29 Jan 2025
Living in the Netherlands is excellent most of the time; however, it can become a heck of expensive for an average person moving from one country to another, let's say Gambians. One of the ways to maximize your money is by knowing practical saving methods. In this article, we will discuss a few ideas on how the Gambian people residing in the Netherlands can help themselves live efficiently without falling into their trap, spending unnecessarily, and to send money to Gambia from Netherlands.
The cost of living in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Utrecht is also higher than in smaller towns. Rent, groceries, transportation, and healthcare are not necessarily cheap, so it will help if you know where to cut down on the costs.
Housing is the most significant monthly outlay when living in the Netherlands. Here are a few ways to get cheaper housing:-
You can live in your suburban town or smaller cities and fasten affordable rents. Cities such as The Hague or Haarlem offer good alternatives to Amsterdam.
Hunt for flats or dorms. The excellent thing is that when you share costs with roommates, your rent and utility bills can fluctuate.
If you rent, do not fear negotiating with landlords. The vast majority are amicable when approached with a reasonable rent reduction, especially if you have a rental history.
Transport tends to be one of the hidden costs as all those short trips within cities and between may finally start adding up. Below are a few of the measures one can institute to save on transportation:
Use the extensive train, tram, and bus networks. Buy an OV-chipkaart card that provides discounted rates for repetitive travelers.
If you are working in a typical workplace, carpooling with fellow expatriates or your colleagues can help save fuel costs, especially when long-term commuting.
Your budget is mainly spent on groceries. Here are some money-saving tips:
The cost of groceries is one aspect that may be out of your control, but shopping at local markets for fresh produce over supermarkets (where it tends to come with a price tag) can lessen some financial burden. And you will also help the local farmers.
For groceries, discount stores like Lidl and Aldi sell products for far less than most larger supermarket chains.
Buying non-perishables like rice, beans, and other bulk can add up over time.
Have a meal plan for the week, so you stick to your list and hopefully do not add any extra food into your cart)
For many new residents, utility bills can be an unexpected expense. This is the way you keep track of them properly:
Replace old appliances with the latest energy-saving model and opt for LED (low-energy light bulbs to save on electricity).
Use water and electricity sparingly. Basic measures such as turning lights off when not in use can reduce the burden on bills and save you money.
You should regularly compare energy suppliers to ensure you stay with the best electricity and gas provider.
Most of the Gambians live in the Netherlands, and money sending home appears to be obligatory budgeting for them. Here are some suggestions on how to transfer money efficiently:
Differentiate the transfer rates and even the exchange rate with other services. Most of the time, online services have better rates than banks.
For those who don’t like to go through the hassle of money transfer services like those that allow for making an online money transfer from Netherlands to Gambia this is really a no-brainer where you only have to look for a platform with minimum sending fees.
Watch and Relate with Exchange Rates. When a certain exchange rate is favorable for transfers, do not miss the opportunity to transfer any amount.
Pick up your money in cash services. This can come in handy, particularly if members of your family do not want to wait for the bank to transfer the money and would prefer that they received the funds immediately instead.
These easy strategies can help Gambians reduce living costs in the Netherlands and enjoy their time there while staying financially afloat. This type of money knowledge can greatly ease financial stress when it comes to things like understanding the economy, knowing where and how you should rent or buy a house, dealing with transportation, saving yourself some bucks on groceries, and saving yourself in intelligent transfers.
If you want to send money online to Gambia from Netherlands or optimize your expenditure limits, whichever process you engage with is required only because of the nature of the platform. With such a lifestyle, you save money and experience this wonderful country to your heart's content.
To reduce housing costs, consider living in suburbs or smaller towns where rents are lower, opt for shared housing with roommates, and negotiate with landlords to lower rent prices.
You can save money on transportation by using public transport with an OV-chipkaart, biking instead of driving, and carpooling with others for longer commutes.
To save on groceries, shop at local markets for fresh produce, use discount stores like Lidl and Aldi, buy in bulk for non-perishables, and plan your meals to avoid impulse buying.
To manage utility bills, focus on energy-saving practices such as using energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting. Be mindful of your water and electricity usage, and always turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Additionally, regularly compare energy providers to find the best rates and consider switching if you can save on bills.
To find the best services for money transfer from Netherlands to Gambia, compare fees, exchange rates, and transfer speed. Always check for the most favorable exchange rate before transferring funds, and consider cash pickup services if your family prefers immediate access to the money.