We’d all like a savings pot with a stash of money. Perhaps for something special in the future, or as a financial buffer for unforeseen expenses. But it can be difficult to put money aside. We’ve come up with a few tips that might make it easier for you to start saving.
It often feels like there’s nothing left at the end of the month. Of course, that might be true, but perhaps you just need to get used to saving. Try to start small by automatically saving €5 or €10 every month, for example. Who knows? Perhaps you won’t even notice. If you realise you can easily afford this small amount, you could try increasing the amount after a few months. Starting with such a small amount may seem pointless, but it will soon get you into the habit of putting something aside every month.
And if you really aren’t managing, no problem. You can always withdraw your money from the Direct Savings account and transfer it back into your current account.
If you want to save but haven’t got round to it, the most important thing is to start. You’ll never build up a savings pot if you keep putting it off. Saving just a small amount every month helps and may even motivate you to start saving more. Open a savings account free of charge in just 2 minutes. If you then set up Automatic Savings, you’ll start saving right away!
Having a clear goal increases your chances of actually reaching it. Why do you want to start saving? Do you have just one goal, or several? How much do you need for this goal? With a Direct Savings account, you can set up several savings goals. This allows you to track your savings per savings goal so you know how much you still need to save. If you’re saving for a financial buffer, use the Nibud website (Dutch) to calculate how much you need for a healthy financial buffer.
It’s always nice when you don’t have to think about things. If you set up Automatic Savings, a fixed amount will be transferred from your current account to your savings account every month. It’s a handy option, as it means you’re less likely to spend the amount. You decide on the exact date, such as every month right after you've received your salary.
The free Savings Lock helps to protect you from scammers, as it stops you from falling for scams. If the Savings Lock is on, nobody can access your savings. Not even you! In this respect, it doubles up as a means of preventing impulse buying. If you need to access your savings, make sure you turn the Savings Lock off in good time. You can transfer money to your current account after 24 hours.
Using these tips, you can start saving today. It takes just 2 minutes to open a free Direct Savings account. Once you’ve opened a Direct Savings account, you can set up Automatic Savings quickly and easily. And you can switch the Savings Lock on and off yourself in the ABN AMRO app or on Internet Banking.
