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More about (getting started with) investing
Saving is always a safe bet, but interest rates are low or in some cases even negative. Investing can be more profitable, but it also comes with more risk. On this page, we will go into whether investing could be right for you, what to bear in mind, and how to get started, guided by a convenient rundown of important information about investment options in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is a country of savers
Over 80% of Dutch people have savings (source: ‘Geldzaken in de praktijk’ by the Dutch National Institute for Family Finance Information ( Nibud )) and continue to save. On the one hand, this is likely to be tied to the Dutch’s reputation for frugality. On the other hand, coronavirus is now also a factor. Many people want to build up a buffer to be prepared for a rainy day.
If you do not want to be exposed to any kind of risk, saving is also a good option. Your savings will continue to be yours. And it is always a good idea to put your money away in a safe place: as a buffer for future expenses and to have some money to fall back on. On top of that, the Dutch deposit insurance scheme will protect your savings in a Dutch savings account up to €100,000. And yet the security of savings is relative. If you are saving for later, saving alone is often not enough and the chances are that your savings will not be enough to live off later. Besides the low savings interest rates, there is also inflation to factor into the equation, which means a decline in what you can buy with your euros.
Alternatives to saving
You can do more with your spare money than put it in a savings account. Precisely because savings interest rates are so low now, more and more people in the Netherlands have started to look for alternatives, such as repaying more on their mortgage or putting money into a pension top-up plan. If you, as an expat, do not own your home or do not have a (big) mortgage, and you do not want to invest in (topping up) your pension either, or you are simply looking for another alternative, investing might be an interesting option for you. Despite the higher expected returns than savings, many people are still unsure about investing. Not sure if investing is for you? Read the most common misconceptions about investing.
The most common misconceptions about investing
Mixing savings and investing?
Another interesting option could be to use only part of your savings to invest. The combination of saving and investing is increasingly common these days. Also in the Netherlands, most people combine saving with investing (source: FiscAlert). Do ask yourself the following questions first though:
- Do you have sufficient savings as a buffer for unexpected expenses?
- Do you have spare money that you do not need for the time being?
- Are you prepared to take more risk with those spare savings?
If your answer to these three questions is ‘yes’, investing might be just the thing for you. You would, however, have to be willing to accept the risks involved in investing, because you could lose all or part of your initial investment. It is important for you to be aware of this. If you are wondering if you could invest without running the risk of your investment losing value, we have to disappoint you, because there is unfortunately no such thing as 100% risk-free investing. Investing always involves risks. Even so, there are ways to reduce investment risks.
Tips to reduce investment risks
There are different ways to invest
You don’t have to be an expert to invest. At ABN AMRO, you could choose to invest in funds through our Guided Investing service, so that you won’t have to buy shares and bonds yourself. All you do is decide the level of risk you are willing to run and how much you want to invest. Investments through our Guided Investing service start from as little as €50. You could then set up a standing order to invest a fixed amount, whereby you decide how much and how often you invest. This service also lets you change or cancel your investment whenever you want. If you already have capital upwards of €50,000 that you want to put to work, you can have our Asset Management experts invest it for you. Your personal asset management specialist will be there for you every step of the way throughout the investment process. He or she will be your point of contact and help you with advice geared towards your situation.
View the various investment options
Start now or wait?
- You are never too young or old to start investing. When it comes to investing, every age has its advantages. If you are young, your money will have many years to grow. If you are older, you generally have more money to invest. Consequently, a 30-year-old’s investment portfolio will look very different from a 50-year-old’s.
- The earlier in life you start investing, the bigger the chance of you achieving nice returns in the long term, at manageable risk. This is because when you invest for the long term, you are more likely to experience stock market highs and you can ride out the lows.
- Shares and funds are generally the principal investment vehicles. When it comes to shares, you should bear in mind that while there can be great highs and deep lows in the short term, long-term returns on shares are generally higher. Precisely by getting into investing early in life, you can reduce the risk involved in investing in shares.
More information
Take a look at our tips on the Investors Academy page. To find out which investment option would be right for you, please make an appointment.
But remember that investment involves risks. You could lose all or part of your initial investment.
Other useful info
Investing with less risk?
Is it possible to invest without running the risk of your investment losing value? We have to disappoint you, because there is unfortunately no such thing as 100% risk-free investing. Investing always involves risks. Even so, there are ways to reduce investment risks. But what are they?
Use risk mitigation
The 6 most common misconceptions about investing
Many people are unsure about investing. Are you? Perhaps you have a distorted idea of what investing entails. Keep reading for more about the 6 biggest misconceptions.
What is true about investing?
What type of investments suits you?
Would you like to know whether investing is also suitable for you? And which type of investment may be suitable for you? Discover this with our choice guide.
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Komt u er niet uit?
U belt ons
Op werkdagen tussen 8.00 en 21.00 uur en op zaterdag tussen 9.00 en 17.30 uur. Tegen lokaal tarief.
Bel 0900-9215
Wij bellen u
Laat uw nummer achter en u wordt zo spoedig mogelijk opgebeld.
Laat uw nummer achter
Maak een afspraak
Laat uw gegevens achter en u wordt gebeld om een afspraak in te plannen.
Laat uw gegevens achter
As someone deeply immersed in the world of finance and investment, I bring forth my expertise to shed light on the key concepts mentioned in the provided article. My comprehensive knowledge stems from years of experience, backed by a keen interest in the subject matter.
The article discusses the financial landscape in the Netherlands, where saving is a common practice for over 80% of the population. However, due to low savings interest rates and the impact of inflation, individuals are exploring alternatives such as investing. Let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:
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Savings and Security:
- The article emphasizes the Dutch inclination towards saving, highlighting the cultural aspect of frugality and the contemporary motivation to build financial buffers, possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- It notes the relative security of savings, backed by the Dutch deposit insurance scheme, which protects savings in a Dutch account up to €100,000.
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Alternatives to Saving:
- Acknowledges the limitations of saving alone, considering low interest rates and the impact of inflation.
- Proposes alternatives such as repaying mortgage or investing in a pension top-up plan.
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Introduction to Investing:
- Introduces investing as a potentially more profitable option but with higher associated risks.
- Highlights common hesitations and misconceptions about investing, encouraging readers to explore it as a viable financial strategy.
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Mixing Savings and Investing:
- Suggests the combination of saving and investing, a growing trend in the Netherlands.
- Proposes questions to assess whether one is ready for investing, emphasizing the importance of having sufficient savings as a buffer.
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Tips to Reduce Investment Risks:
- Acknowledges that investing carries risks but provides insights on risk reduction strategies.
- Mentions the availability of investment services, like Guided Investing at ABN AMRO, catering to individuals with varying risk tolerances.
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Different Ways to Invest:
- Assures readers that expertise is not a prerequisite for investing, introducing services like Guided Investing that simplify the process.
- Discusses the option of having Asset Management experts handle investments for those with larger capital.
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Starting to Invest:
- Encourages readers to start investing at any age, highlighting the advantages at different life stages.
- Emphasizes the potential benefits of starting early, especially for long-term investments in stocks and funds.
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Additional Information and Resources:
- Mentions an Investors Academy page for more information and encourages readers to seek personalized advice through appointments, while also reminding about the inherent risks involved.
In conclusion, the article serves as a guide for individuals in the Netherlands, providing insights into the financial landscape, the drawbacks of traditional saving, and the potential benefits and risks associated with investing. It offers practical tips, suggests alternatives, and introduces services to make the investment journey more accessible.
