Financial tips for the start of the academic year

The start of the academic year is an excellent time to get your finances back in order. In this article we discuss some tips to strengthen your financial basis, this is done through the following topics:

• Budgeting
• Saving
• Investing
• Book tips
• Podcast tips

Budgeting

The easiest way to saving is spending less money. This is difficult for many students and this is of course understandable. But without realizing it, you spend a lot of money on things that are not really necessary. A handy way to do something about this is to use budget software. This allows you to see exactly what you spend a lot of money on and which subscriptions you pay for that you don’t actually need. Banks such as ING and ABN AMRO offer this software through their app, but other free apps include:

• Dyme
• iBilly
• MijnGeldzaken Huishoudboekje 

Saving

Most students will not have much money left over, but it is useful to try to set aside some money every month. For example, to use for large purchases, such as a phone or laptop. Or to make sure you have enough money to go on vacation. Additionally, putting some money aside every month ensures that you get into the habit of saving—a habit you will thank yourself for later.

Nowadays, interest rates are higher again, which means you earn more money on the amount in your savings account. A disadvantage of this higher interest rate is, of course, that the interest on your student loan is also higher… But if we focus on the interest, we see that for the major banks (ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank), it is around 1.5%. This is already a lot more than you received a few years ago, but at other institutions, you can get a much higher interest rate. For example, at Bunq, a Dutch internet bank, it is 3.36%.

You can also place your savings with an investment company. At these companies, you currently receive the highest interest rates. For example, TradeRepublic offers 3.75%, and Trading212 even offers 4.2%. If you decide to place your savings in an account with an investment company like TradeRepublic or Trading212, it is, of course, important to know about the safety of your savings. A high interest rate is of little use if you lose all your savings in the event of a bankruptcy. Fortunately, this is well regulated. For instance, TradeRepublic is covered by the German deposit guarantee scheme. This scheme guarantees that your savings up to €100,000 are safe in case of a bankruptcy. So, if something happens, you will get your savings back up to €100,000.

With Trading212, it’s a slightly different story: here, your savings are protected up to €20,000 by the Cypriot Investors Compensation Fund. This is because you are not really saving with Trading212, but placing your money in a money market fund (MMF).

Check the following website for current interest rates:

https://www.actuelerentestanden.nl/sparen/hoogste-spaarrente.asp 

Investing

Once you have saved some money, it is wise to start investing with a small amount. Even if you can only spare a small sum, it is good to develop this habit. When it comes to investing, the earlier you start, the greater the returns you can achieve in the future.

Most of the returns in your investment portfolio are generated from the money you invest in the first few years. This effect is well illustrated in the following video by Visual Capitalist: The Benefits of Investing Early in Life.

But why should you invest? Simply put, investing allows you to invest in companies that then share the profits they earn with you. Suppose you own a 1% share in a company, and that company earns 100 euros. Then 1 euro of that profit is essentially yours. Of course, investing comes with risks because investments can fluctuate significantly, and if you invest in just one company, there is a higher risk of losing your money. A good way to mitigate this risk is to invest in a diversified ETF (Exchange Traded Fund). A good example of this is the MSCI World ETF. This is a basket of stocks that invests in many different countries and sectors. For example, this ETF invests in Apple but also in Heineken and ASML.

To start investing, you can look at the following Dutch brokers:

• Bux
• DeGiro
• TradeRepublic
• Trading212
• eToro

Make sure to do a lot of your own research before you start investing. At some brokers, it is even possible to start with fictional money.

Book tips

A tip is also to read books on these subjects, so you not only start thinking more about the ideas and concepts but also gain access to in-depth explanations and practical examples that help you better understand and apply the material in your own life. Examples of such books are:

• Rich Dad Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki)
• I Will Teach You To Be Rich (Ramit Sethi)
• The Psychology of Money (Morgan Housel)
• Atomic Habits (James Clear)
• Money Master The Game (Tony Robbins)

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” talks about the lessons Robert Kiyosaki learned from his “rich dad” (the father of his best friend) and his “poor dad” (his biological father). The book discusses the differences in mindset and financial habits between the rich and the poor and emphasizes the importance of financial education, investments, and building assets to achieve financial independence.

“I Will Teach You To Be Rich” offers a practical guide to building wealth without too much self-denial. Ramit Sethi discusses topics such as saving, investing, paying off debts, and smart spending. It includes a 6-week plan to achieve financial freedom, focusing on automating finances and investing in yourself.

“The Psychology of Money” explores the emotional and psychological aspects of money and investing. Morgan Housel highlights how human behaviors, habits, and emotions influence financial decisions. The book contains 19 short stories that describe the various ways people think about money, wealth, and success and provides insights on how to make better financial decisions.

“Atomic Habits” presents a method for making small, positive changes that lead to remarkable long-term results. James Clear explains how to break bad habits, build good habits, and sustain these changes. He emphasizes the importance of consistent, small actions and provides practical strategies to achieve goals through habits.

“Money: Master the Game” offers a comprehensive guide to managing and investing money. Tony Robbins shares insights and strategies from the world’s most successful investors and provides practical steps to achieve financial freedom. It focuses on understanding the basics of financial planning, the importance of diversification, and minimizing risks in investments.

Podcast tips

Are you less inclined to read books because you already do plenty of that for your studies? Nowadays, there are also plenty of podcasts you can listen to on this subject. Examples of Dutch podcasts about personal finance and investing that we find interesting are:

• Geldzaken 
• Jong Beleggen
• Beurscafé
• Gratis Geld Tips 

“Geldzaken” is a podcast focused on managing personal finances. It discusses topics such as saving, budgeting, insurance, and investing, and provides practical tips to improve your financial situation.

“Jong Beleggen” is a podcast aimed at young investors taking their first steps in the world of investing. It offers insights into various investment strategies, discusses current market news, and shares experiences from other young investors.

“Beurscafé” is an informal podcast where experts and investors come together to discuss the latest developments in the stock market. The focus is on market trends, company performance, and sharing opinions on future investment opportunities.

“Gratis Geld Tips” is a podcast with practical advice on how to save and earn money in different ways. The emphasis is on simple, applicable tips that help listeners gain financial benefits without large investments.

Finally, as a student, don’t worry too much. If you are already paying attention to your financial health now, you are ahead of most people. Moreover, if you develop good financial habits at this stage of your life, you will reap the benefits later!