Health insurance renewal

During December and January you should receive a letter from your health prover detailing what, if anything, that you owe either as part of your "own risk" premium relating to a claim you made, and also giving you the chance to change providers or alter your cover.

Remember that there can be wide variations in premiums and cover levels, so it is always a good idea to shop araound.

Paying for parking

If you own an Android or Apple smartphone it is now possible to install an App (available from: http://www.parkmobile.com/nl/) which enables you to pay for your parking and have it automatically debited from your bank account. It can also be configured to alert you when the period is about to expire.

Windows-8

I have been testing Windows-8 over the past few months, and many others have been struggling with the new "dumbed-down" user interface. Fortunately help is at hand and you can restore your start-button by installing: http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

Dropbox

I regularly use Dropbox to store my photos and the documents I need whilst on the move.

It's free and if you sign-up using this link: http://db.tt/4GgJudxa I get some more free space as a thank you.

Health care in the Netherlands

A good frind of mine has just produced an excellent eBook which covers many important things you need to know when accessing health care whilst in the Netherlands.

The price is 9,50 euro excl 21 % VAT. and is available from http://www.expatbuddy.nl/2012/11/health-care-ebook-netherlands.html

The eBook can be purchased via PayPal here: http://www.e-junkie.com/ExpatBuddy-eBooks/product/482851.php

Scheveningen

The weather was beautiful this weekend in The Netherlands and so I decided to take a trip to Scheveningen. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by Holland's answer to Blackpool. It is easily accessible from Amsterdam, Den Haag, and Rotterdam.

Jobs Fair

This seems to be an Exploder-only site: http://www.internationaljobsfair.com/register/?utm_campaign=1111119953&utm_campaign=1111119953&utm_content=1006350925265&utm_content=1006350925265&utm_medium=email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Emailvision&utm_source=Emailvision

It looks like an interesting online jobs fair?

Tax-Returns

Remember that this years deadline for submitting your electronic tax-return is almost upon-us (April 1st). If you miss this you will need to submit a paper return, and you could be fined.

You need:
Your Jaaropgave(s)
A statement of interest from your bank account (for 01.01.2011 - 31.12.2011)
Details of any pensions, incomes, expenses etc.

Most people can complete this themselves directly online, however if you are in doubt contact a tax adviser now!

Expat EBook

If you are new to the Netherlands and looking for help settling-in and finding your way around then I can recommend this ebook: http://www.e-junkie.com/ExpatBuddy-eBooks/product/473891.php#Expat+Providers+|+the+Netherlands+eBook

It is only €7.50 and available direct from the site.

Expat education fair

The fair will be held at the Hotel Krasnapolsky in Dam-Sqaure; Amsterdam, on Saturday 24 March. The fair is open from 14:00 to 18:00. Entrance is free but tickets must be ordered online at:

http://www.expatica.com/NL_educationfair/?utm_source=What%27s+on+NL&utm_campaign=9c82dbdc7c-1stmailing_previousvisitors_Edu_fair_02_02_2012&utm_medium=email

Dapperstraat Market (Dappermarkt)

Everyone has heard of the Albert Cuypt Market in Amsterdam, however there is a quieter alternative in the east of the city. To reach the Dapperstraat take any Metro from Amsterdam-Centraal to the Weesperlein and then change to tram-7 (Dapperstraat). You can also take a train to Amsterdam Muiderpoort.

http://www.dappermarkt.nl/

There are also many other markets in the Netherlands and details can be found here: http://www.hollandsemarkten.nl/