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Earn More, Live Rich: Your Guide to Boosting Income as a Student

As a student in the Netherlands, you have plenty of opportunities to earn extra money, whether through part-time work, side hustles, or using your skills in the gig economy. This page is designed to help you find creative ways to boost your income, so you can save, invest, and live a more financially secure student life.

Why Should I Focus on Earning More?

While saving is crucial, increasing your income can significantly accelerate your financial progress. By earning extra money as a student, you can:

Cover living expenses and avoid the stress of constant budgeting.
Boost your savings to create an emergency fund or achieve your financial goals.
Build valuable skills that will benefit your career after graduation.
Pay off debt faster if you have student loans or other financial obligations.

Earning more gives you the flexibility to enjoy student life while also investing in your financial future.

Top 5 Ways to Earn More as a Student in the Netherlands

Part-Time Jobs
- One of the most common ways students increase their income is by getting a part-time job. The Netherlands offers plenty of opportunities for students in various industries, including retail, hospitality, tutoring, and administrative work.
Quick Tip: If you’re fluent in English, many international companies in the Netherlands offer part-time roles in marketing, customer support, or data entry. Websites like StudentJob.nl, Indeed.nl, and LinkedIn are great places to start your job search.
Freelancing & Remote Work
- Use your skills to start freelancing in areas like writing, graphic design, web development, or digital marketing. Freelancing can be done on your own schedule, making it a great way to earn extra money without disrupting your studies.
Quick Tip: Create profiles on freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com to find opportunities that match your skills. Don’t forget to leverage your student network for referrals!
Tutoring and Teaching
- If you excel in a subject, consider offering tutoring services to fellow students or high schoolers. With many students in the Netherlands looking for extra help in subjects like math, languages, or economics, tutoring can be a rewarding and profitable way to earn.
Quick Tip: Platforms like Superprof or Preply make it easy to connect with students who need tutoring, or you can offer private lessons to classmates through university bulletin boards.
Gig Economy Jobs
- The gig economy offers many flexible ways to earn money, such as driving for Uber, delivering food with Deliveroo, or running errands via TaskRabbit. These jobs allow you to earn on your own schedule and are a great way to boost your income when you have free time between classes.
Quick Tip: Sign up for gig platforms like Bolt, Uber Eats, and Thuisbezorgd to find flexible work. Just be sure to manage your time so that your studies don’t suffer!
Online Sales and E-commerce
- If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can start an online store or sell items you no longer need. Platforms like eBay, Marktplaats, or Etsy offer opportunities to sell products, whether they’re second-hand items or handmade crafts.
Quick Tip: Use social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook Marketplace to promote your products and reach potential customers in the local community.

Leveraging Your Student Status

Being a student in the Netherlands gives you access to special benefits and opportunities that can help you earn money more efficiently. Here’s how to make the most of your student status:

Student Discounts and Deals
- Many companies offer student discounts on products and services. These discounts can add up and free up more money for savings or investments.
Quick Tip: Use student discount apps like UNiDAYS or StudentenNet to stay updated on the latest deals. Take advantage of discounts on everything from food and tech gadgets to fashion and entertainment.
Student Research Participation
- Universities and research organizations in the Netherlands often need students to participate in studies or surveys. In exchange, you can earn cash or gift cards.
Quick Tip: Check out your university’s research center or online platforms like Prolific and Survey Junkie to find paid study opportunities.
Scholarships & Grants
- Don’t forget to look for scholarships or grants available to students in the Netherlands. Scholarships can provide extra funds to cover your tuition or living expenses.
Quick Tip: Use websites like GrantFinder or Scholarships.com to search for scholarships and grants specifically for international students or Dutch students in your field of study.

How to Manage Your Earnings Wisely

Track Your Income: Use apps like Mint, YNAB, or Monzo to track your income, expenses, and savings. This will help you stay on top of your finances and avoid overspending.
Set Financial Goals: Whether you're saving for an emergency fund, paying off debt, or investing in your future, setting clear financial goals will keep you motivated and focused.
Save a Percentage of Your Earnings: Treat your savings like an expense. Try to save at least 20% of your earnings and set it aside for the future.
Avoid Lifestyle Inflation: As your income grows, it’s tempting to increase your spending. However, keeping your lifestyle consistent while increasing your income will help you build wealth faster.

Exclusive Opportunities for Members

If you're a Bronze Budgeteer, Silver Saver, or Golden Wealth Builder member, you'll have access to exclusive earning opportunities through our partnerships with companies looking for student talent. You’ll also receive extra resources and tips to help you maximize your income.

To learn more about membership benefits, visit our Memberships page.

Get Started Today!

Whether you’re looking for a part-time job, starting your own side hustle, or exploring freelance opportunities, there’s no better time than now to start earning more. Set your financial goals and take action to make your student life richer!

[Start Earning Now]

Success Stories from Students

The testimonials and reviews featured here are authentic feedback from students who have attended our workshops and read the book.

It changes your perspective.
“When I first bought this book I had been living in the Netherlands as a student for 5 years. I had to learn many of these hacks the hard way. However, I was still amazed to see how many tips I could still apply to my day to day. The book has changed my perspective on saving money, instead of it being a necessity it has become a hobby. I think many students will benefit from this book for years to come.
The tables, bullet points and summaries after each chapter makes it an easy and fun read. The author was able to make personal finances an engaging and appealing topic for teens and young adults.
I highly recommend this book, you'll start seeing savings in a whole different light!”— Josh C.
Ik raad dit boek zeker aan.
“Ik raad dit boek zeker aan. Dit boek bevat veel tips over financiële en algemene zaken als je naar Nederland gaat immigreren om te studeren. Daarnaast geeft dit boek diverse handvatten, zodat jij als student je eigen financiële situatie onder controle kunt houden.”— Tahis M.
Het boek heeft mij echt geholpen.
"Hi, ik ben een eerste jaars student die Franklins boek heeft gelezen. Voordat ik dit heb gedaan ben ik gegaan naar een workshop van Franklin waarbij hij ons heeft laten zien hoe we precies onze budget moesten maken, waarmee we rekening moesten houden en gaf hij ons tips over 'living a frugal lifestyle.’ Dit heeft tijdens het lezen echt geholpen omdat ik al ervaring had opgedaan tijdens de workshop met echt kijken naar bedragen en hoeveel ik uitgaf en waar ik geld kon besparen. Verder hielp de workshop mij om mijn verwachting over mijn financiën aan te passen.
Ik had een heel ander (verkeerd) idee over hoeveel geld ik nodig had en de
workshop gaf me veel inzicht in de realiteit van de levenskosten in Nederland. Hierdoor was het minder eng om te beginnen met budgetteren en kon ik zijn tips over de 5-bucket strategie toepassen.
Wat ik heel fijn vind omdat ik nu bijna al voldoende heb gespaard om tijdens de
vakantie naar een aantal andere landen te gaan!”— Charissa
Helpful guidance and realistic!
"I liked that you summarized at the end of each chapter. The book helped me keep my monthly subscription and expenses on a low budget."
— Brian
Awesome book.
“Awesome book. Bought a copy for my daughter who's in H5 so she could read it and be well prepared for student life in the Netherlands next year. She never showed an interest in financial matters, but is reading non stop and now wants to open an investment account. It's well written and the content is great. Buying 2 more copies today: one for my 18 yr old son and one as a gift for a friend 🙂”— Julia R.