From small habits to big savings

Let's be honest: saving always sounds like something we'll do tomorrow . Or next month. Or as soon as that raise finally arrives. But suddenly , another birthday comes along, a broken washing machine arrives, or an offer you simply couldn't pass up. And there goes that resolution again.

But here's the good news: you don't have to be an accountant to save smartly. You don't need a strict budget, Excel spreadsheets full of numbers, or drastic lifestyle changes. Instead, you can simply adjust your habits a little . Small tweaks to your daily routine can make a huge difference—and before you know it, your savings account will be growing without you even noticing.

Curious how? Here are seven simple saving tips that really work.

1. Skip the expensive coffee – and save up for a city trip without even realizing it

Yes, I know. This is the classic money-saving tip, but for good reason. That coffee from Starbucks or your favorite hipster coffee shop is delicious, but if you shell out €4 for a cappuccino every workday, you're paying €80 to €100 a month .

Let that sink in for a moment.

That's over €1,000 a year on coffee. That's enough for a vacation. Or a new laptop. Or a massively overstuffed savings account.

Now, I'm not saying you should never drink coffee outside the home again (I mean, we're not barbarians), but why not replace half the time with homemade coffee? Invest in a nice thermos and a good bean-to-cup coffee, and you'll save money without feeling like you're missing out.

2. Check your subscriptions (and cancel those unused ones)

Everyone has them: forgotten subscriptions that faithfully debit money every month. Think of:
☕ A coffee subscription that you hardly use.
📺 A streaming service you never watch (hello, three times Netflix, Disney+ and Videoland?).
💪 A gym you haven't been to in months.

The trick? Set up a "subscription review day." Once a quarter, go through your bank statements and see what you actually no longer need. Apps like Dyme or Subscription Cancellation even help you do this automatically.

I always say: if you don't use it at least once a week, you should seriously consider whether you really need it.

Tip: Use a subscription tracker

3. Leave your debit card alone (and use cash or a separate account)

Digital payments are super convenient. But you know what the problem is? You don't feel it.

When you use your debit card, it's just a number changing on your banking app. You only realize you've overspent when your balance suddenly drops alarmingly low. But when you have cash in your hand, spending suddenly feels much more real.

Try this:
💸 Withdraw a fixed amount of cash each week for groceries and small expenses. Once it's gone, it's gone. Use cash envelopes for clarity.
🏦 Open a separate account for “fun money” and transfer a fixed amount to it.

This makes you much more aware of your spending and prevents impulse purchases.

4. Make saving a game: savings challenges

Saving boring? Not if you turn it into a challenge ! Here are some fun ways to make saving fun:

🔥 The 52-week savings challenge → Start with €1 in week 1, €2 in week 2, and so on. By the end of the year, you'll have saved over €1,300 !

💶 The €5 Note Rule → Every time you get a €5 note, you put it aside. Just imagine how quickly that adds up!

📊 Round off expenses and save → If you pay €7.70, round it up to €10 and put the rest in your savings account.

By applying these little tricks, you'll save money without even realizing it. View all the savings challenges here.

5. Secondhand shopping = smarter, not poorer

We live in a time when buying secondhand is trendier than ever . Why pay top dollar for new clothes, furniture, or gadgets when you can get them for a fraction of the price?

Best places to score gems:
🛍️ Vinted – Ideal for clothing, shoes and accessories.
🏠 Facebook Marketplace – From furniture to electronics, find great deals here.
📦 Marktplaats – Classic, but still great for everything you need.

And if you sell things yourself? You'll not only save money, but you'll also earn some extra!

6. Meal prepping: save money and eat healthier

Ordering in or grabbing a quick meal is tempting, but you'll pay much more than if you prepare your own meals. Picking up a sandwich or salad seems cheap, but if you do it every workday, you'll easily spend €150+ per month.

How do you approach meal prepping smartly?
🥘 Make a few meals for the week on Sunday.
🥗 Take your lunch to work instead of buying something every day.
🛒 Go grocery shopping with a shopping list and avoid impulse purchases.

The result? You save money and often eat healthier. Win-win!

7. Automatic saving = no more excuses

The very best way to save? Automatic savings.

This is how it works:
✅ Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account as soon as your salary arrives.
✅ Automatically round off your expenses and transfer the difference to your savings account.
✅ Use an app like Peaks that automatically invests small amounts.

The beauty of this? You do n't have to do anything , and your savings account grows automatically.

Conclusion: small steps, big results

As you can see, you don't have to take extreme measures to save more. By changing a few small habits , you can save hundreds or even thousands of euros a year without even realizing it.

Start small. Take one or two tips from this list and see what works for you. Once you've mastered those, add another.

Before you know it, you'll have effortlessly built up a substantial savings account—and then you'll be the one enjoying a carefree vacation, without any stress about money. 💰✈️

Which tip will you try first? 🚀