(edit title) Living cost in Sweden Please share Options

[Elf_Moon]

We spend about 2000 kronor(maximum) a month on food, for my partner and myself. But then we don't eat a lot of meat or dairy and we don't eat junk food.

We save on meat by having say half meat half kidney beans or chickpeas in our meals- it's healthier I feel...

Though we live like we are on a budget, we aren't poor, between us we are earning enough to live quite a good lifestyle I guess... But we put money into other things, like going to New York and I'm planning on taking my partner to Las Vegas for his 25th birthday ^.^ (I will tell him we are going to visit my family for a week in the UK and then let him work it out when we are boarding the plane )

So we like to save where we can.

[byke]

It's about to get worse. New regulations for pigs come into effect in Jan 2013, Sweden, Denmark and the UK are pretty much ready and compliant now. Other Euro producers, d ... (show full quote)

It's about to get worse. New regulations for pigs come into effect in Jan 2013, Sweden, Denmark and the UK are pretty much ready and compliant now. Other Euro producers, despite a 10 year warning aren't even close, some just won't bother. So pork from Ireland, France and some other pockets in Europe will come from farms breaking EU regs, but the rules won't be enforced on the farmers via Brussels, but the rules that continue to allow countries to export inferior meat to Sweden will be! It's an unfair market. I'm just looking forward to the collapse of the EU, sooner the better. It will be carnage for a while, but it's a failed experiment and needs to go. ... (hide full quote)

While I am sure it doesn't help, but we all know that sweden has the highest ratio of McDonalds per capita in Europe.
And I don't think it has much to do with quality or "love the taste" but more so an ever squeezed economy with inflation that makes the appeal of junk ever greater on the old purse strings.

So if even some people want higher quality, maybe these cheap nasty bits of pork may be popular simply based on price again. And could be a blessing in disguise for those who look to be able to save up to be able to go out at the weekend.

Personally, having bought packed bacon in Sweden, never thought Sweden had particularly high standards. Given the amount of crap that comes out from it when cooking.

[skogsbo]

While I am sure it doesn't help, but we all know that sweden has the highest ratio of McDonalds per capita in Europe..

Does it? and what does that prove?

And I don't think it has much to do with quality or "love the taste" but more so an ever squeezed economy with inflation that makes the appeal of junk ever great ... (show full quote)

And I don't think it has much to do with quality or "love the taste" but more so an ever squeezed economy with inflation that makes the appeal of junk ever greater on the old purse strings.. ... (hide full quote)

Given that many places will serve you a proper meal of the day between 70-90kr, with coffee etc.. McD isn't particular good value or good for the taste buds. If you look around the hundreds of lunch menus, you see far better food and far better prices.

So if even some people want higher quality, maybe these cheap nasty bits of pork may be popular simply based on price again. And could be a blessing in disguise for those who ... (show full quote)

So if even some people want higher quality, maybe these cheap nasty bits of pork may be popular simply based on price again. And could be a blessing in disguise for those who look to be able to save up to be able to go out at the weekend. ... (hide full quote)

It's about welfare, not just taste. The regulations mean you pig won't have spent it's entire life lying down in a pen, because it is so small making it physically unable to stand up or roll over, etc..
You won't get the cheap meat though, it will be bought by the big companies and sold for the same price as better welfare swedish produce, given the supermarkets a higher margin, whilst the Swedish farms make less money.

Personally, having bought packed bacon in Sweden, never thought Sweden had particularly high standards. Given the amount of crap that comes out from it when cooking.

Don't buy mass produce supermarket produce then. What is in it that comes out then, tell us?

It's nothing to with welfare, it will be water that was injected into the meat with preservatives. Which if they didn't you would by typing here about how short the shelf life of meats are in Sweden compared to everywhere else in the world.

[byke]

Does it? and what does that prove?

It proves eithr Swedes have a great love for s**t food, or the price is such that it evokes popularity.

Given that many places will serve you a proper meal of the day between 70-90kr, with coffee etc.. McD isn't particular good value or good for the taste buds. If you look around the hundreds of lunch menus, you see far better food and far better prices.

To be completely, such things as proper meals at this price bracket are coming ever harder to find in central stockholm. I think even a half decent burger in the city costs more than that ... which again could show why places like MCD and their 50:- meals are so popular.

It's about welfare, not just taste. The regulations mean you pig won't have spent it's entire life lying down in a pen, because it is so small making it physically unable to stand up or roll over, etc..
You won't get the cheap meat though, it will be bought by the big companies and sold for the same price as better welfare swedish produce, given the supermarkets a higher margin, whilst the Swedish farms make less money.

Most of the pork based products on the swedish shelfs today I usually associate with brands such as SCAN AB - who I thought were Swedish? Actually theres not much choice on the shelfs compared to other central EU nations so I wonder if Swedish consumers are being screwed by Swedish brands ... is it really the fault of the EU?

Don't buy mass produce supermarket produce then. What is in it that comes out then, tell us?

I honestly try not to ... not because I want to support this or that - But I like proper meat.
However even when farmers sell direct or through food markets and not chains , they still take the piss in regards to pricing.

It's nothing to with welfare, it will be water that was injected into the meat with preservatives. Which if they didn't you would by typing here about how short the shelf life of meats are in Sweden compared to everywhere else in the world.

Far from it, Sweden has a disgusting amount of long life canned food.
Peas in a jar ... who the f*ck buy peas in a jar or mushrooms in brine? ... Last time I saw that I was wearing brown flairs and mum was listening to Elton John on the wireless.

And as for Swedens love of tinned sausages :: PUKE ::

[Bender B Rodriquez]

Simply put,if you are moving from the UK to Sweden and expect to live to the same standard in terms of material items and luxuries like edible food (not just pasta) it costs a ... (show full quote)

Simply put,
if you are moving from the UK to Sweden and expect to live to the same standard in terms of material items and luxuries like edible food (not just pasta) it costs a lot. Especially if its in a larger city.

One of the biggest "make or break" issues I have seen regarding English people in sweden and attempting to make a go if it, is getting over the lifestyle they left behind as many of the everyday things that is taken for granted in the UK is foreseen as a luxury in Sweden and the prices reflect that.

Food being one of the greatest issues in cost for many who have a pallet that yearns for more than just moldy veg and pasta. If we put food context into the light, then lets say we look at a cut of Swedish Beef tenderloin from ICA (A generic "crap" Supermaket) - usually a nice piece thats had time to hang commands prices of 795:- a kilo (about £74 a kilo) and if we look at generic chicken, usually the pre packed 2 in a pack breasts go for 120:- a kilo (£11?) which works out more expensive than the ready cooked, chicken breasts sold in M&S. Things like eating out can also command high prices for what is often deemed as bland food. The cost of say a tin of Axe/Lynx deodorant (small size) is about 49:- whereas in the uk its about 35% cheaper ... and this is usual for many products in sweden due to the increase in taxes and markets of less consumerism.

Other areas of lifestyle living in Sweden however may be cheeper.
But the make or break for many families is whether or not they are willing to conform and live to the standards of those around them. As for many that stay, they have to replace their old values to be able to survive. I doubt anyone in Sweden would be happy or willing to pay for a round of drinks for example.

Electricity has a special green tax on it, making it often twice as expensive as some of its neighbors.

So again, its really about variables and what you are willing to sacrifice, to gain in other areas.
If you really wanted a reflection on costs you would need to state where you live now and in what manner and to where in sweden you hope to move and to what manner. ... (hide full quote)

Seriously, where the hell do you buy your stuff? It seems about 30% more expensive than my ICA...
I knew that food is more expensive in Stockholm, but I'm surprised it is that expensive.

[byke]

A large amount of products we now ship in from abroad as it still works out cheaper (such as deodorant) even after shipping from outside of Sweden.

I would say the bulk of Swedish bought foods is split between ICA, Hemköp and a Willys.
Each store usually based on price or quality.

Bog roles from the petrol station in bulk.

So for instance we often buy meat from ICA or Hemköp, as this is something we cant scrimp on.
I dont eat frozen meat or other forms of pink glue.
Places like Saluhall have much higher prices and usually slightly better produce, but again you have to juggle quality with price. We dont go for this ideal of just because it says oxfilet on the packet, that its good.

And again, for fruit or veg .... its not even a question of price anymore.
Its what can we eat that isnt super disgusting and half rotten.
So we judge this based on whats available, irrespective of store.

[mångk]

Seriously, where the hell do you buy your stuff? It seems about 30% more expensive than my ICA.... I knew that food is more expensive in Stockholm, but I'm surprised it is that expensive.

Its not in most places!

795 kr/kilo for Beef????

That is a lot, lot more than one should pay for top quality Swedish beef which is (from my experience) second in quality only to Kobi beef from Japan!

(wait for it!)

[as8]

About 28000. A big chunk is student loans and house loan amortization. We don't really skimp on food either.

as8

[agw9262]

Hi

I agree with Elf_Moon some of the numbers here are scary!!

We are a family of three, 2 adults & an 8 year old. We eat a normal diet, mixed roast dinners, spag bol, fish, etc etc nothing unusual. About the only saving we make is baking our own bread because it tastes better - a habit we brought from the UK so not as a consequence of Sweden. Also no alcohol included.

I work, my wife stays home but each day we drive 40KM round trip one way to SFI then I do 40KM the opposite way to go to work so we simulate 2 cars in terms of fuel.

I have made the costs monthly but some things like car insurance are paid yearly (in my case).

Also, our electricity is higher than most since we have direct heating in the house we rent. I have averaged the electricity and added a bit.

All in SEK per month

Rent 6700 (124m2, 5 room villa, water and refuse collection included)
House insurance 100
Electricity 1500
Car insurance 233
Car tax 141
Car fuel 2000
TV License 190
Internet (20mb up/down fibre connection with 60GB cap) 190
Groceries/food shopping 4000-5000 depending on guests coming and stocking up on meat etc

So about 15-16K a month

I have no clue where the crazy meat prices have come from, I think the most I have seen beef for in ICA is about 380/kg and to be honest, I haven't bought it, think the last ones we bought we about 190/kg and were pretty good, but most things with beef relate to how well you cook it.

As for chicken, the free range ones 38-40SEK/Kg, Ica's own 32/Kg,

Hope that helps

[Elf_Moon]

On the matter of heating. I grew up without it on the whole (my mother divorced my father and he found lovely ways to prevent her getting enough money to help out, with her also being disabled.)

So, I don't put it on, except at Christmas ^.^ I have jumpers and thermals after all *nod*

Sometimes I go to someone's house and end up coming away feeling very tired and ill... I guess you have to be used to central heating... :/

I think on the whole people should go for the option of warmer clothing and fleece blankets over turning up the dial... it seems so wasteful and quite tragic for the environment Though it's not so bad if it's a natural heat source! *nod*

[skogsbo]

However even when farmers sell direct or through food markets and not chains , they still take the piss in regards to pricing.

What is your idea of a fair price for farmers for say a kilo of beef or pork? Obviously you'll have to justify your pricing policy?

You can choice your cut of meat, for the price you quote too.

[JulieLou40]

I'm just looking forward to the collapse of the EU, sooner the better. It will be carnage for a while, but it's a failed experiment and needs to go.

Yeah but what will then happen to those of us who are EU citizens? I don't particularly want to get kicked out of Sweden or have to fart about getting visas and so on.

It's another reason why I should get citizenship, I suppose...

[byke]

What is your idea of a fair price for farmers for say a kilo of beef or pork? Obviously you'll have to justify your pricing policy? . You can choice your cut of meat, for the price you quote too.

My Idea of fair price from direct sales, or sales through small establishments where these so called farmers get screwed by big companies buying in bulk is that the cost of a good cut of meat should be in line with similar nations in Europe who offer a similar product.

If a farmer goes to offer meat direct or through a small vendor at a similar price and quality to that in which he himself gets so called assf*kd by larger companies - then its hard to feel any compassion if they do a similar thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m99DGLPGJA

[byke]

Yeah but what will then happen to those of us who are EU citizens? I don't particularly want to get kicked out of Sweden or have to fart about getting visas and so on.It&# ... (show full quote)

Yeah but what will then happen to those of us who are EU citizens? I don't particularly want to get kicked out of Sweden or have to fart about getting visas and so on.

It's another reason why I should get citizenship, I suppose... ... (hide full quote)

If that was to happen, and we were to go back to old Sweden.
Then you would be foreseen as the property of your husband, and if he is Swedish - then you would have nothing to worry about as your welfare would be his responsibility and be protected under the umbrella of his national status.

As long as you are married and any children are deemed his.

A bit like a dog and its owner.

[sometimesinsweden]

Spend a fortune.

Dont want to work it out as it will depress me.

Food and utilities are a bit more expensive in Sweden, but housing is cheaper and you save even more if you have children, so it balances itself out as such.

However, due to my personal cirucmstances, I've got family in UK and family in Sweden that I'm paying for so get the worst/best of both worlds...