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78% of Dutch people are worried about the escalating costs of everyday items.
Are you looking for effective ways to stretch your budget? We are here to help!
The 5 Best Ways to Save Big on Groceries
1. Get Money Back When You Shop
You can get money back for most of your regular shopping with these easy tips.
Get the Woolsocks app for in-store and online savings
Why we recommend it: Woolsocks is a free, reputable platform with over 750 000+ active users. It offers a super easy and effortless way to save on your daily expenses at thousands of stores including Jumbo, Albert Heyn and Lidl. What makes it particularly great is that it works for both in-store and online purchases.
What you get if you use it:
- Autorewards: After connecting your bank account to Woolsocks, you automatically earn cashback (i.e. money back in your pocket) on purchases made at participating stores. The app automatically detects eligible transactions and credits the cashback to your account within three days
- Online Cashback: When shopping online, start your journey through the Woolsocks app to access cashback deals at over 4,000 webshops. After clicking through to a retailer’s site and making a purchase, your cashback will be tracked and credited to your account.
- Gift Card Cashback: Purchase digital gift cards for various brands directly through the Woolsocks app and receive instant cashback. These gift cards can be used online or in-store.
- You can even stack the savings! For example, by buying a giftcard and using it instore at one of the participating stores.
- Grocery Deals: Weekly cashback offers on specific grocery items. To benefit, purchase the promoted products, scan your receipt, and submit it through the app. Once approved, the cashback is credited to your account.
Concerned About Linking Your Bank Account? In order for the autorewards to work, you need to connect your bank account to the app. It’s completely natural to feel hesitant about connecting your bank account to a new platform. I had the same reservations, so I did some research. Here’s what I discovered that eased my concerns:
- Woolsocks uses banking level security
- They have a Trustpilot score of 4.4
- They have over 750 000 active users
Get CashbackXL for online shopping
Why we recommend it: CashbackXL is a free platform that offers cashback at over 3000 webstores and brands, including Lidl and Albert Heyn. It is straightforward to use and you get direct cashback.
- Joining Bonus: Earn €2.50 just for signing up to the free CashbackXL platform.
- Payouts: Receive cashback directly to your bank account.
- Tip: Maximize Your Savings with a Simple Bookmark. By bookmarking this website and using it as your starting point for online shopping, you can earn cashback on nearly all your regular purchases. It’s a straightforward way to get rewarded for shopping at your favourite stores.
2. Buy Items Nearing Their Expiration Date
Reducing food waste does not only save you money, it also helps save the environment!
Many Dutch supermarkets offer substantial discounts on surplus items or items nearing their expiration dates or close to expiration food items.
- Discount range: Discounts usually range between 25% and 75%.
- Where to find them: Some supermarkets have a dedicated discount area, while others apply discount stickers and keep the items in their regular place .
- Participating stores: Supermarkets like Jumbo, Hoogvliet, and Albert Heijn regularly offer such discounts.
- Top Tip: Get there early in the morning to find the best deals.
Too Good To Go partners with restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets to offer “Surprise Bags” of surplus food at discounted prices.
- Significant savings: I’ve found savings up to 77% off their original purchase price.
- Variety: Contents vary daily, offering a mix of items like baked goods, prepared meals, and groceries.
- Convenience: Reserve and pay through the app
- Top Tips: The delivered items give you more control over what you’re getting. The special deals section offers the highest discounts.
3. Grow Your Own Food
Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs is a great way to relax and can lead to significant savings over time. You will be amazed at what you can grow on even a small balcony or windowsill.
Starter Plants: Many supermarkets and hardware stores sell some edible plants.
Online Nurseries offer a much wider selection:
- Tuinplant.nl* – Offers an extensive selection of fruit, herbs and vegetable plants in their “moestuin” section, discounts and gardening accessories.
- Plantje.nl* – Offers a variety of fruit-bearing plants, discounts, gardening accessories and even a free gardening course.
Tip: Perennial plants (plants that live more than 2 years), such as chives or strawberries, generally give you the best value for money.
4. Find the Cheapest Supermarket Near You
To help you find the cheapest places to shop in the Netherlands, we compared prices on eight everyday items that arae available across a wide variety of stores:
Included in Our Comparison:
- Budget Supermarkets: The four cheapest Dutch supermarkets in the Kassa 2025 survey, Aldi, Dirk, Lidl, Jumbo.
- Other Supermarkets: Hoogvliet
- Local Markets: All stalls at our local market
- Independent Stores: Two small family-run businesses
- Wholesale: Sligro
The results are in! Cheapest supermarkets for everyday items:
- Cheapest Supermarkets: Dirk and Aldi are the most affordable
- Followed by: Lidl and Jumbo.
- Meat Prices: Approximately 30% cheaper at Turkish butcher shops.
- Market Stalls: Although markets are great for many reasons, they are generally pricier than the budget supermarkets. Atleast, the stalls at our local market.
- Wholesale (Sligro): Generally pricier on everyday items like fresh vegetables, but offers savings on some bulk items (e.g., 4.3kg of olives). Requires a registered business to shop.
How to save even more at the supermarket:
- Compare Prices by Weight: Most shops show “price per kg” on price tags in-store and online. Use it to identify the best deals.
- Opt for Store Brands: Choosing store brands over A-brands can save an average of 50% on your bill.
- Join Store Loyalty Programs: Earn rewards and access exclusive discounts.
- Buy in Bulk: Stock up on specials and discounted items to save in the long run.
5. Try Food Sharing
Olio is a free sharing app that connects neighbors and local businesses to redistribute surplus food and household items for free. It doesn’t have a wide following in our area yet, but your area might be different.
- 100% Free: Everything is completely free, from food to household items.
- Tip: Free food is usually added between 8 and 11pm.
What would you like to save on most? Connect on Facebook, Instagram or via our website to tell us more.
SuperSpaar.nl and GooDiverse are not registered financial, investment, mortgage, legal or tax advisors. Superspaar.nl provides general savings advice and personal budgeting tips. We do not offer individual financial product recommendations, investment advice, or mortgage advice. For specific financial products or regulated financial services, please consult a licenced financial advisor. All opinions expressed on this site are from personal research and the owner’s experience and are intended as educational material. Although best efforts are made to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date, occasional unintended errors and misprints may occur.