Does the family really need a car? And does it have to be so fancy and expensive? The car is a huge expense item, notes Magnus Hjelmér, everyday economist at Ica.
– It is not only the car itself that costs in purchase. It’s insurance, fuel and everything else that costs too.
He talks about a survey carried out by the car company KWD bil, which showed that only 8 percent of Swedes have switched to a cheaper car in the past year.
– Only drive the car if you have to. If you cut back on one refueling per month, you save a lot, says Anders Stenkrona, private economist at Nordea.
The food
Perhaps we have already skipped the outdoor lunch and filled our lunch boxes with healthy legumes. Is there really more to do there? Yes, possibly, thinks Magnus Hjelmér.
– The food seems to be even more expensive now. A tip, which goes a little against what is usually said about bulk shopping, is to instead shop more often. It reduces food waste.
An ordinary family with children throws away between SEK 3,000 and 6,000 worth of food per year, he explains. If you are good and plan carefully, and make sure you only buy what you really intend to eat, you can cut down considerably on food money, he believes.
The agreements
Sharon Lavie, private economist at Lendo, thinks it’s easier to save money by using the principle “many streams small” than to make big cuts, such as changing the home for a cheaper one.
– In the choice between selling the house or hijacking Netflix, the choice is easy.
She thinks that you should review your various agreements. Once again, too many have probably already been through this one or more times. But if the economy is such that you have to save, you have to. What is really necessary, and how can the cost be reduced?
– Go through all contracts, such as electricity contracts, home insurance and mobile subscriptions, says Sharon Lavie.
The credit cards
Cut up the credit cards, advises Anders Stenkrona.
– Many people have credit cards as a buffer. But that means consuming in advance. It’s a trick, because then you start the month in the red.
You tend to get rid of more money then, he explains.
– Take away the credit cards, says Anders Stenkrona.
Pay attention to the tax
Anders Stenkrona also advises that anyone who has a home loan, with interest rates that are getting higher and higher, can request tax equalization from Tax Agency.
It can be done at any time during the year, and means that you pay less tax during the year instead of getting the money back as a tax refund in the spring.
– Interest is a large part of household expenses. Instead of the Tax Agency having the money for the interest deductions, you can adjust. But you should have a little margin, so that you don’t end up with back taxes, says Anders Stenkrona.
Leisure activities
– Cutting back on leisure activities is never fun. Especially not when it comes to the children’s, says Sharon Lavie.
Although if the money is not enough, it may be necessary. But there are opportunities to continue anyway. Partly by asking for support, there are organisations, with funds and scholarships, which can help above all families with children with various activities for the children, she explains.
– Maybe you can also agree with the sports club to work more as a volunteer to reduce the fee.
– It is also possible to borrow sports equipment from Fritidsbanken. Then you don’t have to buy expensive things, she says.
Change residence
A very radical way to reduce your costs is to move to a cheaper place. Above all, this applies to metropolitan regions. By moving out a few kilometres, the price can come down considerably, notes Anders Stenkrona.
– This is the most difficult. You shy away from it. But if you have to, you have to, says Anders Stenkrona.