Make a budget and take control of your finances

A simple budget

Start by reviewing your income and expenses. Here's how you can make a simple budget to get an overview of your finances. Add up your income and compare it to your expenses.

Income

Examples of income:

• Salary
• Study grants
• Housing allowance
• Social welfare
• Pension
• Unemployment insurance fund
• Other sources of income

Expenditure

Examples of expenditure:

• Rent
• Comprehensive household insurance
• Electricity
• Food
• Mobile and internet subscriptions
• Loans
• Transport, such as bus passes
• Other subscriptions
• Entertainment

The Swedish Consumer Agency has a template

The Swedish Consumer Agency has produced a template that you can use to make a budget. Enter your data and create a budget. You can find the template on the Swedish Consumer Agency's website.

Budgetkalkylen – att göra en budget (in Swedish)

Increase revenue or reduce expenditure

When you make a list of income and expenses, you can see if your finances are balanced or if there is anything you need to change. If the income is less than the expenses, consider the following:

1. Do you have a subscription that you can do without?
2. Can you find cheaper options for your fixed costs? For example, mobile phone, internet, and electricity contracts.
3. Is it possible to reduce your food budget, for example by shopping in bulk and having coffee at home instead of at a café?
4. Try doing a shopping ban. Buy only the essentials for a while.
5. Can you supplement your income by taking on a side job?
6. Do you have anything of value you can sell to make some extra money?
7. Are there any subsidies you may be entitled to?

Save – for unforeseen events

In addition to a budget that allows you to keep track of your finances every month, it is important to have a buffer. Meaning, savings that you can use if something unforeseen happens to avoid new debts. With a buffer, you may be able to pay a higher electricity bill or a more expensive dental visit without having to borrow money. You can save a sum every month by asking your bank to make a direct debit to a savings account when your salary, student grant, unemployment benefit or parental benefit arrives in your account.

If possible, you can also start saving for retirement and for future major purchases that you know you will need to make.

Budget and debt advice

If you struggle managing your finances, the municipality's budget and debt advisers can help you. The advice is free and you can be anonymous. You can get advice and concrete suggestions on how to plan your finances and manage your debts. They can also help you contact the people you owe to get an instalment plan. You can find contact details for budget and debt advisers in your municipality on the Hello Consumer website:

Kommunal budget- och skuldrådgivning (in Swedish)