Blogs by Ella Fisher

Groceries are getting more expensive, insurance costs are rising, gas prices keep climbing. Sometimes I wonder, how long can we keep this up? And can this really go on forever? I don’t think so. One thing that personally really started to annoy me is how expensive Netflix has become. I ended up canceling it. That did hurt a little, because I always watched Korean series on there ☹

When I think about everyone’s fixed expenses and how they just keep going up, I can’t help but feel like it has a lot to do with how much control the government wants over us as citizens. But maybe I shouldn’t say that too loudly, because then you’re quickly labeled a “conspiracy theorist.” One thing is certain though: people in other countries laugh at us when it comes to gas prices and grocery costs. Just saying, it’s a fact.

When I look at our household, at least half of our income goes straight to fixed expenses. And honestly, I think that’s ridiculous. It shouldn’t be like this. Not anywhere, not in any country. I hear a lot of people complaining about health insurance. In other countries, employers sometimes pay part of it. Maybe that’s an idea for the Netherlands too. Every year the premium goes up, the deductible is insanely high, and on top of that there are the grocery prices. By the way, groceries are much cheaper in Germany. Tip from me.

Personally, I think it’s time someone in government stood up and said: this is as far as it goes. Life is obviously much easier when you have a lot of money, but that’s not the reality for a huge part of the population. We need to think about each other and stop being so selfish. People waiting for years for a rental home, people who can’t buy because you now need to bring in your own money. It’s not being made easy at all, yet it sometimes feels like we just accept it and move on.

What I truly don’t understand is how people ended up with sky high energy bills. I’m with Budget Energy and I’m very satisfied. Feel free to take that tip. Last year I only had to pay a small extra amount. They have a great app that shows everything clearly and feels reliable. It honestly makes me wonder: how high do you set your heating when you’re home? We never turn on the heat when we’re not home. Whether that’s good or not, I don’t know, but it’s how we’ve lived for years. If we come home from work and are only awake for a few more hours before going to bed, we don’t turn it on either. When we are home, the thermostat is set to a maximum of 19 degrees Celsius, and that’s more than warm enough. So if you’re reading this and received a massive energy bill, I’m genuinely curious how that happened. Please let me know, or take something from the tips I’m sharing here.

The increasing municipal taxes can stop as well. We usually pay them in one payment. Tip from me, it lowers your monthly expenses. But seriously, enough already. Why does more money always need to be added? When it comes to sewer costs, sorry, but it’s not like I suddenly go to the bathroom way more often. If I did, something would be seriously wrong with me, haha.

As for car insurance, I think I’m doing pretty well. I’m with FBTO. But the end of the year isn’t here yet, so I’ll definitely check again if it can be cheaper somewhere else. By comparing every year through Independer, my costs usually stay the same or drop slightly. So in my experience, not everything goes up if you stay on top of it.

When it comes to subscriptions, I don’t have many. Only a few that I actually use daily or very often. I think you should always look closely at those. Do they really add value to your life, or are you basically just throwing money away? One thing I do feel guilty about, and I see this as a fixed expense too and definitely not very green, is constantly buying new clothes and shoes. For myself and for the kids. There are platforms like Vinted and Selpy where you can even filter for items that were never worn and still have the original price tag. Much cheaper than in stores. How great is that? You contribute to a greener future and get “new” items for half the price or less. You’re honestly crazy if you don’t use it. It’s basically a marketplace, but specifically for clothing and shoes.

In general, I think companies are fairly transparent about price increases. So far, I haven’t had negative experiences with that. Still, I think many people feel powerless when prices keep rising. But really, go to Independer or another comparison website. You can already make a big difference, but you have to take action. Nothing happens on its own. Once rising costs start affecting your mental health, you really need to seek help. Thankfully, I’m not part of that group, but I can easily imagine how overwhelming it can be. There are coaches who specialize in this, so that’s something to look into if you’re stuck.

When costs rise, the first thing I cut back on is subscriptions, followed by groceries. I stopped buying expensive brands a long time ago. That alone saves a lot. You can also use your bike more instead of the car, or walk when it’s doable. Another tip: I always buy laundry detergent at Kruidvat, like Robijn. They often have large packages on sale, and the deals are usually really good.

The groups hit hardest by rising costs are people on welfare, single households, self employed workers depending on their income, and retirees. I think it’s especially tough for young people and students. They’re often at the bottom of the income ladder, have tuition costs or student loans, and still need to save if they ever want to buy a home. That definitely changes your relationship with money. When you can save and enjoy life, money feels positive. But when you’re only paying bills and have nothing left, it quickly turns into a negative feeling.

I strongly believe the Dutch healthcare system needs to be reconsidered. The deductible is extremely high, and so is the monthly premium. The fact that individuals have to pay for it entirely themselves feels outdated to me. In many countries, employers cover part of the insurance. That not only saves money, but could also discourage people from calling in sick unnecessarily.

Talking about rising costs alone won’t change anything. At the end of every year, you should look at where you can cut back or how you might generate extra income. A few times a year, I put all my fixed expenses and spending into an Excel sheet. That gives me a clear overview of where my money actually goes. Something I recently started doing, and that works really well for me, is setting a weekly budget. I’m with ASN Bank, and they allow you to create savings jars in the app. I was already using that, but now I’ve added a weekly budget for myself. I’ve only been doing it for a month, but I already notice I have more money left at the end of the month. It makes you more aware and forces you to look at your own behavior. Do you really need something, or can it wait?

A lot of people immediately buy something as soon as their salary hits their account. Why not wait until the end of the month? You might have unexpected expenses, and then that purchase suddenly isn’t affordable. Use a savings jar and set money aside for things you really want. It all sounds simple, but the real power is in actually doing it. Also, pay on time. Don’t delay payments or wait for reminders.

If you want to consciously decide which fixed expenses truly add value to your life, here’s my advice:
A. Do I really need this?
B. If I need it, can I get it cheaper somewhere else?
C. How can I generate more income, for example by selling things instead of always giving them away or bringing them to a thrift store?

When it comes to saving energy, you could look into going gas free. If that’s not possible, pay attention to how you use your heating. How high do you set it, and when do you turn it on? I keep it at 19 degrees and turn it off when I’m not home. After work, I only turn it on if it’s freezing outside. When I shower, I turn the water off while washing my hair. That saves both water and gas. I also don’t stand in the shower for hours. Think about the environment and don’t waste water. Make sure your home is well insulated, ventilate properly, and put on a sweater if you’re cold.

I’m someone who saves money. I wasn’t always like that, but now I always set aside a fixed amount each month. That way, unexpected expenses don’t become a problem. Everyone can save, including you. Even if it’s just ten or twenty dollars a month, every little bit helps.

When it comes to gas prices, I no longer fill up my entire tank. I calculate what I need for the week and use my bike more for short trips. What really helps during times like these is staying positive and focusing on solutions instead of obstacles. There is always a solution, and if you can’t find one yourself, there are always people who can help you.

One last tip: limit advertising in your inbox. We’ve all signed up for websites after buying something. Remove those triggers, and you’ll be less tempted to buy things you don’t actually need. And yes, that saves money too.