In 2026, many Dutch people will have a little more to spend: wages, pensions and benefits rise faster than inflation. Add to that higher allowances and favorable tax measures and you can count on a few tens extra per month. How do you use it smartly?
A few glasses of wine on a terrace and your increased purchasing power of that month has already disappeared. The trick is to put it away and not to get any more, say financial experts Nadia Bellussi and Ankie Horjus.
Bellussi: “If we stay away from those sushi and cappuccinos, our money is smartly investing, then in ten years you will have a wonderful amount to make a down payment on your first home or to pay for your child’s study.”
First of all, your buffer must be in order. How large it should be depends on your personal situation. Nibud made a buffer calculator in which you can fill in your situation. Do you have a partner, two children, a rental home, car and a joint net income of 4,000 euros per month? Then Nibud advises a buffer of 16,200 euros. With that you pay the notorious broken washing machine and car, or unexpected traffic fines and healthcare costs.
Savings are eroded
Bellussi: “I would say; reserve six monthly salaries for your buffer. Then you determine a goal – what do you want with your money? Do you have a long -term goal, then you cannot escape to invest. If you have now saved ten thousand euros, then that is only worth 7.425 euros in there. Then the Dutch major banks. “
Investing has an emotional aspect; It can go wrong, you can lose part of your invested power and you must be patient. If you can do it, look for a good broker and invest in ETFs. This way you invest in many different shares in a cheap way. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a gathering basket with several shares that belong to an index. So you invest in all companies from that index and your stake is spread to the maximum. This way you run less risk of loss.
Bellussi: “You can do this from 20 euros per month. The trick is to keep your peace. The stock markets will never go up or down in a straight line and there will always be fluctuations. But because of that spread it always yields more than just saving.”
‘You invest with play money’
Horjus also says that investing is smart, but you do it with ‘play money’. “If you have your buffer in order and money that you absolutely do not miss if you lose it, then you can think of investing. I prefer to sleep well.”
Thanks to government measures you get some more financial room, she says; First pay off your loans with family and friends. Make jars for your car and for clothing money so that you can be sure that there will soon also be money for a new winter coat.
“Make a game for your vacation and be realistic in your preparation: a holiday is not only the rent of your house; it is also the tank full of gasoline that costs to come to the holiday address. The point: make sure you are not surprised by spending and if you are surprised. Make sure you can take care of it. If you still have to invest: it is all allowed by me.” Of course you want to go to the Maldives and score every bargain on Vinted, says Budget coach Horjus: “That doesn’t mean it’s possible.”
At the bottom of sushi and coffee
Bellussi: “If you sell something on Vinted, why don’t you invest that amount instead of buying something again? The youth will go down to sushi, coffee and vinted finds. How nice is it if you invest in a safe ETF if you want a house you have a great amount of you have a great amount of your side room.”
We find investing complicated or perhaps something for another social class. That’s a shame, says Bellussi. “Everyone can invest and it is a pity that our education system offers so little financial knowledge.” There are some simple beginners rules. Do not put everything on one share but ensure spread.
“Do not just invest in crazy things such as Crypto, Bitcoin, Whiskey and Kick certainly not in nice talks from others who are supposedly very rich. Look for a good broker at an online sofa such as Saxo or Degiro and check whether the broker is supervised by the AFM.”
And make sure you don’t miss out on money. “More people are eligible for allowances in 2026, so keep an eye on that,” Horjus tips. “Complete your assessment income well, and check it again in March and September. Round up, the chance is smaller that you have to pay back. Some people are so afraid of repaying allowance that they think: keep it nice. But then you sometimes drill yourself 600 euros per month.”
In 2026, Many Dutch People Will Have More to Spend: Wages, Pensions, and Benefits Will Rise Faster Than Inflation. Add to that higher Allowances and Favorable Tax Measures, and You Can Expect a Few Extra Tens of Euros per Month. How do you use that wisely?
A Few Glasses of Wine on a Terrace and Your Increased Purchasing Power for That Month Is Already Gone. The trick is to set it aside and not touch it anymore, Say Financial Experts Nadia Bellussi and Ankie Horjus.
Bellussi: “If we just stay away from that sushi and cappuccinos, Invest Our Money Wisely, then in ten years you’ll have a wonderful amount to make a down payment on your first house or pay for your child’s education.”
First, your buffer needs to be in order. How Large It Should Be DEPENends On Your Personal Situation. The Nibud has created a buffer calculator where you can fill in your situation. Do you have a partner, two children, a rental home, a car, and a joint just income or 4,000 euros per month? Then Nibud Advisors A Buffer or 16,200 euros. This will pay for the infamous broken washing machine and car, or unexpected traffic fines and healthcare costs.
Savings Are Being Eroded
Bellussi: “I would say; Reserve Six months’ Salary for your buffer. Then determine a goal – what do you want to do with your money? If you have a long -term goal, you can’t avoid investing. And you will be able to buy less for it.
Investing has an emotional aspect; It can go wrong, you can lose part of your invested capital and you have to be patient. If you can handle it, find a good broker and invest in ETFS. This way you invest in many Different Stocks in an Inexpensive Way. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a collection basket containing multiple stocks belonging to an index. So you invest in all companies from that index and your deposit is Maximally Spread. This way you run less risk of loss.
Bellussi: “You can do this from 20 euros per month. The trick is to keep calm. The Stock Markets never go up or down in a straight line and there will always be fluctuations. But Because of that spread, in The Long Saving it Always.”
‘You Invest with Play Money’
Horjus also says that investing is smart, but you do it with ‘play money’. “If you have your buffer in Order and Money Left about that you absolutely don’t miss if you lose it, then you can only think about investing. I myelf prefer to sleep well.”
If you get a little more financial space thanks to government measures, she says; First Pay Off Your Loans From Family and Friends. Make Pots for your Car and for Clothing Money So You Can Be Sure That Will also Be Money For A New Winter Coat.
“Make a pot for your vacation and be realistic in your preparation: a vacation is not only the rent of your house; it is also the tank full of gasoline that it costs to get to the vacation address. The point: make sure you are not surprised by expenses and if you are surprised. Make sure you can handle it. If you still have Money Left about to Invest: Very Good, You Can Do It All. ” Or course you want to go to the maldives and score every bargain on vinted, say’s budget coach Horjus: “That Doesn’t Mean it can also be done.”
Succumbing to sushi and coffee
Bellussi: “If you sell something on vinted, why don’t you invest that amount adjustment or buying something again? Young people are succumbing to sushi, coffee and vinted search. By the time you are 25 you will have a great amount that you can really use if you want to buy a house. “
We find investing complicated or perhaps something for another social class. That’s a Shame, Says Bellussi. “Everyone can invest and it is a pity that our education system sacrifices so little financial knowledge.” There are some simple beginner rules. Don’t put Everything on One Stock But Ensure Diversification.
“Don’t Just Invest in Crazy Things Like Crypto, Bitcoin, Whiskey and Certainly Don’t Fall for Nice Talk from Others Who Have Supposedly Become Very Rich. Find A Good Broker At Online Bank Such As Saxo The Hether and Check Whether and Check WHETER” And Check WHETER. “
And make sure you don’t miss out on money. “More people will be eligible for allowances in 2026, so keep an eye on that,” Horjus advises. “Fill in your assessment income properly, and check it again in March and September. Round up especially; this way there is less chance that you will have to pay back. Some people are so afraid of paying back allowance that they think: just keep it. But then you sometimes drill 600 euros per month through your Nose. “