Don't Get Ahead of Yourself: The Relocation Budget Trap

From a real conversation I had this week with a man planning to move with his family, as the sole earner, on a relocation package (the full details are kept on file):

Him: So we enrolled the older one in a great private school! We’ll rent a big house in central Amstelveen. The little one is already registered at a perfect daycare for the whole week. I’m planning to lease a big Tesla privately, the one with the doors that go up, and if we manage, we’ll bring an au pair to help with the kids and free us up for a weekly night out at the Ziggo Dome!

Me: How much did you say you’ll be earning?

Him: 98,000 a year! Plus a 20% performance bonus.

Me: Does the employer also fund education, healthcare, living costs?

Him: No. Just the salary. But look at that salary!

Me: Any other income? Is your father perhaps an oligarch?

Him: What do you see that I don’t?

Me: A monthly hole of 3,000 euros, and an ulcer.

Friends, life here can be good. But it is not wise to get ahead of yourself. Even after you have done all the calculations, taken advice, and ground through the spreadsheet, try to avoid commitments and move one step at a time. Trust me.