@JoviesHome]

That's very true, Maria! Thank you for watching!

[@gemmavanzadelhoff9561]

I love it so much with every video you make I feel so dutch and I’m getting more appreciative about our ways!

[@JoviesHome]

Thank you Gemma! I'm so glad to hear this. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@therealdutchidiot]

I still have a tool you use to get the very last drop from tubes (think toothpaste, ointments etc). You insert the end in it and just roll it up. Really flattens out the tube.

[@fridadanke9076]

Yes i have that too

[@jolanda.c]

We went to Disneyland in Paris when my daughter was six. She got 10 euro from her grandparents to spend. She was so proud with it. But Disney souvenirs are expensive. She wanted a stuffed Minnie but it was to expensive, begged us for extra. We refused, we already gave her the autographbook and Mickey pen, she asked for. But somewhere she found in a salescorner one Minnie in special clothing (winterstyle, while we were there in summer) for 9,50. She couldn't be happier. Because she had her own budget and money it was easy to say no and she understood it. She is 9 now and when we go shopping and she wants to buy anything, she takes money with her, just enough for that box of playmobil she wants and not a cent more. Good girl ;-)

[@Stanleyanukege]

I really do enjoy watching your videos.

[@hendrikusisidora3679]

This is so true. Spot on.... Never thought about this, but it is really our mentallity!

[@JoviesHome]

Thanks for watching!

[@AwoudeX]

nr5 i can confirm, from a very young age i was determined about what i wanted to purchase. I wanted something pricy so i had to save up my allowance. Worked for things since i was just 11 years old.

[@mickhoutveen4601]

I've only watched two videos and subscribed. It's interesting to hear about our little country from someone who has a different perspective. Thanks you :-) Also, a good finance tip is to actually manage it yourself. What I mean is there are companies and government bodies that try to get you to pay bills automatically, which can be convenient of course. But what I've experienced is that you also lose sight of what amount of money is going where faster. The best way to stay on top of finances is just to keep track of everything and transfer the amount due yourself, this allows you to 'move around' allocated money as it fits the current situation and it may open up new ways to save money.

[@curiosity_saved_the_cat]

A very Dutch way to save money is to use bicycle whenever possible. Obviously it's very easy to get around on a bike here, besides it's healthy and doesn't pollute the environment, but most important; it's cheap!

[@sunnyandair3062]

I told my kids lots of times: Cycling is good for you, your wallet, and the earth!

[@Pfirtzer]

Bike is cheap if you know how to repair it,otherwise bike is not cheap.

[@yvobroekhoven972]

@@Pfirtzer the simple solid dutch bikes are easy to maintain and easy to fix. As soon as I learned riding a bike, my grandfather tought me how to fix my bike. Fixing punctures, straightning wheels and chain, replacing the chain, adjusting the breaks (and later the in hub gears)... it can be done with simple tools and not too expensive replacement parts. and you can ride for years without much costs on it. Unless you have some fancy bike with all the expensive racing- or offroad light weight parts you have to replace and stuff like that... I'm talking about the simple, regular, dutch bike we use to commute. They are really cheap and easy to fix and maintain.

[@DreLuxTV]

Omg I think I'm going to LOVE living in a the Netherlands.. I love your videos Jovie, I'm so excited to learn so much of what you've learned living there. As an American, we're so different in how we spend, live, shop, eat...etc. I never received an allowance. I started working at 14, however I was speeding it. Now I've learned to be more practical in my older age. Thank you so much. TFS I'm so glad I found you.

[@frankroos1167]

Small allowance doesn't just teach to wait. It also teaches to choose. Even when you have it saved up, you can only spend it once.

[@OP-1000]

We used to have mayonaise in a bottle. The “flessenlikker” came in handy there. Not so much Nutella or jam jars.😁

[@mo301]

Thank you for the video, very insightful.

[@waqarkazmi572]

I moved to Netherlands in 2011 from Pakistan and in the early few months I came across this fact that if you adopt a habit of buying from weekly market your grocery including meat then on average you can save nearly 100 to 125 euros per month. Because there is a mark difference in prices for most of the things in comparison to stores like LIDL (the cheapest)

[@vaibhavbeone8425]

Very well composed points! I can say in this regard many ways Dutch nature is pretty close to Indian! We hate to waste or dump anything & love to save as much as possible!

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

The way I learned about money when I was very young was by doing chores around the house for small amounts of money. Like watering plants, helping mom washing up, helping out in the garden. Usually you'd get paid 10 or 25 cents. Or 1 guilder at the end of the week if you did something every day during that week.

[@ellybreed9361]

A very important rule : NEVER use a creditcard . If you want something to buy , work for it .

[@JoviesHome]

Hi Elly, that's a good tip. However, I want to mention that there are good ways to make a credit card "work" for you too. For example, I have a KLM Air Miles credit card that I use whenever possible, especially for big purchases. However (and this is the important part) I don't buy the thing until I already have the full amount saved up to pay off the credit card immediately. This way, I earn air miles (had 2 free flights to the US already) while NOT going into debt. So it's kind of like paying with a pin pass but with benefits of air miles if that makes sense. But YES - don't use credit cards when you don't have the money to pay off the item you're buying!!!

[@yvonnewinters9699]

I think it’s not a bad thing to have a credit card, as long as you don’t use it for your ‘normal’ shopping (groceries, clothing etc). For some expenses your only able to use a credit card, for those expenses it can be easy

[@waagzangertje]

There are creditcards like prepaid cards. I had one and used it to pay for hotel and back up. Only goes so far as the money you put on it. So also a safe option for traveling when moneymachines don't work or something *like greece a few years back* and if by any chance the card is stolen then the money left on it is insured.

[@osez111]

@@waagzangertje These are not real credit card, they are debit card. They use the "visa/mastercard/....." environnement

[@waagzangertje]

@@osez111 a mixture of both. I could use it to book a hotel online that was not possible with my own bankcard *different country* and also pay for things with the money put on it.

[@juliettevangalen1958]

If you don’t have a ‘flessenlikker’ for peanut butter. Don’t worry, I make my bread in little slices so you can put them on your fork and scoop out every last bit.

[@renatevanstraaten5871]

I first started getting allowance when I was 7 years old together with my brother and sister and the basic rule was; 10 cents per year of your age (plus €2 if you did chores around the house). We were not allowed to buy candy from this money though, only toys. I also remember that I’d made this schedule filled with chores so that I could buy my phone once I turned 11 and was allowed one. I found the looking-forward-to-buying actually more fun than really buying my phone (, I still feel this way most of the time when buying something). Also when I was little and every time me and my family went to the citycentre with all the shops, I always asked if we could visit toystores; not for buying but just for looking around which was a lot of fun for me! This was all in elementary school; once you entered secondary school you’d get €5 a week and were allowed to buy food too. Also, when entering sec. school, we’d get money for clothes; €50 a month, which is quite a lot, but we’d have to buy everything for that money.

[@JoviesHome]

It's so interesting to me that Dutch kids are given an allowance that should also "pay" for necessities like clothes and not only for "fun" purchases. I love this idea and hope to instill it in my own kids' lives.

[@vanzijl72]

Yes you are so right ☺👌 loved you're video ❗❗❗

[@hirkFM4j]

Nice, I just found your vlog today and enjoying very much already! I was born in the Netherlands and moved with my family to Austria 14 years ago (they´ve got mountains here... :) ) and it is really good fun to see the differences between the countries on a daily basis. Although the differences between NL and AT aren´t as big as between NL and the USA I suppose. I have been in the dutch frugal community for many many years now and the fun thing is, that we always looked up to the americans :) Vicky Robin (Your money of your life) and Amy Dacyczyn (aka the frugal zealot - The tightwad gazette) are the two big inspirations for this community. Just wanted to mention those two names and books, those are really must reads for people that want to save. Have a nice day!

[@gyqz]

Number one Dutch hobby and saving money at the same time: a trip to Action. True: quality wise it's not the best ( although I have bought some things there I'm using now for years), but it all costs next to nothing. Thank you for this video!

[@anushakrishnamurthy9036]

gyqz Action has been a lifesaver for me!

[@mvl71]

One thing though: once in the store, keep repeating to yourself what it is you actually wanted to buy there, _run_ to the article, grab it, _run_ to checkout, pay, and then gtfo as quickly as possible. If you don't do that, and if you start looking around, you _will_ end up spending €50,- on stupid stuff you didn't want and don't need. Other than that, Action is a great money saver!

[@mariekedekruiff2884]

@@mvl71 hahaha same with the Kringloop (secondhand store)

[@originalmix2546]

@@mariekedekruiff2884 I love kringloopwinkel

[@femkesliep9079]

Use budgeting apps! I would personally recommend Ynab. It costs a bit of money to have an account. However, you really learn how to get the most worth of your money. For example, you set budgets for every category of expenses you have (clothing, groceries etc). Next, I always check the discounts in grocery shops. The trick with grocery shopping is to not buy discounted products you wouldn't normally buy anyway. And keep a routine with the products you buy (:

[@WendyvanToor]

A saying learned from An employer decades ago and still use is: be zuinig when you can be generous when you need to.

[@zlatkaatanasova]

I enjoyed and learned from your video once again! Thank you for sharing! Please consider making a video for what kids work in the Netherlands and from what age

[@elsdebruin8929]

Most of the Kids work in stores or dilever the newspapers. They start to work at 14/15.

[@JoviesHome]

Nice idea! I've noted it and will think about this :)

[@anneliesv581]

This year I've learned to make a list of supplies I have at home. After that, I make a meal plan for the week (my actual plan was to first look up the supermarket discounts but I often forget) and then I make a grocery list. I mostly order online (there always are free shipping ways, for example when you buy a certain brand). This saves up money for me because I always had to throw away good supplies or buyed too mutch when in supermarket.

[@AwoudeX]

Growing your own food (can be small, like a little patch of herbs, or big, whatever you feel like)

[@JoviesHome]

I've been wanting to get into growing my own food for a while now. But I just have the opposite of a "green thumb" and somehow manage to kill all of my plants. But I'll keep trying to learn!! 😂😳

[@AwoudeX]

@@JoviesHome Start with something easy like radish, onions, carrots And try to discover 2 things continuously: -what went wrong (in case of plants getting killed) -what can be done better. Some things to consider (more advanced) -amount of light (full, half shaded, full shade) -amount of nutritions needed in the ground as some species won't produce if there's too much plant food in the soil, they'll make alot of leaves usually and small vegetables. -what to place next to each other in order to lower the risk of certain plagues, like placing a row of onion next to a row of carrots. Both attract certain flies that lay maggots that eat the carrot/onion. The onion fly dislikes the smell of carrots and the carrot fly dislikes the smell of onions. This way you don't need a bunch of chemicals to have a productive garden. last but not least: find a good source of information, preferably interactive like a forum or someone you know with 'green thumbs' - you don't need to do it all by yourself, a little help will get you much further.

[@mvl71]

@@JoviesHome Wait until Albert Heijn has their yearly _Moestuintjes_ deal. Get vegetable seeds with every €10 purchase. It's fun to grow your own vegetables! Let the kids participate, teach them where food comes from. Home-grown vegetables just taste better, if only because you worked for it. [edit] Maybe this wat you can get them to eat veggies they otherwise wouldn't want to eat. They work for it (if only by watering the vegetables) so it's _special_ , not like those yucky veggies from the store ;)

[@petervan1353]

never realized it but yes that is how I was brought up as a dutch..I've lived and worked in the US but never realized it at the time.It is not that we're frugal or calvinistic. I guess we're not so much of an impulse buying country. More like do I need it, is it crucial? Then again all comes down how you're brought up.Different values etc. but all in all do like how you experience the differences

[@juliettevangalen1958]

There are always a lot of commercials during movies on tv. So we always do chores during the commercials. So by the time the movie ended the house is clean

[@EowynRises]

Every household gets free folders of shops in their letterbox. Years ago I used to read them and sometimes felt a need to buy something that was advertised. While I did not know I "needed" that before I read the folder in the first place. I guess I was sensitive to that type of seduction/manipulation. I put a Nee-Nee sticker on my letterbox and the folders stopped. It not only saves money but also trees! Now I only buy when I really need something, and I can find out about sales like 1+1 for free online. This saves money and stimulates conscious buying.

[@missteacup9726]

I grew up with the words: If you only have €1,- you can 't spend €2,50. Sooo simpel but (still) sooo true.

[@lightknowledge5297]

No tattoos, no drinking alcoholic beverages, no soda, no smoking, no pork, no jewelry, no beauty saloons, no red light districts, no strip clubs, lift dumbbells at home instead of going to the gym, cut your hair at home using one mirror in the front and another one in the back , turn off the light and AC when you leave the house, if you don't train and sweat hard your body won't need rice/bread/spaghetti/cereals/pasta/cookies, no ice cream, no sugary food/drink, no car, no five stars hotels if you travel just Air BnB or hostel with early booking .

[@steffanisartini4364]

Very independent kids. That's what it is to be a good parent.And all the tips from here are very interesting.I really like your channel. Congrats 😉

[@EJBruin]

First confess, I'm an impulse buyer - a Dutch one. So ... 1) I ask myself: do I want it or do I need it? Will I use it or will it only add to the clutter I already have in my house? (Admittedly, that doesn't always help. My fabric stash is way too high, but at the other had, I haven't bought much in the way of clothing lately. I made it myself.) 2) Use a shopping list to avoid impulse buying in supermarkets, and never shop when hungry ☺ Oh. and bring your own shopping bag instead of buying new ones all the time. 3) Go to kringloopwinkels (thrift shops) for anything you don't mind getting second hand. Great for glasswear, mugs, plates etc. but also for toys, books and clothing. Almost every larger town has a kringloopwinkel and major towns have more than one. But look out here too, some items can be higer priced than new stuff at Action and the like, as they just guessed at a price. Also, some of the fancier kringloopwinkels belong to a chain and that's reflected in the price. 4) Live according to the Amish/Mennonite saying: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. Use and re-use, try to look at things, thinking: what else can I do with it? Or, what do I have that would work for this? I remember the time something in our house broke - don't even remember what is was - and my father said he needed a special type of bracket to fix it. He visited three or four hardware stores and couldn't find the exact same piece he needed. Mom looked at the thing, rummaged trhough our vast store of odds and bobs, came up with something approximately right and used a hammer and pliers to get it in the right shape ... Part of the DIY culture in NL and having grown up with "knutselen" (look up the word ☺ - direct translation would be "tinkering" but it covers a lot of handicrafts).

[@drewbrown3082]

i love the phone thing. Ive had my phone 6 years. got it for £200 and spent about 300 on repairs. still not even close to a flagship phone. Screen has dead spots now but i'm using it till the thing gives out. no need to splurge when the phone still functions

[@hellen.b]

The ICI Paris discount deal on mascara is 40% 😜 Thriftshopping helps saving money (and selling stuff you don’t need anymore)

[@watermark086]

When I do my groceries I also buy the special saving stamps. It cost a little at that time but the savings are great. For example with Albert Hein you pay 49 euro in total and get 52, with Plus you spend 4 euro and will get 6 euro. I put that money in a special jar and thats holiday money or I buy something special from it. I also check for 35% sticker, especially on meat, because you can put that in your freezer, but it saves you money. They also put the stickers on other stuff, sometimes I just walk around and start picking up products with 35%stickers and let those products decide what I will eat that day or coming days.

[@mgalgenbeld]

That's a good one too that many people forget! You actually get some interest on your savings that way

[@watermark086]

@@mgalgenbeld a lot more then the banks give at this moment :)

[@jwenting]

Quality over quantity. A pair of 75 Euro jeans will last more than 3 times as long as a pair of 25 Euro jeans so you end up saving money. And it's the same with most everything, buying the budget brands often ends up costing more as the product doesn't last as long. Exception to that is if you KNOW you won't be using it for long (say you're buying single use items deliberately for a camping trip, a 10 cent paper plate will do the same job as a 50 cent paper plate even if it doesn't look so fancy).

[@deannebeattie]

I'm not Dutch, but I've lived here for 7 years, and my husband teases me all the time about how Dutch I have become (or always was?). I pack my own lunches and snacks for trips and always carry a water bottle wherever I go - healthy and cheap. A new one I learned this year from a colleague: At the end of a catered meeting, there is usually leftover fruit, bottled juice or snack bars. Sometimes a few of those things disappear into my purse now for the trip home or the next day. If you're going to splash out on a special day trip, always check for deals online first. Knowing all of the Dutch words for a deal (korting, aktie, voordeel, aanbieding...) goes a long way. And who could forget the Albert Heijn (or Etos) zegels! I have received some really nice kitchenware by saving up stamps in the supermarket.

[@picobello99]

Another way to save money: check whether you're living in a region where there're high and low tarives for electricity. This isn't the case anymore everywhere in the country but where I'm living electricity is cheaper during the night and in the weekend. That's why I save energy consuming activities like the laundry or baking something in the oven for a long time for the weekend and charge my phone over night.

[@biancaalbakar5752]

client cards at supermarkets or drugsstores give you the oppertunity to get extra sale items like 2 for the price of one or 2e is half price or a certain percentage of the price. this can save you lots of money

[@EJBruin]

it's just cents you save + the buying costs of the dryer, but if you have some outside space, use a clothes line or rack to dry your clothing: sun and wind are free and your clothes last longer

[@Pfirtzer]

Visit fleamarkets,Kringlopers,Marktplaats,FB buy and sell groups,even stuff for free. In grocery stores you have a corner Where you put a card for sale or you search something to buy, usually at Albert Heijn, Jumbo.Buurthuis is also a nice place to put a advert on a board if you have something to sell, or want to buy. Bootsales are also to be found in many cities.

[@robertrijkers4923]

I remember wanting a small tv for my room when I was 15 but I had to wait until i was 16 so I was legally old enough to have a summer job... ended up picking (and eating way too many) strawberries on a farmers field for a month and was able to buy it... wasn't a big roomcleaner as a teenager but boy did I dust off that tv much ;p

[@JoviesHome]

Nice story :) Thanks for sharing!

[@Hansvv1961]

Hi there, Jovie; Your channel was somehow suggested to me and I find it very interesting and entertainig. About buying cars though: the vast majority of (brand new) cars are bought either on a loan or in a private lease scheme (same thing basically). Not too surprising, taking the cost of owning and operating one over here in consideration. It's a different thing with used cars probably, but trust me on the new car market. You would be surprised by the number of people that spend more on their car than on housng on a monthly basis.

[@mvl71]

Got a really old smart phone like the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini? Battery flat within 10 minutes, too slow for Whatsapp? There's free apps available that can turn your old phone into a security camera which you can monitor from anywhere around the world! I used an S3 mini to keep an eye on our chickens while we were on vacation abroad. I just put it on a cheap smart phone tripod and placed it on the ground, facing our garden and chicken run. Worked like a charm!

[@stevekelly3922]

im scottosh,been living here for 35 years and i am now so dutch that i complain as much as the dutch,,,,this is not a bad thing,,it just means we want and can do better, I LOVE HOLLAND, there is plenty that i dont agree on but so much more thats makes my life better,,so thank u jovie, just watched the first time and love how u tell us how it works over here,,,keep it up , ure great!!

[@JoviesHome]

Thanks so much Steve! Glad to have you as a viewer 💛

[@underwaterlaser1687]

My tips are: go to Lidl for groceries and check out kringloop first for household goods and small furniture.

[@ComputronMaster]

When I was at the "Basisschool" then klas 6 now thats group 8 we were put into groups of 4 and every week a group had to prepare a meal for everybody, you couldnt buy "cook-ready" items but had to prepare it yourself ( so for soup, create bouillon, cut vegetables mix "gehakt" for "soepballetjes". To do this you had to discuss with your group, what to make. Create or find a recipe (remember this was before internet ;) ), based on your recipe create a shoppinglist and make an estimate what it would cost to buy. Then you would show the teacher the recipe and the list and she would ask/make adjustments and update the list. The group would get money and had to do the shopping them self, after that you had to hand in the receipt and the change, you would also have to explain why you used more OR less money (something was on sale or only available in larger packets), then the group would prepare the meal and the entire class would eat it. So in a year time your group had to prepare a meal 3-4 times, these lessons taught us to work in a group and listen to each other, but also how to buy groceries and what groceries you would need, you learned a bit of cooking and also how to handle money. I assumed this was done on every school, but I later discovered (when I was 17 and with my classmates on a schooltrip) and we were divided into "vakantiehuisjes" with a group of 5-6 persons, that I was the only one of them that knew how to cook something else than instant-food, of the 60 persons, not including the teachers, that were on that trip, only 3 knew how to cook a proper meal (not just open a tin of soup and heat until it boils), all 3 of us came from the same basisschool.

[@JoviesHome]

This is such a lovely life lesson that you got at the basisschool! Thank you for sharing it :)

[@VaneezyTV]

I know the Dutch are big time savers so thank you for this educational video. Everyone that I know that lives there say that budgeting has become their favorite thing lol.

[@a.westenholz4032]

I tend to try to avoid brand name stuff, as often you end up paying a lot for the brand but get little for any extra (supposed) quality. Especially when it comes to things that I frequently lose or break, like sunglasses. I have never once been tempted to spend a huge amount on sunglasses though I know people like knowing they are wearing "designer" shades for that "look". I just want sunglasses that are good at doing what they should, and don't look that bad on me, and don't cost so much that if I lose them or scratch them I don't worry about it. I have plenty more. So there are a few things I really spend money on either because that is simply what it costs, or I found something I really liked and was willing to spend the money, but most of the time I find I have no trouble keeping a healthy budget without feeling deprived. I generally wait until the end of the month and see how much still is left after I move the usual amount into my savings account, which generally becomes my spending amount for the next month on whatever I want.

[@petertraudes106]

Instead of changing energy provider every year based on tarifs you should consider chosing a 100 % renewable or sustainable energy company in my case TEXEL energy, you may pay a penny or stuivertje more but it definatly will help to save the planet

[@JoviesHome]

Hey Peter, great points! In my case, the energy providers selling renewable/sustainable energy have actually been cheaper than the traditional companies! So I'm happy that my current provider is not only cheaper but greener too. Thanks for watching!

[@Nienke131]

I never realized the way we deal with allowances is not universal. I think it is great that we learn to appreciate the value of money at a young age. Certainly kept me from having to borrow anything other than my mortgage. (As you mentioned, I saved up for my car upfront).

[@eronsentertainmentstore6487]

I actually know not a single person who changes their contract every year. However I do know people Just calling every year to ask for additional discount. Some companies also automatically give discount to people who stay that are better then the new client discounts.

[@HansKr]

Watching your video I suddenly understood all the english sayings with the word Dutch in it when it comes to be stingy (going Dutch, Dutch treat,...). It seems this mentality of being thrifty goes a long way back :D

[@AwoudeX]

You should look up the shared dutch/english history. You'll find a big era of rivalry between our peoples. The English and the Dutch have been fighting many wars and because of that, the English cemented that rivalry into their language by putting derogatory proverbs about the Dutch in it.

[@angeliqueslaa7404]

I’m 22 and I work fulltime. Since I have a full income I have to pay to my parents to live with them. In the Netherlands we call that kostgeld.

[@bertobleijlevens9160]

Old phone no longer can keep up with all installed apps. And now in use as car navigator with minimal installed apps. Functions perfectly.

[@ewaldhouba]

I’m Dutch. I have an app on my phone called “shopper”. As soon as for instance my jar of peanut butter is almost empty, I am putting it in my shopper list. The next time I go to the shop I know that I need to buy it. When I buy it I also save the price AND the shop with the peanu butter item. The next time I need peanut butter and I go shopping I might go to another store. If I buy my peanut butter there I can see the price of the other shop (or change the price if needed). I can decide to buy it here or in the other shop. Anyway, when the price is lower, I’ll save that price and the name of the cheaper shop with the item. That way I always have a personal database of the cheapest price of every single item in my shopping list AND where to buy it. I also often look at my list of that day and if the items mainly have for instance “Hoogvliet” as the cheapest store, I will decide to go to “Hoogvliet” instead of “Lidl”. I might buy everything there or not. If it is not too much hassle, I buy the rest in the other shop(s).

[@bestlingua4138]

I have almost 4 years old soon and we have (since always) an appointment that if he wants an another toy he needs to choose some old one en exchange them by the kringloop, we basically never buy new toys for him (only books, puzzles and some educative things). Often we only go to the kringloop just to play there. So even he has not a lot things to play he is very creative with them has a lot of friends (which loves to come over) and love to play outside. Till this time works perfectly.

[@Widdekuu91]

Een ander goed idee is om spulletjes te hergebruiken. Mijn moeder gaf me bijvoorbeeld (stevige) oude bakjes om mee in bad te spelen. Ik mocht met de afgewassen oven-schotel-magnetronmaaltijd bakjes spelen, dat waren dan doorzichtige boten. Oude flesjes van badspul mocht ik hervullen met water en een oude spray-fles mocht ik rondsprayen in de douche. Bakjes van de tiramisu, bakjes van de aardbeien (met leuke gaatjes aan de onderkant waar het water weer uitkwam) alles mocht mee in bad, eenmalig meestal, daarna werd het gerecycled. Tenzij mijn ouders het konden hergebruiken, dan ging het niet in bad, dan moest het in de kast. Oh en mijn moeder maakte een soort stoffen sliert (als een dekbed/hoes echt oud en volledig kapot gescheurd was) van allemaal stukjes oud dekbed. Een beetje als een héél groot honden-'flosje' (van die speeltouwen) maar dan voor ons. Wij liepen de hele dag met dat touw te slepen, superleuk. Ohja en leer hem vooral kleine dingetjes zoals het schoonwassen van kleertjes (van beer of pop) in een bakje water of het koken/bakken van dingen (dat hij mag helpen, bijv.) Ik ken mensen die hun kinderen nooit spelenderwijs wassen of vouwen of bakken hebben geleerd (onder het mom; 'je vind wel een vrouw die dat voor je doet') en die mannen zijn nu in de 50 en kopen dagelijks magnetronmaaltijden en lopen in stinkende kleding rond. Hoe leuker berenkleren wassen nú is, hoe makkelijker het wassen later gaat. :)

[@postlim]

maybe you have heard it alreddy. i always start my yearly contracts just after my birthday. it is an unique day in the year and therefore a great reminder.

[@shootingsportstransparency7461]

Thanks teaching us the Dutch way

[@manoni75]

In The Netherlands a day to the zoo or an amusementpark with your family is quite expensive, but it's alsways worthwile to check available discounts. For example the supermarkets Jumbo and Albert Heijn have every year actions around to save for a discount in specific museums, zoos, amusement parks etc. They are very popular with families as it can make a huge difference.

[@JoviesHome]

So true! We've visited a lot of family-oriented places using the AH stamps actions. Thank you for watching!