Going to Sweden on Vacation and Worried About Spending!

Posted on by in General, Saving Money & Finances, Vacations

- ADVERTISEMENT -

stockholm swedenFirst off sorry I have not been very social in the last week or two. I am off to Sweden tomorrow for two weeks and as always, taking a 2 week break ensures 2 weeks of stress prior. Mostly due to clients suddenly needing jobs completed (I love you all really!) and various other things that just needed to get done.

I was also supposed to be doing the Yakezie carnival this week but due to the last week I have just been too busy :( . I can’t extend my gratitude enough to Kevin at Invest it Wisely for filling in for me. He did an awesome job and there are some great posts there this week, so check it out: Wisdom Distilled From The Top: A Yakezie Carnival

While I am gone I hope to actually post a few times and I have at least one guest post coming so the blog should be back alive again if all goes well.

Why am I going to Sweden when I have no money?

I don’t have a lot of cash right now and still have not established an emergency fund or any savings. However my partner has been going crazy (harder to be a woman in Egypt) and she just needs a break from Cairo and Egypt…. So she offered to pay for my ticket and I agreed as long as we keep the vacation frugal….. Frugal and Sweden don’t really match up in my mind so it’s going to be interesting.

I’m not totally short of cash though, it’s more cash flow. Shortly after I get back from Sweden the flow will all be coming together as I will be receiving a large bank deposit for my online work and many client jobs will be at the invoicing stage…. I am pretty excited about this as it means I will be filling up my $1k emergency fund and hopefully some extra by the beggining of August.

ADVERTISMENT: CONTENT CONTINUED BELOW

In some ways I regret going on vacation now but my partner can’t do any other time. Do you think I have made a bad decision?

How I will keep spending low in Sweden

I have to keep spending low whilst away. My last experience of visiting a Scandinavian country was Denmark which is a short bridge away from Sweden. The prices there were ridiculous with beer being around $15 each.

So first off I plan to drink very little alcohol. Also I hear the supermarket prices are reasonable. Luckily we will staying with a friend the whole time, partially in Stockholm and partially in her Summer House in the boonies somewhere! This gives us the opportinity to home cook and take food with us to places to avoid high priced eating out….. To be honest I think this will be our main expense as most museums and art places in Sweden are free (government funded).

We will also be going to the last day of the Peace and Love festival though and the ticket for the day was an astounding $120!!! I have not seen a live music festival for years though so I cannot wait and I don’t even know who is playing! I will try hard to keep costs as low as possible on this day by bringing food and water.

What tips do you have for me?

As always I would love to know what tips you have for me to save some cash and if you have ever been to Sweden?

Thanks.

GD Star Rating
loading...

You May Also Like:

Reign In Holiday Spending Thinking More About Cheap Vacation Ideas Vacation Renting Tips How to Reduce Household Spending

- ADVERTISEMENT -

22 Responses to “Going to Sweden on Vacation and Worried About Spending!”

  1. Kevin@InvestItWisely

    28. Jun, 2010

    Sometimes the frugal vacations can be some of the best, as you spend your time really getting into and exploring the country, instead of being pampered in nice hotels and staying in resorts. Here’s hoping you have a great one in Sweden!

    P.S. Thanks for the mention!
    Kevin@InvestItWisely recently posted..Wisdom Distilled from the Top- A Yakezie CarnivalMy Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      11. Jul, 2010

      Thanks Kevin, I have been having a great time but a few things (such as losing my glasses) have ruined it from being a completely frugal break!!!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  2. Financial Samurai

    29. Jun, 2010

    Oh wow… a $15 beer? That is NUTS!!!!!

    You are a very lucky man to have your woman pay for the ticket!

    Hopefully, with the start of the new challenge, we can all make a little more money.

    Best,

    Sam
    Financial Samurai recently posted..Isner vs Mahut- The Greatest Match In Tennis HistoryMy Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      11. Jul, 2010

      I have been paying more like $8-$10 a beer in a bar but more like $3 for nice beer from the supermarket.

      Yes I am very lucky and I am looking forward to the next challenge!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  3. Michelle Adams

    05. Jul, 2010

    I hope you’re both having a fabulous time in Sweden Forest! :)

    Great to know that the museum etc is free, that’s awesome!

    For the places/things that are a little too pricey for this trip, my tip would be to put them on a list of ‘things to do next time’ and budget for them.

    Looking forward to hearing an update and seeing some pics. :)
    Michelle Adams recently posted..Article Writing TipsMy Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      11. Jul, 2010

      Thanks Michelle, sadly I was wrong about all the museums being free but there is still a lot of free things… It’s been great.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  4. Danelzka

    06. Jul, 2010

    Love it! The best educaton is travel. Enjoy the moment, it passes quickly, and you can always make money later to make up for that beer or two. Take ur camera.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      11. Jul, 2010

      Thanks, I agree…. You learn a lot about the world and yourself when you travel.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  5. youngandthrifty

    06. Jul, 2010

    You can check out Ikea? or H&M? (I’m sure your wife might be checking out H&M)

    I hear that buses aren’t too cheap either, like around $2 US for a trip.

    If you’re in the city, maybe you could rent a bicycle and just cycle around? I hear Sweden is a very bicycle friendly place, esp. in the cities.

    have fun- just remember, it’s just money– experiences and memories last a lifetime (hopefully!) =)
    youngandthrifty recently posted..youngandthrifty Net Worth Update- July 2010My Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      11. Jul, 2010

      Hey thanks, yes Ikea and H&M are EVERYWHERE!!! Buses are expensive (as are taxi’s as I found out today) but we have been walking most places as it’s a small city.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  6. Doni

    13. Jul, 2010

    Sounds like you have a pretty good wrap on things (staying with a friend, plane ticket is paid for and the ability to shop at a grocery store and not eat out ever night) these are all huge ways to save :)

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      28. Jul, 2010

      Hey Doni, sorry for the late reply, your comment went to spam for some reason!

      Yeah we had a great deal and it’s always good to know someone.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  7. Miss Thrifty

    17. Jul, 2010

    Oh, I am jealous! I have always wanted to go visit Sweden. Funnily enough we were invited to a wedding there just last weekend, but it was too expensive a trip. :(

    IKEA meatballs FTW!
    Miss Thrifty recently posted..“Do you have the perfect life”My Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      18. Jul, 2010

      Hey Miss Thrifty, I am back now, Sweden was great but it did drain some cash at an alarming rate!!!! While budgets are low I advise getting a taste of Sweden from the Ikea food counter too :) .

      When you do get a chance it’s worth taking a stroll over there. I’ll be writing more about it in the coming week.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  8. Laura Davis

    21. Jul, 2010

    I’ll be traveling abroad for 9 months this fall. While I’ll be mostly staying in England, I’m definitely worried about prices. Not only is the euro and pound doing better than the dollar, but train tickets, plane rides, food, alcohol, and gifts all cost a lot of money. But I’m gonna try to plan ahead and get some good deals.
    Maybe you can offer some suggestions for Sweden once you get back?!? :)
    Laura Davis recently posted..Which Auto Insurance Coverages Are Not MandatoryMy Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      28. Jul, 2010

      Hey Laura,

      I am English and it can get expensive but is cheaper if you limit your time in London. For example it’s common to find alcohol in pubs in Northern cities at much cheaper prices. Also groceries in UK can be quite cheap but restaurants are ridiculously priced.

      I’ll hopefully write a post about Sweden very soon.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  9. kidgas

    10. Aug, 2010

    First of all, enjoy your trip to Sweden. I have never been there but have been in Germany in 2005.

    You are right about taking vacation. It simply means cramming twice the amount of work into the time before you leave and some after catching up with mail and stuff.

    Finally, I think you hit the nail on the head as far as keeping things frugal. We have 6 kids and so will often rent a house when we travel for extended periods so we can cook and eat meals “at home” rather than at restaurants. Food expenses are one of the biggest while away. Also, finding cheaper attractions and entertainment like national monuments and museums is always good. Hope you have fun!
    kidgas recently posted..Putting Long Term Thinking Into PerspectiveMy Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      10. Aug, 2010

      Thanks Kidgas, I am actually back now. I did actually break my glasses whilst away and am waiting for a new pair ($300!!). Luckily the rest of the vacation was reasonable (in Sweden terms anyway).

      You have a large family but it sounds like you know how to deal with it :) .

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  10. Antoni

    16. Apr, 2011

    ohhhhh! sweden snow is something incredible. I love it!
    Antoni recently posted..Ciudades de SueciaMy Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

    • Forest

      18. Apr, 2011

      Hey Antoni, sadly I didn’t get to see the snow, would love to one day though.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      Reply to this comment

  11. Clair

    13. May, 2011

    I’ve been to Sweden in the past and it was really beautifull, as I went to Norway as well I mentioned that Norway is more expensive so you really need to save money if you want to go there,
    Clair recently posted..The ten best Holiday destinationsMy Profile

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    Reply to this comment

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. How to Harness Passion and Take Action - July 19, 2010

    [...] is currently on vacation in Sweden. What a beautiful and magical place that is. Yet Forest has been to many wild and exciting places [...]

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv badge