HOW TO NOT GO BROKE

As a newly arrived student in Utrecht, finances play a rather large part in your stay. ESN has gathered its most handy and trustworthy tricks for you to save money (to better spend it elsewhere).

Stores

Dutch supermarkets can be quite expensive in terms of fruits and vegetables as well as basic necessities such as soap. Albert Heijn and Jumbo do have discount cards as well as various sale offers everyday but the choice is still limited. In choosing your supermarket, you might also want to consider that Jumbo does take all types of bank cards but that Albert Heijn has a better quality off-brand (according to the Dutchies).

Another great option to shop is going to Lombok, a neighborhood situated right next to the central station. One of our favorite shops there is De Pers. It has an amazing selection of fruits and vegetables as well as dips, fresh baklava, all types of oils and beans as well as food imported from the Middle East, South America and Italy. The spices are also much cheaper in Lombok than in supermarkets which absolutely does make for tastier food. The trip to Lombok is also worth it since the neighborhood is beautiful and the Cousina Café makes a great low-cost breakfast.

You can also go to the Vredenburg Market which takes place right in front of Hoog Catharijne (on the Vredenburgplein). It is a typically Dutch market that offers everything from bread, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and nuts but also clothes. It is also a really nice place to try Dutch treats and snacks such as Kibbeling and Stroopwafels. It is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am till 5 pm but also on Saturdays from 8 am till 5pm. Hence, really easy to access by transport or bike and easy to accomodate in your schedule.

Banking

The first important aspect is that the Netherlands is not a cash-based economy: nearly everything is paid by debit card(credit cards are rarely accepted). Yet some debit cards, such as VISA, are also not accepted which may make your stay more difficult if you do not open a dutch bank account since you will have to get to know the stores that accept your card through trial and error.

Once you get your BSN, opening an account is very straightforward. The three most popular banks are ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank. They all offer student bank accounts that offer you very cheap prices on your cards. If you are an international and you do not want to change your phone number, you may want to consider ING since they do not need a dutch phone number whereas other banks may find it necessary.

On the other hand, if you keep your phone number, you will never get to know the joys of the Tikkie app. This app is a staple of Dutch culture: it is pretty much the Dutch Paypal app and you will most likely need it every time you go out with your friends. In the Netherlands, friends reimburse each other through an app which is different from the “I’ll get the tab next time”. You can also decide not to use it and just wire money from your bank, be the person who insists on paying separately or give them cash.

Thrift Shops

If you arrive with bare necessities in the Netherlands and you need furniture, cutlery, pots, pans and more, the best (and cheapest) way for you to get everything you need is to steer clear of IKEA and go to thrift shops all around Utrecht that sell everything you can think of. This will drastically cut your arrival costs.

Our favorites are:

• De Waarde: you can find anything from (international) books, dishes, furniture, clothes, CD’s and even a pink barbie fondue kit

• Kringloop Broers Utrecht: apparently the largest one of the region

• Kringloop de Arm: if you want a scenic thrift shopping experience on the Oudegracht, this is your store

Apps and websites to save money

• Marktplaats: is a website on which you can find second hand everything close to where you are so it can be very useful

• Facebook: there are a lot of second hand threads on Facebook that can help you find what you need when you move in

• TooGoodToGo is an app where stores put the unsold merchandise of the day on sale. The only requirement is that you come pick it up at a specific time but we find it ideal for good bread for example

Adresses:

• Cousina: Damstraat 2, 3531 BV Utrecht

• De Pers: Kanaalstraat 82, 3531 CL Utrecht

• De Waarde: Veilingstraat 10, 3521 BH Utrecht

• Hoog Catharijne: Godebaldkwartier 54, 3511 DX Utrecht

• Kringloop Broers Utrecht: Jutfaseweg 178, 3522 HP Utrecht

• Kringloop de Arm: Starts at Oudegracht 247 but there are many small shops on both sides of the Canal

• Vredenburg Market: Vredenburgplein

Working a part-time job besides your studies has other benefits than earning your keep: you earn pocket money, whilst building a network in your new environment. Many international students find it hard to get a job. But please do not be discouraged by this. There are some ways to improve your chances, which we will explain below!

Requirements To Do Work

If you’re an EEA student, you do not need a work permit and there is no restriction on the number of hours you are allowed to work.

For non-EEA students, the process is harder because you need a work permit. It is up to your employer to apply for your work permit from the UWV. Extra hurdles include the limit of 16 working hours per week, a 5-7 week process to get a work permit, and the constant insecurity that your residence permit might end on short notice whenever the government decides, upon which you must reapply for both permits again. During the reapplication, non-EEA students cannot legally work to sustain themselves, also putting pressure on the employers, because they might randomly lose their valuable employees for a few weeks. Fully understanding this process yourself and being able to explain it clearly to your employers will greatly enhance your chances, because it saves them time and it shows them that you are willing to put effort in.