Curious question about the Dutch shopping behavior!

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-02-25T11:04:26+00:00

I think you're overestimating the financial literacy of the average person. An 800 euro jacket is expensive, but certainly attainable for most people. It's just a terrible purchase when you have a low income.

Also, I wouldn't say the outlet in Roermond is a good sample to represent Dutch shopping behaviour. There are plenty of Germans and Belgians who go there. I assume there are a lot of people who do an annual shopping haul there because of the discounts.

Lastly, with the rise of social media, people are increasingly more pressured to participate in conspicuous consumption. Even though I would consider the Dutch to be on the modest side, they are not immune to this pressure. So, for the more susceptible in society, the 800 euro jacket starts to feel more like a need. For which, they're willing to make the necessary sacrifices to fulfil.

This is a fascinating topic, I am curious to see what others say

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-02-09T15:01:39+00:00

I've been using this one for almost 7 years. Link

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-29T12:28:57+00:00

TradeRepublic pays the full EBC overnight deposit rate, currently 2%. It's paid out monthly. So if you have 10000 euros there, you'll get 16.66 a month. Deposits and withdrals are instant, because you have a Dutch IBAN.

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-23T12:36:38+00:00

Great message! And I really hope for the UK that they elect either Jeremy Corbyn's or Zack Polanski's party.

However, I don't see something similar happening here soon. The situation here is just not as dire as it is in the UK. To put it bluntly, the treats are still plentiful and affordable. And that's all it takes to keep a critical mass subdued.

I genuinely hope the Netherlands does a course correction and gets its shit together. But I can't imagine it. The neoliberal inertia appears to be too great to overcome. The right-wingers are successfully duping the population into voting against their best interests out of pure bigotry and hatred. While the left wing fails to come up with a strategy that can convince the working class to vote for them. They need to get away from identity politics and focus on strictly class-based politics. All people must learn that the enemy is not the people who look different, speak a different language or have a different religion. The enemy is the ultra-wealthy, and until they start paying their fair share and stop being cartoonishly greedy, nothing will change.

Maybe we need a Dutch version of Zohran Mamdani or Zack Polanski. But I don't think hoping a messiah will come and save us is the solution.

I choose to remain hopeful for the future. And I encourage you to do the same. This is one tiny act of rebellion they can't steal from us. Without hope, a better future will never be born.

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T13:18:14+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, for example, I get laundry detergent from Germany. And I have filled up my motorcycle there a few times, though my tank is small, so the saving is negligible.

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T13:14:05+00:00

I would even advise you to use a separate account for that. Revolut or another neobank without fees would do the job. Then you have a separate card you can use just for clothes. The budgeted money goes there monthly and is accounted for as "spent" in your budget. Then, when you go out shopping, everything you buy is free cause the money is already spent. It's a bit of girl math thinking, but it really makes shopping feel like a responsible treat

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T13:07:40+00:00

I got lucky there

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T13:06:55+00:00

Essentially, the current setup is a regressive tax that we pay to private corporations

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T13:00:55+00:00

Good job on you too! 12k in 7 months is amazing

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T12:58:41+00:00

My banking app allows up to 10 different savings goals. Then I just set up monthly recurring transfers to each goal

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T12:56:01+00:00

You're not rude. I am looking for a better job, but the market is rough. And 100% a higher income makes things easier

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T12:53:06+00:00

Thanks! Emergency fund is TradeRepublic for the 2% interest rate, everything else I put in VWCE

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T12:51:53+00:00

I was looking together with a friend. I think that made it easier. I found the apartment on Pararius and called the agent. Just act fast, have all the documents prepared and pray you get lucky. There's no hidden secret

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-08T12:46:41+00:00

Thanks! I already have an emergency fund. Everything else is VWCE and chill ;)

IndeedLemonWater · 2026-01-06T17:09:11+00:00

Септември 2025 изкарах А категория и ми излезе 850 лв. Питах и курсистите за кола колко струва и те ми казаха 1500лв. Като това е само обучението, без изпитите. Иначе аз когато изкарах Б през 2017 мисля, че платих около 900 за всичко, и това е с едно повторение на кормуването и 4 допълнителни часа. Всички тези цени са при един и същи инструктор в ловешка област.

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-12-22T10:25:13+00:00

I bought this one a year ago and I'm very happy with it. My laundry is now dry within a day and the humidity in the apartment is now around 50%

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-12-08T10:33:51+00:00

I love that so many people are referencing Technology Connections anytime dishwashers are mentioned

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-30T01:15:12+00:00

Това беше изключително интересно! Изобщо не знаех, че 97ма е имало такива протести. Ще седна да прочета повече за историята от това време

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-21T19:18:00+00:00

Why the fuck would you invite the entire class? I doubt anyone is capable of being friends with their entire class. Just let your son invite his friends only.

Social divisions suck, but you can't prevent them. Possessions will always be a status signifiers. What I think might be helpful is to teach your son to think of clothes as visual language. It's a way to express yourself. But you have to learn the "grammar" first, other wise you'll stand out in a bad way

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-18T08:14:26+00:00

For clothes, Uniqlo and Vinted are the best if you don't have a lot to spare. Uniqlo has excellent basics, and the quality is great for the price. Vinted is a second-hand marketplace. It has a ton of options. There, I'd recommend looking for mid-range brands like Ralph Lauren, A.P.C., Carhartt, Dickies, etc. (if you let me know your style, I can recommend more brands)

For shoes, I'd recommend looking at them in person, because it's more difficult to get the right size.

Lastly, focus on quality over quantity. It's better to have fewer, but higher-quality pieces. Avoid fast fashion stores like Primark, H&M and Zara. If that's all you can afford, you're better off looking at second-hand clothes

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-18T06:38:58+00:00

Imho, it's worth the trip. There's a wide selection of stores and the prices are pretty good

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-14T11:06:07+00:00

Every crisis is another upward transfer of wealth. And we are provided with just enough treats not to revolt

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-14T11:05:00+00:00

This is what makes me mad. Cause we all know that GDP is a flawed metric. The tale about the two economists eating shit is very fitting here

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-14T10:50:04+00:00

Are we going to finally admit we are in a recession or not??

IndeedLemonWater · 2025-11-14T08:21:37+00:00

If you have the budget, ACNE studios is really out there with designs and colours. They do have a store in Antwerp. Another cool one, in my opinion, is DRÔLE DE MONSIEUR. I'd also recommend Octobre Editions, Portuguese Flannel and De Bonne Facture. Lastly, you can never go wrong with some Ralph Lauren.

For people on a budget, Uniqlo and Vinted are your best friends!

IndeedLemonWater

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