Work & Money

This is how you remain financially independent as a woman

By Adeline Mans | #!31Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200+02:000631#31Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200+02:00-7Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202631 31am31am-31Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200+02:007Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2026312026Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200007003amTuesday=9#!31Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam3#03-31-2026#!31Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200+02:000631#/31Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200+02:00-7Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202631#!31Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:06 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam3#

You scroll unsuspectingly through your timeline on Instagram. You pause briefly at a concert by Coldplay. And suddenly you see your very own guy doing a bad Houdini with that one from HR on the kiss cam. This could very well be one of those moments when you are grateful that you are financially independent.

In the Netherlands, 70 percent of women are economically independent. That is an increase of 50 percent that we achieved together in 45 years. Economically independent means that you earn at least the minimum wage. According to figures from the CBS, it turns out that in 2024, the gross salary of a woman is still 32 percent lower than that of a man. The wage gap is getting smaller, but it has not disappeared yet. Two-thirds of this difference is due to the fact that women work part-time more often than men do. For example, 63 percent of men work full-time, compared to 23 percent of women. Additionally, women are paid an average of 10 percent less per hour.

Is being financially independent really that important? Your relationship is excellent, your income is more than fine, so what would you worry about? Believing that everything will be fine or that it won't escalate is an easy mistake to make when everything is under control. Yet there are some buts. The chance that a woman ends up in poverty is still greater than that of a man. Not to mention the fact that we still earn less than men, have less wealth, and build up less pension. Due to the division of roles within the household, the majority of the care for, for example, children and the household usually lies with the woman. That's fine, of course, if you both agree on that. But it does represent a certain value when you compare the incomes. Just look at the sky-high costs of childcare. This is often forgotten in the final calculation.

At Elfin, the financial platform for women in the Netherlands, advocates for a ‘fuck it’ fund. It is a savings pot that gives you the opportunity, time, and space to step out of a certain situation. This could be a job that makes you miserable or a relationship that no longer works for you. It still happens too often that women feel they have to stay where they are because they think they can't manage financially. Which is often the case. That needs to change. And besides, such a fund is also a nice buffer for when money at home isn't flowing in abundantly. How much money should be in such a fund? That really depends on your personal situation. For one person, 10,000 euros is enough, while for another it quickly rises to 25,000 euros. The NIBUD has a buffer calculator to figure out what a good amount is for you. Additionally, it's also useful to just take a look at your income. How much do you earn net per month? And what is the time you need and want to give yourself if you find yourself in such a situation? Half a year, a year? Do the math.

Is there also good news? Certainly! The hourly wages of younger men and women hardly differ anymore. Women between the ages of 25 and 30 even earn slightly more per hour than their male colleagues. However, this usually turns around during a life event such as the arrival of a baby. And that is the moment when you want to revisit the calculation and drawing board with your partner.

Nice, of course, such a ‘fuck it’ fund, but how do you save that up? The NIBUD advises to set aside at least 10 percent of your income in a savings account. In reality, this happens a lot less, as we save an average of about 6.5 percent. Elfin advises to see if you can ramp this up to 20 percent of your net salary. Automating is the magic word here. Make sure there is an automatic deduction to your savings account set up on the day your salary is deposited. What you don't see, you can't spend. And then slowly, but very steady save that amount up.

If you’re not keen on discussing money with your partner because everything is going well between you, then this is precisely the moment. Talking about money remains a sensitive topic, so you might as well do it when you care for each other. And in the meantime, of course, keep filling that own pot.