Tip Of The Day
Marktplaats is the Dutch Craigslist
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Are bonuses (and other supplemental income) taxed more than 'regular' income?
Those sweet bonus €€s finally hit your bank account and your exhiliration quickly gives way to dismay. What is that dismally disappointing number? How is the amount so much lower than what you expected? Determined to get to the root of the matter, you investigate your paycheck, and you find the culprit - taxes. Staring you in the face is the fact that you paid way more tax on your bonus that you do on your regular paycheck. It looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, but surprise, surprise, in this particular case you aren't actually being taxed any differently on your bonus than on your 'regular' income.
It is a prevalent myth that supplemental income in the Netherlands (e.g. bonuses, holiday pay) is taxed at a rate higher than 'regular' income. In this episode of mythbusters I explain how this is not true and also why it appears as if supplemental income is subject to higher taxation.
Visiting Efteling in the Winter with Children Aged 8 and 4
Feb 2023
In January I, most unwillingly, took my kids, aged 4 and 8, to Efteling. I was unwilling because the idea of spending a day at a theme park gave me hives. Imagine that the Grinch and Scrooge had a baby, and that that baby was severely allergic to theme parks. Long lines, overpriced everything, the noisy presence of eight thousand children that aren’t mine and the whining of the two that do belong to me - none of this sounded in the least bit appealing. On the other hand, Efteling is a Dutch institution, and I didn’t want to give my children one more reason to complain about me to their therapists when they are adults. So, despite my better judgement, off to Efteling we went.
In this article I will cover my impressions of the park, the rides that my 8 and 4 year olds most enjoyed, where we ate, helpful tips, where we stayed, and the total cost of our visit to Efteling.
How I transfered 6 figures from the US to the Netherlands for $94.99
June 2022
During the final stages of our move to the Netherlands from the U.S. I started to research ways to transfer money from the U.S. to the Netherlands as cheaply as possible. Wise (previously known as Transferwise) is oft-recommended in various blogs and forums. I checked out their fee structure, and was disgruntled. Yes, they were cheaper than a 'traditional' bank-to-bank transfer, but I begrudged them every penny. So, I dove back down into the murky depths of the internet, and was well rewarded for the time I spent there when I discovered a treasure called Revolut.
What is Revolut?
Revolut is a financial services startup that was founded in 2015. They offer banking services, debit cards that can be used fee-free worldwide, the ability to earn cash back, travel insurance and more. This post focuses on their fantastic ability to transfer money internationally at wondrously non-usurious rates.
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About the Author
Anureita Rao is Indian by birth, a US citizen, and resides in the Netherlands with her husband, two daughters, and a dog who is afflicted with extreme fuzziness. In her previous life she worked as a software developer in Silicon Valley.