Anniina Sveiby shops at the discount store “Holdbart”, never buys ready meals and makes everything from scratch.
– Fruits and vegetables have become very expensive in Norway, so now there is less of it, says Sweeby.
She is a kindergarten teacher. On a daily basis, she works in a kindergarten and earns NOK 27,000 per month. With two kids at home, she feels she doesn’t have enough money to live on.
– To save money, I used to fast during periods when there were no children at home, he says.
Other days it’s cheap food like eggs and bacon.
– I don’t buy things for the fridge when I’m alone at home.
Annina Sweeby works at a kindergarten. She believes she has a good salary and seniority. However, she cannot always afford food.
Photo: Marit Chran-Igre / NRK
The situation has become more difficult
900,000 Norwegians have no chance to manage an unexpected expense of NOK 19,000, according to the Living Conditions Survey for 2021, provided by Statistics Norway (SSB).
The survey examines how people feel and is conducted every year.
– We generally see low income groups and unemployed people struggling to pay their bills. Except for immigrants, especially those from outside Europe, says Matthias Revoldt, senior advisor at Statistics Norway.
1 in 4 can’t go on vacation
The figures released on Tuesday show the living conditions of Norwegians in the period before the electricity crisis and the sharp rise in prices in recent months.
– For groups that were struggling before the price hike, the situation has become even more difficult.
Senior Advisor Matthias Rewoldt.
Photo: Marit Chran-Igre / NRK
A large group of single parents like Anninna Sweepy are having a tough time right now.
– Nearly half can’t manage an unexpected expense, and 1 in 4 say they can’t take a vacation every year. That includes short trips to Norway, he says.
– How serious is it?
– For many, this can be very serious. Every day they have to choose between paying electricity bills, replacing worn-out clothes or taking out money to take the kids on vacation, says Ha.n
– It will be interesting to see how the growth will be in 2022.
Understanding the demanding situation
Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) is well aware of the dire situation many find themselves in.
– He says that the government and I want to take it with us when we work on next year’s budget.
Also, Toppe emphasizes that affordable daycare and free core hours have already been introduced at SFO. He emphasizes that public support programs such as electricity support and housing support will become important.
– These are important measures for nuclear families, he adds, especially for single parents who are at high risk of experiencing poverty.
Minister for Children and Families Gerstie Tope understands.
Photo: Benjamin Tyrdal / NRK
It used to be so easy
Sweepy himself believes he has a good salary and seniority and says it’s not a problem.
– The problem is that I am now working 80 percent and am alone with two children. In addition, food and electricity prices will skyrocket, he says.
Sweepy had a partner before.
– It was much easier when there were two of us. Two of us shared rent, two shared electricity and two shared food. Additionally, we had two incomes.
Annana Sweepi has insufficient money, and is in short supply by several thousand kroner every month.
Photo: Marit Chran-Igre / NRK
Even in her spare time, she thinks it would be financially demanding. When Sweepy has kids, she tries to take advantage of activities that are free, so to speak.
– We go on mushroom trips and swim in the open air. My kids know we can’t go to Leo’s playground.
Annina Sweepy Diet advice is hard to come by. Sometimes she fasts to save money.
Photo: Marit Chran-Igre / NRK
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