– I have a lump in my stomach because you are afraid that one day the money won’t be enough, says Guro Kildahl. The 37-year-old lives in Moss with her husband and their one-year-old son. Recently, the family has planned carefully to save the kroner. – My son must have the things he needs. The thought of everything increasing at once is difficult, especially when I’m only left with the same funds as before. Then you have to start thinking wisely. According to recent figures from Statistics Norway (SSB), prices in Norway have risen by 6.5 per cent in the past year. Twin sisters Pia Kildahl and Guro Kildahl fill the shopping cart in Sweden. Photo: Amalie Fagerhaug Evjen / news The family in Moss sets aside NOK 3,000 a month for food. It also covers household items. But to make things work, they have to act in Sweden. Kildahl says she would have had to set aside twice as much if she was only going to shop in Norway. – Many Norwegians are struggling This summer, Danske Bank carried out a major survey on people’s personal finances. It shows that one in ten Norwegians is worried about the economy. At the same time, 300,000 Norwegians say that they will have to sell their home or something else of greater value, if the interest rate rises to 4 per cent. – Many Norwegians are struggling now. That is why it is important to take action. Look over insurance, fixed expenses and food budget, says consumer economist Thea Olsen. Every month, the family in Moss plans dinners, before they go shopping in Sweden. On the shopping list, Kildahl always writes down a maximum limit on what she thinks is okay to pay. With the block in the basket, Guro always makes sure not to exceed the prices she has set. Photo: Amalie Fagerhaug Evjen In addition, she notes down the extra good offers, so that she can make use of them next month. – I think it’s fun, and now I see the importance of it. Before it was optional to plan, but now I have to. Also, I just have to say: Thank goodness I live near Sweden! Collecting food in the cellar Figures from Statistics Norway show that Norwegians traded cross-border for NOK 3.6 billion during April, May and June this year. This means that cross-border trade is back at the same level as before the pandemic. By shopping for cheap basic goods in Sweden, the family in Moss has a stock of food systematized in the basement. The family in Moss has a food store in the basement. Systematized and orderly. Photo: Amalie Fagerhaug Evjen / news Kildahl is prepared that the budget may become tighter in the future. – Just being able to know that there is food in the house, something you can make a dinner out of, makes the lump in the throat a little smaller. Consumer economist Thea Olsen at Danske Bank advises Norwegians to clean up their personal finances. Photo: Danske Bank / Sturlason Consumer economist Thea Olsen emphasizes that most people will manage, but she says that Norwegians can save the most by negotiating down the mortgage interest rate and by reducing electricity consumption. – People must be prepared for the fact that this may be a new existence that they have to endure for a long time. Therefore, new lifestyles must be found. You have to be tough and make tougher decisions in your personal finances.
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Saves several thousand kroner a month – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
