Practical and Smart Saving Tips

Groceries, snacks, (online) shopping. Many small expenses can add up to save a lot of money, which you might be able to save if you think about it a little more. Do I really need this? Could this be cheaper? These tips help.

Keeping up is saving
How much did you spend on groceries in the past week? How much did you spend on small purchases here and there? And what were your expenses on clothes or shoes? Chances are you don't know this exactly.

Keeping track of your expenses is often the first step in saving. Unnoticed, we often spend more than we think. If you know where your is going, you can start budgeting and that gives you a grip on money.

Many online banking apps already sort your expenses into certain categories, such as groceries, clothing, and housing. But you can also write down your expenses in a cash book or notebook.

Savings tips for groceries
Shopping is a standard procedure. That's why we often don't think much about it, but groceries can be a major expense per month. You can save on this with some minor adjustments.

- Make a weekly schedule: determine what will be eaten per day and plan this for a few days or a week in advance. That saves time and save money. Get your weekly groceries at home once a week or at a fixed time. This way you don't have to go to the supermarket every day and you can't be tempted to buy extras.
- View the brochures (often also available online) of the supermarkets in your area. Determine the dishes for your weekly menu with products that are on sale at that moment.
- Offers can yield significant benefits. But that only applies to products that you also use in that quantity. So be careful not to stock up on too many (fresh) groceries, just because it is an offer. Products with a long shelf life such as coffee, detergents or care products (for example toothpaste or shampoo) always work.
- Make sure you have an easy meal, such as frozen pizza or leftovers, if you don't feel like cooking after a long (work) day. That is still cheaper than ordering food.
- Look at what you already have at home and often you arrive at a creative meal. Or regularly read a leftover day or plan a clean-up menu, where you empty your fridge, freezer and pantry and make a dish with it.
- Do not go shopping on an empty stomach. Trek makes you less resistant to temptations in the supermarket.
- Are the children coming? Agree in advance what you will and will not buy and what they may choose.
- In the supermarket, the more expensive brands are often at eye level. Just bending over or stretching can yield interesting savings.
- Do you still have a preference for a certain A-brand? Buy other products, which you care less about, or from the cheaper house brand.
- Water, tea and lemonade are cheaper than soft drinks and beer or wine.
- Prices on the market are in some cases lower. This can apply to foodstuffs, but also to personal care products, bicycle equipment or animal feed.
- Compare the prices. There are comparison or offer sites that can help you with this. Compare, for example, the price per kilo or per liter of certain products. Only then will you know whether one brand is more expensive than another.
- You also save by wasting as little as possible. Visit the Milieu Centraal website for more tips.

Shop and consume
- Small, recurring expenses can add up. Think of the daily coffee-to-go or the bag of liquorice at the gas station. The effect of the 'unnoticed leakage' of money is called the Latte factor.
- Think consciously about a purchase. Sleep on it. If you shop online, put the product in your shopping cart and see if you still want it the next day. And if you see something appealing that's beyond your budget, think about what needs to give way. Make choices: or and not and.
- Sharing is becoming more common. Think, for example, of sharing tools with neighbors or family, exchanging products (such as clothing exchange) or sharing systems for cars and books. There are several local exchange groups on social media. See also: alternatives to buying .
- Search social media for giveaway corners or local groups with free pick-up items. Also consider Marketplace.
- Wait for the sale or buy in the 'wrong' season: many party items are on sale after Christmas and camping equipment after the summer holidays. - Don't want to spend more than a certain amount? Set a budget in advance and keep it.
- Save the receipts: smart exchange is better than unused.
- Do not automatically opt for new or expensive: you may also be able to work with second-hand or a cheaper brand. Or visit the discount drugstore or thrift store.
- In addition to (e-)books, you can also borrow audio books, read magazines and more in the library. Young people up to the age of 18 are free members.
- To play sports? First, think about how much you will actually exercise. Unlimited sounds appealing, but if you're going low, a different plan may be cheaper. There are also countless (online) programs on YouTube and running or exercising outside costs nothing, except sports shoes.
- Do you have any coupons or gifts at home? If you've run into bargains throughout the year, you'll have some in store for birthdays or holidays.