Tips to save money as a family in Luxembourg

We asked, you delivered! Our readers have shared their best money-saving tips. From simple budgeting ideas to everyday frugality, these submissions offer practical advice to help you make the most of your money. Here are some of the top suggestions from our community.

Define a budget

While there are many areas in life you could save in, one rule was established by most readers: define a strict budget to follow each month, and put a set amount into your savings' account. It doesn't need to be fancy as you can simply share an excel or numbers spreadsheet with your partner. It allows you to easily track each time you spend or earn money.

There is a wide array of apps and budget software, any one of which could be practical for tracking your expenses. One reader suggested a company based in Switzerland, that is easily adaptable to Luxembourg, that keeps track of your income and expenses.

You can also create a budget that fits your needs and lifestyle. Another possibility would be YNAP (You need a budget) as it develops a personal budgeting program based on your preferences.

Adopt the phrase 'Spend with intent' and spend money more thoughtfully rather than impulsively.

Eating out and groceries

When in the supermarket, consider buying family-sized packages since bigger sizes are often less expensive than multiple smaller packs. It is also a good idea to watch out for discounts in the supermarkets and register for a loyalty card so you can earn points and receive exclusive discounts. Some readers have suggested buying products in bulk when they are on offer, so you get more for your money.

Living in Luxembourg offers the advantage of being close to three borders. Some readers suggest occasional grocery trips to Germany, where prices might be lower, balancing out the cost of gasoline. If that's too far, local discount stores are also a good option.

Before you go grocery shopping, shop your pantry! See if there aren't any items left that are expiring soon. If you can still use them, you have successfully limited food waste and saved money. Be aware of what you have in the fridge and pantry before you go grocery-shopping too, so you don't spend money on unnecessary food.

If you struggle with spending money during your lunch break, it might be worth a try to look into batch-cooking: once you know which meals you want to cook, you can write your shopping list and stay focused on those meals rather than becoming distracted because you don't know what to eat. You can then pack your lunch or your child's lunch and you're good to go.

Clothing and appliances

In case you have more than one child, you should definitely recycle older siblings' clothes and school utensils. Buying secondhand clothes via Vinted or Facebook Marketplace is another alternative to fast-fashion. We have listed secondhand shops for children here and a selection for adults here.

When it comes to appliances, try to fix them yourself if possible instead of calling a third party to repair them, which is also cheaper than buying a new appliance immediately.

Although it sounds controversial, you should invest in a good quality product just once instead of buying a cheaper alternative multiple times, because it is more expensive in the long run.

This might sound like an obvious thing to do, but turn off water, lights and heating if not in use. We are all guilty of forgetting to switch off lights sometimes, but it does a save money and the environment. See, two birds with one stone!

While we're on the technological path, remember to review your insurance, there might be better options to renegotiate, and take a look at subscription plans: Do you really need Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney AND Apple TV?

On this last point we need you to bear with us. Investing in solar panels sounds like a chunky investment at first, but hear us out! You get a part of your money back from the government's climate bonus and in the long run you can produce your own electricity which saves a lot of costs.

Travel and transport 

While travelling is defintely not a must, booking flights 8 to 10 months in advance can enable you to travel at a cheaper fare. Since public transport is free in Luxembourg, you should definitely try to limit your car usage and take advantage of the extensive tram, bus and train network.

You can easily book a Flixbus to reach neighbouring countries, it saves the hassle of parking and petrol costs. Of course, biking or walking to places is also a good alternative if the weather allows.

Again, you save money and you help the environment! Please let us know if these tips have been helpful to you and your family! If you are still looking for more information, check out our previous money saving guide.