Money Talks: A Conversation with Loïs, a 22-Year-Old Freelance Social Media Specialist Who Earns More Than 5500 Euros Per Month

Where one thinks money should roll, the other keeps repeating that you can only spend money once. Every week we talk to people from all corners of society. Because if we’re honest; what then remains of the traditional Dutch saying ‘money does not buy happiness’? Today: 22-year-old Loïs, who has more than 5500 euros net per month at a young age.

Name: Lois Moolenaar
Age: 22
Profession: Freelance social media-specialist
Living situation: Terraced house, rental house
Net monthly salary: More than 5500 euros

Money does not make you happy

Were finances discussed at home?

“My parents always said that money doesn’t grow on trees. We also had to save money. Suppose we received 5 euros pocket money, then I received 2.50 euros in my hand and 2.50 euros went to the savings account. That account would then be released when we were 18 years old, to use for a driver’s license, or if we were to leave home. My father was a chartered accountant; he watched the pennies at home. He always arranged everything regarding money and all subscriptions were in his name, for example.”

“We had to save ourselves for a larger purchase. When I was 14 I immediately started working, because I couldn’t make it with my pocket money. From the age of 12 I received a clothing allowance. That was 50 euros a month, but I had to buy everything from that: winter coats, good shoes, bras, everything. I found it difficult to manage with that money. As a girl in puberty I wanted to have certain clothes. My first job was in a factory, which was horrible. After that I always held part-time jobs. Every two years I did something new, because I was done with it quickly. So I started my own company.”

Has there been a time when your view of money has changed?

“A lot has changed for me a year ago. I was very modest about charging for my services. As a starter I asked 200 euros for a service for which I now – with confidence – ask 800 euros. When I started as an entrepreneur, I developed a social media strategy for 100 euros, while I now ask 1000 euros for it. Since I left home, my view of money has changed enormously. If you have to arrange everything yourself, you will not make it with 100 euros per social strategy.”

“Last year I moved in with my boyfriend and he doesn’t believe in financial limits. I also started with one salescoach. That helped me to change my mindset. I now understand that my services are worth a certain amount because I better understand what it brings to others. There is a price tag attached to that. I don’t limit myself to a monthly income of 3000 to 4000 euros, because others my age earn that too. I’m looking at what’s possible for myself.

I once read somewhere: money is there for the taking, but you have to pick it up yourself. That got me triggered and has become my mantra. There are plenty of customers who need me. It is my job to reach them and convince them that I can offer them the right solutions. Thanks to that mind set I started earning four times as much. I raised my prices, it’s still selling, so it works. I will continue to do that, because people are willing to do it.”

How do you view money now?

“Money is a means, but money also brings happiness. And you have to pick it up yourself. In this it is important not to let yourself be limited by beliefs that you have received from home, or that have been imposed on you by society. If you come from a poor family and you want to become a millionaire, you will have to put in more effort than someone who grew up very rich.”

Have you ever had problems with money?

“No, there was always enough. But I used to not be good at saving. Last year I graduated and since then my view on money has changed further. Before then I spent everything: long live the fun. I lived with my parents, spent all the money I had on holidays, for example. Looking back on it, I could have done it differently. When I left home, I only had a few hundred euros in hand. Fortunately, that has now changed.”

Do you think it is important to have a traditional piggy bank at hand?

“Yes absolutely. I save in different jars: for a mortgage, for holidays, for tattoos and a business savings account. I also have an investment account for my pension, because as an entrepreneur you have to arrange that yourself. Then I also have a piggy bank for tax and VAT, so that I don’t spend money that doesn’t belong to me. Still, I think you shouldn’t save too much. If you can’t enjoy life because you save so much, you have to organize it differently.”

Statement: with an extra 1000 euros per month, I would be happier in the long term.

“On the one hand, yes. I would make great, beautiful trips or invest more in my company. Or I would invest. On the other hand, it is not necessarily necessary, if I really would like to earn 1000 euros more per month, then I just have to commit myself to it and then I will get it done.”

Quote: You can never have too much money.

“No, I don’t think you can ever have too much. You can support charities, expand a company and create jobs with it. You can do beautiful and good things with it.”

Thesis: money becomes more valuable if you can share it.

“You may give someone a nice day, but you don’t change anything structurally. Everyone is born for themselves, people are selfish by nature and you live for yourself. Of course it is important to be good to others, but above all you have to see for yourself what you want to do with your money. There are people who will pay for everything for everyone: lunch for a girlfriend or paying for things for friends, because you might make more money. Then it looks like you are helping someone, but that is not how you are helping others. You help someone by offering support or a mind set to change. If you give someone 1000 euros, it will be gone after a few months and they still don’t know how to turn money into more money.”

Money doesn’t buy happiness, does it?

“Yes, money certainly brings happiness. But without love or health, money doesn’t bring happiness. Money makes your life a lot easier. I am doing this interview from Egypt; If I didn’t have money I wouldn’t be here. The sun makes me very happy and relaxing. It is important to look at what makes you happy and to think about how much money you need for that. Nothing is free in the world. It is about a balance between health, love and money.”

Want to read more articles about Money & Career? You can do that here.