Features
OkidokySaving tips 2026All pages
Practical saving guide

Concrete saving tips for 2026

No 'eat fewer avocados' nonsense. Eight systematic tips with an approach that actually works. Per tip: step plan, needed time, and a realistic estimate of what you can save.

Total saving potential: €4,490+ / year

First honest about saving tips

Most saving tip lists are either nonsense ('start a vegetable garden!') or too general ('watch your expenses'). These 8 tips are based on systematic approach and average NL figures as of 2026. Amounts are estimates — your situation differs. But roughly: €1000-€5000 per year is achievable without lifestyle intervention.

Systematic

Do it well once, years of benefit

Measurable

Exact amounts, no magic

Practical

No hardcore lifestyle changes

Not moralistic

No 'saving is virtue' preaching

The 8 tips

Step by step, with amounts

Every tip has the same structure: what it is, how to tackle it, what to watch out for, and a realistic calculation of what you can save.

#1·Income

Check if you're missing benefits

Easy
30 min
~€2,400/jr

Not applying costs you thousands of euros per year. Many people wrongly think they 'earn too much' for benefits. Thresholds are higher than you think, especially with children or childcare.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Go to toeslagen.nl → 'Proefberekening'. Takes 5 minutes, no registration needed.

  2. 2

    Honestly fill in your expected annual income (yours + any partner). Figures like gross annual salary, holiday allowance, any side income.

  3. 3

    For each benefit you seem eligible for: apply via My Benefits (login with DigiD). Monthly advance paid out.

  4. 4

    IMPORTANT: if your income rises during the year, you must report the change — otherwise you'll get an after-charge later. Check monthly yourself.

Watch out

Benefits are ADVANCES. Received too much = repay after year. When in doubt: start lower than maximum possible — fewer surprises afterwards.

Calculation example

A single-person household with €28,000 income and €750/mo rent: ~€200/mo rent benefit (€2,400/year). For family with children and daycare: often €500+/mo in childcare benefit. Calculate via the test calculation — exact amounts vary strongly by situation.

#2·Fixed expenses

Compare your energy contract annually

Easy
1 uur
~€300/jr

The energy market is stable again after 2023 and comparing pays off fully. Price differences between providers run up to €40/mo for identical families. Contract expired = old consumption is SILENTLY extended on dynamic (often more expensive) rates.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Grab your last end statement or annual statement. Note: consumption (kWh electricity, m³ gas), current fixed + variable costs.

  2. 2

    Go to an independent comparison: Pricewise, Consumentenbond, Independer. NOT the site of your current supplier — they don't compare fairly.

  3. 3

    Fill in exactly your consumption, choose 'fixed contract 1 year'. Avoid 'dynamic rates' unless you're technically versed and have solar panels.

  4. 4

    If saving >€15/mo: switching pays off. New supplier arranges cancellation old — you need to do nothing except sign. Welcome bonus often €50-€150.

Watch out

Supplier tricks: 'welcome discount year 1' that then jumps 20%+ up. ALWAYS look at price AFTER welcome discount. Multi-year contracts (3+ years) are often not more advantageous than yearly comparing.

Calculation example

Average family with 3000 kWh + 1200 m³: current energy bill €190/mo. After comparing and switching to best supplier: €165/mo. Saving €25/mo × 12 = €300/year. Plus welcome bonus €100 first year.

#3·Fixed expenses

Audit all your subscriptions

Easy
45 min
~€200/jr

Subscriptions quietly stack up. Netflix + Spotify + Disney+ + gym + Adobe + that one app from 2 years ago. Average Dutch household pays €40-€80/mo on forgotten or underused subscriptions.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Go to your bank app (ING, Rabo, ABN all have 'Subscriptions' overview). All recurring debits appear.

  2. 2

    Per subscription: did you actually use it last month? 3 categories: yes (keep) / sometimes (downgrade) / no (immediately cancel).

  3. 3

    Cancel via the app or website of the provider. Often under 'Account' → 'Subscription' → 'Cancel'. Some (gym, magazines) require 1-3 months notice.

  4. 4

    Set a reminder every six months: do again. New subscriptions always come — the audit is never done.

Watch out

Cancelling some subscriptions is deliberately made difficult (dark patterns). If the website makes you wait or redirects: send a registered letter via Postnl (€8) — legally valid within 7 days.

Calculation example

Typical avoidable: old gym (€30/mo, never been again), Audible you don't listen to (€10/mo), domain you don't use (€12/year), paper newspaper subscription while you only read digital (€25/mo difference). Together: ~€200/year back.

#4·Fixed expenses

Check your insurance annually

Medium
2 uur
~€400/jr

Insurance in 2026 no longer automatically rewards loyalty. Existing customers often pay 20% more than new. Three insurance types where comparing really pays off: health, contents/building, car.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Gather your policies. Note: premium, own risk, coverage, year of last comparison.

  2. 2

    For HEALTH: compare via Zorgwijzer.nl or Independer in November-December (switch period until December 31). Choose 'basic insurance' + dental coverage separately.

  3. 3

    For CONTENTS/BUILDING: compare annually around your birthday month. Check if coverage still matches (larger home? more stuff?).

  4. 4

    For CAR: compare at renewal. Look at liability premium, no-claim, own risk. Age helps — 28+ drivers often get lower premium.

Watch out

Dental insurance: often more expensive than the costs you make. With good oral hygiene and <€400/year dental costs: saving yourself is often more advantageous. Compare with your own scenario.

Calculation example

Family of 4: current health premium €145/mo pp = €580/mo = €6,960/year. After comparing, choosing slightly cheaper policy: €130/mo pp = €520/mo = €6,240/year. Plus cheaper building + contents: saving ~€400/year total.

#5·Fixed expenses

Switch to Sim-Only

Easy
20 min
~€180/jr

An expensive device-subscription is often twice the cost price of the device. Sim-only + separate device (second-hand or own 2-year-old) is almost always cheaper.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Check your current contract: is there still a device part in installments? If so: can you pay off and go separate?

  2. 2

    Go to Bellen.com or Mobiel.nl for Sim-only providers: Simyo, hollandsnieuwe, Youfone, Ben. From €7-€15/mo for enough data.

  3. 3

    Choose based on actual data usage (check in your bank app how much GB you used last 6 months). Usually 10-20 GB enough.

  4. 4

    Arrange switch: order new SIM, take phone number (free), cancel old subscription. Takes ~1 week, no interruption.

Watch out

Sim-only from major providers (KPN, Vodafone, T-Mobile) is often more expensive than their 'sub-brands' on the same network (hollandsnieuwe = KPN network, Ben = T-Mobile network). Watch network coverage in your region.

Calculation example

Old: Samsung Galaxy subscription €42/mo (2 years, total €1,008). New: Sim-only €12/mo + buy Samsung Galaxy refurbished €350 one-time = year 1 €494, year 2 €144. Saving ~€370 over 2 years.

#6·Variable expenses

Groceries: list + house brand + apps

Medium
dagelijks
~€600/jr

Groceries are not 'fixed expenses' but are the biggest variable expense of an average household. Small systematic choices give big impact over a year.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Use a grocery list (paper or app). Research by Consumentenbond: people with list buy 15-20% less. Prevents impulse purchases.

  2. 2

    House brand check: AH Basic, Jumbo Huismerk, Lidl are often 20-40% cheaper than A-brands. For most everyday products the quality is comparable — try a few and see where you honestly can't tell the difference.

  3. 3

    Discount apps: AH Bonus, Jumbo Extras, Bonnetje.nl. Check BEFORE you go shopping which deals are relevant for you. Don't force yourself to use discount.

  4. 4

    Plan meals for the week: 3-4 main meals at home + flexible lunch. Prevents last-minute take-out that quickly costs €15-€20 per time.

Watch out

Bulk buying isn't always cheaper — compare per kilo/liter. And house brand is sometimes MORE EXPENSIVE than discount on A-brand. Calculate per product, not per category.

Calculation example

Average 2-person household spends €400/mo on groceries. With list + house brand + discount apps systematically: ~€350/mo. Saving €50/mo × 12 = €600/year.

#7·Fixed expenses

Choose a free checking account

Easy
30 min
~€50/jr

Banks charge €2.50-€7.50/mo for a standard checking account. There are full alternatives that are free. Small individual saving but still 'money for nothing'.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Check your current costs: ING, Rabo, ABN charge ~€3.50/mo. Triodos, ASN, bunq charge 0-€2.99/mo depending on package.

  2. 2

    Evaluate your banking needs: do you need cash withdrawal abroad? Joint account? Young child? Per need a different bank suits.

  3. 3

    If you just want: pay, receive, iDEAL, SEPA — choose ASN Easy Switch or Triodos Basic. Both free, ASN with iDEAL payment requests.

  4. 4

    Switch service: new bank automatically arranges that all direct debits, salaries, bills are transferred. Takes 13 months full switch.

Watch out

Free checking accounts sometimes have limitations: less customer service (only digital), no physical offices, costs for cash withdrawal at other bank. For most people no problem — for older people with customer-experience wish possibly yes.

Calculation example

Current costs €3.50/mo = €42/year. New (ASN Easy Switch) €0/mo. Saving €42/year + typically a welcome bonus €50 first year = €92 first year. Then €42 structurally.

#8·Variable expenses

Lunch & coffee: structurally different

Medium
dagelijks
~€360/jr

Every day buying coffee and lunch at Starbucks/AH-to-go costs on average €8-€12. Making at home + taking with halves that at minimum. This is NOT a 'latte factor' argument — it's simply arithmetic.

Step plan

  1. 1

    Calculate your current outside-spending: coffee + lunch + snacks at work/school. Scan your bank statement from past month for merchants like AH, Starbucks, Albert Heijn to go.

  2. 2

    Invest once: good thermos (€20), lunchbox (€15), home beans + coffee machine (you probably already have). Total <€50 one-time.

  3. 3

    Build a routine: morning 5 min coffee + lunch prep. Preferably evening before. Meal prep on Sunday works for some, daily for others.

  4. 4

    Still lunching out a few times a week remains fun — prevent 'saving becomes suffering' dynamic. 2 days at home, 3 days out is already huge difference.

Watch out

This advice is not valid for everyone. If you only go to office 2× a week and get lunch from employer: no saving. If social component of lunching together is important: don't make it too strict.

Calculation example

4 working days × €6 average lunch out × 48 work weeks = €1,152/year. At home: 4 × €2 = €384/year. Saving €768/year — but realistic halving (mix): ~€360/year.

Where do I start?

These 8 tips at once is overwhelming. Here is our suggestion for a feasible approach — based on impact vs. effort.

  1. 1

    Week 1: benefits check (biggest impact)

    30 minutes work, potential €2,400+/year. This is the fastest and biggest saving possible. Do it today.

  2. 2

    Week 2-3: audit fixed expenses (systematic)

    Subscriptions, insurance, energy, mobile, bank. One per weekend. After a month you've gone through everything.

  3. 3

    Ongoing: groceries & coffee (habit)

    New habits take 30-60 days to ingrain. Start with ONE change at a time — grocery list OR home coffee, not both.

FAQ

Frequently asked saving questions

Do these tips also work for people with low income?

Partially. The benefits tip especially applies to lower incomes — biggest gain there. Subscription audit works for everyone. But some tips (sim-only switch, energy compare) require a 'surplus' to be able to wait for benefit. For minimum incomes: also check if you have right to special assistance, municipal tax remission, and city pass. Contact your municipality.

How do I track these savings?

That's literally what Okidoky is built for. Add your fixed expenses as 'recurring costs' — then you see every month what goes out. When switching to cheaper energy contract: adjust the amount in Okidoky, then you see the effect over time. But you don't have to use Okidoky for this — a simple Excel with 'old amount — new amount — difference' also works.

Isn't saving on groceries 'stingy'?

No. Groceries are personal choices — not moral. If you enjoy groceries and prefer certain brands: that's OK. If you standardly buy A-brands out of habit and find house brands equally tasty: why pay more? The 'stingy/generous' frame is incorrect. The question is: do you know what you spend and why? Everything after is personal.

What if I already apply all tips?

Then you're done with low-threshold wins. Next step is bigger and more complex: • Mortgage review (rate check, 1-2% rate drop = much saving) • Education fund for children (tax advantage) • Pension optimization (fiscally deductible) • Investing instead of saving (higher expected return long term) That's no longer a 'saving tip' — that's financial planning. For that step: independent financial advisor or 'DIY' via consumer guides.

Ready to begin?

Start with the benefits check and work systematically through. Use Okidoky to track your progress — or not, do what suits you.

Start free ledgerView the glossary