How to manage your money as a Filipino expat in the Netherlands
Living in the Netherlands is an amazing experience, but let’s be honest, it can also be very expensive! There's rent, groceries, the utilities, and of course, insurance. Mabilis pong maubos ang suweldo! (your salary disappears fast!)
If you’re a Filipino expat mom trying to balance family life, a part-time job, and household expenses, learning how to manage your finances in the Netherlands is a must. The good news po? With the right strategies, you can budget wisely, save money, and even enjoy life without constantly worrying about bills. So I'd like to share a few tips on how to manage your finances as an expat or an immigrant living in the Netherlands. Warning, this is solely based on what I've learned from experience. I am not a financial expert. I'm just a regular mom who's always looking for ways to save! So let's break it down.
Understand the cost of living in the Netherlands
The first step is knowing what to expect. Here’s a look at the average monthly expenses for a family in the Netherlands, and I mean these are rough estimates. For better averages, that will depend on the location and number of household, so I suggest for you to check more information online.
Rent: €900 - €2,000 (depending on the number of bedrooms and location)
Utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet): €200 - €300
Groceries: €400 - €800
Health insurance: €120 - €150 per adult
Transport (bike/public transport/car): €50 - €250
Other expenses (entertainment, eating out, sports, kids’ activities): €200+
👉 Mommy tip: If you’re new to the Netherlands, expect high upfront costs like a security deposit for rent and initial setup fees for utilities.
Budget Like a Pro (The Dutch Way!)
The Dutch are masters of frugality. They don’t waste money on unnecessary things and they know exactly where every euro goes. Here’s how you can do the same:
✅ Use the 50-30-20 Rule (if you can):
- 50% for your needs, meaning essentials (rent, food, utilities)
- 30% for your wants, aka. your lifestyle (eating out, travel, entertainment)
- 20% for savings and investments
✅ Apps to Track Your Spending:
- MijnGeldzaken.nl (great for Dutch households), however I do not use this
- Banking apps (most Dutch banks offer budgeting tools) and this one we use at home
👉 Mommy tip: Dutch people love a good discount deal! Some of us use apps like 'Scoupy' or 'Too Good To Go' to save on groceries. Check them out!
Know Your Rights: Benefits and Allowances for Families
One of the best things about living in the Netherlands is that the government provides financial support for families. so make sure you are aware of the benefits you are entitled to. Here are some of those benefits:
✅ Kinderbijslag (Child Benefit) - a quarterly allowance for kids under 18. This is something that is automatically received if you're registered in the Netherlands.
✅ Kindgebonden Budget (Child Budget Supplement) - extra financial help for lower/middle-income families. You can apply via the website toeslagen.nl (dutch tax office) if you are not automatically qualified.
✅ Huurtoeslag (Rent Allowance) - this is a government subsidy to help pay rent for low-income households renting below €900/month. You can also apply for this via the dutch tax office.
👉 Mommy tip: Visit https://www.belastingdienst.nl to check which benefits apply to you!
Save Money on Groceries and Daily Expenses
Here in the Netherlands, grocery shopping can be pricey but there are ways to do your groceries and keep your grocery bills low. It's all about looking for the right Dutch supermarkets! Lalo na po for mommies like me who love to do groceries!
✅ Shop at Budget Supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi, and Dirk. They are cheaper than Albert Heijn.
✅ Buy in Bulk if you can at Jumbo or Makro. They offer bulk discounts.
✅ Use Discount Apps as I had mentioned above like *Too Good To Go* (leftover food from bakeries, grocery stores and restaurants at a lower price) and *Scoupy* (cashback on groceries).
✅ Go for house brands, which is what I usually do. Most stores have their own affordable brands for the same products of those you're most likely buying in a specific brand. But the house brands are cheaper.
👉 Mommy tip: Stick to your weekly or biweekly grocery budget and avoid unnecessary purchases by planning meals in advance. In my experience, food gets wasted when you end up not using an ingredient or a grocery that spoils through time.
Smart Ways to Earn Extra Income in the Netherlands
If your budget is tight, consider some 'side hustles' or ways to earn extra cash:
💻 Freelancing
👶 Babysitting/Nannying (Popular with expat families!)
📦 Selling secondhand items (Vinted, Marktplaats)
🎓 Tutoring English or Filipino for that matter
👉 Mommy tip: If you work part-time, sometimes you have additional tax benefits! Just check with the dutch tax office for this.
Teach your kids about money (The Dutch Way!)
Here in the Netherlands, Dutch kids learn about money management early, which is why many kids grow up financially responsible, so much so, some of them can buy their own homes in their late 20s!
✅ Give them 'zakgeld' or pocket money. This way you can teach kids how to save and budget by giving them a small monthly allowance. Some parents begin with 1 or 2 euros a week when they're really young and can increase up to 5 euros a week when they reach middelbare (high school).
✅ Let Them Earn by giving them small chores for an extra buck or two!
✅ Teach Smart Spending by bringing them along in grocery shopping so they are aware of the costs and you can also teach them to compare prices.
👉 Mommy tip: You can use apps to help your kids track their own spending and savings. You can also allow them to have their own PIN pass with limited amount of money to give them independence but also to teach them some responsibility over their own money.
Managing money as a Filipino expat or immigrant here in the Netherlands can feel overwhelming, but with smart budgeting, the right benefits, and a few savings tricks, you can live comfortably without stressing about finances. The key po, just like what my husband always says, is 'live within your means' and take advantage of the benefits as much as you can. Before you know it, you'll be enjoying your life abroad without constantly worrying about your next paycheck.
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